bushido_man96

No, not rank so much, as skill, that makes the difference. Usually, the two have a direct corelation, but not always. And desire and perserverance are not always enough to pull someone through. Skill and preparation are just as important.

Its quite funny to me, how many of us as MAists will speak of how the belt doesn't matter. But in this case, it does.... ....so, it leaves me to wonder how many of us have gone back on what we said when we claim "the belt doesn't matter...."?????

I don't think this is a fair arguement to make for children not earning black belts. Its true that children are easily overpowered by adults. What you have to look at is what the child knows and can do as compared to other children his/her same age. The child vs. adult agrument isn't much different than making a professional MMA fighter vs. average adult black belt argument. The two are just too different to try to compare. But, does the inability for an average adult black belt to beat a professional MMA fighter mean that person isn't deserving of his/her rank? I don't believe so. Thoughts? I'm 38 and a pretty nice sized guy. I was sparring with my 9 year old son a couple of weeks ago and he caught me in the eye with a ridgehand. Now he didn't drop me or knock me out, but he did cause me to step back some and slow me down. This can make all the difference in the world if someone is trying to take him. Plus I have to believe he was holding back a little on old dad too. I see what you are saying here. Now, add in a level of determination and goal-oriented thought process in the mind of an attacker, and how much can the situation change? That said, it could be enough to buy the child the time he needs to get away. But, at the same time, we aren't talking about being able to "take" and adult, either.

I think that this is the single biggest detrimant to many MA styles, and also the source of many of the ego-conflicts that go on between the "traditionalists" and the newer age "MMAist." There is validity to your statement. But, I think in the end, you have to decide how much time it will take to tailor something to yourself like that, and if the time it will take is worth the time that could have been dedicated to something that you knew already worked for you, and could be honed and serve the same end. I see the point behind either approach. It just depends on if one is worried about making it all work, or not.

I think not lifting the heel comes from a kata standpoint, is likely more of a technical appearance thing than anything else. We are told the same in TKD basics and forms, too. That said, I think lifting the heel is better, mainly for the reasons that tallgeese mentions, and I think it lends to being more mobile. I think the difference also comes in the nature with which strikes are done in Boxing/Thai Boxing and in Shotokan/TKD. In Boxing, the punches are sent out and back, whereas in Shotokan, especially in forms work, the punch is driven out, and then left in that position until the next move, which is usually then done with the alternate hand/arm. Where in Boxing, the succeeding move may be done with the same hand.

Welcome to KF! Do you run an ATA school? I saw the link in your footer. I hold a 2nd dan in the ATA, and was a certified instructor. I've recently been reviewing my ATA material to shake up my training a little bit.

Welcome, Andrew!

Welcome to KF, Nick!

Improvisation is a great for practice, as at times it produces the only tools we have for practice. Me and my brother have practiced knife defense with rulers. When I lived back home with my parents, I hung my heavy bag from my dad's cherry picker in the shop. Its the mother of neccissity.

There are times when I practice DT and Combat Hapkido that my partner and I will question whether or not something is viable. In my TKD and Aikido class, I will question some of the things we practice, and wonder the same to myself, if I think they are viable to use. Its a good way to keep ourselves honest as Martial Artists.

I understand that, but social interaction happens anywhere people congregate. To try to stop couples in dojos from becoming friends, dating, etc, is like trying to stop the stream from flowing downhill. Sure, you can dam it up, but you just end up diverting it somewhere else.

I don't think this is a fair arguement to make for children not earning black belts. Its true that children are easily overpowered by adults. What you have to look at is what the child knows and can do as compared to other children his/her same age. The child vs. adult agrument isn't much different than making a professional MMA fighter vs. average adult black belt argument. The two are just too different to try to compare. But, does the inability for an average adult black belt to beat a professional MMA fighter mean that person isn't deserving of his/her rank? I don't believe so. Thoughts?

Classic Bruce Lee!

Yeah based on keeping your word. So more of a verbal agreement?I'll throw in the same pitch I do everytime this topic comes up: I met my wife at my TKD school.

I think TKD tends to be more of a methodology than an ideology. I prefer methodology over ideology, but it has to be the proper methodology.

I like the back leg round kick. A close second would be the spinning heel kick, although for safety reasons, I don't use it a lot.

7-13-10 Jogged mile in 10:36, and made 1.39 in 15 minutes. TTA low green belt form and one-steps. ATA camo belt (yeah, that's right, CAMO belt ) form and one-steps. I had to review these, so I worked through the form in segments, and then each one-step. I did the form 3 times, then the one-steps 3 times each. Finally, I did a run through of the form and each of the one-steps, to make sure I had them down. Stretch. Chest and tris today. Bench, decline bench, and some dips. I may have done something to my right shoulder while benching...we'll see what tomorrow feels like.

Looks like fun! There are more subtle ways of building the body up to these methods, and it is important to start out nice and easy, because if you injure yourself, then you can't train.

Be wary of statements claiming "the best this" or "the ultimate that." They are often nothing more than an advertising plug. Also pay attention to the types of applications you are putting together. Do they seem logical, or are they just moves put together? If you are putting things together with a partner, and you have some resistance going with each other, then that is a good sign, too. Like the others have said, if you are enjoying the training, then keep it up. It sounds like you'll be in good shape, for sure. If you have questions, do some research and see what pops up.

Being away from the family would be very tough, and I commend you for being able to do it for as long as you did. Are you going to at least go back and maybe work out at your old school? It could almost be like being a full time student again! And I didn't know you were originally living in Oklahoma. That is a bit closer to Kansas, you know. Congrats on your decision and welcome back to the midwest!

Story: http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/news/story?id=5375561 I'm sure Patrick will be especially struck by this, being a huge, dedicated Yankees fan. I know Bob here is a big fan, as well. Many know that I am no Yankees fan, but my thoughts and prayers go out to the Steinbrenner family, and the Yankees organization. Love or hate him, one cannot deny the level of success he brought to New York and the Yankees organization. RIP George Steinbrenner.

Martial Arts should be about self-defense, first and foremost, in my opinion, or you aren't getting anything Martial out of them. As far as better awareness goes, improvement in self-defense will lead to better awareness, of your physical surroundings, of those around you, etc. If you are gaining a betterment of life through your training, then that's great. But at the heart and soul of Martial Arts training should be self-defense training. isshinryu5toforever makes a good point. Its great if other things stem from MA training, but self-defense should be a big part of what goes on in classes. Otherwise, we see those black belts that can't defend themselves that come out of those lower-quality schools that like to promote and push students through the ranks.

Welcome to KF, Ben!

Welcome to KF!

7-9-10 Jogged the mile in 10:57, and made 1.38 miles in 15 minutes. ATA white, orange, and yellow belt forms. TTA white, low orange, and hi orange belt forms. ATA one-steps, white through yellow belt. Stretch. Weights again. Nothing spectacular. Did shoulders, back, and bis.