bushido_man96

All good points. Yes, DWx, I do think that sport training can affect the way you will train and fight. Now, if you don't train for sport as much, like me, then it is easier for me to get away with a not-as-much kicking style.

I find it strange that you would be admonished for using blocks in sparring that don't "pertain to the style." I would think that as long as it was effective, that not much could be said. Blocks tend to become a different beast in sparring anyway, not resembling the way basics are done. I find this kind of odd.

I don't think that Okinawan MAs came from China. They may have Chinese influence, but to assume that Okinawan fisherman learned Chinese arts, and that formed the roots of the Okinawan styles, I think is off. Okinawans had a system of their own, and they probably were influenced some by China.

I agree with you exactly.

I found an online video that refers to what Abernathy does with the downward motion of the high block, Bushido Man. The first segment has the opponent going down; there's also a segment against a large opponent: http://www.blackbeltmag.com/kelly_mccann_armdrag_takedown_technique/videos/135 That's a good one. The first motion is what Abernethy does, but instead of the arm drag, he drives the forearm back up into the head. I'm sure he would do the arm drag takedown as well.

Wait a second...is there any other kind?????

Oh, don't worry! This old dog won't change much. I'm sure I'll see some new perspectives, but they won't necessarily become my perspectives. Yes, I have already seen where some of the compliments can come into play with each other. I look forward to working them together eventually. And yes, the Japanese will have to come as well. It'll be tough, but I think I can manage...

I would guess that the empty hand techniques stem from a style of Jujitsu of some kind, much like that the Samurai would have learned.

I do enjoy watching the Kyokushin videos. That guard is still useful, even for body attacks.

He does have a funny kind of whip going on there. He's got some good snap, though. Nice.

Funakoshi ought to be good at it. From what I understand, he spent the first 7 years of his training in Karate on Tekki. I didn't realize that TSD had a version of the form. It makes sense that it would, but I just had never seen it before. Thanks for sharing it.

I think you are right on top of it here, tallgeese. I had an "empty your cup" moment at the Aikido seminar I attended last weekend. I went in with my prior knowledge, and even had to stop myself from my natural TKD tendencies (which was my "it hits all by itself moment" ). But, what I had to do, was try not to do my natural TKD/Hapkido stuff, and just do things the way the Sensei was showing us to do it. This worked surprisingly well for me, too. I still used my Hapkido knowledge of wrist cranking and joint locking, etc., to work on some of the locks and stuff, but with the new Tai Sabaki and such, emptying my cup was the only way to go. Man, I'm getting all spiritual and stuff.... Tell me about it! I gotta back off a touch...

Very nice. I like this way of looking at it.

Good points, DWx. I do think that individuals make the difference. I also think you are right in that TKD punchers will usually punch differently than Boxers do, just due to the amount of training and the methodology that goes into each style. As for the types of fighters in a style, Olympic TKD is known for seeing the aggressive fighters, the counter fighters, front leg kickers and back leg kickers.

Hey hey! Thanks for chiming in, Aodhan!

9-18-08 TKD class: 6:00 - 7:00. The college students that are new this semester moved into the regular class tonight, so we spent a little more time on basics. It was a different pace for the class, but it was still a nice change up. We did spar some as well. I was sparring an orange belt who tends to be pretty high energy, and really tries at it. He was going along pretty good, and so I decided to go into defensive mode, just blocking what he threw. He threw a back leg round kick, and it appeared to be going head level, so I got my arm up to block. Well, his kick was about shoulder level, and instead of catching his shin with my forearm, I ended up blocking his kick with my elbow. Needless to say, that didn't work out so well for him.

I think that most of it has to do with the lack of some of the bunkai teachings that many receive. Not everyone agrees with what Abernethy teaches, and that is ok. But, not everyone is shown these ideas, and therefore, can usually only pass on what they themselves have been shown.

I see it this way. The Goju dojo will offer you an outlet to still work somewhat on your Shotokan. Working with some of the students after class or before class will let you focus on Shotokan stuff, and how it relates to Goju. In the end, it may not mess it up, but augment it. As for Aikido, it sounds like you already have a predisposition against it, so perhaps it isn't the route for you to go. There is no sense in training somewhere you won't enjoy it.

Well, I have made up my mind after attending the Aikido seminar this last weekend that I am going to start attending the Saturday morning class that is held at the university here. This will be my first new experience in a Martial Art class since 1993! The Combat Hapkido came along as a supplement to our TKD classes orginally, so it had a familiar feel to it. The Aikido sessions will be a whole new experience, even a different language! I look forward to this new experience, and to what it can bring to the training I already have. I can't wait to expand my knowledge even further!

Welcome to KF!

Hehe, I will have to try that.

I don't think I would either, Patrick. Cool info, though.

Yes, very cool. Thanks.

Hey, its a good thing, but don't sprain your arm patting yourself on the back . Learn from it, and try to repeat it. Then, pat yourself on the back! Good job, by the way.

Best of luck to you! I am sure you will do well.