bushido_man96

Sounds like you had a good time, Tom. Thanks for sharing, and shame on you for not getting pics!!

Thanks, kamasandsais. I am not planning on starting one anytime soon, but if the time ever comes, I have some ideas of what I want to do.

Sounds great. I am glad you got that all worked out.

ATA stands for American Taekwondo Association.

You may not be able to get your hips into a jab, but you can definitely get some bodyweight into one. I have always felt that the lead, snapping backfist just moved from the elbow with a flick.

We don't do any special conditioning to break boards, but on the same token, we don't break lots of boards at a time. Most breaks only require two boards at a time.

Have fun at school!

Welcome to the forums!

Wow, the 540? That's a heck of a kick. Sorry, I can't help much with that one. I think I have played with that one and the 720 a couple of times, but I have never put a lot of work into them. It takes a lot of torque to get this little round body to spin that much! Welcome to the forums!

I'll probably have the dogs called out on me, but I tend to spar with women differently than I do with men. I don't punch them in the body near as much, and I tend to take some of the mustard off of the techniques. However, as far as treating them differently than men, as far as getting on them for technique, and things like that, I treat them just the same.

You have to work to your strenths, and play to your opponent's weaknesses. Strategize, formulate, and attack. Maybe defense and counter-attacking is what you should do. Maybe you should try to overwhelm them. Maybe it's about speed and not power for you (although speed will generate power, but I digress.....). There are so many variables involved in a fight, that each time it is different. That is what makes it challenging and fun.

Sorry to hear that. Losing a pet is tough. I don't know which is tougher, losing them that way, or having to take them to the humane society.

That sounds like ki to me......from what I have been told, that is.

Welcome to KF, bro!! C'mon, I ain't that bad!

For me, Christmas is about God and Family. My family (brothers) is a little spread out, so we get together usually in February. However, my wife and I's family like to have her dad over, and have a soup and open presents. And then, another great big turkey dinner!!!!

Very nice!

I was an ATA student at one time. There are many good ATA black belts out there, both at competiton and fighting and teaching. I have had three instructors that were good at all three. I also know some that do compete in other organizations, and do well. The main reason they compete withing their own organization is because they have a point system that lets them build up to competing at the organizations World Championships. I have also known of some ATA black belts that have competed in Olympic style events. Yes, they do allow kids to advance in rank. I don't have a big problem with this. It is just a piece of cloth, after all, right?? As for the self-defense, I think that it is there. Each belt rank has self-defense techniques, up until the higher colored belt ranks. Also, they have programs that allow them to explore other areas of training, like ground fighting, pressure point control tactics, Olympic style competition, and weapons training. As far as training future leaders, it is a philosophy of the organization. The organization thinks that it is important for the students to set good examples in the community, and provide a positive place for young and old students to learn. They are essentially trying to lead by example. Also, in the ATA, the titile of Master must be tested for. It isn't just given out when a certain rank is met. You must be a 6th degree to be eligible, and then you must apply for the test, and then be granted permission to test, and then must pass the test.

Here is a drill to help you gain some height: 1. Stand next to a wall. 2. Assume kicking chamber position, using wall for balance. 3. Kick out slowly, counting to 5, hold for 10, then rechamber, counting to 5. 4. After 5 reps on each side, start again. 5. When you extend the kick this time, hold for 10, then raise it as high as you can, really tensing up those muscles. 6. Make sure to stretch well. Kicking high is not just dependant on flexibility. It is a combination of leg strength and flexibility. You need both, and both are equally important.

Yeah, Kez, it is kind of depressing. I just keep my head down, and keep working hard and moving forward, and try to avoid the politics. If anyone high up asks me why I won't test, then I'll tell them why, and what I think.

That is essentially rubber tube training. The most popular way to resistance train is by lifting weights.

I saw a clip of a fighter getting his leg broke when another fighter shin blocked him! It was almost unnerving to watch.

That is a good question. What is the English translation for that technique??

Try FitTV. They have a regular program in which a woman who is a black belt in Goju (I think) travels the world, checking out other styles, and training in them for a short time. Also, ESPN will have ISKA fights from time to time, and I have even seen them show some Judo competition as well.

Wow. That is quite a bit. Have you ever had someone collapse on you, and had to take them to the hospital?

I do the 180 degree pivot to help save my knees, as opposed to recovery time. I find that it does not stress my knees as much. As for high kicking, I don't lean back to kick high. If you kick high properly, you body will lean some naturally, as a result of the technique and body mechanics. However, leaning back intentionally to gain height to a kick is counter-productive, and can off balance you.