bushido_man96

The first example has an advantage of being able to utilize the strategy from either an open or a closed off sparring stance in relation to the opponent. You'll also notice that the defender steps off-line, to soften the blow of the kick, which will make the absorption more effective. This first example also only utilizes one arm to trap the kick, leaving the other to bring the pain. In the last Strikeforce fight, I saw this strategy used effectively at least twice. Taejoon Lee's second example ends up using both hands to tie up the kick. You also have to worry about fishing the cross-side arm under the knee; I'm not saying it couldn't work, but there seems to be a lot going on there. You also tie up both of your arms, instead of having one of them free. The third example looks much like the second, but if the kick is done higher, then it appears that it would be easier to fish that arm under. Again, your wrap up both hands, but in this case, with the head being the target, it may be easier to trap from underneath than from over the top. In the fourth, I would definitely try to have a hand up to block that kick, but that is just me. If you are going to take the kick, just as well try to grab it, too. Those high takedowns can be brutal on the kicker, too. I do like some of the ideas shown here, and I think that working on trapping kicks like this is a good idea. Finding one that works and training it will be beneficial, for sure. This is one thing that we don't train a lot on; most of what we do is countering a kick with a kick, as opposed to catching or trapping it.

Sounds good. Congrats on the break. Keep up the good work, and keep your goals in sight.

Yes, enjoy it, John. You've earned it.

That's pretty cool. Kick your butt, and carry a tune while doing it!

I agree with that approach, DWx. Its just another shot in a line that you should be aiming to drop the attacker with.

Good analogies there, tg. I concur. It just bothered me that they didn't test both swords from both cultures in the same way. The two weapons aren't that different, and their usage wasn't, either. I will look into the Warriors show.

Yes, Kuma, kudos to you! I have not had the opportunity to use force like that yet. Around here, they tend to teach more of a knee into the common peroneal down there, and it usually comes with the hands on already. I told my DT partner, though, that I would likely just use the kick at the range, as opposed to getting close, first. Bastich, kicking skill needs to be developed, just like any other skill (like the hands) if you wish to be effective at it. I don't think that one has to be a high kicker to be an effective kicker, though. So don't assume that because you are not flexible that you can't be a good kicker. Now with that out of the way, the thing about kicking is that it tends to be trickier to do mainly because of the distance involved; you will likely be a bit further out than arms reach when kicking, but not always. We tend to have a more natural feel for the range of our arms than we do for the range of our legs, so it takes a bit of extra time to develop that sense of range with our legs, so that we can be effective with them. Get a partner, and try to work some drills with your kicks, where ever you feel comfortable; low, mid, or hi. Get the feel for where you can kick from, and then experiment with using hand strikes to set up kicks, and kicks to set up hand strikes. Then, work it into your sparring. Like all things, it will come with time.

I agree. And even though it is its sport nature that allows this to be true, the same can be said of both BJJ and Judo; both of which, I think, tend to garner the "traditional" title.

Unfortunately, factions tend to oppose each other at times. Rivalry is something that will always exist in the human race. Its good to see that you are enjoying your transition over to BJJ. It appears that you have found a good school, with a good bunch of students to work with. Keep at it, and keep up posted on how it goes.

And that is what the cross training in BJJ would give you. I'm not great on the ground, either, but learning the tactics of a grappling art will enhance the ability to counter the effects when facing someone who is skilled in its use.

4-15-09 Weights Power clean: 135x10, 155x5 Squat: using safety squat machine, no weight on bar, 45x5, then 95x5. Yeah, its weenie weight, but my knees don't like the squat, but doing this and going all the way down to parallel, and then coming up, didn't bother my knees. So, I'll work my way up slowly. Dead lift: 205x10 Cardio Bike: 20 minutes. Then stretch.

Man, that would be freaky. You're right, good presense of mind.

Truestar, that is a good post. Very well thought out and explained. JusticeZero, I do agree with the respectability aspect that you are talking about gaining through the exam process. I think that many of the laypersons out there see our rank status as levels of achievement and ability to transfer the knowledge, and in a credible fashion. Thus, we see many organizations that relate this credibility with their rank promotions and certifications.

I think all of you have good points here. I was taught to try to take the leader out, whether he be the biggest or not. But, like tallgeese mentions, he may be deep in line. If that is the case, you got to take out what is close to you, so eliminating the immediate threat with extreme prejudice would become the tactic of choice. But, I do believe that this can be harder than anticipated. It is not so easy to drop someone with one shot, as is often suggested. A nice thought, though.

Like tallgeese mentioned, no shot should be considered a "kill" shot, the guaranteed knock out. There really isn't any magic bullett. Sure, we can get lucky at times, but luck is the residue of design, so making sure that you have good strategies and tactics, along with good technique to back them up, your luck will come; or you will make your own luck, depending on how you look at it. You should strike like your technique will take them out, and the strike again. Especially if they are still standing there. Don't assume....but don't go overboard and pummell someone on the ground, either.

I don't think it even has so much to do with overpowering. The Viking had fighting technique; they weren't just madmen out swinging the heaviest piece of steel they could find. Yeah, they were probably brutal, but they were not dumb fighters. That shield would have been a great defender against most of the Samurai weapons, and it would likely have been wielded more than just carried.

Ouch. That couldn't have been enjoyable. Do you have to get to the dentist now?

DWx sets it out nicely. Also, Joe has made some good points, too.

Thanks for the clarification, WNM and Killer. I do think that Karate would be fun to experience at some point.

I enjoyed watching the progression of the forms here. Although I am not a Karate stylist, I still find the interpretations and differences interesting.

I don't think that it would be counterproductive at all. Like Toptomcat said, it will make you better. There is nothing wrong with consolidating some standing skills with some ground skills.

Wrestling is....a Traditional Martial Art. I just wanted to see where this would go. Do you think I am right? Why? Do you think I am wrong? Why?

How so, BB of C?

We do our basics going down the floor and back, and some of the movements are done going backwards. Both of these kinds of movements will show up in the forms and one-steps. Most of our kicking motions are done advancing forward, and TKD does tend to work on doing higher kicks. This is mainly based on ability, though. Forms are usually foward moving, although turns are involved. There aren't a lot of retreating motions in the forms, so I would tend to make most of the applications advancing in manner. In many of our one-steps, moving forward to intercept an attack is one of the primary modes of initial defense. Jam the attack, and attack the center line in many cases. But, we do have some that move backwards, and off the line and backwards or off the line and forwards from attacks. Sparring tends to be a bit different, as it is based on restricted targeting and some level of contact; body displacement in most cases. However, when drilling for sparring, the importance of such strategies as moving off the centerline, cutting an angle and attacking can be utilized; it is the application training of these skills that is necessary to help develop them.

I agree that learning the application in paired drill work is what leads to finding its use in sparring or self-defense application. It may be tougher to apply when sparring, but if you have practiced the application in a more "live" manner, then when those opportunities do open up, one should be ready to apply them. But just practicing good technique, without the integrated pair work of drilling, and then sparring, won't get us there in the most efficient and constructive manner.