bushido_man96

I think that every object has a way of being thrown, and you can't assume that throwing a baseball is the same as throwing a knife. You are looking for different results in each, so the wrist movement will not be the same. I tried an axe throw at a RenFest one time, and I thought it was pretty cool. The guy at the booth explained to me that you had to keep the wrist locked upon release, otherwise the axe would head towards the ground, instead of travelling straight. I would never have assumed that, had I not had the opportunity to try it. One way to learn is through experimentation. Get a few different objects, and practice with each to figure out how to throw them best. It isn't absurd to assume that someone could teach themselves to throw a knife, especially if they become accustomed to one certain weapon.

Boy, do I envy you. That would be an awesome experience. Have fun with it!

Didn't Jet Li get started over here with Lethal Weapon 4?

Make sure that you have the grain of the boards running the proper way for each technique. For the palm strike, I run them horizontally, and strike towards the top 1/3 of the board, so as not to smash my fingers. For the back elbow strike, if it is a horizontal strike, run the grain that way; if vertical, run it vertically. And for the jump reverse kick (I am guessing this is a side kick) run the grain horizontally again. Make sure that the holders get into good front stances, with their inside legs crossed and to the back. They should cross either their top or bottom sets of hands, and lock their elbows, securing the boards and themselves. They should also look away up impact, to protect their eyes. For the side kick, if I am a holder, I prefer to cross the arms at the top of the board, that way the boards don't go flying away, or into my face. One more thing: make sure the holders get a lot of palm on the backside of the boards and just enough finger on the front to hold them in place. It gives you more surface area, and less chance to kick their fingers. One thing to consider for the holders' sake: don't take too long to get going. Set the boards up, then maybe rehearse your move once or twice at each, and then go. At our testings, there are some people who will set up for a side kick, and then practice, and practice, and practice, and practice a slow set-up kick over and over before finally attempting to break. This makes the holders' tire more quickly, and the faster they tire, the worse off they will be for holding your boards. The sooner you can break, the better. Best of luck to you at the tournament!

Either that, or wear suspenders!

Quote: elbows_and_knees: having grappling in a few forms and actually training it are different things. The grappling I have run across in CMA has been vastly inferior to what I've learned in judo and bjj, but rightfully so, as cma isn't a grappling style. On the same token, judo striking is inferior to cma striking. And I'm not talking about shuai chiao and chin na. That is indeed in most major systems in some aspect. I am referring to ground grappling. not ground fighting, which is different. I like the point that is made here, as it is very relevant to the reason that so many martial artists cross train today. I do have a goofy question for you, however: what would you consider the major difference between ground grappling and ground fighting? Is it the intent? Is it the rules of sport? Just want a little clarity here, is all. Thanks.

I agree completely. Kata is my favorite part of Karate practice. As well as Bunkai, and free sparring. I feel that all of these aspects of training offer equally important lessons in training.

Very good info, TriangleMan. Thank you. I had thought that Ken Shamrock practiced "Pancrase." Or is this the same as catch? A newer renditition of pankration?

I see. That is a nice schedule and setup. Does your school also train the applications of the forms?

I see what you are saying, but I don't think you have to have your heels planted for a technique to be sound. When I get in close and crowd my opponent, I throw lots of hooking and uppercutting punches into their body. While executing these punches, I am twisting my hips and shoulders into the punches, while pushing off of the balls of my feet, which will raise the heels off the ground. These punches still have power, which is generated from the body and hips. If you want to score based on technique, ie, heels down, etc., then that is the place for forms competition, in my opinion. In sparring, and fighting, technique is going to alter some, and things are not going to remain that static.

Kata is great for working basics and techniques. However, to really get to the meat of it, you need to break down and practice sections with partners to apply it. Forms practice and partner practice with applications should go hand in hand.

It is hard to replace what you learn in these situations.

Every one claims that reaching black belt is only the beginning, and that it means you have grasped the basics. If this is the case, then why should it take so long to become a beginner?

I'm a little embarrassed to say it, but that's why I stopped. People saying things like that is what made me go back. That is good, though; at least you went back.

On the back, you could have the patch blown up, to be bigger, and you could easily read the name of the school. Then on the left chest, just put your name.

"Drop and Drive?" That's not a very accurate description of a good wrestling take down. Wrestlers have excellent sense of timing and distance. What may look like a drop and drive to you is full of technique and form. What do you mean by "bend down low?" There is no good take down that has you bending, you will be choked out. Just like most martial arts, posture is very important in take downs. I'm not trying to be overly critical, but neither of those describe any good take downs. Try to get with a good Judo instructor or a good wrestling instructor. The advantage of wrestling take-downs is that they do not utilize the gi in any way. Judo has a larger variety of take downs that are effective against someone wearing a gi, which can simulate a large coat or clothing. Drop-and-drive was not meant to be negative towards wrestlers. When I wrestled in the 8th grade, the coach had us do drop-and-drive drills to improve on shooting takedowns. You would drop to one knee, and drive at the same time. I know that wrestlers are great athletes, and understand distance and timing very well. The jujitsu takedowns that I have seen don't use the drop, like wrestlers; they tend to crouch more, maybe not bend over so much, but they don't go to the knee and drive. I am also not saying that these are the only takedowns in the respective styles. I just wanted some opinions as to who has had success with which kind. Personally, I don't practice a lot of takedowns, and want to start, so opinions will be helpful. Sorry to cause any confusion.

Wow, that is a lot of styles!

if the school uses sashes, their systems will vary. I have seen schools where the second sash is orange. I have also seen schools that didn't even have an orange sash. on the same note i have seen them use no rank at all they say "you are what you are" lol i can bet that is frustrating I think this is kind of nice, because sometimes seeing a rank around someone's waist can cause an intimidation factor. Without the rank, people focus more on what they are, and not what others are.

Have fun at the festival!

Of course this makes sense Bushido, i'm with ya there. There are too many people (especially the younger ones') who gain their black belts and thats that, they dont come back to training and think they have become bruce lee! When i do finally achieve my black belt it will just give me more determination to keep going and train even harder. There is so much more to learn after gaining black belt, training doesn't end there! Absolutely! I have already discovered several new things that I can approach my training with, and I am nowhere even close to being done!

unless you pick an occupation where you will legally be able to test it - security, body guard, cop... That is part of the reason I have become a detention officer. So that I can see if I can successfully apply what I have learned, and to do it within the rules of the law involved in my occupation.

I would like for people to say that they want to go beyond black belt, instead of hearing that they just want their black belt. Does that make sense?

Size 10...that is big. How tall are you? My sister is somewhat of a seamstress. I've gotten size 10 from somewhere else that doesn't exist any more, and she hemmed off the sleeves and cuffs. I'm 5' 11" Taller than I am. Everyone is taller than I am, though!

They lost 2, no big deal. They will bounce back. Delhomme always manages to put it together.