bushido_man96

The Mongolians were a fierce force. Their horseback archery was an amazing skill, and it made their forces quite dangerous, along with the tactics that they used. I like your points. However, the bulk of the debate here is based more on the sword-against-sword skills between the Samurai and European Knight. You make some good points about overall combat, though.

Muay Thai has a heavy emphasis on elbows and knees. Also, MMA gyms usually cover the clinch fighting range, with elbows and knees, and they will usually cover grappling as well.

I do believe so. I have read that in FMA, all of the skills that they learn are transitional. They work empty handed, with knife, and with stick. I have seen evidence of this in articles and such, however, have never experienced it myself. Of course, almost every style has its strengths and weaknesses, and the FMA would really be no different. These things also depend on the teaching focus of the instructors as well. Seeing as the place you are talking about attending doesn't move into doing hand techniques for several months, then their focus is most likely the weapon first. In the end, you should go watch a class, and perhaps ask for some demonstrations of their hand technique applications, and then judge for yourself. If you are looking for a style that is more focused on hand techniques, then perhaps you may look elsewhere, to find what you really want.

Definitely don't do this! If you have to tailor your workout to your body, then make sure to do so, that way, you can keep up your training. Boxing may be the route you want to take, if your knees are suffering that much. Also, losing weight may help your knees, as well, if this is a preceived problem.

Welcome to the Forums, and to the Martial Arts! Enjoy your journey.

I have not seen of it, other than the typical foot sweep. However, it does sound interesting, and would be worth exploring.

That is a great testament to your training and attention to detail, Montana. Also nice that he rewarded you in such a way. Awesome!

Hard telling. I know that my instructor doesn't like to place orders with only a few items; it makes shipping a killer. This could be his deal as well. Or, he may just be forgetting. Who knows? Just keep reminding him.

The only problem that I have with this concept is that females are more likely to be attacked by bigger, stronger males. By holding back too much with them in training, you do them a disservice. I am not saying that they should be mauled, either. However, they need to experience what it is like to deal with greater strength and speed at times.

I agree here completely. Things like speed, strength, agility, always add to your various strengths, and help to overcome or hide your weaknesses. relying on strength alone though, will make u lose against someone stronger than you. Someone faster and/or with a better strategy will also win against someone who is not better, just stronger. This isn't always the case. There is always the "lucky punch" chance. However, in general, being smart and strategic will always be a benefit, especially if you are those things, and strong, and fast, etc.

I agree with you Second!

10-30-07 My legs were really sore today after the Lunge exercises I did on Monday. I may have to keep doing them, to build some more leg strength. We'll see how my knees react to them, I guess. I also noticed that my upper body, especially the triceps, were sore from the changed up routine I did on Monday. I have not noticed any gains in bench press over the last few months, so I have decided to give it a rest, and try some new things. We'll see how they go. Solo Workout: 3:35 - 4:00. I worked on forms that were heavy into hand techniques, so that I could warm my legs up in the stances. I did our Do-gans 1 and 2, Poe Eun hyung, and then worked on Yoo Sin hyung. I worked on the segments of Yoo Sin that are giving me problems, and I think that they are slowly coming along. That forms just bugs me, though. Taught Kids Class: 4:00 - 5:00. Only 3 students today. I worked the basics hard.

That sounds like a great deal. It is good that you were able to discuss all of the those things with him as well. I hope you enjoy your training.

The momentum you have after that Thai round kick takes you nicely into the spin back kick, I think.

Yes, this is a good point. However, in a perfect world, it would be all you needed. But, as stated, sometimes you have to block, and if you do, then you want it to do some damage. However, if you are going immediately on the defensive (like being jumped, and just have time to cover), then I think that this double bone block can serve to help there.

That is cool, ps1. Having someone like that to swap info with is an MA training dream, I think. I never underestimate Wrestlers' abilities. A good takedown can really put you on the defensive for the majority of a fight. I think that the biggest weakness of a Wrestler, however, is the lack of working from the back. In their type of competition, they learn to try to get off of their back as quickly as possible. Once they can overcome that mindset, and realize that they have some options when on their back, then I think that they can become really dangerous.

I don't know if I would agree with this assessment. I think that many people see Boxing this way, because many perceive it as two guys that are just slugging at each other. However, there is a lot more strategy involved than just that. I think that the misconception comes from the restricted rules and techniques involved in Boxing.

There is really nothing wrong with doing this at all. It is good to visualize practicing these things on different people. You can also use to visualize a situation. You imagine that they attack you a certain way, and you do some defense in your mind. You can change up the scenario every time too, even add in weapons, etc. I have read books by MA authors that have done this as well.

So, is it basically like you are doing a front snap kick to the ankle of your opponent? That is what it sounds like from the reading, but I am not for sure. At any rate, it sounds like attacking footwork, kind of.

I see that you post alot in this forum, I was actually going to ask you before, but what is your job really, is it in any way martial art related? I now work for my county's Sheriff's Department as a Jailer. Someday, I hope to work the street as well.

I have been there....and done that. My journey has taken me from an overweight, unhealthy, introverted slug to a fit, healthy, and confident martial artist with a passion to share what I have learned with others. It didn't happen overnight and there were times when I doubted myself but...I bought into it hook, line, and sinker and it changed my life forever! Never ever settle for the status quo...commit yourself to self improvement everyday for the rest of your life. Excuses only keep you shackled down and defeat you before you even start. Amen, Heidi!!!!

10-29-07 Chest/triceps Dumbell bench press: 50x10, 60x10, 65x8 Cable crossovers: 60x6, 50x10, 10 Triceps push-downs: 90x10, 105x8, 8 Overhead triceps extension: 70x10, 80x10, 90x10 Vertical butterflies: 100x10, 115x8, 130x6 Dips: 3x5 Legs Lunges: 3x10x30 lbs. Ouch on the knees, and ouch on the glute and hams! Calf raises: 3x10x160 Abs Roman chair crunches: 3x15 Side raises: 3x20x30 lbs. Forearms Gripper machine: 3x12x30 lbs. Wrist curls: 3x20x20 lbs. Solo workout: 9:05 - 9:15. Worked on Choong Jung 1 and 2 Poomsaes (ATA forms). This is the first time in a while I went through them at full speed. They need work to be back up to par, but I got a good sweat going. Combat Hapkido: 9:15 - 10:15. Worked on Green and Purple belt material. We got through the most of it pretty well, but still worked on some little things to make it flow smoother. We also did some hand and foot techniques on the heavy bag. Traditional Class: 6:00 - 7:00. Still working on Yoo Sin hyung. Still sucking at parts of it. Coming along slowly. At the end of class, we did some sparring, and then ended with a 3-for-all that was a good time. I did ok, but ended up on the floor once from a missed spin heel kick.

Good point as well. Another book I have is titled Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere... Another circular analogy. I think the cirlcle is a big part of how the human body moves. moving in circles is an alternative to our everyday movement, when we walk, or when you move your arms, be it for greetings or to move things. At least, that is my opinion. I think you are right. There are plenty of linear and circular movements. It would be interesting to see which we do more of. However, even straight, linear movements, like walking, or a straight punch, even require joints to move around each other in a circular path.

Welcome to the Forums!

Ah, yes, DWx. I have done some reading on Bartitsu, and they actually used La Canne, and brought in an instructor to teach it. Good show! Nice to see someone else has knowledge on this.