bushido_man96

Shootfighting would be great for the self-defense aspect, until the fight goes to the ground. That is where the BJJ would come into play. Learning how to grapple is great not only for groundfighting, but also for learning to defend takedowns. Of course, the takedowns in Shootfighting may help you learn to defend takedowns as well. However, I think knowing how to groundfight would be an excellent advantage. What if you did a rotation, where you spent 2 or 3 months training in one of the styles, and then switched to the other style, and just kept cycling them?

Hey, that's ok, Baron. There is plenty of other stuff you can do to keep your training up. Just focus on the positives, and go out there and get it.

What I love the most about the arts right now is the expressive ability that it gives me. I am kind of hefty, but I can do some things that a lot of people can't do, and it makes feel good to know that I can surprise someone. I was sparring with a friend of my brothers once. I really outranked him, and he knew it, but wanted to spar anyway. He was young, athletic, and quick, and had some experience, but not a lot. He had good stuff for as much time as he had put in. I outweighed him by around 70 pounds, I imagine. Well, we sparred, and he made a few comments like "Big guys shouldn't be that quick; that just isn't right!" It is when people make comments like that, that it makes me feel good. I also got some comments about how I fought at the last tournament I competed in. I got beat in the first round, but still had some people asking me questions, and making positive comments to me about my fighting. That made me feel good, too. So, it is these things that the arts give me that I enjoy. Knowing that I am capable of accomplishing things that others don't try to.

That's a great analogy, DWx. I like it! You are welcome. It can be kind of emotional. It was more-so for my mom, she was so proud of me, and that made me feel good as well.

I would do both, if you can manage it. If not, I would lean towards BJJ, but that is just because I hold more of an interest in it. Either way, I don't think you will be making a bad decision. They both sound great.

Wow, that was a lot of information! This is a very nice article, and I enjoyed reading it very much. I love martial history!

This book is a compilation of excerpts taken from the ancient Chinese texts of The Seven Military Classics (including The Art of War) and Military Methods. The excerpts are arranged under 41 topics, with excerpts from each of the works placed together that describe the same topic. It reads very much like The Art of War, and is arranged much the same, but with extra contributions from other military geniuses. I enjoyed reading this book, and if you love military history, then this book is for you.

Joe Horn has agreed to terms with the Atlanta Falcons. The Ravens are interested in Willis McGahee, and Corey Dillon will be visiting the Bills this week. Jamal Lewis signed with the Browns. I am not sure how that will work out for Lewis. At least Cleveland doesn't have to worry about him rushing for 500 yards per season against them anymore. I thought that Dillon was contemplating retirement, but I guess not.

It will, if you swing it like a baseball bat. Otherwise, you can make very controlled motions with the stick, and use the length to your advantage to keep your butter-knife weilding counterpart at bay.

Sure, you can throw it, but it is just a butter-knife....I don't think it will do much damage. Plus, if you miss, you are weaponless, while the other has the stick.

Nice post. Thanks! I have been known to get a little angry at times. It is just a part of my nature, so instead of fighting it, I use it.

3-7-07 Today was a decent day of working out, I felt. Conditioning: Sledgehammers: 3x1:30, 1 min rests. Steppers: 3x30 sec, 1 min rests. Jump rope: 3x1 min. Technique work (along with Kicking Class: 6:00 - 7:00): Reverse cable punches in front stance: 50x10, 60x10, 70x10 If anyone has access to a cable pulley weight machine, like the kind you can do cable crossovers with and such, then I highly recommend trying this out. I do a controlled punch forward, at solar plexus level, and then control the motion back to the ribs. I twist my hips into the completion of the technique, and un-twist them as the punch goes back. Really a great feeling. Scissor kick on the floor: 25 each way. 2 steps, then jump and chamber only for scissor kick: 3x5 each side. Jump and chamber only for scissor kick, with no steps: 3x5 each side. Scissor kick, making contact, running between 2 standing bags: 5 each way. Stretch kick: 3x5 each leg. Back leg inside crescent kick: 3x5 each leg. Back leg outside crescent kick: 3x5 each leg. Jumping back leg front kick, followed by round kick with other leg, all in air: 2x5 each way. Jump 360 degree side kick: 3x5 each way. Following all of this, I had a real good stretch. And, I was tired.

Welcome to the Forums. Do you practice Taekwond?

I watched Crank on DVD the other day. It was ok...a little different, though. Not what I expected.

I don't think carrying a 6" stick would be a problem. I have seen articles on the small stick, and it can be of some use.

I'd take the stick as well. Then kick sand in his face, and go to town.

I agree. However, I kind of see this movie beginning and ending with fighting. However, I don't expect any of the 300 to survive.

Very nice, NightOwl! I love your reviews! As for the note on the Bruce Lee film, The Big Boss, that was just a little tidbit that I added. Not that it made the movie good; it was just a tidbit. As for The Drunken Master, I think I own that video. I know that I have seen it, and it is pretty good, for an older movie. Have you seen The Fearless Hyena I and II?? They are ok, too.

Nice vids, Shotokankid.

I think motor skills practice is what enhances motor skills, no matter your size. Losing weight will make you move a little easier, I imagine, but it shouldn't have much affect on your fine moter skills.

Here is the answer to all 3 of your questions: Go ask a doctor. He will be able to see it, and mess around with it, and take MRIs, etc., to give you a proper answer, as opposed to an educated guess.

For me, it was a sense of accomplishment. Starting out with a goal in mind, and seeing it through. It felt great to achieve that goal, and I still take pride in it. Now, it is different. Although I still cherish the memories, I continue my training, knowing that the black belt is not really the goal, but just another objective to accomplish on the continuous journey that is the Martial Arts.

The ITF was started before the WTF was. The ITF is General Choi's original organization, which might have been called the KTA, the Korean Taekwondo Association. From the reading I have been doing, it looks like the two organizations are in the process of merging in some aspects. It will be a long process, and we will see if it takes or not.

You didn't really list mine, so I went with the closest variation, the spinning hook kick. What I really like is the spinning heel kick.

Actually, the kwons were unified in the '60s when General Choi created Taekwondo, which became the ITF. The WTF came along later, as you mentioned, in the '70s. From what I understand, Kwang Kee did not like the structure of the new "Official Martial Art of Korea" as TKD, and kept his kwon, Tang Soo Do, the way it was. Not all schools of TKD are run like the WTF does it. The ITF and some of the other, smaller organizations of TKD will run things similar to the way TSD schools run. The forms may be different, but the mannerisms of the classes will be similar.