bushido_man96

Good points, Elky. I had not thought of that. I think it is important for Ryan to know that he will not be in trouble with you, Kerry, regardless of whether or not his actions get him in trouble with the school.

I never thought about this, but I know that WTF style sparring has been referred to as Olympic Style since I've been involved in TKD, even before TKD became an Olympic sport. I guess the Kukkiwon just had a better lobby? Currently, ITF style sparring is only light contact (at least in every tournament I've ever been to) which I'd like to see changed, but I honestly don't know how WTF style rules made the Olympic games while ITF didn't. Again: politics. Politics, maybe. Perhaps they just gave a better pitch?

I think I would opt for more classes a week with less time. However, that is because I think I would survive them better. Also, each class may be a bit different, with something new to gain. With only 2 classes a week, although for more time, you may not get those little differences that keep you enticed. It is also nice to know that if you will have a busy week schedule, that you can go with the optional schedule, if need be.

These may be tough to do while seated. Standing, you could do knee raises. The faster you can do them, the better, though. Here's one: Scooch your butt to the edge of your seat, extend your legs out a bit (doesn't have to be straight), keep your body upright, and grab the sides of the chair by your hips. Heels just off the floor. Using controlled motion, draw your knees into your chest, keeping them slightly bent. Lower them in a controlled motion, barely touch the floor with your heels, and then repeat. Hope that helps!

1-31-07: Conditioning today (a little, anyways). Sledgehammers: 3x1:30, 1 minute rests. Burpees: 3x10 (although they were kind of bad) Stadium stairs: Ran up 32 steps, charging hard, and then walk back down and over to the next row of stairs. Did this 8 times.

I have heard of it, and seen a bit of it on a TV special once (Discovery, I think). I think it looks like a lot of fun; however, I am not a runner, so it doesn't interest me that much. I think it would be great exercise, and it would definetely make running more fun. Much akin to the stunts that Jackie Chan pulls in his movies, like running up walls, etc.

Pictures of what??? Pictures of what he builds, I think.

Hey, its all good! The reason that we have the ITF and the WTF to begin with all goes back to politics. General Choi originally pushed to try to get TKD into the Olympic games. He had spoken to the head of the IOC a few times, but to no avail, it appears. I know that the ITF and WTF had different rule sets when it came to sparring. I am not sure why they went with the WTF over the ITF, but it may have something to do with the Kukkiwon being a certification body for the WTF around the world. Can anyone shed some light on this matter for me?

Welcome, and good luck on testing! Is Sun Hang Do a Korean style? I have not heard of it before. Could you tell us some more about it? Thanks!

It sounds like the bulk of his experience is in TKD; perhaps an offshoot of the ITF in some way. Those are many Korean forms you have there. They do share similarities with Shotokan forms, but they are still very much their own.

This is true, and in more than a physical sense. You can find spirtual and philosophical aspects that pertain to each art that may fit in with your lifestyle/outlook as well. I know not everyone is looking for these aspects of training...I am not...however, it is nice to know that they are there for those searching for them.

Its been going for a while now, hasn't it? So many opinions, and so much good discussion! I do think that forms are tools, and they are good tools for learning technique, teaching flow, and developing technical skills. However, many times in self-defense, simplicity is the key. Sometimes, forms deviate from simplicity; even the older, 'traditional' forms. The fact that self-defense maneuvers can be derived from the forms is great. I have never been fortunate to have any training like this, and wish I had. Training drills can be effective as well. I am currently supplementing Combat Hapkido for my self-defense training. However, I have seen some of the Hae-Sul from my TKD forms, and I do want to start training in them. However, it is not something that is taught as commonly in TKD as it is in Karate styles.

I think what we are trying to do is create a fighting style not bound by a rules set. Many times, we think of different styles as good at one thing or two, and paleing in others. Boxers are great with their hands. TKDists are great with their feet. Now, you take someone who has trained in both boxing and TKD, splitting his time. Now, you make him compete in two competitions: once in boxing, and once in TKD. How will he do? Against a purley specialized TKD fighter, under his rules, he may not win. The same could apply against a boxer. However, if we lose the rule sets, including the MMA rule set, and we take the Boxer, the TKDist, and an MMA trained fighter, and each fights the other once, on the street, then what do we have happen? I am not trying to bash the other styles, but the MMA fighter may be the best prepared to survive the street encounters. Now, I am not arguing for MMA as the creation and arrival of the perfect style. However, being well rounded is a great advantage.

