bushido_man96

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.

That's why we study history, I guess.

Concentrate on setting your sleep schedule for a while. Try to get 3 weeks worth of consistent 7-8 hours of sleep. If you try to sleep 8 hours one night, and then only 5 the next, your body is never going to regulate, and you won't know what is the right amount for you.

6-18-08 At the park today: tried to do 5 pull ups. Did Se Jong hyung 4 times, in 4 different directions. Then, I tried to kicks while balancing on the balance beam. That didn't go too well....

6-17-08 Combat Hapkido: 11:00 - 1:00. Worked on Red/Black belt curriculum today. Little Lions class: 5:15 - 5:45. I taught this class today; flew solo. It went pretty well, although I don't normally teach this class. It is for 4-6 year olds, so it doesn't last very long. Between classes, I did hyungs: Chon Ji, Bo Chung, Dan Gun, Yoo Sin, Se Jong. Adult TKD class: 6:00 - 7:00. Taught this class as well. There were only 3 students, so they got some good basics in, and we did some work on crescent kicks at the end.

6-16-08 Chest/triceps Bench press: 155x10, 205x6, 215x4 Dips: 6, 5, 5 Abs Hanging knee raises: 3x15 Decline crunches: 3x15 Do-Kang 1, holding 8 lb. dumbells, then once without the weights. Did Yoo Sin hyung, breaking it down and taking my time with it. Reviewed Se Jong hyung several times. Combat Hapkido: 10:00 - 12:00. Worked on Red belt curriculum.

Well, I have never seen it or done it. I do the ITF forms system, but not with sine wave or anything like that. As for the side snap kick, in Karate, you see marked difference in the trajectory and delivery between the side snap and thrust kicks. In TKD, I have not seen this difference. I don't even really notice it in Gen. Choi's encyclopedia. Perhaps I just haven't experienced enough ITF to know better, though.

I agree. Anything that we throw out here is going to be mere conjecture. We may get it half right, but not all right. Every school and instructor does their own thing with testings, so ask him and your fellow classmates. Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

Hey, its just a belt, isn't it? After all, we always catch ourselves saying that "rank doesn't matter" or "a belt is just good for holding the pants up." So, what is the big deal, then????

Chuck would be fun to learn from. I have read a book by Roy Kurban, and I think he could teach me a thing or two about kicking, as well. Superfoot's would be a fun seminar to go to.