bushido_man96

Well done! (Cute trick, too!)

Years ago, I think my dad did Chung do kwan style. I went to some of the classes with him at the time, but don't recall much. When he sparred, he said that his targets included hands to the head, groin shots, and sweeps. I would have enjoyed that.

I am not for sure how the judges would go there, but my guess is that they took some aggresiveness into account, and the placement of your kicks. Of course, that is just a guess. Good job.

That's great to hear, Kez. As has been mentioned, the best thing you can do is just keep pushing yourself, so that you get the most benefit that you can. Keep up the good work, Kez!

i doubt very much that guy uses a sledgehammer very much in his life and probly doesnt know how to use it very well. if you get a construction worker who knows how to use a hammer and he's a martial artist i tend to think the hammer would generate more force. if not why do we even have sledgehammers to begin with? we would just punch things into place. I think that some of this gets into comparing apples to oranges, as well. They aren't used to do the same things. While a punch may be able to travel faster, the sledgehammer will have more mass behind it. Also, the likelihood of the sledgehammer traveling a straight line is unlikely....they usually go from up to down in a circular path. It is kind of along the same lines of the car crash comparison.

That is kind of cute! The things that kids do, huh?

Lots of good stuff, guys. Keep it coming! Bearich, you make some very good "cover your butt" points. Like I said, I don't know why I thought of this scenario, but by viewing all of the above posts, there are several other scenarios that I didn't think of that could happen. In your post, bearich, you mention a few things that someone "can't" sue you for. I think that you could be sued for them, they just may not be able to make a good enough case to win. I know, its just a technicality, but it still ends up getting your name in a mix that you really don't want to be in. I guess we can all hope that most of the students that sign up for the martial arts maintain the integrity to not follow through with such an act. However, it is also the responsibility of the instructors to know what they are teaching, what they are not teaching, and the integrity to relate this information to their students.

That's cool, James. What level of contact/padding were you doing these sparring matches at? I am interested to know, for equipment purposes.

Most people will tell you that the heavier, the better. Heavier uniforms also hold up better for grappling, if that is what you do.

This has been my experience as well. Also, I notice that many Karate practitioners talk of choosing a kata to do at a tournament. At the tournaments that I compete at, we usually have to do the form for the rank we are, or the one below, if we have not had the chance to learn the new one yet. Differences in styles, I guess. It makes the world go round.

I know what you are going through, Kez, being an adult and working with a class full of kids. We have a few adults, depending on the night, and it is tough at times. You just have to push on through!

Thanks for the info, James and BJJ is #1. I didn't know they were associated with JKD. I'll bet it would be fun to hit one of their seminars. I always enjoy weapon-on-weapon work, and I think the Martial Arts should do more of it.

Thanks for the information. That is interesting stuff. It is cool to hear about the little modifications that different regions come up with, in thier training and whatnot. I would think that those kicks would be powerful, even if modified.

This book takes an Iain Abernethy approach to the Ch'ang Hon system of TKD forms (the ITF forms). In this book, Anslow takes each form (including four direction block and four direction punch drills) and digs out the applications involved. It shows applications for each of move of each form, up to Jung Gun tul. The applications are very well explained, and the descriptions are supported by photos that guide the visual aide. Accompanying the forms applications are brief histories of the person for which the form is named, describing their importance in Korean culture. The author also opens the book with his philosophies on the teaching of TKD forms, how he went about his research for the applications, and his MOs for each of the applications. I really enjoyed reading this book, and I hope that he is able to bring out the second volume soon. Even if you don't go along with what he demonstrates, it does stimulate the brain to think about what the forms can mean to different people. An excellent book, in my opinion, and I recommend it.

What do you think is the possiblity of ever being sued as a Martial Arts school owner/instructor for being "negligent in the teaching of self-defense?" I know it may sound odd, but there are some very odd things out there that lawsuits have come out of...hot coffee, for instance. Here is the scenario: Let's say you teach Martial Arts, and part of your curriculum is teaching self-defense. Now, lets say that one of your students gets ripped up very badly, or even worse, killed, in an altercation. Now, the family decides to sue you for negligence, stating that you did not teach well enough, or were negligent in your teaching approaches, etc. Now, you sit in court. What do you think? Could this ever happen? I know it sounds far-fetched, and I don't really know what brought it on, but do you think that it could happen sometime? What are your thoughts? How would you react?

That is an interesting idea. I kind of like the way it sounds. 10 minutes, eh? This is a very good point. Technique should come first, and then the height and power can be added as it improves. Also, as Steve mentions, the core is very important. Everything we do begins with the core, and it should be tight and strong, in order to enable us to do things more efficiently, even everyday tasks.

Hey, that sounds like a good excuse as any to get the new hardbound collector's edition that is now available..... Thanks, James. I was envisioning something like that, as well. Since I have shorter legs, I almost always have to step forward in some way to get a kick to land. It would behoove me to conceal my movements as much as possible. Today (4-12-07), I am sore! My abs are killing me, and my triceps, lower back, and leg mucsles are aching. I haven't been sore like this for quite some time. It feels good. On a side note, I guess you could say that I officially began my son's MA training today. I got out my clapper target pad, and after demonstrating a few kicks to it, he caught on pretty quick! Get ready, world! Bushido_man96,Jr is on his way!!

Those look like some great workout ideas, James. Thanks for sharing them.

Very interesting points on the pressing with technique and pressing with movement. Can you give me an idea or two on how I might be able to apply this myself?

Best of luck to you!

What does their curriculum consist of? I know they do some weapons, but do they have hand-to-hand as well?

That is cool. I think that most of the Capoeira artists are in very good shape, and can move very well. Imagine how well they can move with more simplified footwork? And the value of conditioning cannot be overlooked, especially when it comes to the time to defend yourself.

You are very welcome. We enjoy any kind of feedback that you are willing to pitch in, or any other questions that you might have. I'm sure there are things that you could help the rest of us with as well.

I used to have an alarm clock like that, and I loved it. When I wake up to the other ones, it is like I have been jolted awake, and my heart gets to racing. Now, I usually wake up to music, so it isn't so bad.

These are some great ideas, Kez! Also, thanks for the site. Very nice. Damn you bushido_man96, give Kez credit for my hard work! Sorry 'bout that, cross! I try to give you props when I can!