bushido_man96

That sounds like you're started in the right direction, DWx. It should serve you well.

Try this link here: Hindu Push ups

Is there a such thing as an "easy" 2 mile run? 4-29-09 100 Push-ups Week 5, Day 2: 10, 10, 13, 13, 10, 10, 9, 26 = 101 Weights Power clean & jerk: 145x5 Power clean: 155x7 Saftey squat: 135x10, 155x8 Cardio Bike: 5 min. @ 90 rpm, 5 min. @ 100 rpm, x2. 20 minutes total. Stretch

I don't think that going from kicking to grappling will work, either. But, TKD does have the hand techniques at its disposal to close the gap, and using low kicking techniques can help to close the gap as well.

I'm with Joe on the side kick/front kick difference. Side kick would be with the foot turned sideways, and the body doing pretty much the same. If the knee chambers like a front kick, with the leg either to the front or the side of the body, I'd still say its a front kick. At this point, then, you would call any punch directed at the front of the body a front punch, whether it be a jab, cross, hook, or uppercut. I don't think that helps in technique classification in many ways.

Check it out: http://www.amazon.com/Total-Aikido-Master-Bushido-Warrior/dp/4770020589/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240992029&sr=1-1 Total Aikido, the follow-up to Shioda’s Dynamic Aikido, takes a very in-depth look at the art of Aikido. The book is divided into 5 sections: Section 1: The Principles of Aikido Section 2: The Basics of Body Movement Section 3: Basic Techniques Section 4: Self-Defense Techniques Section 5: Hidden Techniques Section 1 touches on principles involved with the center-line, focused power through unification of the whole body, breath power, “ki”, entering and turning, using your partner’s energy, and striking. These principles form the basic concepts of Aikido; absorbing and yielding to energy, using angles to create the circular/spiral motions, and applying energy to break balance. There is also an explanation of a training system along with some terminology. Section 2 covers basic body movements that come into play when doing the techniques. The importance of using the hip in the movements to keep the body moving as a unit is displayed, along with the circular nature of the techniques. Descriptions and photos show how to do these with and without a partner. Striking methods, as well as methods for receiving the strikes and entering are depicted. Methods for unbalancing the partner from the various gripping attacks are shown, as well as break falls. Section 3 covers the basic techniques: Four-Direction Throw (Shiho-Nage) First Control (Ikkajo) Second Control (Nikajo) Third Control (Sankajo) Fourth Control (Yonkajo) Front Entering Throw (Shomen Irimi-Nage) Side Entering Throw (Sokumen Irimi-Nage) Return-The-Wrist Throw (Kote-Gaeshi) “Hitting Elbow” Breath Throw (Hiji-Ate Kokyu-Nage) Heaven and Earth Throw (Tenchi-Nage) Elbow Lock (Hiji-Shime) Breathing Method (Kokyu-Ho) Front Strike; Breath Throw (Shomen-Uchi Kokyu-Nage) Each technique in the list is shown with at least one variation, and some with as many as five variations. Most of the techniques are introduced with a page or two of descriptions on the important aspects of the technique, like important motions, proper grips and pins (where applicable), positions of the thrower and where the throwee should go when done properly, and common mistakes made for each. This section takes up the bulk of the book, and it is quite detailed. It is set up in numbered picture sequence, not unlike what you would see in Black Belt Magazine, but with more explanation and attention to detail. Section 4 follows the same pattern as Section 3, but is titled Self-Defense Techniques, showing techniques performed against a knife, sword, or other grips and strikes. Section 5 is titled Hidden Techniques, but it is more of a section on some of the underlying principles and philosophies of Aikido. The depth and breadth of this book is quite extensive. I feel that this book has something to offer the beginner, and also offers the advanced student helpful information. As a beginner myself at the time of this writing, I see helpful points in throughout, along with spots that appear to be above my level. But as I advance, I feel that those blank spots will fill in, and this text will benefit me then, as well. A good addition to any Aikidoka’s reference library.

Welcome aboard! What is Kixa?

Hehe, that's a great trick. You can never escape the Konami code!

