bushido_man96

There are many schools that will require higher ranks to do some teaching from time to time as a requirement for their rank. However, that many hours seems a bit extreme.

As we have a currently running thread on the World Combat League at this time, I am going to close this thread, and redirect you there: http://www.karateforums.com/world-combat-league-vt30062.html Thanks.

What are the components of your TKD testings? What pattern does it follow, if any? What are the colored belts expected to perform? What about black belts? Ours is pretty standard, I guess. Colored belts start with forms, and then do one-steps with a partner, and then combinations if they are a white belt or low orange belt, and testing sparring if they are above. At the rank of brown belt, board breaking becomes required. Black belts are expected to know all forms and one-steps. Usually, there is a pre-testing for black belts, held the night before a black belt testing. Pre-testing is required attendance. At pre-testing, we do all forms, one-steps, and free sparring. The next day at testing, we begin by doing all one-steps. If colored belts are testing, then we break for a while, and go stretch out and practice in the basement. We then come back to our rank form, then one below our rank. Sparring comes next, which is usually 3 matches, against higher ranks. Then is board breaking, which ranges between 2 and 5 stations of 2 or more boards each.

Does your TKD school do testing sparring? If so, what is it like? In the past, when I was in the ATA, we did testing sparring, and the object of it was for you and your partner to work together in order so that the both of you can show off your best moves, and demonstrate your level of skill. It was very little contact (except at the high ranks ), and was supposed to be fast-paced. You would also demonstrate control, and the ability to attack, block, and counter. In my current organiztion, our testing sparring is a little less cooperative. We are to demonstrate our skills in attacking, blocking, countering, and putting together combinations. However, if one party is dominant, then it is considered the fault of the other party for not going after the partner to prove himself. Not as much flash, but we are expected to demonstrate techniques in attack and counter effectively. Punching is important as well. How does everyone else do it?

Does the WTF system include 'recommended' ranks in the black belt system, or does it only have decided ranks. In my system, you get a recommended 1st degree before you get a full decided 1st degree. The same is done with 2nd and 3rd degree belts as well.

These are the titles I have on Brazilian Martial Arts: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Theory and Technique Renzo Gracie, Royler Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Techniques Jean Jacques Machado, Kid Peligro Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Self-Defense Techniques Royce Gracie, Charles Gracie, Kid Peligro I enjoyed each of these titles very much. I have read through each of them, and although I have no experience with BJJ, these books provide very good explanations and demonstrations of the moves, in a basic manner. I believe that they provide a great reference to the art of BJJ, and you can't really argue with the pedigree of the authors! I highly recommend them. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gracie Submission Essentials Helio Gracie, Royler Gracie The Little Capoeira Book Nestor Capoeira

I don't really think so. However, riches doesn't have to be monetary, either.

Windows is all I really know.

The method of stretching that you are suggesting is not new. It has been around for quite some time, and can be an effective means of stretching, as long as it is done properly. It is great for stretching in the front kick and side kick positions.

How true that is!

Begin to build your combinations. Find something that works for you, and drill it over and over, and make it yours. Working on counters is great, too. This is best done with a partner, as he throws a pre-determined attack, and you throw a pre-determined counter. What you are doing here is learning to look for the telegraphs of the attack, in order to build on your reaction time.

The answer here is pretty simple. If you don't want to go back, then don't. If you didn't like how they treated you, then you should go look elsewhere.

Wow, that is crazy. I learn something new everyday.

Thanks, jaymac. I am feeling better, and I think the meds are doing their job. It wasn't gastro, it was a little different.

Thanks for the info. I appreciate that.

Yes, thanks for the clarification. What organization are you with?

It is draining absorbing blows with blocks, and the movement used to block (unless it is part of a counter attack sequence) could be used to strike instead. I will go with the previous two posters and say that the best thing for your opponent to encounter is not your arm, but the air. It's not that great for balance, but I've found that by just tilting your head back you can usually get just right out of reach (if your head is the target). Don't forget to move left and right as well! I am a big proponent of avoiding an attack while gaining ground on your opponent. I so often see people sparring who will block and move backwards at the same time. Although they stop the attack, all they have done is moved backwards, allowing the opponent to keep coming forward. The best way I have found to get around this is to block and side step at the same time, or just side step. This way, you avoid attack, and gain an advantage toward your opponent, putting you in position to counter-attack. Bob and weave is good for this as well.

I really don't think that anyone is truly prepared for this kind of scenario. I think that most of the guys who have been training for MMA events have had many years of training behind them. Remember that a lot of them were former college wrestlers, or have obtained black belts in other martial arts as well. Also, when they start training MMA, they have to put in their time, just like anyone else. They have to work their way up the ladder, just like everyone else does.

I can relate to that. I wish that we had a black belt class where we could work on advanced training and things that we don't work on in traditional classes with the colored belts. It would also get us out of the teaching atmosphere, and help us to keep primed for learning new things. I believe it also helps to prevent burnout.

I agree with jaymac on this one. Building muscle will not slow you down, however, you need to work on speed if you want to build speed. The fact that being big and muscle-bound would make you slow and inflexible was a huge misconception back in the '60s and early '70s. Then along came Joe Lewis.

I agree with you. That is what I like about boxing...the footwork for each punch is so important in developing power. Footwork, and hip movement.

You are kind of elluding to the exception that I was mentioning. Let's say someone breaks in to your house, and the only thing you have to grab is a bat. So, you club the assailant, and he goes down. Good enough; he has been stopped, and now you can call for help. Now, what if, out of fear, anxiety, etc., you continue to club the assailant, after he is down, and is defensless himself? This is where problems can arise. It may not seem fair, but it could cause you problems. This is why threat levels, use of force, and control are so important when you are defending yourself and your loved ones.

I don't know about that. I'd take the WCL over a Tim Sylvia bout any day of the week. Don't forget that K-1 kickboxing is more popular than Pride MMA worldwide. Kickboxing is a very exciting sport if marketed properly, and it may be found in the long run to be more palatable to the general public than the brutality of MMA. With respect, Sohan I agree with you here, Sohan. K-1 is a lot of fun to watch, but I have always liked stand-up sports like that and boxing. The downfall of the MMA matches is that they can stall out, and unless you have a deep appreciation of what that martial style is about, you just get bored by it. Being a martial artists, I have a reasonable understanding of what the different types of competitions are trying to accomplish, and I can therefore watch each without trying to compare them to one another. This allows me to enjoy each different competition for what it is.

Hey, you're never too young to start training for it!

I think that would be a lot of fun to do! I have always wanted to learn how to do that, but the closest thing I have is some information on moves pulled off of some websites. Not very close to a qualified instructor. If I could get there, I would definitely hit that seminar.