bushido_man96

Congratulations!

Keep in mind that the UFC, Pride, etc. is a sport, and as such, the strategy is somewhat different than going into a street fight. They spend hours every day training. It may look like they aren't striking or kicking effectively, but they actually do have good speed and make good contact. When in a sport or fighting situation, perfect technique tends to deviate somewhat.

Glad to hear you are going back to the MAs. Hope everything goes well, and I don't think you have anything to worry about. Good luck to you!

Me and my buddies fought today, and started out with 2 on 2 melees, using different weapons combinations. Very interesting, trying to work together against the opponents. I was trying to be a shield for my poleaxe wielding buddy, and it was fun. Then, after one of our friends had to leave, we did some 2 on 1, rotating who was by themselves each time. I have learned quite a bit today, and we are going to do this more often in the future. Wanted to throw this out....comments welcome! I will give some commentary if asked!

If I took off my shirt, it'd have sort of a flash-bang effect, minus the concussion - pretty much just blinding whiteness. Which is why I always wear a shirt under my gi.

This is a cool explanation. Incidentally, I will probably fight against a spear wielder today, and I dislike it very much.

I'd feel bad asking. If he offers to give me stuff, I'll take it, but otherwise... Hm...I shall look into that...thank you. Anytime. As a college student, I have a total of 6 credit hours of martial arts on my transcript!!! I am so proud! Incidentally, all of these MA classes were taken through the HHP department, and not an athletic dept. That is why I mention it. Come up with a pitch, like what it can do for the body, and how it fits in with healthy lifestyles and such. Then do some flexing for them...just kidding! Good luck with this!

Keep us posted, Sohan.

Wow, how painful was that? Very great determination on your part.

Thank you for the link.

Welcome to the forums! Ok, you make some good points here. As for the way the TKD school has you do things, the main reason they don't feel right to you is because your body is probably not used to doing them that way yet. I can do the side kick in both manners that you describe, and have not had problems with them. I agree with you as far as the point style kicks go. I don't care for them, and don't normally perform them in that manner. I like to use hand techniques in sparring, and try to punch when I get a chance, although they are usually hooking types of punches to the chest and kidneys when I get in close. As far as the weak base goes, it may be just the way the instructor learned to fight. A lot of TKD schools spar with an upright stance, much like a boxer would, just a lot of TKD people don't keep their hands up, especially the Olympic style competitors. Also, sport style doesn't usually score punches, so that is a detriment as well. As for getting around that front leg side kick, try stomping the ground with your front leg, and then see if they throw it. If they do, side-step inside at a 45 degree angle, and then go get 'em! Thanks for the post. As for the comment on the Japanese occupation, I agree 100% with that.

I have always kept my fist at my ribs. But when sparring, it doesn't really matter, because I keep them up.

When we do a 'traditional' backfist, like in a form, we have a good chamber, and reaction force with the other hand, and the technique is very solid. In sparring, or on the heavy bag doing combinations, I do more of the fast, flicking backfist. So for me, it just depends on the context I am throwing it in.

This is a really good discussion, everyone. You guys are all very knowledgable about physics. I may have to take notes. There may be enough info here for me to get some college credits!

A friend of mine once told me his dad got offered to be taught ninjitsu by someone, but the cost was extremly high, and he would have had to go away and train in secret for like 6 months or a year, something like that. His dad is a farmer, so he could not just up and leave, though.

Oh, yes. Martial arts has existed since the first fight in the first society. They just used weapons, and you would be surprised of what they could do when they got in close and could attempt to disarm or grapple.

In the words of Mr. Miyaki (KK, not real Miyagi).... "Have Been, Do Know" "staring down the barrel of a gun" - Been There "being held at knifepoint" - Done That (twice) PLUS had a car crash that could have easily been fatal, some how survived, also had a couple of very interesting motorbike accidents including coming off the road at over 100km/h. At the time of these incidents, the idea of death (in some cases) entered my mind and instilled a brief moment fear until the survival instinct kicked in and made me focus on what I needed to do. On a daily basis though, I do not get scared by the idea of death. By my definition... I was: fearing for my life/scared of dying (past tense) I am not: afraid of death (current tense) You have experienced more than I wish to, that is for sure.

Ok, we'll start with the hook kick. Stand with a hand supporting you on the wall. Now, chamber you leg as for a side kick, with the chamber being parallel to the floor. Next, extend your leg like a side kick, but instead of straight out to the side, do it to a 45 degree angle (if kicking with the right leg, your foot will extend to the left of center). Upon extension, you rechamber your leg, pulling through to a side kick position, using your butt muscles, and then finish by pulling the foot of the kicking leg back toward your butt, still parallel to the floor. Now, the round kick. Same thing, stand with a hand on the wall. With both of these kicks, your body is facing side ways, not to the front. Pick up your kicking leg, parallel to the floor again, and point the knee toward your imaginary target. Slowly extend your leg, pulling the toes back to kick with the ball of the foot. Then, rechamber back. If you want to change it up, combine these two drills. When you finish the hook kick, your are chambered to extend a round kick. These drills should help you out. As you get better, you will be flicking that hook kick in no time! Keep plugging away!

Good advise here. Try to get an inhaler, and see if you can give it a go. You will just have to pace yourself. Now, about the initial testing, were you held out because you were the only one going to test? Or was there another reason?

Wow, Jiffy, that is deep stuff. Very cool explanation.

You are right about the rank thing, ps1. They talked about that in the theory section of the book. The ranks they give are mainly guidelines. I did like the theory section, and really wish I had a school nearby. I am not an advocate of learning from books in general, and realize as an instructor myself, that it is an irreplacable asset. I have thought about talking to the wrestling coach at the college, to see if there would be a way that I could work out with someone on the mats there, and if he would be willing to help out. Only problem is the season is getting ready to start.

These would be good choices, for both self-defense and conditioning reasons.

Yeah, I keep hearing that this is the amateur boxing capital, but I still live about 200 miles from the nearest boxing gym. My wife is graduating from college soon, and the who knows? She may find a job, and we may move, and that may open up martial arts doors for me. If I took up boxing or Muay Thai, though, I would be dying for the first 3 months. I am not in super great shape. My regular TKD classes work me over pretty good, and they only last an hour! I am afraid that I am not the epitome of the martial athlete! But, I do have one good quality....I will work my BUTT off!

I began training for self-defense purposes. I continue to train because I love it. It is like TKD is a part of me now. If I didn't do TKD, it just wouldn't feel right. It would be like a hole was torn in me.

Good points, Jiffy. When going into different styles, it is usually best to talk with the instructor to find out how to go about dealing with the rank you wear in class. When I started over in a different TKD school, I had to start at white belt again, and I was ok with this. However, I would not go to the tournaments as a colored belt and compete, because I had attained a 2nd degree in another TKD association. Just didn't seem right to me.