bushido_man96

I can see why you took this approach, ps1. Was there a point in training in class at which you realized that you could beat your instructor easily, and then decided that you should back off? How gradually, or how abruptly, did you realize this?

Tallgeese has good advise. Look around for something that may offer what you have done, or something like it, and perhaps make the change. I understand that not having to pay any class fees is nice, but eventually, to accelerate the learning process, you may have to pay an instructor. With that said, if you are able to contact the higher-ups in your organization (like joesteph suggested...hopefully, they can be contacted), then you may be able to work something out where you and your group could make travel arrangements for once every month or so, to get some instruction on things to work on and new things to do. Granted, this will be a loooonger process, but it is doable. You may also be able to arrange times for testing in this way, too. In the end, it'll be up to the guys in charge as to what comes of testing and gaining rank. Good luck, and let us know what you find out. Welcome to the Forums, too. Hopefully we can help you a bit.

I enjoy the challenge that training offers for me, physically. I also constantly think about different things when it comes to my training, and how I can do things to help me, should I need to apply the skills I have learned.

I like to save money, so if I can, I will. I'd go where its cheaper. If the instructor asks, I'd just be up front with him. I wouldn't necessarily be telling everyone else that "hey guys, this place is cheaper; go there..." but if you can save a bit of cash, then go for it.

Funny. Even the blooper got a spot on the list.

That's a pretty cool approach. Nice.

This is not the first time I have heard of it, and I think that something like this could do a lot for a school, as far as comaraderie goes. Do you do any kind of special class for the adults, or do a year-end review of material, a special instructor's clinic, or anything like that?

We don't usually do anything special towards the end of the year.

There's some pretty fancy kicking in that one. Nice to watch.

Very nice! He is so quick. At the beginning of Tekken 3, during the intro, you can see that character doing the form that is his namesake. Pretty cool.

This is a good approach, and your reasoning does make sense. Very nice. These are good observations, too. TKDs emergence through the Korean military result in the type of discipline that translates to most TKD schools, like you mention about Shotokan. Gen. Choi, I am sure, had a lot to do with this. A relaxed atmosphere can still garner good training, as well. However, relaxed and disrespectful are not necessarily the same thing.

Practice balance-based activities, like kicking slow, hopping or standing on one leg, and things like that. Use a timer, and try to do 15 seconds on one leg, then work up to 30, and so on.

Thanks for the tips, and help, John. No disrespect perceived at all. I am always open and subject to learning. Its how I improve.

I did have to take a guy down at work this October, and I didn't think about what I needed to do when taking him down. I did notice an opportunity to block the guy's foot, to facilitate the takedown as we were going, and took the opportunity to do so - worked like a charm. I turned the guy to face the wall, and he then spun to face me; the throw was on from there.

Good arguement for the leg kick in point sparring, tallgeese. It could work.

Thanks for the review, John. That helps.

I don't know, I've never really stopped to think about that. I guess I just do.

I do agree that self-control should be adhered to, and I don't look at things like adrenaline rush, excitement, etc., as reasons to lose self-control. They can act their way, and I'll act my way. In the end, can I change them? I can try, but would I want that forced on me? I digress...

Hey now, what's wrong with being round???.....

I think the head kick/no hands rule is primarily designed to develop skill in kicking, and to keep a match from becoming a Boxing match or brawl. As far as what an "MA technique" is, I think any technique is an "MA technique," but that's another thread, I guess.

He'll probably work his way towards something more promising, if he's that good. It would be cool to see.

I have never done the sine wave in my TKD practice, and from what I have seen of it, I don't care for it. There are claims that it adds power, but I have never seen an ITF form performance that I regarded as powerful. Perhaps I have just not seen enough, but it appears to me that the sine wave is overused, and it kills the continuity of the performance of the hyung. I am reading a book right now called The Tae Guek Cipher, and I really liked the section it had on the history of the Kwans. You might look into it for a reference. TKD has influences from Karate and Chinese MAs, Chuan Fa being the most prominent, I believe.

That's great, Kez. I hope he really enjoys it, and carries on with you.

Is it a good book? Would you recommend it?

Another I would be willing to try is some Filipino style, like Arnis.