bushido_man96

This is a drill to improve observation and memory recall skills. Just try to do it when out in public. Glance at someone, and then try to recall something about them afterward. Which hand did they hold their cell phone with? What color was their hair? Things like this. It will help to improve your awareness.

I wouldn't assume that just because two people end up wrestling around doesn't mean that they don't know how to fight. On the contrary, it could be the very reason they are Wrestling at the time; it may be their strong suit. Also, just because someone can fight standing up, doesn't mean that they won't be taken to the ground by someone who doesn't know how to fight standing up. There are a lot of variables in the chaos of combat, and any exposure that you can get to help prepare you is great. Be careful about making generalizations. When you assume too much, you can overreach yourself.

Ah, I see. I don't think I would want to hit the forehead with my bare hand, for sure. That is a hard bone. I am with you on that one.

To an extent, I think this is correct. I think that many of the exaggerated stances found in striking arts, like the front and horse stances, are more transitional than static. However, I think that there is also a "base" type of fighting stance that most will use, depending on their preference, that they will start in, and eventually revert back to many times, during a confrontation, like a Boxer's stance, if that is the fighting stance that one is comfortable with.

As opposed to concentrating on body conditioning, I think you may want to focus on some physical conditioning, in aerobic and/or anaerobic capacities. This will help you with your energy levels during training, as well as with recovery time to get back to it. Later on, as you get a handle on your techniques, you can then ask your instructor about some advise on body conditioning.

That is good advise. If everyone knows you like it, and use it, then "feinting" it in this way will allow you to play off of their defense. Good call, ps1. I never thought of trying something like that.

Very nice, Heidi. Very informative. Thank you for sharing that with us. I think I could make an article like this required reading for prospective instructors.

I believe that there is a difference between instinct and conditioning. However, I also believe that through constant conditioning, you can make something very close to instinctual. I know that not all will agree with me here, and that is ok. I think it is related to time in, if that makes sense.

That is hard to say. Lack of performance in a UFC is not necessarily a standard to judge by. However, I don't see why a stylist with a Kung Fu base couldn't succeed in an MMA format. If you want to fight professionally, then you would have to train professionally. Cung Le, a Chinese stylist, has had some success in some lower levels of MMA competition. However, the training goals of Le's style is different than that of other Chinese styles. I do think there could be a happy medium reached there, though.

Welcome to the Forums, James! It sounds like you have some good plans. We had a discussion based Martial Arts curriculums offered as a college degree: http://www.karateforums.com/you-can-now-get-a-b-a-degree-in-ma-in-the-usa-vt30350.html You will have to let us know how it goes there, and what you think of the program. I look forward to your insights!

Nine: I would respectfully disagree with this. I have never been intimidated by the size of an opponent. Maybe it is because I am too stupid to be scared, but I would rather think that my personaliy doesnt lend to being intimidated very well. I would think that the "1000 yard stare" is more intimdating than size. A person (regardless of age,size or sex) who looks as though they are looking trough you can be unnerving. My students accuse me of this all the time during sparring. We call it "total commitment" in our system and infact is what Zanchin (our schools name) means. it varies from person to person. on my job, I have ended confrontations before they started merely because of my size. I have even had guys tell me they would whoop me if I wasn't so big. size is a very powerful intimidator. I would have to agree with this as well. There is a reason why night clubs and bars hire great big people to be bouncers and doormen. I know that size doesn't matter to eveyone, but to the general, non-MA practicing public, it can be a factor.

Wow, I would not have guessed it was that high! Very cool to know, though. Good article.

You make good points, Patton. However, weren't the tourneys of the "Golden Years" of Karate tougher, with harder contact? With the likes of Joe Lewis, Chuck Norris, Skipper Mullins, and Bill "Superfoot" Wallace, and Benny "the Jet" Uriquidez?

8-29-07 I helped teach the last half of our Kids Class today from 4:30 - 5:00. From 5:15 - 5:45 I helped teach Orientation. Black Belt Class was from 6:00 - 7:00. This was a really great workout tonight. We went over some advanced basics sets, and did some kick sets and stretching in between each. Toward the end of the class, we did strike and counters, with 1, 2, and 3 strikes and counters, and strike-kick counters. Fun class, and I was tired.

The thing is, getting in close and grappling can happen a lot in self-defense situations. Therefore, that knowledge could be very useful. After a while, you get more used to the manipulations, and when you feel it being applied, you can go with it.

I agree. As long as you are confident in your striking ability, and your aim, you should be able to pull it off. If you strike as much as Liddell does, I don't think it would hurt his fists too much.

If that is what works for you, then I would stay with it. If it isn't broke, don't fix it. On the other hand, you don't want to rely on it all the time. Sometimes in class, you have to make yourself abandon it, so that you can learn to get into other moves and submissions. Eventually, everyone will figure you out, and may start countering your move. Then, you will have to find another path to victory. Stick with it, but let yourself learn others, and work on them, as well.

As far as a physical workout goes, my TKD workout is better for that than my Hapkido workouts. The Hapkido workouts are not as high-impact, like the TKD is. Hapkido is very hands-on. I actually enjoy it quite a bit. We don't do a lot of ground work in our Hapkido sessions, though. It mainly consists of joint manipulations, locks, and takedowns to joint locks. Some styles of TKD are a little similar to Karate; the ITF brand of TKD actually owes a bulk of its techniques, and some of the forms, to Shotokan Karate. However, over the years it has developed its own stylized differences, so they won't be the same. Have fun in your Shotokan class! Stick with it, and you will do just fine.

This is true, but if the person you borrow from has two sets (one of each color), then there is the chance that you can wear the other color.

I don't know that any such "style" actually existed. I have heard claims that Korean jumping kicks were designed for this manner. However, I doubt that is the case, and don't think that there is any evidence to prove that it was so.

8-28-07 My arms and chest are sore today! Back Assisted pull-ups: plate 12x10, plate 11x10, plate 10x10 Back hyperextensions: 3x15 Seated row: 120x10, 130x8, 140x6 Abs Physio ball crunches: 3x15 I taught Kids Class from 4:00 - 5:00 today. Before the class, I had about 10 minutes, so I spent that time going over my new form again and again. I did it 5 or 6 times, working on power and footwork.

8-27-07 Chest/triceps Bench press: 195x8, 205x6, 215x4 Dumbell bench superset: I did one-arm dumbell presses, followed by pressing with both arms - 8x50 each arm, then 4x50 with both x 3 sets. These made my arms feel like Jello! Dips: 2x5 Forearms Gripper machine: 3x15x25 lbs. Wrist curls: 3x15x20 lbs. Abs Roman chair crunches: 2x20 Side raises: 2x20x30 lbs. Did 1 hour of Combat Hapkido/Defensive Tactics. I am really enjoying these sessions. We usually start with Combat Hapkido curriculum, and then begin to branch off and modify the moves to work for our LEO situations. I am learning a lot. I also had Traditional Class from 6:00 - 6:45 tonight; I had to leave early to go to Open House at the middle school with the family.

Well, you could practice Jujitsu on your own, but you just have to be a bit more creative about it.

I have practiced a toned-down version of trapping in my ICHF sessions.

You may be able to borrow at the tourney.