bushido_man96

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.

OH NO! Not happening!

Welcome aboard, Shotokan Dan!

Welcome to KF, johnboy!

Welcome to the Forums, Power_J!

We have 3 of the living room walls finished, with just one left. We have a nice suede finish going, and I like it. My wife loves it. We also have to get another coat of a lighter color of paint on the remaining walls in the hallway, kitchen, and stairwell. It should all look great when it is done. I think I laid 6 miles of tape just to get ready to paint! This is so true!

Squirming?? Not my toddler. She stays perfectly still and does nothing but laugh whenever I raise her over my head. She thinks it's the greatest thing in the world. Though I must admit, I never thought about using her in my workout. Perhaps I will if the wife doesn't find out It worked quite well, much to my approval. Who needs weights? Just have kids!!

I have worked out on the interlocking mats as well. Our black belt testings at HQ are on interlocking mats. I have not had any bad luck with them yet, but they tend to get dirty and slick.

Well, I only ended up half right. The glass is half full! This should be a great Super Bowl. I hope it is good on both sides of the ball. I don't really care who wins. If the Colts win, I don't want it to be because Grossman has a bad game. This could be a high scoring game, or a defensive war of attrition. If I had to choose someone....my gut leans to Chicago. So, maybe it is Manning's year!

Wow! A mini series! That is awesome! However, I think that there will be some things that they won't be able to touch on that the books do. However, it may be great! We'll have to see. I am surprised that you don't like Dany. I have grown to enjoy her chapters. She is very compassionate. Her and Jon would match well, I think. Do you think Jon will eventually take the name Stark? I think he would like to, because he truly loved Ned, however, I think he has become proud of his name Snow.

I haven't watched it yet. I was just wondering if anyone had, and what they thought.

1-22-07: I couldn't make it to the gym or class today, because I had to stay home with a sick toddler. So, I improvised: Push-ups: 3 sets of 10; then 3 sets of 10 with a toddler (22 additional pounds) on my back! Shovelglove work with a 16 pound sledgehammer: "shovel" technique, 3x15; tricep extensions, 3x10; bicep curls, 3x10. Punches with dumbells (10 lbs.): jab-3x10, both sides; cross-3x10, both sides; jab-cross combo, 3x10, both sides. Standing overhead toddler raises (with a 22 lb. squirming toddler): 3x10 I finished up with about 15 minutes worth of cathal's close quarter hip exercise.

I have trained on several different surfaces. I have trained on a hardwood floor, concrete floor, thin carpet, and even outside, all barefoot. My current school has a very nice gymnastic type of padded mat, with a carpet covering. I like it a lot, and is great for both sparring and ground fighting/throwing.

Welcome back!

Thanks for the info, ps1. Which you do you enjoy the most: gi, no-gi, or otherwise?

You're welcome. Also, ps1 has some great advise as well. I have the book Kodokan Judo, and I highly recommend it as well. Very good details.

That's interesting. I didn't really think about the Samurai using 3 weapons. However, there is probably more than one right answer to this question. I just got lucky!

My wife started working on painting the living room today. I think we will be painting it one wall at a time, as the paint we are using is a bit pricey. To offset the work, we will be doing some of the other walls as well, in a different (cheaper) color.

I just had another thought today. I noticed in the last book, there is talk about the last Queen with the Dragons that flew North, to the Wall, and stayed and visited there for a while. Perhaps when Dany's dragons are mature enough to carry her, she will do the same, and her and Jon will hook up in this way? A little foreshadowing, perhaps?

I think this is part of the reason they have gotten farther this season...less pressure.

I agree. I am not a big Brady fan either. However, there is no denying his level of success in the big games. He reminds me so much of Joe Montana.