bushido_man96

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!

TKD has a lot in common with Shotokan because most of the Korean masters learned Shotokan in Japan, where they were usually educated. When Korea was no longer occupied, they modified it and gave it their own flavor, and called it TKD.

I like solid color gis, preferably white, with a school patch and association patch (if applicable). Names or association on the back is ok as well. Stripes on the collar and down the pant legs are common in my style, and are usually for 3rd dans and up.

I echo the sentiment of knee strikes being important. Several of my TKD forms have knee strikes. We don't use them in sparring, though.

I started learning jump kicks at 2nd and 3rd grade levels. The more advanced ones came later on, like the jump spin outer crescent, and kicks like that. You are right about the basics, though. Got to have them down to get good jump kicks.

I do it two ways, as a round kick, and as a crescent kick. You can get two attacks out of each, depending on how fast you are, and how high you can jump. If you do the crescents, you can bring the back leg around and do an outer crescent kick with it, and then follow with the inner crescent with the actual kicking foot (front originally). If you do the round kick, the first kick is easier to do as a twist kick or outer crescent.

Welcome to KF! Alsey has some good advise there. Giving all you got is never bad for testings. As for eating, I would eat light, so you don't get your stomach upset, and always try to stay hydrated. Can't beat good ole water for this. Good luck in testing!

Well, it looks like you have thought this out quite a bit. You have some good elements in there. Recognizing the threat level is important. Feeling out your opponent on the street though, may prove more difficult than it would be in a sport situation. Other than that, it is sound.

Good for you, Shotokan-kez. Forcing the issue just causes burnout faster. And as he matures, he may start to take a liking to it, and he could take off.