bushido_man96

I think that Tae Kyon was mentioned as the style used by the Hwa Rang warriors, but whether or not the style of today and what was trained in then is the same cannot be stated for certain. There is so little out there about the ancient Korean styles that it makes it hard to determine what was actually trained, and what has been fabricated to try to seperate TKD from the Karate that most of the older masters (Gen. Choi included) learned.

When I was still in the ATA, they had ground fighting through the Protech programs. I think some of the instructors that they had researching and setting up the grappling program went through the Gracie System, but I am not for sure. I think it is great that they make this a requirement now. I would love to see how it is run, though, before I jumped into it. What do you cover in the ground fighting?

In TKD, the "whip kick" that I have seen is what I have called a hook kick in the past. What does your version look like?

It sounds like you got to have some fun, anyway. Perhaps ps1 is right, and you can work something out with training with them. I was wondering, though; what exactly is the gogo-plata?

The ATA tends to get a bad wrap a lot of the times. Most of this comes from their kids programs and promotions, and the contract signings. However, you have to evaluate each school on an individual basis, before making a decision. As for the other school, I had not heard as much of them. I think I have read about them briefly, but have never seen anything else on them.

That would be a great idea. With the set-up you described, it would probably be a good opportunity for you and your school. You would also show something else to the people watching, something that might make more sense to them.

Yeah, that is pretty much what I was thinking, too, Montana.

The high kick is another tool. It can be useful, as some have mentioned, but timing and opportunity are important in the situation. Being able to do both is a good thing, I think. You just have to be careful and pick your spots. A high kick is much easier to grab and stop than a low kick that is outside of the reach of the arms.

You should look into the Concealed/Carry courses around. Also, talk with local law enforcement about doing something such as this.

Very good point, Montana. You can't go in with assumptions of what it might be like. Just empty your cup!

Ah, thanks for that. That is actually a good clip, and the slow down segments show a pretty good breakdown of the technique. Using the leg to jump and build momentum for the kicking leg is very important. Also, as you need to think of jumping up and bursting, as opposed to jumping a long distance. I actually have to do this technique for my next testing, but I have to jump over 3 people. Lots of practice helps out.

Many of the TKD schools that I have seen do forms, but don't work with applications, whereas this is more of a theme. If you were in an Olympic style of TKD, then you will notice a considerable difference in the sparring rules and strategies. I think that you will also notice a significant difference in the amount of kicking done in Karate. I think you will see more hand techniques, and some different applications for them. You will find many of the same kicks, but just less emphasis on them, and perhaps not throwing them as high as in TKD.

Hopefully you have found what you are looking for. Good luck with the school.

I think you are right, NightOwl. If Kyudo is a Martial Art, then I think modern firearms training is the same.

I see where the confusion is coming from, I think. From the posts that I read, most of us are thinking that Athena is teaching herself Karate or something of the like. I don't think that is the case. I think the case here is about learning fighting principles and ideas, and practicing them to an extent to where they can be called on and used. I don't see a problem with this; after all, it beats the alternative form of learning, which would be to start fights and get first-hand experience that way. At the heart of the Martial Arts is fighting (the Martial part). Anyone can learn to fight, and you don't have to learn it on a dojo floor. My dad was a good fighter before he got into TKD. His dad was a very nasty guy, who was known to put people in their place, and never studied a Martial Art a day in his life. However, I consider him a Martial Artist, because of the skill and abilities that he had. Remember, Martial Art doesn't always equal "I train in an Eastern style in a dojo." As Bruce Lee mentions, we all express ourselves differently.

Whatever it takes, eh? Just goes to show that many things can come in handy.

I can ride the fence here. I enjoy forms, but I could do without them, too. I much prefer application training. If that is done with the forms, then great. But there is more than one way to skin a cat.

That is a very good point.

Cool. That sounds great. So not this Friday, but the next?

To add to what you have presented here, sometimes City Ordinances differ as well. The state may not charge it, but the City may have an ordinance against it, which changes things a bit.

I would say that he should just call himself a fighter. Why does he feel the need to don rank upon himself? To verify what he has accomplished? There are plenty of fighters out there that don't feel a need to do this, and don't even worry about it...perhaps your friend should do the same.

This is so true. I think that when put in a position like this, it is the instructor's duty to help you be as successful as possible by showing you the ropes before throwing you to the wolves.

Best of luck to you!

9-13-07 Traditional Class: 6:00 - 7:00. I started the class off with basics, and did them with the class. I put them through at a pretty good pace, and I was tired afterwards. During the forms section of class, I did 4 black belt forms, so that was a nice workage too. I was tired, but powered on through them. After class, I had another 10 minute Grappling Session, in which I proceded to pretty much get my butt kicked. I am just terrible at it. I have trouble trying to mount attacks, and usually just end up being defensive, and trying to ward off attacks and locks all the time. Towards the end of the deal, my partner got my left arm locked into a triangle-type of lock; well, it didn't feel like it was there, so I was trying to yank it out. As I was in the process of pulling my arm free, he ended up getting the lock, and my arm popped a few times. It is a bit sore today! My ears, and the spots behing my ears are sore, too. It was a good session, even though I suck at it. He did let me work on my throwing a bit when we got started, and I think I figured a few things out there. Later on that evening, I did some ab work: Twist crunches: 2x10 to each side. Crunches: 4x10

That sounds like a fun mix. Enjoy yourself in those styles!