bushido_man96

The "everytime" is where we run into problems. I think that what it comes down to is that the one-hit kill didn't or wouldn't happen often enough to warrant serious consideration. If it does happen, it probably has a lot to do with a lot of contributing factors, coming from both the striker and the recipient; things like strength, overall health and fitness levels, etc.

GSP is just flat out a great athlete. He'd likely be the posterboy of effectiveness in any atlletic endeavor he partook in. I think he either tried out for the Canadian Olympic Wrestling team, or was going to but could not due to other committments. The man is a great athlete. Taking one extreme, a guy like GSP, and then comparing him as the Kyokushin prototype to the more run-of-the-mill types like myself, that try to get in two days a week of TKD, along with working a full time job and raising a family.....well, I'm not likely to measure up to GSP.

You should do some research into what they are all about. There are many different opinions about what Dillman does, ranging from studies backed with test results, and the more easy to find blatant put-downs that are out there. Look for some things with comparisons and studies backing them, and judge for yourself.

2/10/2011 Kicks from fighting stance, 5 front then 5 back, then switch: Front kick: 20 Rounk kick: 20 Side kick: 20 60 total.

Footwork is important in most styles, I think. In TKD, we use footwork quite a bit, too. Footwork is actually one of my weaker spots, and it shows up when I spar. It is very important in fighting.

I've expressed my feelings with this scenario in an article: Martial Arts "Monogamy". I think that if an instructor is going to try to restrain what you want to learn, then you should consider finding an instructor that would not mind you doing this.[/url]

Split kick is tough. I'm can't do the kick worth a darn, mainly because I'm not that flexible. However, I do think I know enough about the mechanics of the kick that I could teach it to someone with the ability to do it.

Yes, it is a sad fact that McDojos are out there, and will continue to be out there. One thing the McDojo discussion does is continually generate awareness in what we do as a whole, makes us continually challenge ourselves as to what we do and how we do it, and drives us to ask how we can be better. Would I like to see them gone? Yeah, sure. But once they are gone, instead of talking about how McDojos suck, people will instead attack the next rung up the ladder, those with schools who although may be teaching good stuff, just aren't as good as some others out there. So, the ones that may get dubbed as "elite" establishments may talk down on those who are not as well established, or have different criteria or credentials. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's what I would see happening.

I don't know about this one. When I do forms, I max power each technique.... if your justified in striking someone, then strike them as hard as you can. No sense in playing patty-cake.I'm going to counter this one. In some places, I have techniques where while setting up, I have limbs moving toward choice targets essentially by accident. I didn't go there to do it, but while i'm there, it seems a shame to completely ignore that little elbow snap that would do a light stinging groin slap, even though it comes out of an intermediary position as part of a more decisive attack. In the other hand, I didn't go there for the slap. It's just a cutely wrapped package laying by the side of the road on my way to the technique i'm doing. Not going to compromise the main technique to abort to a strike. I understand what you are saying here, but at the same time, these "little" techniques you are mentioning don't sound like they are planned techniques. If they were the intention, then they would probably more likley be full-powered, wouldn't they? On the other hand, I do see the point some of the others are making in using moves and techniques to set up a singular focal technique used as the money-maker. I think this is good in competition and sparring, but not quite as useful in self-defense settings. In my Combat Hapkido applications, those "distraction" techniques are already a part of the entirety of the move set I am doing at the time, and to me, forgoing max power on a strike because I want to attempt to lock someone up, doesn't make sense to my end goals, which is self-defense/get away if I can.

That is what we are taught in our TKD class. However, it does take time to develop it this way.But, its not the only way, either. Boxers do a good job of developing this power in a different manner. With that said, concentrate on your hip movement in your punching practice. Over time, you will see that you can get that hip motion involved without as much telegraph, or chambering that punch all the way back to the ribs. Its just technique that takes some time to develop.

Ernie Reyes Jr was a TKD practitioner for a number of years, trained by his father, who had a national demo team for quite some time. I think Reyes Jr's first movie appearance was in The Last Dragon (which is a CLASSIC, I might add...).

I don't know if it is quite that much, Bob. I think the reason that we have so many organizations is because so many people have different ways of thinking. So they get to a point where they can do their thing their own way. The only problem is that in many cases, this can create hard feelings amongst those who depart and those who stay. It also may bring about arguments of loyalty. The true problems are caused by the egos that are bruised in the process.

At times, I've been caught by the wife shutting the upper cabinet doors with hook kicks and round kicks. I try to do them more slowly, and its really good for the leg strength.

Grab a partner at the dojo before class, and work on some simple sparring drills, using the techniques and concepts you do in class. Some simple block/counter drills as a warm-up can help you get more comfortable doing them in sparring.

Perhaps the usage of the terminology "full contact" isn't as important as recognizing "full body targets." Even lighter contact fighting using the whole body as legal target areas will improve one's abilities at defending all areas of the body, especially those punches to the head.

Our school does forms at count, and then at our own pace, but we learn it by count. The way they are bringing you along does sound odd. Perhaps they don't look at testing you at all, since they know you only have a short time with them?

I agree with many of the others. Spar with something in mind to try to learn or make work, and then make adjustments as needed to get it to work better. You will learn what you like to do, how to make it work, and then how to make other things work by incorporating it with what does work for you. This will help you develop an overall strategy after a time.

If you look into all the masters who have contributed to Karate throughout its history, and the number of masters who have started their own organization or branched off into a variant of another, you will see just as many "theories" on Karate. Likewise with TKD, BJJ, etc. Different people will have different theories.

This is an interesting breakdown. You make some good, valid points here.

Could it possibly resemble an old-fashioned type of chicken-wing lock? With the move being perfromed in a slow, tension motion, it would lend itself to appear to be a steadily applied move, gradually applying the technique to the point of pain-compliance.

Welcome aboard!

Welcome to KF!

I don't, but I do see the value in the explosiveness they develop.

That's a tough deal, Brian. Keep us posted, for sure, and let us know how the training goes.

How did this work out for you? Was your kinesthetic awareness better than you thought, or what you expected? Sounds like interesting training. 2/2/2011 Push-ups: 3x15 Floor kicks Round kick: 3x12 each side Side kick: 3x12 each side Hook kick: 3x12 each side 2/7/2011 Weights: Pull day: 45 degree arm curl: 25x10, 10, 10, 10, 10 Barbell curls: 65x10, 75x8, 80x6 Shoulder shrugs: 220x10, 240x8, 260x6 Cross body dumbell curls: 20x10, 25x8, 30x6 Overhead cable curls: 70x10x3 Barbell wrist curls: 45x15x3 Dumbell reverse wrist curls: 15x15x3 Forearm machine: 45x3 Legs: 1 leg press (machine): 171x6, 136x8, 8 1 leg curl: 40x10, 60x10, 70x8 Abs: Ab coaster: 20x12x3 Smith crunch: 30x10x3