bushido_man96

I think that anger can be a useful factor in a fight. You just have to know how to control yourself when you use it. Sometimes, if you are on the ropes, and in pain, or something of the like, getting angry can push you enough to throw yourself back in there, and give you a little extra. It can also be used as an intimidation factor. I feed off of my anger from time to time.

It may be useless for self-defense, but if it is something that someone likes to do, and enjoys expressing themselves by doing it, then why does it become a bad thing? I know that I cannot do any of the flashy techniques that she can do. However, I can still appreciate that she has the talent and ability to do them. I know that there are a lot of techniques in other arts that could be considered useless, like jump kicks, spinning kicks, and some others. However, they don't receive the scrutiny of the XMA stylists that wish to express themselves in this way.

Nice. Very sharp and snappy.

Just because these methods may be "old" or "traditional", doesn't mean that they are the best methods. Neither does it mean that it is good training.

It is a Taekwondo tournament, fought under the WTF rules. It looked like they were using electronic scoring systems. The rules are points are (supposed) to be given for blows that create body displacement. Kicks to the body and head are allowed, and punches to the body, but not the face. No contact below the belt, or to the back. They do not break for points, and fight 3 2:00 or 3:00 minute rounds. This fight was by some low ranks, from what I could tell technique wise. More experienced fighters will use offensive or defensive strategies, counter fight, etc. At the Olympic level, it is very impressive to watch, and they are very good athletes.

Well Baron, your Seahawks signed Patrick Kerney. A good pick-up for them, I think. And the Broncos signed Travis Henry. It may be a rough year in the AFC West. Don't you wish the Seahawks were back in our division, Baron? And the Dolphins really cleaned house, didn't they, Patrick? They got a good trade out of Welker, but I didn't expect them to drop McMichaels. That was kind of a shock. I knew that Harrington was out the door, though. And it sounds as if the Chiefs are actively shopping Trent Green. They asked him to take a pay cut, I heard, and he really isn't interested. The Chiefs also signed Napolean Harris from the Vikings at MLB, and I think they plan to trade/cut Kawika Mitchell. I don't like this move, either, as Mitchell has been a good young player, and his best years are ahead of him. I guess time will tell.

Cross has a good point. I would be more worried about what you are learning in your training as opposed to just getting another rank.

If you are confident with what you do in class, then you should be confident going into your testing. Good luck, and let us know how it turns out!

Very true. The Thai fighters do use their body well in defense.

I agree. I think that if we are softer towards the women, we are cheating them out of their self-defense training.

Many people question how you know when it becomes applicable to strike first. There are warning signs, if you know what to look for, that will give the opponent up. Clenched teeth will advertise that the attacker is gearing up to strike, and is not calming down. Also, watch to see if they clinch their fists up. That is a sign of a possible incoming strike. If you notice these signs after attempting to de-escalate the situation, you could probably justify a pre-emptive strike.

Good info, gzk. I like the drills that you mention. This stuff can rather easily be incorporated into traditional MA classes, and should be, on a regular basis.

Black belt testing is always very memorable.

amen! anyways my sensei said is wasn't wise to quit training right after you get your black belt because it's at that level where you will truly understand your art. I think that if you train to get a black belt, and then quit, then you are no longer a black belt. You were a black belt.

I think the use of kali will help the fight scenes to be more realistic. The fights in Troy, although entertaining, were obviously choreographed for entertainment purposes, and not reality. I am excited about this movie, and hope it is entertaining. The scenes that they have advertised make it look like it they took a creative approach to they way they filmed it. I think it is based off of the Battle of Thermopole (hope I spelled that right!).

I didn't know that there was curriculum software out there. However, I suppose you could write up your own, and then just use Xcel and Word programs to transfer it to. I have seen printouts of curriculum, and they are quite nice. I have been writing and typing mine as well. Not using any specific software, though.

Hey, that's cool. Thanks for the link. I have had kids do the crab tag before, and even do crab races. It is great for the arms, and they loved it.

3-6-07 Back, shoulders, and biceps Back: Assisted pull-ups: 5, 5, 5 Back Hyperextensions: 3x12 One-arm dumbell row: 45x8, 50x6, 55x4 Shoulders: Shoulder press: 106x8, 111x6, 117x4 Alternating dumbell raises: 30x8, 35x6, 35x4 Biceps: Overhead cable curls: 50x8, 60x6, 70x4 Seated incline dumbell curls: 25x5, 25x6, 30x4 Cross body hammer curls: 30x8, 35x6, 35x4 Abs: Decline abs: 3x15 Side raises: 3x20x25 lbs. Hanging knee raises: 3x12

Fasting, uch, I wouldn't want to be you! I only fast for about 20 minutes at a time! 3-5-07 Chest and triceps Chest Bench: 160x10, 205x6, 215x3 Incline bench: 95x10, 115x8, 125x6 Decline bench: 135x10, 155x8, 175x8 Triceps Triceps push downs: 90x5, 105x6, 105x6 Skullcrackers: 70x10, 80x6, 85x4 Bench dips: 3x10 Abs Decline abs: 3x15 Hanging knee raises: 3x12 Side raises: 3x20x25 lbs. Conditioning Jump rope: 3x1 min Stairs: 3x45 sec, 1 min rest Steppers: 3x30 sec, 1 min rest Squat jumps: 1x10 Sledgehammers: 3x1:30, 1 min rest Me and a partner worked on Combat Hapkido for an hour and a half, from 3:30 - 5:00. Then, I taught an Orientation from 5:30 - 6:00. I got a little work out from that, but not much. A lot of technique work with the 3 kids I was working with.

I absolutley agree with you, Baron. I think that there should be a market for it, even if it isn't at top events. Even if it isn't something the fans want to see, it has more to do with being something that the seniors want to do.

Try punching a heavy bag to improve your level of contact.

Keep in mind that this is a creative form, made to display her ability, and not a traditional form in which the "deadly moves" of Karate are hidden.

GMC, I completely agree with the spirit of your post. Of course, keep in mind that Dan Severn is not fighting anywhere near the caliber of opponents he did as a younger man. If he were to enter the Octagon today, he would likely be taken apart rather easily. But that being said, there is certainly no excuse for someone in their 40's or 50's to feel that they can no longer train and compete with the younger set. They simply have to pick their battles a bit more carefully. With respect, Sohan I agree with you, Sohan. I think that one of the most important aspects of being a lifelong competitor is to be able to continually judge your ability, and re-assess where you are as far as age and ability level go. I think this is what Severn has figured out, and that is why he doesn't concern himself with the Octagon any more. He knows where he stands, and has a good idea of what he is capable of. If more competitors would be willing to re-assess themselves as such, they could continue to compete well into their 40s and 50s.

That is interesting. I know the names of DeLiberi, Marozzo, and DiGrassi. They were all Italian fencing masters. There is a rich, and effective, history in the Western martial arts, and I think exploring them in detail can be as beneficial as training in any other style.

Thanks for that info, cross. That makes pretty good sense.