bushido_man96

It seems odd that you would only have a ten minute test, with the ippon being the primary focus. It doesn't really sound like a test.

This is the context that I have heard it in as well, being in TKD.

1-26-07: Leg day at the gym. Power clean: 135 lbs. x 6, 155x4, 165x3 Squats: 225x10, 275x8, 295x4 Front squat: 135x10, 155x8, 175x6 My squats are more like half-squats, because it puts less pressure on my knees. They are not full squats, so I don't want to mislead anyone! This next group of exercises I did as a circuit, moving from the first exercise listed into the next, doing 3 sets of each: Leg extension: 100x10x3 Leg curl: 130x10x3 Hip adduction: 100x10x3 Hip abduction: 100x10x3 Decline abs: 15x3 Oblique side crunches/raises: 25 lb. dumbellx25x3 sets. I was sweating good after the circuit, and my legs feel worn out! My legs were also sore after the day after the forms workout.

I would like to be able to do these as well, but right now, I am focusing on regular push-ups, with a few variations.

I do like the feel of the heavyweight uniform. However, right now I wear a heavy top with a lightweight bottom. It works well for me. It is the only TKD uniform that I have at the moment.

I take what would be called a boxer's stance, I guess. My body doesn't face front completely, though. I am at more of a 45 degree angle, keeping my body away fron the opponent. However, I try to keep my hands up in the boxer postition. This seems to work the best for me, defensively. I don't find a problem being offensive from the stance, either.

I think one of the major drawbacks of law enforcement training is the lack of a continuous self-defense curriculum. It is not practiced that often, and not very many officers get together off-duty to practice what they have learned, unless they are practicing MAs like us. What ends up happening is that they will fall back on what they know best, which may work, whether it is what the public or law offices perceive as "approved tactics."

That's great news, Shotokan Dan. I know what you mean, when you come home from a class where it feels like everything just fell into place. Just remember, the hard classes will come to, and that is how we learn. Keep us posted as to how the training goes. It gets easier the more you do it.

Even though you were able to use the Aikido successfully, what about it did you not like, in the end?

I don't find BJJ to be particularly rough on the body other than getting scraped up a bit. If you tap early it should protect your joints. I find it is much easier on your body than kickboxing. That is the assumption that I was making. It seems like it could be, for lack of a better term, a 'gentle' art, much like judo. After all, they do have the same roots.

I think that many people tend to translate this phrase a little bit too literaly. In the instance that you mention, pulling the knife could be looked at as the initiation, or the 'first strike.' Mobobu would realize this, and he thus put himself in the best position possible to gain an advantage and neutralize his attacker. Just my thoughts, though.

It has been kind of surprising to me that some of the competitors are upwards in age, over 35, and some are still competitive and successful. How long of a career do you think they can average? I also had a question about BJJ training. Is it rough on the body? I would have thought that since there is not actual striking involved, that it would be fairly easy on you, so long as you know when to tap out. I would assume that judo could be a little rougher on the body than BJJ. My reasoning is that in judo, you often begin in a standing position, which leads to being thrown down or taken down. Don't most BJJ schools begin their work mainly from the ground, with less emphasis on throws?

What is this book about?

Oh, come now, I am a good influence! This is about constant improvement, right? How can that be bad??? The funny thing at my house right now is that we are almost finished with about 3 different projects, and starting another!

I am currently reading the book Sigmund Ringeck's Knightly Art of the Longsword, written by David Lindholm and Peter Svard. I highly recommend that any student of swordsmanship, be it Japanese, European, or otherwise, check it out. It will quickly dispell many of the misconceptions of the Medieval European warrior.

I've seen adds, but have not seen the show. Samuel L. Jackson is the voice of the main character, I believe.

You can set up punches while doing any of the stepping methods mentioned, I believe. It is all a matter of practice. I have noticed that in martial arts, a sparring match is almost always started outside of punching range, but within kicking range. Therefore, kicking is very often the initial attack action (in my experience...this could also be from my styles being limited to TKD). Try feinting and drawing your opponent in. Do some foot stomps to make them react. If they kick, try to block and side step forward. This will get you into punching range. Try it, and go from there.

I have not seen any of Rome, as I don't have HBO. The fantasy realm has done well in movies, maybe it will transfer.

Boy, I would love that. However, how do you keep 2 all pro running backs in the same backfield? He has done much for the organization, and I would love it if he could stay around.

Wow, only a 10 minute test?

I like to feint a front kick to the body, and then turn it over to round kick the head.

Cross has good advise. It appears that intervention on your part has worked so far, so hopefully, it keeps working. That is the route that I would take. Watch him, though. Watch him close. Try to know where he is when he is around. Be aware.

Slightly off topic, but i find it interesting that people often train to learn certainly skills... and then you are tested on these skills. However, in this case your required to defend against 3 people, yet it hasnt been covered or practiced in class before? Is it just me or do that not make a great deal of sense? I would have thought that if you are required to do something in a test that the content of the test would reflect what you have learned during the lessons leading up to said test. I can see your point here, cross. However, I think that when it is done, it is meant to be impromptu at times (at least in our school) just to give a surprise element to the testing. We do 2 on 1 and 3 for alls in class from time to time, but not often. I think we do it so seldom to keep it from getting out of hand. Sometimes, we get a little squirrelly!

Thanks for the updates!

I see your point, and I think they are very good. I never though about the slap hitting "heavier" than the punch, but it makes sense. However, if a punch misses, I think you can open your hand, and have all the previous options available as well. What do you think?