bushido_man96

I think the problem is that the term light-contact goes around a lot, and semi-contact I think tends to get lumped in with it. I think that maybe use of the term "contact sparring" would be more helpful.

That sounds great, Kez. I'm sure you will do just fine. Project your voice, and be confident in what you show. Keep it simple, and try to incorporate some games or competitions into it, if you feel they can handle it. Hand's on stuff is always a good time, too. If you can do some pair work, they will like that.

I was thinking about our TKD training tonight. What came to my mind is that I am training in a Martial Art that is supposed to help improve my self-defense, which is usually at least a two-person event. If this is the case, then why is the bulk of what I do in class consist of individual work? Like tonight, we spent about 30 minutes on basics. Then, we spent time on forms, before getting into one-steps. So, in a 1-hour class, nearly 40 minutes or better is spent on individual drills, as opposed to working in pairs to move with someone. The one-steps are two-person, but they are severely lacking in actual self-defense applications. This leads me to ask, how many other practitioners out there are under the same kind of class layout, with basics first, then forms, then sparring or some kind of sparring exercises? How much time do you spend drilling with partners as opposed to the individual drilling? Wouldn't it make more sense to spend the bulk of the class time working with partner drills?

Here's the deal; in Okinawa, you call it by the Okinawan name, and in Japan, you'd call it by the Japanese name. That's what I am getting at. To me, its just a stick with a handle on it.

2-17-09 TKD class: 6:00 - 7:00. We did a lot of basics today, still adjusting to the new way of doing things. We didn't get to any sparring, but did combinations instead.

It sounds like the power of suggestion has been playing havoc with your emotional well-being. No action by another who is not touching you (such as seizing your foot or pushing you) is affecting you physically. I agree with Joe. I don't think someone else can control your physical actions. As Joe mentions, the power of suggestion may be at work, so you need to figure out how to get this out of your head.

2-16-09, take 2. 100 Push-ups Week 4, Day 2: 20, 25, 20, 20, 28 = 113. Even though it is the first day of the week, I jumped into day 2 because it has been giving me fits, and I can get through day 1 ok. On Wednesday, I'll do day 2 again. Its still a bugger to get through, and I had a looong rest before doing the last set. Wavemaster FL front kick: 3x10 each side BL front kick: 3x10 each side Aikitaisos Tenkan: 3x10 each side Shomen: 3x10 each side Combat Hapkido: 3:15 - 4:00. My partner taught a DT class earlier that day, so he was a bit sore and tired. So, we did a pretty simple review of some yellow and orange belt material.

That is just about the bare-bones of it, isn't it? Great point there.

I would have been there, WNM, but the weekends tend to be my slow time. But you are right, I do like Abernethey's approach to training, and enjoy his books.

If you want to try something flashy, try adding jumping and spinning motions to some of your kicks. It'll give you a pretty good workout, and something different, if that is what you are looking for.

I agree here. There are tons of guys around my area that have Wrestled, and still do Wrestle. Our local university also has a pretty good Wrestling team, that is usually nationally ranked in the NCAA Divsion II. So, there are some pretty nasty dudes walking around, usually. The nice thing is, from what I've seen, is that the Wrestlers tend to do a pretty good job of staying out of trouble, for the most part. And I truly believe that the conditioning sticks with an individual, for some time. I'm sure that they are not in the same kind of shape that they competed in, but they do retain some of it. My younger brother is a good example of this; he played NAIA level football in college. He is still quite a bit stronger than I am, and I lift regularly. He hasn't for quite some time. He can also outrun me still, even though he might be carrying an extra 10 pounds. Yes, you do lose these things over time, but they stick around longer than one might think, too.

TKD: 15 years, 3rd dan. Combat Hapkido: off and on for maybe 5 years, brown belt. Aikido: 9 months maybe? Still have not tested yet.

Man, that stinks. I don't have any advise, other than just getting it looked at. It could be a nerve thing.

That's pretty original.

I don't think that they mean much, in the grand scheme of things. However, I can relate to tallgeese's battle dreams references. When I dream I am fighting, it seems like my attacks have no strength in them.

Those are some cool scenes. Imagine Super Mario Brothers with today's technology? It would still be a blast, though!

That is just unreal. How those guys "see" to be able to put that stuff together is way beyond me.

Nice. That had been the same for quite some time.

I think the proper name is going to be relative to where you are from, Japan or Okinawa. In the end, we are talking about the wooden handle of a rice grinder, so is it worth that much energy?

Practice will help. Also, ask lots of questions of your instructor to get good corrections. It may also take some time to build the strength and coordination needed to weild the bo. But stick with it, and you'll be fine.

Its too bad that it can really be that easy.

Not necessarily. If you align your striking properly, then you should be just fine. I have not had any breaks yet.

Thanks for the info. If I'm at a Dick's, I might pick up a pair to try them out.

I read an article in Black Belt Magazine from March '09, and in it was John Fonseca, showing some of his Karate-match strategies, which including holding and sweeping several of them. I really liked what he had to say, and I liked his combinations and set-ups, too. I think fighting that way from time to time would be a good way to shake things up in class.

I've never experienced a pulled ab. If it is worse than just having sore abs, then I'd be setting out, most likely.