bushido_man96

I agree that most of the time, we should be able to recognize trouble, and stay out of it. However, there are times when it is much more subtle, and there may not be signs of something going to happen. It may not be directed at you, either. You may just be viewed as a casualty of war, so to speak.

Black Belt Magazine did a piece on this new movie. It sounds like it will be pretty good. I want to see it.

People get so bent out of shape over goofy things.

Cool. That makes sense. Thanks again.

Amen, tallgeese! Amen!!!

Those rules sound bunk to me. If you are going to drop the high and low, which I have seen, then don't add them back to break ties. For tie breakers, each competitor does the same form again. Then, the winner is chosen. If one guy messes it up, then he is stuck with 2nd place. That's the way I see it. I would not return to that tourney.

I think that Wrestling does get the short end of the stick in these cases. It is unfortunate. Especially since ASU had a decent program. I didn't think that Title IX applied in college? Am I wrong?

I hope that you are right. I would be all for it, for sure.

I have heard this advise quite a bit. It sounds to be a very gradual, natural process. Thanks for the advise.

You are right here. It would be good against a downed opponent. However, I think that a good 'ole stomp would be more effective, and quicker, in a self-defense scenario. TKD competition rules make it a pretty good kick in that environment. It could have a place in Kickboxing as well.

Our style doesn't have it any of the forms, either, but it is a popular kick in tournaments. Our instructor really used the heck out if it when he was competing. It is sort of in TKD forms. There's move 25 in Juche, the pick-kick which is very similar. Ah. Our system doesn't do that form. It is unfortunate, too. I think I may start practicing that form myself.

I am the same way! That, and when I take my shoe off, the insole tends to come out with it. I hate that!

I have actually reserved my copy of the 2nd edition. I am still waiting for it. I am also waiting for Karate Chronicles, too. The Best Karate series, by M. Nakayama, are great as well, especially for their layout of the katas.

Huh, thats crazy. Why would he do a yellow belt form? At the tourneys I go to, we have to do the forms for our rank.

Good points. Can anyone imagine what it would be like to drown or burn alive? Not good thoughts, at all.

One way that is fun to work on gun defenses is to use a rubber band gun. It adds some fun to the practice, but at the same time, provides valuable feedback. If you can't dodge a rubber band, then you sure aren't going to be dodging any bullets any time soon.

That is a great explanation. If we could meet in person, it would probably be easier for you to define what muscles do what. That makes good sense, though.

I have seen that one before. I like it. I would love to see a class like that. Thanks for sharing!

Yes, this one is quite good. It is also in my library.

Good one as well.

The Martial Arts in one word: lifestyle.

Bringing the targets down is a great idea, and there are plenty of moves that can be done to accomplish that goal. The kick to the common peroneal comes to mind.

I would normally agree with this statement. However, I have noticed that I do not have this problem when I spar or do self defense work. I always do a pretty good job of keeping my hands up at these times. Sometimes I have been able to use the pulling back actions of the arms in some applications. I also do decent jab/cross combinations while not pulling the opposite hand back to the ribs.

I think that this is an important aspect that gets overlooked many times in many schools, mine included. Sure, we spar, but it is with tournament rules, and it doesn't do much for putting you in a crappy situation that raises the adrenaline levels. It is easy to picture enemies while doing a form, and to do it with intensity, but you still don't get the same adrenale feeling. This is something that I have discovered in my research of Medieval European Combat. There are many techniques that can be seen in the old manuals that mirror techniques that many believe to have originated in the Orient. This is just not the case.

Sometimes, this policy leads to the "that's how I learned it, so that is how you will learn it" attitude, which isn't always healthy. This is kind of tricky here. I kind of see what you are getting at, but I don't understand it well. My point is that everyone learns in a different manner. If an instructor can only relate things in one manner, then he is not going to be able to reach as many students as he could. It is ok to ask "why?" because we want to know. There is always more than one way to skin a cat. Kata training has been one of those ways. When my DT partner and I do training, it doesn't come from kata. It comes from hands on experience, Q&A, and then more experience. Katas can be good. Other ways can be good, too.