bushido_man96

So, if you buy a brand new car, or you going to pay for it all up front? At the same rate, if you teach, do you pay per class? I know that some places, moreso in the UK, do this, but I have never done it. If you are a student, do you pay monthly, or by the class?

1-28-08 Chest/triceps Bench press: 155x10, 165x8, 185x4 Dips: 3x5 Triceps push-downs: 90x10, 105x8, 6 Overhead triceps press: 50x10, 60x6, 65x4 Abs Decline crunches: 3x12 Hanging knee raises: 3x10 Forearms Gripper: 3x12x30 lbs.

If all I did when I taught classes was show white belts what to do, and then made them to copy-cat me, and did nothing else, they would not be geared to test for a very long time. Physical demonstration is great, but I also talk about the little nuances of the technique as I am demonstrating it. Physical, along with verbal, is the best combination. I know that there are spelling variations; that is not what I am talking about. I am talking about totally different words, Korean words, for some of the techniques that we do.

I agree 100%. At this point, I would tell students to not wear their belt to class. They obviously view it from the wrong perspective.

Wow, that's quite a fast progression!

This has been addressed and changed. They won't allow a point if you cannot maintain your balance during the technique. I think it was Herb Perez who used to do a spin hook kick, and would go down to the ground afterwards to avoid the counter. They changed the rules because of that. As far as taking the kicks goes; most of the time, they are allowing the kick to come in so that they can spin and counter, striking the opponent while they are in mid-kick. Think of it as kind of like Boxing; you can't block every punch, and hope to punch back. Olympic TKD is the same way. I do agree that they should keep their hands up more, and block more, but they don't choose to. I don't think they are taught not to block; they just learn that using the hands to generate momentum and balance for kicking helps their purpose more. What about Judo? It is an Olympic sport as well. So is Boxing. There is also a Karate governing body. Do you think that they have the same goals?

What you are talking about are the very basics. Yes, everyone will know what the Japanese for round kick is, but beyond that, any technical information will be out of touch. In order to make it flow smoothly, the Japanese does help, I agree. As far as I'm concerned, I could care less about knowing the Korean terminology of my techniques. During my time in the ATA, I didn't learn the Korean name for any of the techniques. Now, I know the Korean terminology for the techniques that I do, but the terminology that I know doesn't match up with those that I have seen in other books. Go figure.

Shotokan, if you get into the JKA, is a pretty vast organization. If you like the support that comes with an organization, then I think you will like it. As a style, I don't know a lot about it, other than what I have read. There are lots of similarities with TKD and Shotokan, so I imagine I could adapt well to it. I have been reading books on the Shotokan style and forms, and I know that some schools have applications for the movements of the forms, which would be good as well.

And have you tried using bicycle inner-tubes or surgical tubing? I agree that jumping is one of the best things you can do to help your drive when stepping. But maybe too much jumping can make you JUMP when you should STEP... That's why I really recommend trying a type of resistance training that you can do while using good form, such as inner tubes. I don't think that this kind of plyometric jump training will lead to jumping when doing technique. We are talking about a very powerful, bursting movement, jumping as high as you can. I have done plyometrics in the past, and it has never caused me to jump durning any of my movements. However, the tube training is a good idea as well.

I think that XMA forms should be in a seperate division than traditional forms, but that is just my opinion. If you find out in the future that this is not the case, then I would opt not to compete.

"Who gets it first" is based more off of a time in rank thing; like someone who has been a blue belt for 2 more months than the most recent student promoted to blue belt.

Well, hopefully they will. I would speak with the panel before he is allowed to test, though. I know that I would not want to be put through a testing process only to find out that someone on the panel was trying to keep me from being promoted. Just food for thought.

I am not sure why they always put on weight in the manner that they do. I think it is to use the most leverage that they can. However, these guys are very strong, and very flexible. Don't mistake that, for sure.

What is a "multiple fighter?"

that is true , but what if the situation does not require kicking , then what?? this is were information from every source comes in handy Honestly, there aren't many situations that "require" kicking, in my opinion. When your arms get tied up, then you may have to kick, but other than that, I wouldn't say that kicking becomes "required." It is good to know how to fight in all ranges: kicking, punching, clinching, and grappling.

I see, NEKyosa. Perhaps you should express your feelings with the testing panel, if you have not done so already. However, the testers may have their own reasons in mind as well. It is hard to tell sometimes. In the end, just make sure to focus on your own well being, and don't let the actions or progressions of those around you worry you too much. It isn't worth getting high blood pressure over.

that's very interesting but, is the person who is given their belt first given it for a reason(like the instructor intentionally chooses so) or is it just randomly given, whoevers first is higher? In this situation, I would not use that as a chance to pull rank. If you two people receive the same rank on the same day, at the same promotion ceremony, then they are the same rank. If you need something to distinguish between the two, then you go by age. If it is that big of a deal, then those two really need to get a life.

Welcome to the Forums!

WOW! Not cool at all!!!

Yeah!!! With a marinade of Italian dressing...and Montreal steak seasoning...good stuff...

Way to go!

Nice explanation, NightOwl.

I don't really agree. The Olympics are the upper echelon of competition for TKD. Yes, there are those who like the sport side more than the other side. However, you can find many who enjoy the forms and more "artistic" side as well...they just don't end up competing internationally. There are still those who teach the self-defense applications of the style, and it does exist. It is just a matter of finding the instructor that does it. I think that being an Olympic sport is a good thing for TKD, because it keeps it in the limelight, and people recognize it. Sure, there are things that don't translate to self-defense, but it is the role of the instructor to make sure the student understands these things.

Sounds interesting. Where can it be seen?

Well, just keep up the training, cross.