bushido_man96

I see a lot of good points here so far. Good contributions, everyone. I have a few things to add... Actually, Karate Sensei Pat Nakata does this. No belts; just gi pants and a white T-shirt. I think it is a great idea. I don't agree here necessarily. I think it can be viewed as that way for some, but I don't view it that way. Like tallgeese mentions, the mindset should be something that you can get into, regardless of what you are wearing. Remeber, the ancient Greek Olympians fought naked.... I agree here. If you get jumped, you won't get a chance to change clothes. I found this idea intriguing. I think it has merit; kind of like having a certificate of rank does.

I've seen the ads, and I want to see it. I just have to try to catch it. What did it cover?

That sounds like a fun game. I think it would be worth a shot.

That is one of the main things to do. Hey, how often do adults get to play? When teaching kids, take advantage of it, and "play" with them. Also, I think that Rateh really ran down a good list of ideas there. Keep it fun, but focused, and get the kids involved with taking and stuff like that, but make sure it is focused. Like working on mitts as targets, have them punch with their right hand, and shout "right" each time they hit it. Then do the same with the left hand, the help them learn these. Do the same with kicks. So, instead of just hitting a mitt, they are hitting it, yelling at it, and learning right/left at the same time. And it all sounds fun to them....

Man, that sounds like it would have not been fun. You really ran the gamut of emotions, huh?

A student that was in my TKD classes years ago was an exchange student from Brazil, and did some Caporiea. He did what I think he called a "hammer" kick, which looked kind of like a side kick that would shoot straight up to the head level. Do you do a kick like that at times?

I have some ideas in mind, but I am curious as to what you use the folding chair for? The primary thing that I use it for is as an easily portable intention focus. Without a designated target or partner to keep in range and center one's eyes on, it is easy to let one's focus wander into practising techniques aimed in a relatively random and unfocused manner. A chair is an excellent stand-in for a training partner in this regard. If you aren't looking at the top of the chair, you're doing something wrong! Furthermore, it is just the right height that you can practice throwing kicks just over the top - the top of a folding chair on a standing person often approximates floating rib level and the level of the upper abdomen; the seat is around knee height. The legs of the chair are shaped in a handy way to plant foot sweeps on; you can train not just the basic sweep positions, but also deeper hooking and entering techniques by hooking legs other than the closest one presented. The chair is also a useful aid in stretching, or for things like pushups with raised feet. One can tumble over or off of one to train breakfalling techniques. Lastly, while not the most inspiring tool for this purpose, it can be used as a light unbalanced weight to practice lifting and manipulating far from one's center in the more exotic body positions when trying to develop familiarity. Very cool ideas. Thank you for sharing them. I will begin looking at my folding chairs differently now. I also have to add my new Aikido uniform, which is a double weave Judo gi.

I don't think one should have to buy from his school, but when one doesn't, don't expect too many favors when stuff comes in wrong.

Well, at the same time, it depends on the reaction abilities of the defender. I have always been a proponent of action being faster than reaction, so you could just end up splitting hairs. But, it could still be a concern, especially when using it to initiate a combo. Working on the initiation speed would help that.

Nice...thanks for sharing that one.

In one book that I read, there was talk about some of the WTF style forms having some influence of some Chuan Fa in them, because of some of the previous training of those on the technical panels that developed those forms. I can look it up later on, and elaborate a bit more, if interested.

Yep, pretty much working. I am hoping that I can maybe make at least one trip this summer to do a Combat Hapkido testing, but we'll see how that works out.

Martial Law. I enjoyed it, but it didn't last, either.

This is such a good topic! One of my favorites. I think that we all go through stages like this, when rank is present. I began taking MAs to learn self-defense, and because it was a general interest of mine; my dad had done it in the past. However, I must admit that when I began testing for rank, I liked testing and earning higher rank. I don't think it is wrong to feel some pride about working hard and earning a reward. But keeping it in context is important. At this point in my MA career, I don't view rank as that high of a priority. Instead, I view knowledge and application as the high priority. I'm not concerned about my rank, but about whether or not what I know will work for me, and if I can apply it when the time comes. The generalities and formalities that tend to bog down many Martial Arts is not a focus of mine; the meat of the MAs is what concerns me. When discussing ranks and belt systems, I like to use this analogy: compare a typical Eastern-style Martial Arts class with styles like Boxing, Wrestling, and Thai Boxing. In the belt class, you see the rank, and have an expectation of where to be in line, and how to answer to everyone (respect senior students, etc). Now take the Boxing, Wrestling, or Thai gyms, or even an MMA gym now. When you get into the gym and begin to train, you don't see the rank system; you just see guys training, working on their fighting. Now, what you find out is that as you work with everyone, you see where they fall as it is with skill level, teaching/coaching knowledge, etc. You won't see the rank and file of lines filling a room prior to the workout, denoting who is high and who is low rank. You find out where you fall as you train. The guys who are better, you look to for questions. The guys below you may look to you. You find the guys about your level and become training partners if you can, or you choose to get whooped by the good ones, to help you get better. Plus, without the rank and file being laid out for you, there tends to be more willingness to mix and mesh with anyone in the group, asking questions of anyone comfortably, not concerned with how you should approach or address them. Sometimes, I think that rank systems can get in the way more than they help.

Well sure! Who said a rivalry can't be friendly?

That is a good post. I am aware that the Old Testament isn't how things are really done anymore, but I think it is an important link to how things were, and where some beliefs come from. The Ten Commandments are another of what is taken from the Old by those who like to use it as a moral code of conduct, which wouldn't be much unlike those codes seen in many MA schools. However, thanks for the information. I'm not up to snuff like I used to be, so it is fun to compare notes at times.

This thread is focused on complete inventory; not just that confined to a gym bag. So if you have more at home, feel free to add it in. I have some ideas in mind, but I am curious as to what you use the folding chair for?

If you really work hard on a front leg front kick, you can get some power in it, but for the most part, I agree with DWx that it is easier to generate power from the back leg. Stepping the back leg up to the front leg, or past, and then kicking with the front leg can give it some more power, but it becomes really telegraphed at that point.

I've been reading the Best Karate series, and I find it very informative. You might also look into this thread for some suggestions: Martial Arts Research Library

Well done! I'm glad to see that the responses here helped you out.

There are a lot of really good suggestions and advise here. Taking the time to speak with them yourself might be a good idea. Pull them off to the side after class, but don't just rip them; let the instructor handle that (for now..). Also, when it comes to "group admonishment," don't let it get to you. Just listen, answer up, and go about your business. Your instructor knows who is in trouble and who isn't, who is working hard and who isn't; and most important, you know how hard you are working. So don't sweat it; except for when working hard....

Thanks for sharing this article, tallgeese. I enjoy mitt work, and have been trying to implement some into my Combat Hapkido curriculum. I definitely think our TKD practice could use some more of it, too.

Unbelievable...so sad.

I think part of it has to do with the originality of the first movies here. They were both pretty unique, so the second ones had to play off some of what you learn in the first. So, they end up doing their things, just with some different ideas.

Work. That's about it.