bushido_man96

I'm not sure that TKD is the only culprit. Didn't the early kumite competitions that were held in Japan between the various university clubs do more high kicks, due to the rules of the kumites?

We didn't "free spar" in Aikido, but did do some randori from time to time that was more spotaneous than some of the other work. There wasn't any kata work, either. We did our basic movments work, which were the movements that then were implemented into the techniques

I've also seen some TKDers turn the belt around for sparring, so the lengths are bouncing in the back.

We basically spar with Olympic/WTF style rules. No hand techniques to the head, no contact below the belt, no contact to the back. Techniques must cause "body displacement" to be scored (or are supposed to be). Sometimes we break at point, and sometimes we spar continuous for 2 minutes. Number of rounds depends on the tournament.

This is pretty good advice. The other time that I have noticed when it matters, is when someone under the age of 13 is awarded a black belt, too.

With that kind of outlook, you certainly won't improve. You've got to change that around for yourself. Kicking high isn't always a necessary thing, as most of the kicks you are likley to ever use for self-defense purposes will probably be below belt level. You can still improve; you just may have to find different things to improve yourself physically. You can always improve mentally, too. Don't give up on yourself so easily. Keep at it. You only fail when you stop trying. I'v had this problem at times. It seems like some days I can't get away from this. I try to think about gripping the ground with my foot a bit, and that helps at times. I also check my body alignment to see if I am leaning or shifting some, as that can cause the problem, too.

I see simple block/strike counters to start out with. The middle section with the front kicks is beyond me. I'm sure there is some movement point there, but I can't see it. The pull in and front kick could be a clinch and low kick, pulling the bad guy in, or could be a pulling motion into a reap. The jump and spin at the end...no clue.

I agree here that figuring out what one's tendencies and preferences are while sparring is just as important to developing the strategies that will go along with one's sparring. It will help when figuring out why something might not be working well. Its also good for guaging one's own strengths and weaknesses, and tailoring training to suit.

I like what I see here, except for the dropping of the hand completely after punching, but perhaps that just the training aspect of it for that exercise. Those guys are throwing a lot of power. As for the Systema vid, the way that guy is built, I can see that he might have some heavy hands, and can see what he's describing with the power there. I think the guys getting hit are reacting, or overreacting, a bit funny, but I'm not the one getting hit, either. The energy of his strikes does drive downward, thus why the guys do the jelly-knee thing when absorbing the contact. I'd hate to see him hit someone hard...

The man who taught the Gracies originally was a student of Kano's, so his style was Judo. What the Gracies did was focus more on the ground aspect, and the evolution lead to BJJ, in a nutshell, if I recall my reading properly.

One thing that I do notice about Martial Arts that especially use the rank system is that the lack of rank can affect what you are taught, and the depth of the subject matter taught to you. You will likely continue to be grouped with the rank you retain, and may not be shown other things taught to higher ranks, simply because you choose not to test.

Welcome to the Forums, and to Martial Arts! The best advise I can give is to work hard and focus. The rest will take care of itself.

Ok. It sounds like your instructor calls the Chang On forms the Pal-Gwe set, then. You may want to check with him, because that is pretty far off base. The Pal-Gwes were made by the WTF, and the Chang Ons were the set made by for the ITF by Choi and Nam.

I think at times, instead of using the term "full-contact," what I think of is more like "full-body targets." Not necessarily fighitng hard all the time, but using as many targets on the body as possible. That could just be me, though.

Another difference I've noticed in stances in TKD and Aikido is that in TKD, you can be in one stance in a form or whatever, and do several moves before moving to another stance. In Aikido, when I apply a move, its in one stance or position, and then there is a change of stance or direction if another move is applied. In Aikido, you never stand still for very long.

Keep us posted as to what the classwork entails, as well. I've done Aikido and Combat Hapkido classes, and would be interested in how JJJ goes.

I think its mostly preference.

Earning a black belt, although it is only a belt, can also be looked at as a great achievement. Its a step on the road you are on, for sure. A lot of what a black belt also is, is the perception that others see in it. I think that is where most of the power comes from; how others view it, mainly those of lower rank or with no MA experience at all. Perhaps I'd need some more background on the political aspects of your organization, but just because that guy dropped a name to you, doesn't mean you should have to change where you do your forms training in order to be eligible to test. If I were you, I would just stay on your current course, with your current teacher, and then seek permission to test. At the testing, you will be able to see how you measure up to others from your other schools. Best of luck to you in this, and I'm sorry the politics has gotten to you like this. Its kind of unfortunate, but you really can't go to any organization without there being some politics involved on some level.

Welcome to the Forums!

Ah, interesting. I will have to look into that. It would help fill the void after those late nights working.

Yeah, you're right, the Romans. My head isn't on right...

Its been really nice outside here, too, over the last couple of days. Unfortunately, the only training I've done has been in the form of walking my dogs. My back is getting a bit better, but I don't want to push it back into injury again.

If you are looking for fitness training, there are tons of things to do that will focus on fitness better than watching from a Karate video. Look into something like P90X or a general aerobics class. These things would suit your needs more appropriately.

No, not all schools are like that. There are a few bad apples out there, though. If the sensei is not making himself available for the bulk of the classes, as you mention, then you might be able to look into a breach of contract. Something to think about. The unfortunante aspect of all of this is that it will cost you time and money with an attorney, unless you are one. I wish you luck.

I see. So you do the 8 Pal-Gwe forms along with the ones you mentioned above? Do you have to know 2 forms for each testing? I've worked out with a club like that before, too.