bushido_man96

I agree with most of what you are saying, bearich. You make some very good points, and yes, we did get a little crossed up on the previous statement on deriving the drills from the forms. I'll say this: If you do derive the drills from the forms, then perfecting the forms is very important. However, I don't believe that you must have forms to derive drills from--just reiterating. Here is one spot where we do differ: However I did find it interesting that when you referred to Western Fighting Styles you did not reference as an art, but rather a "fight style." I'm not sure if you share the same viewpoint as I do, but I do view boxing, wrestling, and the likes as fighting styles rather than martial arts. This is basically what I'm saying again with the fighting style versus martial arts. If people want to head into Mauy Thai so they can learn how to fight effectively, by all means do so, but call it a fighting style rather than a martial art. I feel that fighting styles and martial arts are the same. I don't differentiate the two. Although I cannot substantiate this theory, I would be willing to bet that the techniques came about first, and were used, and then recorded into forms, so they would be preserved for posterity. Therefore, the formations of patterns, katas, etc, would be a direct result of techniques from an existing fighting style, and not the other way around. I don't feel that the existense of a set of katas is what defines "martial art." These fighting styles were around long before this term came along. The kata was just a way of cataloging movements, and is indiginous to the Eastern part of the world. Yeah, for the most part, I think you are right, we are on the same wavelength, to an extent. I hope I am not offending in any way, as that is not my goal. I am just trying to convey something a little differently, and I don't want to come off gruff (I know that I can sometimes, but don't mean to! )

You know, it seems to me that in any fight, some will try to get you on the ground, whether they know how to wrestle or not. It is the driving force that one thinks that they can dominate someone completely if they can get them down, and set on their chest.

That's a good tip, DokterVet. Thanks!

Hey, that's cool. However, I don't do it with my legs straigth.

Congratulations Greg, Kirsty, and Sohan! And thanks everyone for the nominations. I enjoy the time that I get to spend here, and I have to echo Sohan's sentiments as to what the forums here give me. Of course, KarateForums could not be what it is without all of the great contributors who get on every day, every week, or every month, to give and receive information. Thanks to everyone who participates!

My armour is actually made out of old street signs. It has an oriental type of look to it, but it fits well, and is light. My brother actually likes to fight with a 6 foot two handed sword, and he is deceptively quick with it. If I don't use my shield, I get a pretty good bruise on my left shoulder .

Two books that I have: Bo: Karate Weapon of Self-Defense, by Fumio Demura. It demonstrates techniques and some sparring applications, and it has a form in it. The other book is based off of medieval fighting methods: Fighting with the Quarterstaff: A Modern Study of Renaissance Technique, by David Lindholm. This is a great book, with interpretations from several medieval European manuals, and its focus is primarily on sparring work.

Thanks, cathal.

Well, you need to up your calorie intake, I think. Also, maybe the amount of fat you get, to keep the weight on. Sohan would be better with this, as he can be a lot more exact. If you come eat with me for a month, I think you will gain some weight! Protein shakes may be able to help you out, too.

I am trying to build up to where I can do some decent sprint interval type training, to build up my explosiveness for TKD. Since my youngest is starting to get a little older, I would like to try to get back into competition. However, I have never been happy with my sparring ability, so I am trying to improve. I can usually place in forms, but I want to become a better fighter as well. I do some sprints twice a week, but they aren't very long yet. I am trying to build up to it. I also run stairs for 1 minute intervals on those days as well. Suggestions are helpful, if anyone wants to drop some!

You're welcome!

It seems odd that a 3rd dan would break away and create his own style, doesn't it? I would think that one would not do this until he had achieved a masters rank, or something similar. However, I could be wrong. I guess what I meant to say was that it doesn't seem odd for a 3rd dan to start his own school, but to break away and start his own association does.

So you are saying because he does a modified version for competition that it is mcdojoish?

Kez has good advise. I would add that if you can make sure that they can trust that you have good control, they may be more willing to open up on you. If they don't trust your control, yet, they won't step it up, for fear of you returning a hard shot because you are trying really hard. It will come in time. Just work really hard on your control, and see where that gets you. Best of luck to you!

I thought I could smell something....

This is the term that I have heard for it. I can do it, and it is not all arm strenght. Like anything, it is about technique. I'll see if I can give you a run down..... 1. Place hands beside your head, and roll back onto your shoulders. 2. Thrust your feet up and out, like at a 45 degree angle from the floor. 3. As you thrust your legs up and out, push with your arms and neck. Most of the momentum should come from your legs being thrown up, though. 4. Make sure to curl your legs back underneath you to stick the landing. That is it, in a nutshell. I got it first by practicing on a trampoline. That helps you get the motion down, without worrying about plopping on the floor. The first few times I tried it on the floor, I bounced a few times, but soon, I had it. It isn't really in the arms so much as it is in the neck and shoulders (for pushing). I have seen people do it without the use of the arms as well. Out of all of the people in our school, I was one of two who could do it, and I hardly pass off as the "athletic one." Hope this helps. Enjoy!

Oh, ok. Thanks, Carolyn. I don't have any pets at this time (my son is allergic). We did have several cats before, though. However, I have always considered myself a dog person. I would love to have a great big dog of some kind. Maybe a Dane, or a Shepard eventually.

Carolyn brings up a good point....ou may want to watch yourself in the next few sparring sessions..... . Just kidding! All should be well.

OK, another question or two about Bunkai. Do you tend to teach bunkai for each move in the form? Do you teach it transitioning from one move to the next, for every move, or just a few? About how much time do you spend on it in class, and how much time to ensure they have it down (i.e., two months worth of bunkai per form before testing)? I know that everyone will learn differently, and some faster than others. But if you have some guidelines that I could look into, that would be great. I was thinking along the lines of taking maybe a month to get the form down, and then spending the next few months focusing on the bunkai, to get the application process down, and be fluid with the movements. Thanks a bunch!

I am working on formulating my own curriculum, in case I want to have my own school again some day. I plan on including sparring. I have a few questions: 1. Do you have students work on sparring at white belt, or do you just drill with them? I have had students start after the 3rd rank, and my current school does it after white belt is passed. 2. What sparring techniques do you teach at white belt? I was thinking of keeping it real basic, mainly with getting the Olympic style round kick down, front and back leg, and using some footwork. 3. Can anyone help me out with drawing footwork and feinting footwork, if there is a difference? What do you guys think? I am going to work on Olympic and a non-Olympic style of sparring, but am looking for Olympic style drills. Any info will be greatly appreciated, regardless of style. Thanks in advance!

What's a budgie?

When asked if he wanted his pizza cut into 4 or 8 pieces, Yogi Berra replied: "Oh, 4, I can't eat 8."

Welcome to the Forums!

Hey there! Christmas is usually as big a deal for my family as Turkey Day is. I think it is just that Turkey Day comes first. Any time like this where the whole family gets together, is just a great time over all. During the hollidays, I tend to average about 3 big meals per holliday, and then the leftovers!!

Cool, thanks, Drag'n. I don't know why, but I always invisioned practitioners lined up, taking leg kicks to build up resitance. It may be from the Kickboxer movie, I guess. Sorry, I know better than that, now, though.