bushido_man96

Isn't there a risk that you are doing both TKD and Shotokan an injustice, by "blurring" them into the same martial art? I understand entirely, that the codification of modern TKD is based on that of Japanese Shotokan. I know very little of TKD but a little bit about Shotokan, and it seems to me that the "Korean" roots of TKD "Tae-Kyon"? may have been lost a little in the modern "sanitisation" process? Its great that you train in a ma that is very similar to your previous one, but personally, I would seek to learn more from the differences, rather than be too quick to make comparisons. Not that it is a blurring, just noticing the similarities. If some things are the same, then it isn't really blurring. I see many people talk about digging deep into the meaning of things in the Martial Arts. Sometimes, you don't have to dig deep; a punch is a punch, and a kick is a kick.

Way to go!

Cool! Best of luck to you!

Cool, thanks for the link.

I think you are on the right track here. I think that many of the kicking techniques that we see in TKD have a root in Karate, but were eventually modified, and then emphasized in the training. I do think that this was a good thing for TKD as well.

I agree. Especially about the part of the quote that I bold-faced.

Is this what I think you mean, as in competitors are doing a lot of holding on to each other during bouts? Presumably this is to stop your opponent from achieving enough space between you and them in order for them to kick you. Or have I miss understood? Have you got any youtube links? Yeah, you have it much, pretty much. But the way TKDers clinch is different. They get up close, with their hands down, usually, and then try to jockey one into moving back enough to throw round kick or something. This video has some brief spots of clinching: They try to push and create space, or they hug, with the hands down low. I am of the opinion that many of TKD's knockouts could be avoided with a simple use of the "hands up."

Think about this; he was one of the more ellusive heavyweights as well. Even though, I don't see a lot of other fighter suffering from the same condition. I think George Foreman was known more for being able to take a punch, and probably absorbed a lot more punishment than Ali did over his career. It just affects different people differently.

This one may take a little longer. We have a few wrestlers at our school, but I don't see how you would get into that position. I'll ask Chris (collegete all american) how he would put someone into it and then see what I would do. You have a collegiate all-american at your gym, too? Wow, you really have some great resources at your disposal.In your videos, it seems to be different with you guys rolling than when me and my friend practice. I feel like I am always in frantic movement while rolling. You guys appear to be much more methodical. Is this just lack of experience?

Yeah, you may have to. In the end, you may have to wind up getting another gi, because each probably has its own set of patches and other criteria. You don't have to spend a lot on a new gi right away, either. Get a middle or lightweight gi to start with, and then save money along the way for a nicer one.

Do you mean that all they did was basics and fighting? I suppose that it could have been that way. I am not sure, though. I think most of them were associated with some form of Karate or other at some point, and probably used most of those training methods, whether they created their own forms or used other forms. Does that answer your question? Or am I missing it?

That makes sense. Thanks for the clarification.

I agree that the Tae Kyon students don't perform like Shotokan students. Neither do many WTF TKD practitioners. TKD, especially the sparring, has evolved into its own creature. What I am saying is that I think that the Tae Kyon practitioners you see today and the TKD WTF practitioners look very similar because Tae Kyon is feeding off of the way WTF TKD practioners train their many different spinning and jumping kicks, along with the stepping from the sparring. I think that the "revival" of Tae Kyon is heavily influenced by the evolution of TKD.

I have seen some of the Shotokan forms, and you can see the similarities between them and some of the Chang 'On forms. However, they are more than just Shotokan with Korean kicks. They have been modified, some of them quite significantly. But, with Choi's training in Shotokan, this influence is to be expected.

Thanks for the suggestions! I think that those would be great classroom additions.

That is exactly right. Don't worry about the rank you get; worry more about the quality of instruction you receive. Take your time, and practice a lot. That's the only way to earn success.

This is pretty much the way I was taught and teach. I have a basic, "school set," bunkai that is mandatory for each person to learn. However, once the student is skilled enough, I show them other interpretations and encourage them to explore them on their own. I think that this tends to be the pattern for most styles. Even in Boxing, most begin with the Jab/Cross combo, and build from there. Start easy to learn concepts, and then build up.

I don't think Ali has Parkinsons'. I think it is MS, or something like that.

I don't know, really. I have seen a practitioner demo it once, and found it interesting. Other than that, just some internet exposure.

Nice! You have some ups there!

Welcome back, and good luck testing! How do you like the Combat Hapkido?

Welcome back, Zorbs!

This works. You just have to give some cool-off time, and then take time to talk with her, and explain what it is you meant to say. It'll work out. Trust me.

The knife has many more angles of attack, though. Each has its advantages.

There seem to be a lot more weekend testings than week day testings. But, I don't feel so odd about it, now. Thanks for the replies, all, and keep them pouring in!