Royce Gracie did Karate for 15 years?? I thought that the extent of his training was in BJJ? To shadow the point that you made above, it is obvious that possessing soley ground skills won't guarantee you victory in the UFC, like when Gracie was ruling the ring in the early days. The fighters are all becoming so well rounded, that they need to have experience and training in all 3 aspects of the fight. This is evident in the loss that Royce suffered to Matt Hughes. MMA has evolved much.

Cross, bearich, and Andrew_Patton all have good points about the conflict avoidance/de-escalation training. I think that at times in MA classes, students and instructors get to caught up in the curriculum required for testings, and work on some of the other aspects of training. I can remember being bullied when I was a kid, and all of the years after, I can think back, and I wish that I would have fought back. I have a pretty light demeanor...I have even had a friend of mine tell me that I really don't have that fighter mentality. And some people really don't. It is something that they have to work at. Ryan may be this way as well. Working with him in situations like those mentioned above may be able to boost his confidence level and self-esteem, along with his chances of escaping a repeat of the same scenario.

1-30-07: Skipping Rope: 3x1 minute rounds Back Hyperextensions: 3x11 Assisted Pull-ups: 3x4 Bent-over rows: 95x10, 95x10, 85x10 Decline Abs: 3x15 Side raises: 3x20x25 Hanging knee raises: 3x10 Shoulder Press: 106x8, 111x6, 117x4 Dumbell raises: 30x6, 30x6, 35x4 Dumbell flies: 25x10, 30x6, 30x4 Overhead cable curls: 40x10, 50x8, 60x6 Dumbell curls: 30x6, 30x6, 35x4

I hear you there! My boy is a year old, and he likes to headbutt!

That's tough, Kez. I would start by talking to him about it some more, and make sure he knows where you stand on him trying to defend himself. If you think it is ok, let him know. I would talk to the sensei about it as well. Let him know your concerns, and see if you can work on some more things with Ryan to help him out. Ryan may not be a very physical child, and then can be tough to get around when fights start. You have to help him get to where he can take that first step. Best of luck, Kez!

So do I. The focus is on Tai Chi, Karate, or Taekwondo. It mainly covers the far east, what they consider to be the 3 most popular styles at this time, if I remember reading it right. Some of the cultural courses would be very interesting. It is strange that the site does not mention Karate, but what I read in TKD Times did mention it.

I don't think the design of the katana is all that ingenious. They were usually known for their keenness, but other than that, it isn't really all too special. I agree with your percentages, though. All user. Heck, Mushashi used a bokken for many of his duels.

I have never done that. I've worked on some sword and shield, but not a knife or spear.

Quite funny. Worth a chuckle!

1-29-07: Back in the swing of things today. I had a good day... 10:30am-12:15: Weights. Bench press: 135x10, 185x8, 195x6, 205x4, 235x1 (assisted) Incline bench: 105x10, 115x8, 135x6 Cable crossovers: 50x10, 60x6, 70x4 Decline abs: 3x15 Side raises: 3x20x25 lbs. Hang clean: 115x10, 135x8, 145x4 Triceps pull-down: 80x10, 90x8, 105x6 Skull crackers: 70x8, 80x6, 85x4 12:30-1:30: Went to do some anaerobic conditioning. Running stairs; up 24, then down, and back up. 3x30 seconds, 1 min. rest. Step ups/step downs: 3x30 seconds, 1 min. rest. Knee-tuck jumps: 3x10 Stretch Sledgehammers: 3x1 minute, 1 minute rests between. 4:40-5:15: Solo workout. I worked on forms and technique. 6:00-7:00: Tradtional class tonight. Included basics, forms, one-steps, sparring, and stretching.

Hapkido is kind of like a Korean version of Jujitsu. Lots of joint locks and takedowns, but not too much grappling, that I can think of. Can't help you with the JKD place, though.

I think its great that you are getting back into things. I would start by checking the yellow pages for places to train.