bushido_man96

I have played around with rotating the fist over, to the thumb down position, mostly on the bag, but have not done it much in sparring that I can recall. In self-defense, I think that can be quite useful in coming over the top of another hand attack to get to the opponent's head. Of course, there are other variations of the punches, like the upset/uppercut style punches, which are mainly upside-down horizontal punches. Danielle, do you notice any structural difference when making contact with a vertical punch as compared to a horizontal punch? Especially when punching a heavy or standing bag?

When you do the hop in your combination, does it have to be an actual jump, or can it be more of switch-foot motion that is lower to the ground?

I was just thinking about this the other day, and thought it might make for some interesting conversation. Vertical punches vs horizontal punches, how and when we use them, and which we prefer and why? Most of the punching done in my TKD forms are horizontal in nature, with that full rotation that is classically applied to TKD and a lot of Karate punches. There are some vertical punches in my forms, but most of those are done as a twin punching technique with both hands at the same time. Not really any single, vertical punches. I did do some in my ATA TKD forms, though. I think that rotating the wrist completely over in the horizontal punching method can at times lead to the elbow flaring out a bit more than when vertical punching. However, with vertical punching, the lack of the wrist turning seems to take a little off the punch, at least to me. What I've done more recently, especially when hitting the heavy bag, is rotate my hand about halfway between horizontal and vertical, to about 45 degrees. I still notice the little extra from the rotation, and feel it is more efficient than a complete rotation to horizontal. Has anyone else experimented with this? Do you have a preference in the orientation of the fist when you punch?

Welcome to KF! I see you also list MCMAP in your styles. I'd love to hear about that, too!

That's part of the 101 ways to use Electric Tape; been using it for quite a very long time. I STILL get a smile when I apply it to a student obi because they've that puzzled look all over their face..."What's Sensei doing?!?!?!?!?"...priceless. Years ago, one of my instructors used a three-stripe system with electrical tape. First one showed the student had the basics of the rank down; second showed they knew the form; third showed they knew the one-steps. If the student had all three stripes, the instructor knew they were ready to test.

Sounds to me like you assumed the way your previous dojo did things was going to be similar. Best to always ask the instructor how to handle these "what if" scenarios.

Congrats, Dmitriy!

10/28/2020 MA Training TKD Class: 6:30 - 7:30 pm. T-shirt class, consisting of Kicking Stations. I got through 6 stations, which I felt pretty good about. FL side kicks, FL round kicks, BL side kicks, repeat kicking combos, axe kicks, and crescent/hook kicks were the stations. Each station had 5 different kicks to do, doing 5 kicks on each leg (and the combos would be double the number of kicks). 350 kicks, if I count right. Finished with a nice stretch.

I do like the idea of using stripes as "markers" of what the student has done and what they need to do. It makes it easy for an instructor to glance at his students and know what they need to focus on.

As I get older, I find that I'd much rather train indoors than out. Especially right now, as winter has pretty much arrived in west-central Kansas.

I'd say if a person is inclined to learn a few systems at a time, then do it. Take your time, and grade when you feel you are capable of doing so in each. I look at it this way: in school, we never spend time learning one subject until we are good at it, and then move onto the next. We spend time on languages, and math, and social studies/history, etc. We tend to do alright with that. I think it is entirely possible to do with physical training, as well. How many kids play different sports throughout the year without any issues? Plenty. I would caution that when learning more than one style that it would be beneficial for the two styles to have as little crossover as possible. For instance, learning TKD and Tang Soo Do is probably more detrimental than it is helpful. But learning one of these styles along side Judo or BJJ or Wrestling would be more beneficial, as you're covering two distinctly different aspects of fighting. Not that you couldn't spend time learning both TKD and TSD, but the likelihood of mixing up miniscule differences between the two is high, thus frustrating both instructors. But, you could try it. I just think it would be a better use of your time to go with a stand-up style and a ground style. I think each instructor varies on their stance in regards to this. Some instructors are very possessive of their students, and would like for them to instead of doing 2 days a week to two different styles, would rather they spend 4 days a week with them. Other instructors are insecure to the point that the student may find the favor the other style, and fear losing the student. I see why an instructor could feel that way (be it right or wrong). I know my previous instructor was not a fan of it. However, he is not around right now, and I feel kind of like I'm in instructor limbo. I view the current CI at our school more as a peer than an instructor. Unfortunately, I don't have the time or the inclination to put into training in another style right now, so its a moot point for me.

