bushido_man96

That's pretty much right. I had one a few years back and seemed like it took forever to get over it. It actually hurt more when I used that leg as a base leg, especially on spin side kicks. The stretch it gave just really tweaked it good. Rest it well, then ease back into it.

Whether it is right or not, I've considered spending some time to learn some of these forms that I will not get a chance to learn. I'd be teaching myself in essence, but with the knowledge I have on how to do the techniques and move, I don't think I would have too much trouble with it. I'd just apply the techniques as I know them from my training. Who knows, I might learn something new. I kind of noticed that. I like Kwang Gae ok, and I felt I did it pretty well. I did take first at a tourney with that one. But I loved doing Gae Baek. It just felt like I was built for it. Lots of shorter, compact moves and combinations, and lots of power. However, we do a hopping side kick in place of where the jump side kick is in that form; another change the GM made. As near as I have been able to tell, the diagrams don't change much. In Yoo Sin, the knee-level side kicks are added one each after the U-shaped punches, so it doesn't really disturb where the form goes. It does change the move number, technically. However, we aren't ever quized or asked about the origins of the forms. On a board in our classroom is a paper with the names of the forms, and a brief blurb of why it is named such, but its more for those interested than anything else. I have done reading on why the forms are called such, the symbol, etc, but its more out of my own search for knowledge than anything else. Yes, we do, with one additional form our GM added for hi orange belt. You would probably see some differences in them if I showed them to you. Also, Won Hyo never ends right. It always finishes one stance length to the right, I believe. I'm going to try to record myself doing some of my forms sometime, and see if I can post them on my Facebook page, or to YouTube. When and if I do, I'll let you know.

Kudos, blade! Enjoy the ride with your daughter.

Check out interp. of the bunkai after the kata http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q42Br_EaDlg Thanks for sharing that, Chuck. That was an intersting look at the jump spin. Stepping off and kicking like that was interesting. Not sure I'd try that one, but he looked good doing it. Bob, I don't doubt you at all there. In Choong Moo hyung, we have a jumping 360 spin that ends with a double palm block. Its just digging in and finding out "why."

I don't really think this is the case here. I don't know much at all about Karate's history, as it isn't the art I study. However, from reading this book, Cook seems to have done a good job of gathering information, substantiating it through various sources, and putting it together in a kind of chronology of events throughout the history of Shotokan. I don't see a lot of opinion interjected.

With a bulk of the kicks being low in nature, you may be right, isshinryu5toforever. I don't how well a front kick would work into a fight strategy. I suppose it could be used like a jab to the body with the foot, but then it will become more like the Thai tiip, unless fighters give it a bit more snap and less push, but how much will that wear the kicker down over the course of the fight? It would also increase the range of the fight, which could make things interesting, if it became a staple. So, we're left with the fight-ender version to the face, and it will be interesting to see if it becomes more popular.

I think the perspective comment sums it up well. There are many out there, and differences arise, and the focus should be on if they are good and work. If that's the case, then how can they be "wrong?"

I enjoyed that video, as much as I could interpret from it. It is interesting to see these things as they begin to intertwine in styles. Thanks for sharing this, Kuma. Anyone else have any experience with how one style helped them to "see" another style better?

I don't really believe in karma, so I can't help you much with that. If you don't feel good about going there, then you should probably look into something else, just to help you feel better.

I enjoyed watching his technique. Very good stuff there, what I did watch. I didn't watch it all, but he looked very crisp and clean. He should have a heck of a future.

Congrats, Montana.

In Harry Cook's Shotokan Karate, A Precise History, on pg 168, there is a quote from Hirokazu Kanazawa detailing how his training in Tai Chi helped his Karate: Kanazawa also goes on to elaborate that Tai Chi could help him do his Karate better as he got older, because of the way it teaches him to use his body. Has anyone else had any relationships between styles like this? I have noticed a bit here and there in doing Aikido and Hapkido alongside TKD, especially with some of the movements in the forms of TKD, and some things I could adapt into one-steps training. I know there are quite a few of us here that cross train, and would be interested in hearing your responses.

Go Royals! Yeah, right... Maybe the Cubs will be worth something this year...

I hadn't heard of that before. I didn't realize the toes were an area that could be stretched like that. I will give it a try. Ugh, I can't imagine that. You're one tough cookie!

Like you say here, we can find examples of where certain things have worked. We can also find examples of where certain things don't work, as well, like you state below: You can play this "what if" game all day long, with many different tactics. No tactic is full proof. The "group attack" scenario is a constant arguement to the efficacy of ground fighting in self-defense, regardless of how effective it has been proven to be. Small joint manipulation gets the same treatment. The fact of the matter is that for every scenario someone can put up on how something is effective, another scenario can be put up of how it isn't effective. That doesn't mean you should throw it out as not being beneficial or ineffective. The more tools in your toolbox, the better.

