bushido_man96

That is the general idea. I like to get in and punch. I'll trade with just about anyone. I think that if we didn't wear the chest protectors, the punches would be respected a lot more. Therefore, when I punch, I try to punch through that damned protector!

I had not heard that the Olympic rules were going to start allowing punches to the head. When did this come about?? I think it would be good for the style, that is for sure.

When I was in the ATA, our testing sparring was used to show off what we had learned, so we did some of our more advanced techniques in our combinations, if we could get them to fit.

The kumite video was particulary interesting.

Tuttle Press put out a series of books based off of Bruce Lee's notes and commentaries. By reading these kinds of books, along with Tao of Jeet Kune Do, you can get an insight into the kind of person he was. The book recommended by Linda Lee Caldwell might be a good one to pick through, as well.

Welcome aboard!! What kind of racing do you enjoy? I love dirt track racing, and NASCAR. I grew up watching dirt track racing...I think I still have the taste in my mouth!!

Thanks, all. I will keep everyone posted.

That sounds great. When what you are doing no longer conforms to what your goals are, then it is time for a change. Take with you what you can, and keep your mind open. Good luck in your future endeavors. Also, welcome to KF!

I can see the point that you are making here. However, when training under specified ideals and rules (be they right or wrong), when someone steps "out of bounds," so to speak, many of us want to deal with it without calling it to the attention of others, like instructors.

Those are good points, Ed. However, when you do pack something into your fist, like, say, a roll of quarters, you now have something to grip, which some think tightens it more, or just makes the striking tool more dense. Maybe we can suggest it to Mythbusters, and we could be on the show! However, I get to punch you first!!!

Good for him. I hope he does well. If anyone finds news on how the fight went, let us know.

If you think that you can help someone learn a few basics, then go ahead. After all, you learn just as much from teaching as you do from many other things. Ideally, you will want to up front with someone about how you view your teaching abilities, and perhaps how you feel about learning the MAs in general. That will help to guide your way.

Just keep your hands up, get in close, and punch them in the chest. That will start to get them thinking about punches a bit more.

I might start watching baseball if instead of having to tag the runner with the ball, you instead had to make them tap out. That would be interesting!!

Wow, that is some serious stuff, Menjo! Nice!

The more you compete, the more you will get used to it. That will help your nerves out. However, you will probably always have some of the jitters. It just comes with the territory. Best of luck at your next tourney!

When black belts test at our school, they have to spar a higher dan rank. In this scenario, the tester has to try to "earn the rank," and the other has to "defend their rank." This makes it kind of fun.

It tends to be, cross, when the Olympic style sparring rules are invoked. I personally don't like to see the hands dangling down at the sides. I prefer to keep mine up for blocking and punching. Head punches are typically not allowed, either. If I were you, I would get the hands up, jam more and punch more. But that is my style; I like to punch.

Here is an older thread that may give you some ideas: http://www.karateforums.com/what-can-tkd-learn-from-karate-and-vise-versa-vt26924.html

Sweet!

Honestly, I think there are far further injuries from martial arts practice than there are from many other sports, like football and baseball. However, with our activities, we are putting ourselves in line to get punched/kicked/wrenched, etc., which will tend to result in more direct injuries. I think it is just a perception that we will have to deal with. It separates us from the rest.

I would have to agree with you here, USCMAAI. Many people believe in the adage "turn the other cheek." However, you only have two cheeks. The context of everything that went down here may not have been right, but the fact of the matter is that many of us, and myself for sure, don't like to get popped, and when we do, we want to retaliate. It is natural.

You are being a touch hard on yourself, aren't you?

You will find people like this in all walks of life. Martial Arts doesn't get an exemption. When dealing with people like this, it is best to just stay away from them, and let them bring themselves down. As for being "registered," as in registering your hands and feet (if I understand you right), that is really a bunch of malarky. There is no state in the U.S. (if that is where you are posting from) that requires such a thing to take place. I have seen many students get so close to black belt, and then quit. It happens a lot. Many of them think that it is an ending point, and don't see much beyond it. It takes very special people to go beyond, and keep the fire going. If it were easy, then everyone would do it.

Ps1 is right on the money here. These politics can be found just about anywhere. Worry about how you feel about your training and abilities, along with your instructor, and not someone who may see you once or twice a year. When the time comes to have to defend yourself, it won't matter if you are a black belt, or if someone else thinks you are or not. What matters is if you defend yourself. As for the pain, I would have to agree with everyone else up to this point. Stop training for a time, and get it checked out and healed up. Better to miss 6 months now, then to be finished before you are 20. If there is anything you can do, training wise, that doesn't affect the injured areas, then focus on those things until you can get healed, and then include your whole body again. Your passion is great. However, don't let it drag you down by being bull-headed, and thinking you have to prove something to everyone else. The only person you have to prove anything to is yourself. Remember, enjoy the journey!