bushido_man96

That is probably one of the best things you can do. Let him know how he impacted you. I am sure he will feel greatful. Maybe it will be enough to get him back into it.

I have never broke them open on the bag before. Just on boards. The last time it happened was at a testing. When I bounced, I was so angry, all I could think about was putting my fist through that board. Well, the GM told me to change my technique. This hacked me off even more, and then I looked down and saw that my knuckle was bleeding profusely. I kind of understood then. I was still mad, though.

I have noticed that when I hook punch the bag or BOB, I have a tendency to get my thumb caught in the strike, which might really hurt if I am striking someone's head. Putting the thumb on the side seems to take care of this problem, but I don't feel like the fist is as tight, then.

Loren W. Christensen's book Fighter's Fact Book 2 has some good tips on doggy defense, should you need to use it. Using objects to keep you and the dog seperate can be of use. Things like boxes, or tricycles, or any obstruction. Strikes to the neck and chest, and even chokes can be used. Look him up; he has a whole section on dog defense.

Harleyt26, that is some interesting history on the Isshinryu punching ideals. Thanks for sharing it. These are interesting points. I had never looked at is as such before. However, it does make sense. I try to work on both, full rotation and vertical. However, when I strike vertically, I strike with the last 3 knuckles. When striking horizontally, I strike with the first 2 knuckles.

Man, that looked like it really stung! The last few times when I was trying to break with a punch, I ended up breaking open my knuckles on the boards.

6-1-08 I went to the range today with a couple of friends. We shot the .40 and the AR15. It was fun, but I need a lot of work.

Breaking the forms down into pieces, and focusing on the tougher parts, is something I have done in the past. As for the sparring, I think tallgeese gives some excellent advise.

Our school doesn't necessarily have an alcohol policy. We expect our instructors and students to refrain from drinking before coming to class. If a student had a problem, I would do what could be done to get them help, and try to support them.

I try not to interact with those that I don't know too much. I don't think I would have let myself get too caught up in that conversation before I left.

Thanks, pittbull.

Gotta love the classics!

Sounds like your stacked, Kez. Good luck with all that! When your done, I recommend lots of bag work!

These facts are true, but we see the better fighter get beat all the time now in UFC. It would just depend.

Well put, tallgeese.

Well, that is a good idea, too. It follows along with the parrying idea.

I love to read up on stories like this. Its cool to see the crossover from other sports with MA.

To help with your energy levels, you may want to shift from aerobic training to more of a focus on anaeorbic training using intervals. When fighting, you fight in short bursts, as opposed to a long marathon or jog.

I think that TKD already has the kicks that Tae Kyon is using now. What's different is the how they are applied. The revival Tae Kyon is a bit more flashy, and tends to have a Capoeria roda flavor to it.

That makes sense, rmclain. Thanks for that bit of knowledge; given the extent to which the Japanese occupied the Koreans, this makes more sense to me now.

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.