Jack Burton rocks! 3/1/2011 Round kicks from natural ready stance: 4 sets of 10, alternating. 3/2/2011 Weights: Pull day: Lat pull-down: 130x10, 140x8, 150x6 Lat pull-over: 90x10, 100x8, 110x4 Iso pull-down: 70x10, 75x8, 80x6 Upright rows: 70x10, 75x8, 80x6 Legs Bodyweight squats: 3x15 Lunges: 2x10 each leg The weights don't bother me nearly as much as these do. Man, my legs are sore now. Yoo Sin hyung x 2 TKD class: 7:00 - 8:00. Basics and one-steps. Very tiring.

The heavy bag can be rough on toes with the round kick. When I break boards with the ball of the foot round kick, I have to set up at about a 45 degree angle to the board. Otherwise, I'll kill my toes, too. You can get a feel for the angle you will need by using a wall. Don't kick the wall, but just get your foot into its striking position, put on the wall like you finished the technique and struck a board, and find the right body angle from the wall. That will be your finish point, then back track to the start position. See if that helps out. I hope that doesn't sound too confusing to you.

I have a set of General Choi's encyclopedia, since the style of TKD I practice uses that form set. However, the forms have been altered some, and the requirements for the black belt ranks are different. It appears that the first degree forms, according to Choi, are: Kwang Gae Po Eun Ge Baek As a first degree in my organization, we do only Kwang Gae. For the rank before, which is a first degree "recommended" rank, we do Choong Moo, which is done as rec and as high brown. Choi's second degree forms are: Eui Am Choong Jang Juche I know none of these forms yet, as a 3rd degree. As a second degree in my organization, we are required to test on: Po Eun (second recommended) Ge Baek (decided) Choi's third degree forms: Sam Il Yoo Sin Choi Yong The forms I do as a 3rd degree are: Se Jong (recommended) Yoo Sin (decided) We do Choong Jang at 4th degree, Choi Young at 5th degree, and Tong Il at 6th degree. So, there are quite a few discrepancies in our forms requirements, and those of the standard ITF schools, if they still follow with Choi's original requirements here. Now why my GM did this, I'm not for certain. From what I can gather, I think he started out as a WTF member in South Korea. Something happened, and when he came to America, he chose to switch to the ITF forms, but not all of them. He also made some changes to some of the forms, some of which are quite different. In Se Jong, there is one technique that goes a totally different direction, but the form still seems to end correctly. In Yoo Sin, he added two low side kicks (knee level) after each of the U shaped punches. Kind of crazy. I thought it would be interesting to hear what others that do ITF had to say in comparison here.

You may need to tailor your training a bit differently. Listen to your body. You may be able to do basics and forms, but you might have to hold off on sparring for a while.

One thing about respect for me is that it is a two-way street. When I was in the ATA, the guy who became my main instructor would refer to the students by Mr. or Mrs. "Smith" or whatever, just like we referred to him as Mr. "Smith." So, what he expected of us, we also expected of him. I think that is how respect has to be. It has to be earned, and not commanded.

Well that's cool. How do you get so lucky?

Good job, tallgeese. I can't imagine going that many matches. I'd need a serious cardio overhaul. 2/27/2011 Se Jong hyung x 3. I looked at the version of Se Jong in Choi's Encyclopedia, and boy is the version we do way different. I'm not sure what our GM was thinking. 2/28/2011 Weights: Push day: Bench press: 175x10, 185x8, 195x6 Incline bench: 135x10, 145x6, 4 Dips: 3 sets of 5 Legs Leg extension: 130x10, 145x8, 160x6 Leg curl: 110x10, 130x8, 150x4 Abs Thera crunch: 25x10x5 Repeat round kicks: 5 sets each leg, 5 kicks each time, without setting down.

Oh yeah, done that, too. I actually went driving around checking out some near where I was staying once. Checked out a Chinese style school. It was cool to see something different.

Usually, an organization or group or whatever would have someone in mind for when this time comes. We may not always think its the best choice, but we have to believe that the person making the choice, did so for a good reason.

Agreed. High kicks can work, and can work well. They are not always what we might consider a "high percentage" technique. As per my style: 1. No. 2. No. All techniques must be above the belt in competition. 3. No. However, we do practice some of these things in our one-steps. The competitive side of things has a different focus on a different skill set, thus more kicking, and high kicking. As mentioned earlier, its tough to do sparring at a reasonable pace without some kind of rules in place. I do agree that some rule sets out there don't apply as well to self-defense, but training can be tailored to suit. This can be hard to pin down, as well. What is the safest, most reliable thing one can do under the circumstances of self-defense? Run? Sure, unless you're slow like me. Punches? Some guys can take them; some can't. Joint locks? Can be tough on resisting opponents. Grappling? Great, unless a crowd of baddies show up. How about a gun? Great, unless someone already has a gun on you. I do agree that there are some strategies that are likely to have a higher success rate, and that kicks above the belt are not always "high percentage" moves. But, its good to have the tool in your box if you need it.