bushido_man96

The other day, I was thumbing through volume 1 of The Encyclopedia of Taekwon-do, by General Choi. While sifting through the pages, I stumbled on a section with testing requirements and the like. It appeared that each of the black belt levels had multiple forms to learn. At 1st dan, there were 3 forms required: Kwang Gae, Po-Eun, and Ge-Baek. At 1st dan, I only learned Kwang Gae. I learned Po-Eun at 2nd degree recommended, and then Ge-Baek at 2nd decided. The second degree forms he lists include Eui-Am, Choong-Jang, and Juche. As a second degree, the only form I have learned at 2nd decided is Ge-Baek. So, I was wondering what pattern of forms requirements everyone else here followed at their schools. I would be interested to find out. I would also love to hear from the TSD guys as well, so feel free to chime in, too. Personally, I think that learning more than one form per level at this stage would be good, to keep the student interested. Thanks in advance.

Does anyone here have Ho Sin Sul requirements that they must meet for each of their testings, or is just something that you work on in class? I think that Ho Sin Sul training is a very important aspect of TKD, and I was wondering what all everyone did for it. We do some during our classes, and there is talk about Ho Sin Sul requirements being made for our testings, to go along side the one-steps that we do. I hope that we do get to that point.

No, it is not quite the same, is it! You would think that it wouldn't be too hard to adapt, but it can really nab you. Sorry to hear about your hand. I hope it gets better soon. What forms system do you practice? I have done the ATA forms in the past, which I really liked. I do the Ch'ang On system now. I enjoy it as well. Just as a suggestion, you may want to break your form into segments, and work on it that way, until you get back to 100%. That way, you can work a shorter segment at a higher work rate, and still get a good workout.

What kind of fighting do you do for your fight night classes? Is it prearranged sparring, or is more like the randori of judo? I hope that me and my partners begin to do some sparring with Hapkido. However, I want it to be more like randori as opposed to set ups such.

I think that any style can train to reverse lines in order to deal with more than one opponent effectively. However, there really isn't any style that teaches you how to defend when two people attack you at the same time. I practice TKD, and I don't see much of anything inherent to TKD that would make it easier for me to deal with more than one opponent than it would if I was a boxer or kickboxer.

This is a good question. Perhaps we should try to differentiate between the terms cross-training and mixed martial artist. Is there a difference? If you train in two styles, are your cross-training, or "mixing?" Do you have to practice both a standup and a ground style to be called a "mixed" martial artist? I think this is where the confusion lies. What I believe that most people think of when they here the term "mixed martial arts," is of someone who can both grapple and strike. When people hear the term "cross-training," I think they see someone who practices multiple styles, but the styles may be multiple striking styles. Now, if you feel the terms are synonomous, then yes, you are a "mixed martial artist." It all really depends on how you view each definition. I think that when you say "mixed," it makes people think of standing and grappling. However, you do mention that you train a little bit of the ground game, albeit a limited one. Therefore, you could be considered mixed, even though it is just a little bit.

Let me see...... The Kansas City Chiefs!!!! Now, who saw that coming???

How can you not? I agree! Wife and kids makes it even more worth the while. Sometimes, I just love watching my son run around, and be goofy!

Well, now, after today, I know that something really is not right. For the first time in a very long while, the cold bothered me. I mean, I got very COLD outside, and I never get cold. And I like cold weather, too. I also had trouble eating all of my food. I never do that. I hope that when I get this medication gone, my stomach gets back to normal. This just sucks! I don't know if I will feel like training tomorrow or not.

I think that Urlacher is a great player. He is not overrated, in my opinion.

As humans, the pursuit of the "perfect" anything is pretty much futile, as we cannot be perfect ourselves. The ideas and times change so much, that it causes our wants and needs to change with them. This alone can be seen in the evolution of the MMA fights that are all the rage. However, MMA is not new, and therefore, cannot be seen as such. If a style were to be "perfect," though, I think it would be able to eliminate the need for personal combat altogether. However, I doubt that this is truly possible.

I can see why you would argue that point, Baron. However, I don't really think that any one style is developed to defend against more than one person any more than any other style is. Trying to fight more than one person is so difficult, anyways. One skilled man vs. 2 untrained, I would probably bet on the two, anyhow.

Gradually, things are starting to come back together for me. My stomach isn't turning as much as it was. However, along with the meds, the doctor wanted me to start taking fiber. I don't think she knows me very well.

I am bobsledding. Must....go....faster!!!

I think that their chances are pretty good, whether or not Grossman has a bad day. Their defense has been pretty consistent, and I think that Grossman will put together 2 more good games, but still go down to San Diego in the Super Bowl. Yep, that's right! Marty wins his first Super Bowl this year!

Has anybody seen any of the new Afro Samurai yet?

I think that Jr. Black Belts should be able to assist in junior classes, as long as they are capable of doing so. I don't think that it is a good idea to have junior black belts assist with adult classes, as many times adults will not be very receptive to the idea of being "instructed" by someone that they view as a kid.

I like the idea of professional soccer. However, I just don't know if it will ever take off quite like it has everywhere else in the world. It would be ok if it did, but I'm not sure it will.

Thanks, everyone. I get to feeling some better, but then I eat, and things get wierd again.

Thanks for the explanation on the testing system. I hope you do well!

Very cool. It looks like he has several more videos on there as well. Those might be worth checking out as well.

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow.

This is another problem in the martial arts in general. When in uniform, many people don't want to give up who they are outside of the dojo (not that they should), when it comes to age, rank, seniority, etc., outside of the class. Should a 40 year old white belt have to listen to what a 16 year old black belt tells them? Or call them 'sir'? What about the CEO of the corporation that you work for? Will he be your junior rank in class as well? Or the how about the fighter, that you mention, who states rank doesn't matter in the ring? What about your best friend or wife being in the dojo? Perhaps there are reasons that some younger children shouldn't be allowed to have a black belt. There are also reasons for other people of all ages as well. The subject really can have a lot of grey area.

Another good idea that is an off-shoot of this suggestion is to ask your instructor if you could video him doing the forms, that way you always have a reference of exactly how he wants it done.

Im not sure i see the point of this? If you already know that they arnt going to hit you, and all you have to do is stand there, i dont see why anyone would move???I think that, for inexperienced practitioners, that it is difficult to shrug off the natural tendencies to flinch or retract from techniques like this, even though they do know they are coming.