bushido_man96

I think that a sweeping block has merit, as well as parries, and even hard blocking to stop a technique outright; I use blocks like this against round kicks all the time, because I am not a quick counter attacker. However, I don't use the chamber motion to do this hard block. I just block from the guarding/hands-up position.

Actually, fighting is brawling. They are pretty much the same thing. When it is time to come to blows, unless in competitons with rules, you don't really get to choose to "fight" or "brawl." A fight is a fight; it may be ugly, or pretty, fast or long, solo or group. It takes many forms, depending on the circumstances.

Don't you think that by wiggling from the hips, that it is moving the dantien? To me, that is the place where it sits, right down in there.

I see that example, Joe, as being more of the "thrust" than the push. I just don't think a push would be productive in many ways, at least not with the fist.

Welcome to KF, Patch.

I haven't seen any steady outdoor dojos. It is a nice thought, though, and the times I have worked out outside have been fun. It changes the training element a bit.

I hear you there. Its tough to work it all in at times. 8-11-09 Combat Hapkido: 4:30 - 5:00. Did some transition work. Leg press: 315x10x3 Assited pull-ups: 8, 7, 6 max sets. Lunges: 25x10x3 Barbell curl: 70x10x3 Calf raises: 3x15 TKD class: 6:00 - 7:30. Thought I'd be worn out for this, but it went pretty well. First class in a week, so it was good to get back into it. Sparring went pretty well, and I worked on using angles more, and attacking with front kicks. My left big toe is going to pay for that...

I don't like the "loading" of the fist. I think it is a good training tool early on, but eventually, I think that keeping the other hand up in a guarding position needs to be explored more and more. I think that it is more practical that way for self-defense and for sparring, and gives you a more viable tool for defense.

In sport or in fight, I don't think its very feasible to do full chambered blocking motions. They take too long, and make you too slow. Instead, being able to use your arm to really stop something coming in hard is going to have to be a shorter motion, but still a solid motion. Parrying blocks have their place as well, and can be very effective blocking tools.

I agree with the bag work, or the makiwara. I like to work the bag without gloves, and it does a pretty good job. If the knuckle push-ups are too much, then use a wall, and do wall push-ups to get a bit more used to the feel. Then, do some on the ground.

It isn't always about money. The Aikido club I attend is not-for-profit, and I pay no dues to attend. I do pay for testings, but that is because I want to gain rank through the association, otherwise, I wouldn't have to. This club also has a layout of hours of practice required for each rank in order to test, and time-in-rank requirements. Now, just because someone has met the time requirements, doesn't mean that they are ready to test. This is the where the instructor steps in, and decides if the student is prepared for the test or not. So, even though some time frame may be layed out, that doesn't mean that it is set in stone.

A very nice statement, Tony. I think that the "center" does have a regular "home" in the body, but when you start moving, that center moves, too. Experimenting with different movements, and where you center goes from there, is important in learning how to use your center to your best advantage. I wish I was built like a V...I look more like an H...

I'm not sure if the horizontal is not as quick to pull back or not. When I punch the bag, I don't feel that I have a slower time returning a horizontal punch, but I may give it a look the next time I do. As for the "pushing" punch, I don't think that is a good way to look at the technique. Instead of the punch being a push, I'd rather refer to it like a sword thrust that isn't retracted right away; a thrust that ends with the weapon still left in the target, so to speak. As far as that technique is concerned, I see it the most in forms. Many times, the punch is thrown, and left in the end position, then the next move is transitioned into.

Welcome to the Forums, Tim.

Yes, but you have skill to go with your will. If you didn't have any skill, then it changes the arguement a bit.

Very nice, Bob. That is a great thing to offer to the kids. To by a kid again, indeed.

Absolutely good advice, Bob. Always be prepared.

Interesting. It doesn't sound as pleasing as chocolate milk, though.

Where you able to get a gi on Boomer fairly easily? 8-7-09 Morning Bike: 1 mile w/dog. 1/4 was a sprint, 1/4 was a steady pace, and the rest was a nice cool down (dog ran himself out). Evening Warm-up: 1/4 mile on elliptical, 5 minutes stretch. Crunches: 4x25 Assisted pull-ups: 10, 9, max sets. Lat pull-down: 108x15x3 Weighted crunches: 60x10x2 Dumbell rows: 25x10, 30x10x2 Dumbell curls: 20x10x3 Bar curls: 60x10x3 Bike: 8 minutes 8-10-09 Bench press: 165x10, 175x8, 185x6, 195x4, 215x2, 235x1 Went up this week. Crunches: 4x25 These are coming easier. 1/2 sit-ups: 25 Double crunches: 25 Push-ups: 30, 25, max sets. Having trouble getting over the hump here. Gripper: 30x15x3 Sit-ups: 35, 15 Dumbell military press: 25x15x3 Dips: 8x2, max sets. Bike: 10 minutes at 90+ rpms.

You might consider a different focus each week. Week 1, focus on the upper body basics. Week 2, do the kicks. Week 3, do katas. Or, base it off what you do in class that week. If the focus is kata, maybe do basics with your own time, etc.

And the funny thing is that it appears more and more that people want to blame the Americans for these kinds of things, when it appears to have started with the very Easterners that brought it to us! As far as time in grade goes, it will vary from art to art, and school to school. Anywhere from 3 to 5 years appears to be a norm. I think I might have gotten my first dan in TKD in around 2 years, but there weren't any "forms applications" to pick out. Now, if you look at BJJ, it can take an average of 10 years to make it to 1st dan. It all just depends. Holding high ranks from testing for a fear of losing students, isn't a very good policy. But, some students do sign up with a goal of earning a black belt, and then feel that there isn't anymore to do. Here is when the instructor needs to show that there is more to it after obtain this rank.

My DT partner has worked with this one as well. We have noticed that turning the punch way over like that offers great protection of the face by the shoulder.

I think that the center is probably fairly accurately stated as 3" below the navel, even though men and women are built differently. However, I think that there may be some play in there, too, but generally, I think it is close. It is usually stated that women tend to have a lower center than men do for the most part. Also, taller, lankier people will likely have a higher center than a shorter, stockier person. I do think that movement coming from this center is a fundamental idea behind efficient movement, both in sport and in regular activity. Learning how to move the center about makes many actions easier.

8-6-09 Leg press: 275x20x3 Dead lift: 200x5x3 Calf raises: 3x15 Lunges: 3x10 Bike: 10 minutes, 5 minute stretch, legs only.

I like the dessert idea! Thanks for that one, too.