bushido_man96

Have fun with it, P.A.L. If being left-handed concerns you, you could just start it out right handed, and then switch back and forth. Or, you may get lucky, and have a left-handed teacher. However, as a rule, being left-handed shouldn't cause a problem for you. If anything, whatever he shows you, just reverse the motion for being left-handed. It may prove to be an advantage for you, as the others will have to adjust to fighting a southpaw, and it may take them some time to catch on. When me and my friends get together and weapons fight, I still get caught up by the lefty in our group. When I line up with righties, my sword is on their shield side, and their sword is on my shield side. When I line up with a lefty, our swords and shields are on the same side. It can make things wierd, and takes some time to adjust. Also, let us know if the Korean kendo has any differences that you would know of from Japanese kendo.

Just try to slip in 20 minutes here, 15 minutes there. You can still do it, you just have to budget your time better. Here is an article that is a good reference for this matter, courtesy of PSBN Doug: http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=14047 This should help you out a lot. Good luck, and stay positive!

What's wrong with this!! When I listen to music, if I even remotely know the song, it turns into a kareoke session.

Good suggestion, in fact thats a really good starting point.Thanks, Brandon!

I simply call it timing, but yeah, same thing. One of the pieces of logic I use to explain rechambering a kick is that a kick is a strike, just like a punch. You wouldn't throw a punch and leave the arm out and let it drop for multiple reasons including: 1) it gives you opponent something to attack or grab, 2) it creates a weaker guard position, and 3) it doesn't set you up for any kind of follow up. These same three principles can be applied to a kick, however, with a kick you would also have to worry about that if you don't chamber and just let you foot fall, but you also have to worry about your balance on the way down. By rechambering your kick you get to bring it back down in a controlled manner rather than just letting it fall where it may and hope it doesn't slip on something--potentially putting you on the ground. Bingo, bearich. Those are all important points in kicking technique. Very similar to the way I approach teaching them myself.

Thanks for the explanations, Ottman. I didn't realize that it was a defined rules set, as opposed to a style all it's own. But, judging from your words, it really could become it's own style. If it is always kept seperate from the Kung Fu that it echos, it most likely will become it's own, soon.

This a great explanation, ps1. It is important to realize that everyone in the martial arts moves at their own pace, and not that of others in the class. Excelling in the martial arts is about overcoming personal obstacles; not about competing with others in the class.

Welcome to KF!

Merry Christmas to you!

This is true. However, wasn't Ser Jorah being paid to keep track of her? He also was aware of the assassination attempt to be made on her, but stepped in, because he "fell in love" with her. I think he wanted her dead as well, but it went awry. I finished reading the teaser at the end of the fourth book for the fifth, and it was kind of interesting. I don't think that Dany is behaving how he wanted her to, and I am not sure if he expected the death of Viseris (can't spell). Also, what about the death of Drogo? How do you think that affected Varys' plans? One other thing is why hasn't he kept a tighter leash on Petyr Baelish? Doesn't it seem like he is in the lead at this point? Of course, that don't mean jack in Martin's books.

Yes, Isnt it interesting how Batman is the only one without powers but he still fights crime as good or even better than a "Super"Hero... Definitely. I've always thought that he was one of the "super-er" heroes. Yeah, it is easy when they write it that way. And, in defense of the "super" heroes, they all have some villians with "super" powers. I don't think Batman has many like that.

lol. "Why is this open?" "That darn sales clerk! Say, mind if I give it a go first?" I just wonder what she'll say when she sees that there is already a saved game on it!!!!

Thanks, savedbygrace. Happy Holidays to you as well. Be safe, everyone!

Since I was born on the NES, I would have to stick with my roots, and go with the Wii. I also like Mario, and was also a fan of Metroid. Also, the more and more I see of the interactive motion control, the more I think I like it.

Oh, wow. Well, the number one favorite of mine is CHOCOLATE!!!! Not any fancy chocolate, so those that want to send a package for Christmas, don't send chocolate-covered cherries or any of that stuff. Just good 'ol chocolate bars...Snickers, Hershey's (and with almonds), M&Ms, etc. Otherwise, I love a deep-fat fried turkey. Good stuff. I also like spaghetti, and chicken parmesean.

Here, here!!! Hey, its all good!! Actually, I am feeling better today. It gets a little bit better every day, so it feeling great. Thanks for listening to me whine, everyone!

I have found it challenging to get my kids to do this, but I hold out hope that at some point they'll "get" it. They do it during drills, but they all lose it in kata. With respect, Sohan Try this Sohan: have them do the form at your count, and every time they do a kick, make them hold the re-chamber position, until you give the next count, and then they set it down, and perform the following hand technique (if there is one) with the hand-foot timing. It should help them relate it to the forms better, help them to memorize the movement better.

I like to use the kick re-chamber as a time to set up the follow-up technique, which is usually a hand strike or block. When I rechamber the kick, I immediately chamber my arms for the following hand technique, and I am then able to perform the technique at the moment that my foot hits the ground, in a very controlled, and time, manner. I refer to this as hand-foot timing. Does anyone else call it that?

If you don't have a makiwara, you could substitute knuckle push-ups until you get one.

Have fun with that, NightOwl!

The major thing is that you have to justify just about anything physical that happens in court. Personally, I think I would take my chances. Choking someone out will actually cause them less harm than busting them up. Besides that, it probably won't happen that often, as you will have all kinds of back-up within a matter of seconds.

I have seen this as well. Both are very likely scenarios. In my current system, each belt has a "hi" and a "lo" rank. The lo rank is a belt with a white strip through it; the hi belt is a solid color.

Well, I really can't say it any better. Everyone here has made some very good statements. I will say this: Even as a black belt, I can still learn something everyday from a brand new white belt that is having his first class. The important thing is to never stop learning. There is always something to consider out there, in the realm of the martial arts.

Well, welcome to KF, first of all! To answer your question: In my experience, there are what are called "recommended" and "decided" grades given out for ranks. I have seen this with some systems in their colored-belt ranks. It usually has to do with the scores on the grade card. Let's say the instructors/judges grade on a 90, 80, 70, 60 scale. Those who score in the upper half (90, 80) would receive a decided rank, indicated by the black bar on the belt. Those that receive grades in the lower half (70, 60) would receive the recommended rank, indicated by the lack of a black bar on the belt. What this will affect is class orientation; for example, those with the black bar would most likely line up before him, and be acknowledged as a slightly higher ranking student than those without the black bar. It is possible, that on his next grading, he could work up to the black bar. However, he would have to demostrate some improvement above and beyond that which he performed before. Keep in mind, that this is just my experience, and to get a completely accurate answer, you should direct your question to the head instructor at the school. If this is the case, then you could also ask the instructor what you and your son could work on together in order to achieve a belt with the black bar on it in the future. Let me know for sure what bar represents! I would love to know if I am guessing right! Hopefully, this information helps you out!