bushido_man96

We have a back stance, front stance, sitting stance, a cat stance, and cross-legged stances. Some TKD styles also offer a "fixed" stance, which tends to me to be a bit longer back stance, where the weight is more evenly distributed than in the back stance.

Actually, BJJ came from Judo, and then became BJJ as the Gracies changed the focus of their training.

I personally don't care for much philosophy in my MA training. I have my own ideals and focuses, and I don't see any reason to push them on anyone else.

I have addressed this opinion before, but I will do it again. Being a "jack of all trades" doesn't necessarily mean that you can't be a master. It depends on what your goals as a Martial Artist are. Do you want to be a master at kicking? Then focusing entirely on TKD may be your choice. However, if you want to be able to fight effectively from all ranges, then training in MMA or RBSD may be the way to go. It isn't fair to say that one's goals in the Martial Arts dictate the ability to achieve mastery. It just depends on what you want to master.

I think that swimming is probably one of the best ways to develop cardio endurance. It is low impact on the joints, and is one hell of a workout. It also forces you to control your breathing.

To answer here, see my post in the same thread related to grappling: not quantity, but quality and versatility. In TKD I can think of front, round, side, hook, crescent (inside and outside), and axe kick. The variations of each would be jumps, spins, hops, etc. So, you are looking at not so many basic kicks, but many variations to the kicks. Now, the ones you need, would most likely be the front, side, and round. The front and round I think are the most easily applied, and are good for kicking to the low line and while in the clinch.

I am no grappler, so my ideas are tentative at best. However, I would say that you would want to learn a smaller number, and then work to apply them in multiple situations, as opposed to one technique that works in one spot. In fact, BJJ focuses a lot on improving position, and being able to use combinations to get to your submissions. It is like a game of chess; you have the same pieces each game, but the moves you make differ each time in response to what you do to your opponent and how he/she reacts to your moves. In the end, its not quantity, but quality and versatility.

How many and how fast are fairly ambiguous questions, in my opinion. You need to concentrate instead on the target, and how hard the contact is made. One can punch fast but not hard, or hard but not fast. I don't think it is something you can put a tag on. In order to really take someone out like that, I think the onslaught would have to continue after the opponent is unconscious. At that point, you are the attacker, and most likely going to go to jail.

I would question any of the percentages that come up about the success of one style vs. others. How can these things be accurately documented? How do you know that the guys isn't a lousy fighter? There are just too many variables. As far as Monkey style goes, I have heard that the style is not that popular, and hard to find. As you mention, it appears as an element in some styles, as opposed to its own style.

Thats a good question. I think the more appropriate question is whether or not that kind of conditioning is worth it. What will the long-term effects of conditioning your fingers in such a way be? I think the better path to take would be to do grip exercises and forearm exercises instead. Easier to do, with faster results, I think.

You should consider parrys and slips then, Kez.

Cung Le recently broke Frank Shamrock's arm with repeated kicks that were blocked by Shamrock. Cung Le kicks really hard, though. As for bone or muscle, it really depends on what your goal is. If you intend to use your block as a strike, then using the bones would accomplish your goal, as long as they are conditioned well enough to resist pain, bruising, and breaking. The muscle blocks would provide more protection, I think. Something else that should be evaluated along with this topic are the parrys, or just brushing aside a strike just enough to off-balance the attack, and keep your body in control for a counter as the opponent follows through to a target that he missed. All 3 would have their proper place, and all should be practiced and evaluated.

Ah yes. Our kicking class is really good about bringing the pain out of the ole abs. It really makes you realize how important a strong core is to the Martial Arts.

In my style, most of our punches are rotated, the "corkscrew," as you call it. The straight vertical punch has an interesting history. Although the twist can add some power to the technique, the vertical fist, when striking with the last 3 knuckles of the hand, provides incredible support of the striking tool. This support is not as strong in the horizontal fist. Bruce Lee actually researched his vertical fist from old Boxing texts. The name Driscoll is the Boxer he read of. Most of his claims of the vertical fist come from him.

Thanks, guys. I hope I get to put this class to the test some time soon.

Welcome aboard!

Welcome to the Forums!

I went to a Meatloaf concert once. It was pretty cool.

There's a place down the interstate from us that is called Martinelli's, and its a little Italian place that gives HUGE portions. And I am all about the portions!

The first concert I went to was a Jerry Reed concert when I was a kid. My parents took us. It was a good time. I still like Jerry Reed.

A 1974 Silverado, with no tailgate, about 7 different colors on it, and a motor that my dad wanted to use in a stock car, but was too loose for it.

Congrats!

Best of luck to you!

Cool, I will have to try to catch that.

I don't believe that the Taek Yon done today is the same Taek Yon that is claimed to have existed centuries ago. I don't believe that it survived underground that long. The Taek Yon that we see today I believe is influenced by the same techniques that influenced TKD from Karate.