Fantastic! I need one of those!

Congrats! And don't worry about the nerves; it happens to the best of us.

When I type in my amounts, I put reps and sets. The goal of the 100 push-up routine that you see floating around is to get to the point that one can do 100 consecutive push-ups. As for testing requirements, I think it depends on the school. But, when someone writes out 80 push-ups, I take it as 80 consecutive.

Hot dogs, did someone say hot dogs???....oh, sorry, back on track here... I would add that it might depend on what the grab is accomplishing. If one is breaking balance with it, then I think at that point, a degree of control is achieved.

I haven't seen this topic woke up in a while. Thanks for the contributions, guys.

You've hit on here what is known in MA parlance as the "10% stat." Basically, when you start out in MA training, you can look around you and count the students in your rank. About 10% of those will stick around to make it to black belt. After that, you can continue to see a 10% drop off in those that keep attaining ranks/experience beyond that. I can remember it happening to me when I was in the ATA. I started with around 8 or 9 in my group, and as we went up and tested higher and higher, the numbers around me dropped off. Even the guy who got me started quit before we got to black belt. 10% may not be exact, but you can see my point. I remember testing as a 2nd dan, and not having anyone from my school to test with me. I like JusticeZero's analogy of the process here. I haven't heard it put that way before, but I think it is a good way to look at it. Also, when it appears that there is no one teaching the teacher, he/she may be seeking out peers to work out with, to pick up on different things. I do this now, with DT partners and my Aikido and Hapkido practice. It is quite helpful in picking up new things, and you learn from each other, as opposed to being just the teacher.

These are very good points. I am waiting to start my youngest until we get started in some other activities, to see how he does.

I agree with sperki on the jump training. Find you some good plyometric exercises, and set up a program for yourself. Also, I would keep up the weight training, but I would train with high weight and low reps to build strength. The more weight you press, the more muscle fiber you recruit. I think this, in conjunction with the plyometrics, will help your gains. When you do start plyometrics, make sure to give yourself around 72 hours rest between sessions, for full recovery.

4/27/09 Session 2 100 Push-ups Week 5, Day 1: 17, 19, 15, 15, 25 = 91. Felt good, and my arms are sore! Ladder work Inside thigh stretch I: 3 sets, holding 3 reps each for about 3 seconds, each leg. 3rd rung, then 4th rung, then 3rd rung. Inside thigh stretch II: 2 sets of 10 on each leg, 2nd rung, then 1st rung. These are also one-leg squatting exercises. Inside thigh stretch III: 2 sets of 10, raising and lowering the leg in side kick position. DWx's book review on Cho's The Complete Martial Artist, vol. 2, got me to thinking about my copies of the books, and so I went sifting through vol. 1, and found some exercises Cho was doing with a step ladder. These are a few of them, and I think I may put something together to do from time to time at home.

I agree that you should ask your instructor. Also, ask him if he recommends any reference material for you to pick up and read; I did that with my Aikido instructor. He pointed me in the right direction, and now I am off and running. Also, lots of practice will make it clear in no time.

Cool. I'll contact them this week.

Its cool that you are experimenting with it. I think that using Cho's kicking method can definitely help in developing some of the more difficult kicks in TKD, like the two-direction kick, and other two-legged kicks, if that is something that one wants to do. One thing is for sure, I think that guy is one of the greatest kickers around.

I agree on both accounts here. Your first poing, being comfortable with it, is important. If it is a tactic that one would consider, then it would be important to train for it, at least periodically. I like this approach, too. Its a good way to seperate the mind from the body, so to speak; get the aggressor distracted, and also draw more attention to yourself and the situation. I don't know if I would try it all the time, but I am sure that there would be times that would warrant its usage.

I think you nailed it here. Perhaps this was what he was searching for. I'm glad that he had the opportunity to find it, too.

Well, it doesn't have so much to do with how fast the kick comes back; every kick should come back as fast as it goes out. It has more to do with the impact that the striking surface allows, and how deeply the kick penetrates. Hope that helps.

RIP.