bushido_man96

If you can give us some ideas of the drills that you have already done, we could look at making some variations or something that can help you step it up a little bit. One thing you could do is look into Loren Christensen's books Solo Training and Solo Training 2. They are full of drills that may be fun for you.

I can see why some would recommend a 360 spin. However, it could put you out of position, in which you have to work back to. No big deal, really, because that happens when fighting. I do think that you can generate sufficient power when not spinning; it is just a matter of being able to control your momentum.

Hey, Kez. If you believe in your instructor, then trust in what he will do, and know that he is doing it in your best interest. As for the others, don't concern yourself with them. I know it is tough, but it is about your journey, not theirs. If what you fear happens to materialize (which, from what you have said, I don't think it will ), then speak privately with your instructor about it. Best of luck, Kez, and stay the course!

I'm like you Brian, i perform lots of punches too. Why do you prefere to do it this way? My reason is that i'm rubbish with scoring with kicks, i just can't seems to make them effective while sparring. I'm sure this isnt the case with you Brian I'm not to bad with mawashi-geri because i am quite flexible and can kick quite high with it. What i do tend to do a lot while fighting is front kick and come down fast with uraken or kizami-tsuki, even tho i don't score with the front kick, its a good decoy to get in my second strike. I like to punch like this because it is to my advantage, being the short, stocky guy in class. When I spar the taller guys, they like to keep me away with kicks. Also, I don't counter much...not very good at it. So, instead of countering, I block a LOT, and let them come in closer. Once they are within range, I will punch, punch, PUNCH! Even though we wear chest protectors, I make sure they feel 'em. I have pretty good kicks, too. However, I am a touch slower than most in my class. I will trade shots any day, just to show them that it won't do much unless they move me back. But, once I crowd them, and attack with my hands, they have to figure out how to get away. Then, as they start to drift away, I will throw in a kick, to clear them out. Try that, Kez. Use the hands, and make them have to work away from you. Once they get just out of your punching range, clear them out with a kick or two. See how that goes for you. I also like the spinning heel kick, to the body or the head. It may sound funny, throwing it to the body, but even if they have their hands up, they are going to feel that 245 lbs worth of torque! I will try to start working on that for my counter kick.

One point could be that it is more comfortable for someone else to do the technique in that fashion. It can still have a point. It may not be the same point, but that is ok. As far as making educated opinions as opposed to uneducated ones, I think you have a good point there. However, many people will lock into the tradition of what is there just because it is there. It blocks your way of thinking and adapting. It is ok to change things, sometimes. It helps to stimulate learning, and that is one of the things that Martial Arts are about, in my opinion.

I like to work in close to my opponents, and then punch away!

I don't think it really matters either. At least...I've never been taught left or right by my sensei when it comes to sitting seiza. However, I usually go left knee down first, simply because...that's what my body does! This is something that starts out with a reason (wearing a sword), then gradually, the reason fades away, and then everyone is left doing it "just because."

Good points, ps1. I slap a lot, too, but I am also working with the rolling out option as well.

True enough...something tells me it's probably still not enough to beat Rickson though. I'm always going to be biased here though. My instructor is a Rickson Gracie BB. That's true, but what if Benny knows enough to keep the fight from going to the ground?

The last time I went to an international seminar the whole thing was nearly in Korean. That way everyone knew what we were doing regardless of their native language. Personally I find that when a student uses the korean terms, they tell you exactly which technique they mean. They could ask me to demonstrate a side kick but then I'd have to ask whether it was a piercing, pushing, checking, high, middle, low... whereas if they'd just said it in korean they tend to say the whole thing because they are more concious of what they are asking. Also at our school, the students are asked to research the culture and history of Korea (us being a TKD school). Learning to recognise and translate the languge is a part of that. Not all schools use all of the terms, though. I know some of the basic terms, but not all of the discriptors for the different types of side kicks. Therefore, to it would be easier to keep it all in English. Plus, it gets confusing if the TKD guy visits with Karate guys.

"No floppy fish technique"...for keeping the feet tight when kicking.

Get with the doctor, and ease up on your training until you can move better. Stretch out more at home, very lightly. There is no point in testing if you are injured and can't give it your 100%.

This was a fun read. It is about Joe Hyams' journey of learning Zen through the Martial Arts, and then applying (or attempting to apply) it to his life in general. Full of anecdotal chapters on lessons and discussions from various instructors, like Bruce Lee, Jim Lau, Ed Parker, Bong Soo Han, Pat Strong, and even a chapter about Mas Oyama. The chapters are insightful and informative, and you come away knowing that you can apply various ideas and concepts throughout your life, if you just slow down and realize it. A very good read, and I highly recommend it. If anything, it is enjoyable, full of interactions and experiences that many can appreciate.

This book was an interesting look at a stick fighting method developed by an Indian Police officer named H. G. Lang, who was Superintendent of Agency Police in Kathiawar, India. The method he describes is very simple, using the stick to make "cuts," and then continue to follow through, to circle back around to a guard, or to send in another attack. He describes various strikes, guards, and "tricks" used to disarm and take down another attacker. He stresses speed and suppleness of the wrist to maintain control of the weapon. Some of the movements mimic some sword-type movements, and some are unique. I enjoyed this book, and I feel like this system stick fighting could be fun to use. The system was actually adopted by the Boy Scouts in India, and replaced the staff in the curriculum. There were some good points in this book. As a how-to book, it can be tricky to follow at times. However, it is an interesting look at a weapons system that could have some valuable uses in self-defense, with a simplistic weapon.

I kind of like the idea of signing off on things, Heidi. Not a bad way to go, there. That way, students can see how far along the instructors sees them as well.

Sweet...do you mind if I throw your quote around the school? I am always looking for new ways to say the same things....this fits the bill!! You are more than welcome to it, Heidi!

Welcome to KF!

I saw The Holiday the other night with my wife, and it was ok.

Welcome to the Forums! You should do an internet search around your area to see what is available. Then, go around and take a look at all of the dojos, and see what you like. When you get to Australia, do the same. Good luck on your journey!

That helps, thanks. I can reverse it from there, if I need to. The above post helps out too. I appreciate it!

Great discussion, guys. I think that Caporiea would have a lot to offer, and I think it would be a blast to do. And it is true, the high kick does have uses. I have seen a few UFC knockouts with head kicks. Yes, they aren't popular, but they do have their uses.

If this is what kata is about, then can I go out, get into a bunch of fights, and have someone record what happens as I do so, and then transfer the moves into a kata, using the order that I used them in the fights? If kata are supposed to be ideas and concepts, then they are open to anyone's interpretations, and anyone can form their own ideas and concepts, based off of their own experiences. So, we could realistically end up with an endless series of katas.

Enjoy yourself there, PAL. Let us know how it goes.

You never know what kind of training Benny has been up to for the last 20 years. Maybe he has added some ground game?

I think that you make a very good point here, Baron. I actually discuss this in my article, and I think it is part of the confusion in the martial arts. Many people think that competition doesn't make it a martial art, like boxing, MMA, Thai boxing, etc. However, I feel the opposite. I think that they are styles of fighting, or martial arts, in themselves. I really think that the street fighter, like Tank Abbot, could be considered an MAist as well.