bushido_man96

Ok, picture this: 1. the first staff block--don't think of it that way--think of it as an entering move--the low hand is grabbing between the legs, and the high hand is getting on a shoulder or under an arm. 2. the transition to the second staff block--step with the opposite foot to bring them together and load the attacker onto your shoulders. 3. the second staff block--you dump the attacker on the ground. I just put that together, trying to think of bunkai to apply to these TKD forms. What do you think?

This is a good point. Techniques like upset punches and upset knifehand strikes are designed for close quarter combat, as well as stomp kicks and the like.

Make sure to keep your shoulders over your hips, and exagerate the knee bend to get some good muscle memory in there.

Glad to hear you had a good time, kez. Hope your wrist gets better soon. That little bone can be a sensitive spot. Our association has a yearly black belt clinic that is offered on a Saturday in June or July, but if you are under 3rd dan, they charge you $300! Think I'll wait until I am a 3rd dan to attend one of those! Last year, everyone got a uniform that went to the clinic. I would say they were free, but not if you were one paying the $300.

Sorry to hear about your sensei. I hope he recovers quickly. I can't jump very high either....the secret is to tuck your trailing leg when you jump. It give the illusion that you are jumping higher than you actually are. I have gotten some ooohs from some people by doing this; I am a heavy guy, and are surpised to see someone like me jump like that. The secret is the knee tuck.

I have seen some dummy bags that are shaped like a person, and weigh around 100 lbs. (maybe less) and they are used to simulate a training partner when one is not available.

I would guess that, all things being equal, the taller person would have the advantage. But, things are seldom equal, and you have to take into consideration what the strengths and weaknesses of each fighter are. The strategies of each fighter must be considered as well. Some fighters are very good at maximizing their strengths and minimizing their weaknesses. As I said, things are very rarely equal, so it is kind of a moot point to state, but hey, its out there to debate now.

I think to answer the question of the original post, I would say that pressure points are simple biomechanics. What we seem to be arguing is the effectiveness of their use in real life scenarios. In my opinion, joint locks/manipulations are more useful than pressure points. But, this is in my experience.

I don't know, some universities could do it, I think.

Jiffy makes a good point. Demoing simple stuff, straightforward stuff would be better for people who know and understand the arts. Inexperienced people dig the flashy, really unpractical stuff.

I'm not going to make him go to class if he doesn't want to go, some people (child or adult) are meant for MA and some aren't. Whats the point in making our kids unhappy by forcing them to do something they don't want to do? I would love my son more than anything to be an exceptional martial artist and gain his black belt and much more, but thats for my own selfish reasons and not his own. I know in my heart it's something he likes but doesn't take seriously and if he wants to stay home and play with his friends then i support him. This is something I have to deal with myself as well with my son. I want him to get into MA, and to do it with me, and have the chance to teach my own son.....you know, like a traditional family thing. But if he decides he doesn't want to, then I have to respect that, and support him in whatever it is he does. I also have a 10 year old daughter who did TDK for a while, but she doesn't anymore, but I am ok with it. As much as we want them to follow in our own footsteps, we can only provide a guide, showing them different options. Eventually, they choose their own paths. We can't expect them to always share the same one as us, even though we want it. If they feel pressured to do something like this, they do it to make us (parents) happy, and not themselves. In the end, they don't enjoy it, and it isn't worthwhile to them. Not fair to them.

Very nice post, PlasmaShock. Here's one: Sees the inherent potential in others, and has the patience to work and help them expose it to others.

You should start out on your knees, and do them this way. Also, if you start doing some weight training, this will help to build the strength to do them better. Welcome to the forums!

One sword is not necessarily better than two. It is easier to learn, but not necessarily better. Two swords give the option for more offense, and one can be used for defense. It is also easy to drop one sword to secure an appendage and then engage with the other sword. Again, not better, just easier.

Cathal has some good advice. Vary the targets, so that the opponent can't figure out your pattern. Also, analyze the way you throw techniques, to make sure you aren't telegraphing too much.

Practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect. Keep at it, and you will get it down. Reps, reps, reps.

I like doing jump kicks...it is great work and tires me out!

Thanks, kez, thought I might get ostracized for admitting that!

That is really cool. I feel like I need something like this in addition to my regular classes. I have been thinking about bunkai training for my forms, and I will keep this in mind.

That is cool. I love mythology.

You hit the nail on the head here. Give me 0 talent with 100% drive over 100% talent with no drive any day of the week.

The one inch punch!!!

I would do a google search of your area, and see what you come up with. Welcome to the forums!

That's a cool concept, MizuRyu. I may have to try it sometime.

It could be Goju Ryu, but I couldn't tell you for sure. As for your statements about close range, you make a very good point. I would also stress the point of closing that range to grapple, because bigger attackers would try to do so against smaller foes in order to intimidate them. Good luck in your search, and welcome to KF, Robin!