bushido_man96

Not everyone will get into the Martial Arts to be elite, competitive athletes. It would be nice if it were something we could all strive to, but it is difficult. In the end, they may be starting just because they want to learn aspects of self-defense, or a different way of moving the body, just to name a few. Competition is nice, but it isn't everyone's cup of tea.

Be careful when following the Bodhidharma tact; there is a lot more myth than fact involved in the story behind him. For histories on the evolution of Eastern styles, look at some back issues of Dragon Times/Traditional Fighting Arts magazines. They do some good research, and go beyond the commonly accepted myths on the evolution of Eastern styles. As for the Greek aspect, look into Pankration. Greece also had a history of Boxing and Wrestling. Well, I have to say that Zanshin must know me a bit too well by now. However, this is part of the reason that it is so hard to track down the beginning of the Martial Ways. However, it is relatively easier to research into combat strategies that civilizations used, along with the technologies that changed combat at times (i.e., gunpowder, etc.). Good luck with your search. At any rate, you will find out some things that you probably didn't know, which will make it worthwhile, for sure.

Wow, good find. It pays to know what you are looking for.

That is a new low; robbing a lemonade stand. I'm glad that the person got arrested.

Man, that's too bad.

6-19-08 Walked on the treadmill for 15 minutes today at a pretty brisk pace. Little Lyons class: 5:15 - 5:45. Assited with this class today. It went well, and the kids were showing some improvement in controlling their techniques. Adult TKD class: 6:00 - 7:00. Taught this class today as well. It was bigger today, with 11 total students. At the end of class, we worked on the cross punch on mitts, focusing on driving from the ground up to get power in the punch, like the reverse punches that we do in basics. Just in a shorter motion.

NEKyo_Sa has some good drills there. Looking into plyometrics books will give you some good drills to do to improve your explosiveness, which will help with jumping for flying kicks. Just make sure to do plyometrics only about 2 times per week, and get about 72 hours of rest between sessions. These will really tax your muscles, so train smart. There are also some good plyo drills that you can do jumping off one leg as opposed to two, which is good for jumping kicks in TKD.

Make sure that you are not overworking your body. Just like lifting, when you stretch, your muscles will need some recovery time as well. Maybe stretch 4 days a week until the soreness subsides, and then pick it back up again.

Yes, this is basically what we do. I don't use the blade of the foot, but I don't think it changes the technique enough if you do. What I do, DWx, is what I would call the side piercing kick, but I just call it the side kick (or side thrust kick). The only time I would see one that is a 'snap' kick is one that is not thrown with as much committment, and is pulled back faster. Here, the difference would be in the level of penetration of the technique. Does that make any sense? I hope I am not being too confusing, or running around in circles.

I really wouldn't mind this situation. I have always been of the opinion that by wearing belts and establishing rank like this, it tends to make everything go down the ladder, as far as information goes. For instance, an instructor isn't usually going to ask a lower rank colored belt for assistance or advise on a technique. He would look to a peer or higher rank. Where as those styles that don't use ranks to denote class position or knowledge (at least within the style) would tend to be more open to the suggestions of anyone else in the class. Like Wrestling, JKD, and even DT classes. I think that many stylists that are young in their careers/journeys tend to hold on to the meaning and symbolism of the belt and rank; I did at one time, I know. Now, the knowledge that I have gained means more to me than the rank that I have, and the belt can be taken; the knowledge can't.

What you may need to address is the way you approach the bunkai training. The bunkai will not translate verbatim from the form, from what I have seen. You add movement, and an opponent that is resisting, and things change up a bit. Get a willing partner, and spend some time working on different ways of training the bunkai, and see where that leads you.

Great info, everyone. Thanks for sharing. Tallgeese, that is a lot of info, and I will look into trying to add some of those things into my workouts. Like I said, in Combat Hapkido, we get to do it quite a bit, but the setup is different than from my TKD class stuff.

Yes, Superfoot still conducts seminars throughout the world. It would be fun to get to one. That would be cool, to have a picture like your instructor does. Even if he is on the not-so-good end of it. My instructors at my school have their picture taken with Joe Lewis. Even at his age, the guy is still a beast. You can just tell he is huge.

I agree. Although I consider the Wrestler to be a Martial Artist, they are also in a very conditioned environment, due to the competition.

I agree, good post! I think so, too. Instead of butting heads all the time, they/we should sit and share information, and help each other out.

Um, well, not....really.....

Only one class a week? I don't like the sound of that. How long is the class?

Yes, it is! I wish I would have found this site 7 years ago....

Each of these books begins with the familiar history lesson of TKD, which, to me, is a bit suspect, as far as fact goes. Whenever I read a TKD book anymore, I usually just skim through the history section, and pretty much disregard it. This set of books does little to curb my skeptisism in this area. However, technically speaking, these books are pretty good. Before each form is elaborated on, each is shown "at-a-glance," giving an overview of the form, front to back, in pictures. Then, each picture is blown up, and the movements explained, along with diagrams showing foot placement, movement from the previous technique, and then a top view. Included for each move is an application photo as well, but they leave much to be desired. The first two books include a pictorial glossary at the end as well. Chon-Ji: The first form in TKD ITF, the book begins with an overview of basic stances, using feet-on-the-floor diagrams to elaborate on the length and foot position of each stance. This volume also includes stretching exercises and a basics section. The basics section includes photos for basic blocking and striking techniques and kicks, showing them from a beginning stance, and then depicting the movement to the move in the next stance, and then finally instructions for turning around for the floor drills. This section should probably be at the beginning of the book, but the addition is nevertheless beneficial to the beginner. The book finishes with a section on one-step sparring. As an added bonus, this volume contains both English and Spanish translations. Tan-Gun & T-San: After the forms sections, this book elaborates on attacking combinations, using pictures and floor drawing demonstrating the movement of the feet as the combination advances. This is then followed by a self-defense technique section, showing the standard joint locking breakaways, escapes, and counterattacks. Won-Hyo & Yul-Kol: Just the forms. Chung-Gun & Toi-Gye: Just the forms. Hwa-Rang & Chung-Mu: Just the forms. I would recommend these books as far as the technical aspects of TKD hyungs and techniques goes. The author, Jhoon Rhee, is touted as the "Father of U.S. TKD," and his technique is more than reputable. Although not the end-all, be-all of TKD books, these will fill the void nicely if you lack any TKD information in your library.

How do many of you here practice your sweeps? As in trips for takedowns? We don't really do much of it in my TKD class, but in our DT training, we really get into it. I was just curious as to what some of the methods everyone had for working on them, and how you go about doing so.

Wow, that is a huge screen! And a huge price tag! I couldn't imagine paying more for a TV than for a car.

Well done, Celtics.

Yeah, I would say that any strike behind the ears would constitute the back of the head. But, I guess we will have to wait to see what gets decided. I know that Big John has put in a lot of time on the mat, and has been working on improving the scoring system as well. He should definitely be a consultant for the issue.

In the summer time, we typically have to combine our classes. It really isn't that much of a problem for us. We are pretty good about rotating partners, though.

My instructor has always been tougher on his own kids. I have not seen any favoritism since I have been there.