bushido_man96

Welcome to KF!

6-29-10 Jogged mile in 11:10, and made 1.34 miles in 15 minutes. Stretched. TTA hi orange belt form and one-steps. ATA yellow belt form and one-steps.

I'll admit that I know very little about BJJ and grappling in general. But, I do know enough to appreciate what is going on when two guys go to the ground and start making those little moves that everyone else in the audience might see as boring. I agree. That's why most people boo when an mma fight goes to the ground.

If hitting people is high on the priority list, then I don't see how you can go wrong with Kyokushin. But, Kendo would be fun, too....getting hit with shinai....good times! I did SCA combat for a while, and getting hit and hitting with large rattan sticks is a BLAST!!!! So, I think Kendo would be just as much fun.

I've never been a hard core competitor, but have done my share. I wasn't that great, but it gave me some things to work on. Anymore, I just don't have as much time to train, and therefore, competing would be rather futile, so I don't do it so much.

I may have to. DT sessions start up in the fall, and they do a lot of grappling, so I plan getting there.

Now come on, Bob, how can this not be useful???? Sorry, everyone. Guys my hero!!

I still don't understand this whenever I read/hear this. Are martial artists of this methodology so afraid of one additional movement? Turning the head may be an additional movement, but, imho, it's such an infinitesimal amount. Surely, that one additional movement won't be the end of all things. Of course I'd be signaling my opponent which way I'm going because I'm going to defend myself against THAT opponent. So what if my opponent knows I'm about to turn and face them, I've no secrets, besides, my opponents attacking me, so, I've got to defend myself, and if I announce that I'm going to turn to face my opponents attack...well...cool...and it won't be such a surprise after all! I'd suspect that my opponent will have already expected that of me and my turning to face them. But how do you know to look that way in the first place? You've either already seen them in your periphery or sensed them there so you don't necessarily have to turn the head to look to see where they are before starting to move. Reflex vs concious decision. You can turn and reflexively raise your arm to block and look at the same time rather than turning the head to look first and then decide that you need to do something in that direction. Its the delay between turning the head, looking and then moving which is counted as an additional movement; it doesn't need to be there if you're going to turn and look at the same time. As far as alerting your opponent that you're going that way, if you've got time to turn the head and look first before moving then its not that urgent. If they'd already started the attack its too late by the time you've looked and registered it then started to move. IMO, better to turn with the hands up ready just in case that motion you saw in the corner of your eye was a punch, if its not, then no harm done. If they weren't already throwing the punch then you've given them that split second to react and decide that now you're coming their way to deal with them so they better do something to stop you. If anything by turning the head first you've just presented your face to get smashed while the rest of your body is catching up with the turn. Not saying your method or reasoning is wrong, we just do it our way for the reasons I gave. Kata practice is always the "sterile" training environment of many styles. One never has to worry about being struck, and visualization will be in our favor. These are good things, too. In kata, we strive for perfection, and the head snap is one of those things we work on, too. But, when it comes to self-defense, perfection begins to seep away as adrenaline fills the veins and fine motor skills dwindle into the knuckle-dragger syndrome. So, I think the head turn is another of the many things practiced in forms so that when it comes time, although it may be diminished, it can still be there from muscle memory. I also see the merits in what DWx talks about, and it makes a lot of sense, too. They both accomplish the same goals, but show the different ideas and methodologies. After all, that's why we end up with so many different styles.

I don't know...I guess different things are therapeutic for different people. I do enjoy a good sparring session, and there is always a lot left for me to think about afterwards.

Its a very good and valid point to make, too. I've taken time before to do kind of a "schedule audit" to see where I have free time, and what I can do. It does point out to you at times how much time you could alot to other things. But, I also agree that at times it is important to be able to kick back and do whatever it is you want to do at that time. Its those little breaks from all the other that makes life worthwhile. Good thread, and it will get people thinking.

I agree with Lupin1. I don't think that the Martial Arst instill those things anymore than any other activity does. With that said, I do think it is important that any kind of activity, especially youth activities, teach things like good sportsmanship, good attitudes, courtesy, respect, etc. I also believe very heavily that it is the responsibility of the parents, far and away, above and beyond, to teach these things to their children, and follow through with them at home.

It is a fantastic movie, isn't it?

Welcome aboard!

You handled it well. You probably said more than I would have. I'd have just left it at "no thanks." But, at the same time, your politeness and approach has left you an open invitation, and a contact in the future. Good things.

I agree. You'll have good flexibility in setting up the training schedule, and would be able to do some focused training sessions, too.

I can remember when I was in the ATA how I admired seeing the words "World Champ" on the back of the doboks of those who had accomplished it. It was a really inspiring thing for me, and I had met and seen some of the world champs from the organization. I know the ATA gets a bad wrap a lot, but there is also a lot of talent in the ATA, and those who did get up to world competitor status, where pretty darn good with technique and sparring.

That depends. And it also depends on the resources available.

I say no. You don't want to stereotype a school based on where it is located. Always check it out first. Who knows where you will find some treasure?

I understand where you are coming from, Bob. It makes you wonder when the weight of the other bricks starts to be the result of breaking. At any rate, there still has to be some good power transfer to keep the break going. I think it tends to rank up there with creative forms and other XMA types of skill. Fun to watch, requires some athleticism/skill, yet still a bit displaced from the Martial part of the Martial Arts.

I think it is a good motivational idea. Its another way to push people once they think they've reached a pinnacle.

I think you have a point here. I think much of it comes down to the personal preferences of who teaches you, and how you develop. My TKD instructor does mention the "blind" techniques that we use in sparring at times. In my ATA school, we learned to turn and ID the target first, before executing the kick. In forms, though, we are supposed to turn and look before moving to the next technique. I think the difference comes in the emphasis placed on the head turn. Some will really snap their head to look at the next target, really emphasizing. For others, its just a casual look in the direction the next technique is going.

I used to think about things like that a lot, but now, if I miss a class, I don't sweat it. I go when I can, and remember that the reason I do it is because I enjoy doing it, not because I have to do it. Now, there is another side of me that balances this out, by constantly reminding me that someone else is training, and getting better, and what if I meet him at work some day? I also have a family, and do shift work, so I'm not always on a set schedule. So, things pop up, and classes can take the back burner at times.

Thanks for the advice, tallgeese. I like the combat stance, but others around me see it differently. I'll try to stick with it. 6-28-10 Jogged mile in 12:11, and did 1.28 miles in 15 minutes. Stretch. Aikido: 10 am to noon. All weapons work, which was good fun. Jo and bokken forms, and jo pair work.

I don't think conditioning is all that necessary for the hammer fist strike. That part of the hand is more pad than bone, so conditioning it would be tougher. The elbow you could condition similar to the way you do your knuckles, but don't overdo it. Also, make sure not to use the actual tip of the elbow, but that section of bone just a few inches below it. Good luck for the upcoming test!

There is fighting in the movie, and the duel scene does lend quite a bit of Martial prowess to the fighter, both physically, and how he mentally defeated the oppononet. He essentially rope-a-doped that guy. And even though the fights are with weapons, I still view them as Martial Arts types, that's why I throw this in here. I don't like to get wrapped into the old punch and kick types all the time.