bushido_man96

When sparring females, you will want to try to direct your punches more to the stomach and rib area, as opposed to the chest. This will minimize the problem, I think. However, I would ask the instructor if you should or should not punch the girls, and why.

You could probably easily build a dip station. You could even build it as a part of the chin up station as well. As for upside down sit-ups, I don't know what to tell you. Let us know how you do!

The first thing you need to know is what rules you will be sparring with. We can give you some more specific advise then. That said, just relax when you start out. Try a few simple combinations, and see if anything works for you. Keep it simple, and see what happens. Best of luck to you!

I agree with you here. Most of the time, regardless of style, whether many stay or go is reliant on the instructor's approach to teaching.

No doubt. It's kinda like the BDU and ACU (our camoflague uniform) tops we wore in the military. Some of the guys were amazed when I used them to choke em out. I am looking forward to getting into training some of these moves in our Combat Hapkido classes. We usually train in t-shirts and dobok pants, so it will be interesting trying these different things.

Another thought that I had about Bruce Lee's training goals: I don't think he was concerned about "finishing" a style, or being a "Wing Chun guy," per se. I think he was concerned about fighting, and he trained as he though would best prepare him for fighting.

1-24-07: I made it back to class today! Today is usually our kicking class, but we changed it up, and did forms, because my instructor has a testing coming up. I did a total of 17 forms. We did the first 8 forms without breaks, at a consistent speed and power, but not full on. Then, we did the next 9 forms with more power, and breaks in between. Then I had a good stretch out.

I am 5' 7", and just use the standard rope you can get at Wal-mart or the like. I imagine that would work for you as well.

I will agree with you that TKD tends to be more attractive to children than some other styles.

I know that HBO's series Rome is making its way to DVD, so I hope this series does as well.

1-23-07: Missed the gym again, so I improvised again. This is a workout set that I have done in the past. It is a kicking exercise. You start out in a fighting stance, either leg forward. Then, you pick a kick. I started with the front kick. I did 5 front leg kicks, then 5 back leg kicks. Then, I switched my stance to the other leg forward, and did 5 more front leg kicks, and then 5 back. For each kick, you get a total of 20 reps. Front kick: 20 Round kick: 20 Side kick: 20 The above where while holding the afforementioned toddler! 45 degree round kick: 20 Twist kick: 20 Front stretch kick: 20 Side stretch kick: 20 Hook kick: 20 Outer cresent kick: 20 Inner cresent kick: 20 Finished with a total of 200 kicks. Another note: Yesterday and today's training was done in street clothing with shoes on.

Very cool. I will have to look into those two books. A note on the mini series: if Jordan has a hand in the production and direction, it should come out well, because he had experience in Hollywood prior to writing this series. We will see, I guess.

Man, that guy was brutal! Thanks for the video. Welcome to the Forums!

Welcome to KF, gubbs! I noticed that was your first post.

I think that Lee based many of his ideas and concepts off what he learned in Wing Chun. He obviously had the most experience in that style. However, he did do very well in incorporating other ideas, concepts, etc. into what became his style. To say that he "never finished" Wing Chun is kind of a moot point. How many of us will ever be "finished" with our own given styles?

What has always helped me with my forms and basic techniques is breaking them down, and individualizing everything, focusing on good technique. Take a side kick, for example. It has 4 parts in its most basic form: chamber, execution, rechamber, and return to the floor. Now that you have it broken down, you can work on individual parts, to make the whole better. This can work with combinations in basics as well.

Lucky you! Not having to fight for a room or anything like that! Have fun!

How many prequels are there? I know of one of the Hedge Knight books. Are they worth reading as well?

I think, I would be tired!

Welcome to the Forums! This style is new to me as well. I look forward to learning about it!

I can see the points that you are making. However, there are techniques done in forms that I would not do them in a fight. For instance, pulling the off hand to the ribs or hip when performing a reverse punch. I would keep the off hand up, to protect my head.

I think there are more knockouts now because back in the bare knuckle days, there was less head contact, because it was easier to get your bare hands broken on the opponent's head.

Very true. It is more of a Chinese tradition, that each culture has made their own, and adapted it for different reasons.

I agree with this advise here. Sparring is great training for sparring...not forms practice. I don't normally use forms combinations in my sparring, but that is not to say that you can't. However, you have to practice them in a sparring scenario, with a partner. You are correct in saying that you don't want to think when you are sparring. However, you still have to develop your attacks and counters to the extent that they become more reflexive. This is how you develop the "no-mind" aspect of fighting and sparring. To sum it up, drill, drill, and drill some more for your sparring. And remember, there is nothing wrong with keeping it simple! Simple is often times the most effective way.

Bearich has a great post there, and I think he pretty well sums it up in the first two paragraphs. TKD is one of the most widespread arts in the world. General Choi went all over the world, trying to start TKD schools anywhere he could. The result is present today, with TKD schools popping up all around us. I think that TKD has also done a good job of marketing itself as well, especially since it has become an Olympic sport. BJJ has taken a step in this direction as well, with its early successes in the UFCs. I guess if you want to call it a gateway art, you could. I don't really see it quite that way, but to each his own.