Congrats!

10/21/2020 MA Training TKD Class: 6:30 - 7:30 pm. T-shirt class. Did all of my black belt forms: Kwang Gae, Poe Eun, Gae Baek, Se Jong, Yoo Sin, and Choong Jang. I did three stations on the heavy bag, two kicking and one hand techniques. I helped the chief instructor with jump spin heel kicks, and then the other two black belts in the class did axe kicks on the target pad. Stretched before and after class. Station 1: Front Kicks: FL front kick, BL front kick, FL stepping front kick, FL jump front kick, BL jump front kick (jumping away). Station 2: Punches: Jab, Cross, Jab/Cross, Lead Hook, Rear Hook, Lead Uppercut, Rear Uppercut. Station 3: Round Kicks: FL round kick, BL round kick, FL stepping round kick.

10/15/2020 Strength Training Squats: 45x5, 135x5, 185x3, 205x5, 205x5. Press: 45x5x2, 65x5, 85x5, 85x5.

I think there are a couple of advantages to the belt system and uniforms used in what we like to refer to as "traditional" systems. 1) The belt system provides the instructor a quick reference of what each student should and shouldn't know, and what material that student should be working on. B) Putting on a uniform/dobok/gi has kind of a psychological aspect to it; the student knows when the uniform goes on, it's time to train. It helps to set the tone of the class, that we are here to train, and the student sets their mind to the task at hand. Now, with that said, I believe that serious training can be conducted without changing clothes. I also believe that the belt and uniform system are heavily tied to the modern form of training that we use based on the idea of testings/gradings for rank. We learn material, we test on it, and we earn a belt; rinse and repeat. So long as we keep testing like this, I see the belt system sticking around.

What do you mean by "curriculum black belt" and "instructor black belt?"

If all other options are not viable, and you really want to do it, then do it. There are lots of good resources out there; there are bad ones, too, so be on the lookout for what you're getting.It will be more difficult than doing it with an instructor on hand, in a class, but it can still be done. And every chance you get, seek out an instructor. Whether at a school should you move, or a chance to get to some seminars, or whatever. But look for those chances.

Congratulations, Noah and Stephanie! Enjoy the ride!

I'm not sure what's going on here this year. Most kids wear a mask on Halloween, anyways, so that shouldn't be much of an issue. I'll be watching expectantly as it approaches, to see how people handle it.

Season 3 will be....interesting....

10/14/2020 MA Training TKD Class: 6:30 - 7:30 pm. T-shirt class. After warming up with some ground kicks/doggy kicks and light stretching, I completed the first two stations of the kicking class, front leg side kicks and front leg round kicks of various types. Worked on some jump spin side kicks on the bag in regards to board breaking. The last 20 minutes of class was used for sparring. There were only 4 of us, but all black belts (one kid). I don't know what the deal is, but it seems like I spar better if I haven't sparred in a while. Stretched at the end of class, too.

Welcome to KF!

Welcome to KF!

If I had to guess, I'd say probably through team sponsorships and possibly through commercial sponsorships the company gets for hosting the events. But that's just a guess. They could have a rich benefactor or team of benefactors that support and likely practice Martial Arts, as well.

That sounds like a completely reasonable approach to me. I'm of the mindset that a testing shouldn't have to be long in order to accomplish what it is meant to accomplish.