bushido_man96

That sounds good. Keep at it, and you will get up there. I still feel tired after every class that I go to, and have been going for 14 years now. What kind of TKD school is it?

Every instructor has a different idea of what the black belt test should be like. Many want it to be something that the students work hard for, so that they know that they earned it. Some think that it is more along the lines of a natural progression, which is ok, too. The main thing is not to focus on your rank, but what it is you are learning in between ranks. I think that the point of diminishing returns that you address is related more to the physical aspect of the arts. Basically, after we have done a side kick for 8 years, there probably isn't much that is going to change with it in the 9th year. However, as we begin to level of physically, there are many other aspects to look into; strategy, tactics, ideas like de-escalation, and the list goes on and on. There is always something to pick up; it just may not be something new, physically.

I had not heard that. I am supposed to be receiving a book on Shotokan history sometime; perhaps it will have some information on the story.

This is the same theme that I have seen in Defensive Tactics training. Improve the position, get off, and get to a different tool if you have to, to end the encounter.

If this becomes a problem, then they should look into some prohibitions against stalling, which is what it sounds like to me.

So, if we all wanted to learn how to kick from any Martial Artist that we could choose, who would you like to teach you to kick?

Hitting a nerve point while blocking would be gravy, but for the most part, I worry about the block first. Hitting those really little points can be difficult at times, especially when the limb is mobile. Not that I don't think it can't be done; its just the primary goal when I block.

The one that comes to mind right now was passing my 3rd dan testing. I worked really hard up to it, focusing on my board breaks a lot. I was most worried about the flying side kick over 3 obstacles, mainly because I am a touch heavy, and don't jump well. But I nailed all of my board breaks on the first try each, and I cleared the side kick with no problem. I think I was the only one that didn't bounce on any of my boards at that testing, too.

Congrats to you, Patrick.

Thanks, Patrick. Happy Father's day, all.

Man, that would be cool to see.

That does sound like a good idea to me. It will help to see where other organizations stack up to each other. As for a prediction, I think that Fedor will pretty much own Sylvia.

Well said, Shorikid.

Probably not as bad as getting cut would.

There was a Pro-TKD set up several years ago, and it looked very much like Olympic TKD, but without the protective gear, and it had a different points set up. I suppose it would be fun to watch. It definitely sounds like they want to emphasize the kicking aspects. As far as TKD history goes; it was developed in the 1950s, and is pretty much a derivative of Karate, mainly Shotokan. What are its similarities to the older Korean fighting styles? Probably not a whole lot.

Well likewise the same applies to Taekwon-Do (Foot Fist Way) which should in theory place equally amounts of emphasis on the hands and feet. I think that "Kickboxing" denotes more of a rule set, than an actual style, but I could be wrong. A Kickboxer must incorporate kicks into the fight, but is not required to emphasize them. As far as TKD goes, especially the Chang 'On style, it is important to keep in mind that this form set is derived in part from some Shotokan forms, so the influence is indeed noticeable. However, when you look into General Choi's encyclopedia, you see a lot of different kicks; more so than the hand techniques, I think.

Absolutely! I always loved listening to his war stories, as it were. It was a different time, for sure. It makes me wish that I had stories to share as well. My dad also has some stories. Some of his Navy stories are great entertainment, too.

This is a good point. I think that most of this comes from the fact that our kids do a lot of different activities, especially when they start into school years. Well, after high school, most of the organized activities end, and many feel like the Martial Arts fall along the same line, when they actually do not.

While I was training at my ATA school, I also got the opportunity to train a guy who was a Boxer in the 1940s and 50s. He was an old guy, but he had THE biggest hands that I had ever seen, and he could still hit hard. His punch was phenomenal. He was a successful Boxer, too, and would have faced Sugar Ray Robinson, I believe, had his father not come and gathered him up to go home. I think I am right about my dates, but someone who knows some history, let me know if I am off. The guy still works at his dairy farm in Rawlins Co, KS. His name is John Maxwell. And boy, the guy had some stories. I really like that old guy. Man, could he hit hard!

If you follow/ed Boxing, who was your favorite? Back when Tyson was in his prime, and the fights were on HBO, I followed him. I also like Oscar de la Hoya.

Welcome to KF! I look forward to your information on combatives.

Congrats!

If a dog is well trained, and has a high fight drive, and he comes at you, then there may be very little you can do to stop him. I took our sheperd out in the country once, to let him run while me and a friend set off fireworks. Well, he went nuts, and there was nothing I could do to control him. I punched him a few times, hard, and it did nothing to him. We finally had to load him up and take him home, because he wouldn't calm down with the fireworks going off.

That was kind of my idea when starting it up. If someone slumps, or feels lackadaisical in training, an fresh idea might help to spark them.

I have heard that it is great for feedback, but I don't know much more about it than that. From what I understand, it has various levels of shock, depending on the what your students can take.