bushido_man96

What is involved in your open sessions? Just work on whatever you want, or something else, not part of the regular curriculum?

If you dojang is large with a wide variety of different colored belts, this might work: All students stand in line, and do the first form. Then those that know the second form do that, those that do not repeat the first form. Then those that know the third form do that, those that do not start over from the first form. The white belts will end up repeating the first form about 10 times (which is good for them) while the upper belts get an opportunity to go through all of their forms. This also provides a small amount of distraction to the students while they perform, which will help their concentration at the same time. Another benefit to this is it gives the underbelts some exposure to the advanced forms so they’ll have an idea of what it looks like when they get there. We have done forms like this in the past, especially in the forms class, but not necessarily in the regular class. I have decided that I am going to start doing forms with the low ranks in these situations, just to get myself more work, and better prepare myself for testing in April.

Yes, as I said before Kiba Dachi drops the body weight. All stances are transitional - the work is done in getting into the stance. In TKD, we have kind of abandoned the animal names of the stances. Instead, the name of the stance reflects the weight distribution of the legs: 1. Front stance-most of the weight to the front leg 2. Back stance-most of the weight to the back, 70%/30%. 3. Rear stance (aka "cat" stance")-most of weight to the back leg, 90%/10% 4. Middle/sitting stance (aka the "horse" or "horse riding" stance)-weight distributed 50%/50%

yes! i currently practice three different bunkai for the basic karate 'lunge punch' oi-tsuki found in kata, and none of them use the movement as a punch! Okee dokee, maybe you guys can give some suggestions then. Chon Ji hyung, my white belt form, starts with a down block to the right with the left arm in left front stance, and then step and right punch. I can think of a block to a low kick, and then punching, but is there more I could do? Like simulate a takedown? I just am not very creative. I was talking to my students about this just the other day. Don't feel the need to over-complicate Bunkai. This is probably the most common mistake. Sometimes, the movements are "hidden" into the Kata and it is up to us to find them, but sometimes, the movement is just as it looks. If it's a block and punch, sure it's possible that there's more to it, but in a lot of cases, it's acceptable to think of it as nothing more than just a block and a punch. Thank you all. I will keep all of these things in mind.

I am confused, are you asking me?

Along with this drill, add slow kicking to the exercise, to build strength in the kicking muscles.

You are never too old to start learning something new! You will be just fine. Welcome to the forums!

Are BJJ and Judo schools available in your area? If so, you should go check out a class of each, and see which instructor teaches in the method that you prefer. As far as the comment about being taken down, the thought process is this: If you are experienced in groundfighting, and taking people down, then you will know how to better defend against being taken down. Noticed that you are new as well, so welcome aboard!

I remember the XMA episode. They followed a guy named Mike Mullins, didn't they? Anywho, I think this show will have a little different take on it, analyzing individual moves, and the destructive force behind them. I am interested in seeing it.

Good for you! Hope it all works out well for the both of you.

Stances are also great for building leg strength and coordination.

You can say that again. That does sound good. Finally, maybe we will be able to see a good MA movie again. It really has been a while.

Cool! That's a great deal for you, parkerlineage. Let us know how it goes!

Anybody can show someone how to do a technique the right way, just by doing it the right way. However, this is not the same as teaching. An instructor has to be able to break things down into component parts, and be able to explain the same things in different ways, because not everyone learns the same way. Another important thing that instructor does is help out with learning all of the subtleties of sparring, form techniques, and so on. There are instructors out there, that are like what your friend describes. The students that they produce that are good are the ones with either natrual ability or prior experience. It takes a really good instructor, with a lot of patience and willingness to help, who can take the mediocre and below average students, and turn them into excellent practitioners.

If you can find someone who teaches Extreme Martial Arts, then you could start learning some of those moves.

or instead you can simply hold onto something for balance. that way you can continue to go down - further than you can using a chair. I guess that would work. But, if I get down too far, I will have to pull myself up with my arms.

yes , we do almost exact move, but like most of our techniques, back hand does the soft block and left hand come from under and blocks/hits the elbow and grabs ,then we continue like what you said. here is another oyo for the same move, you can apply this in full contact againt a jab, when the left punch comes, step out and parry with right back hand at the same time stick the rigth hand(from underneath of left hand) straight to the chest with a vertical one knucke punch right under nipple , this is not a jab ,you throw in with penetration, then your middle block hits the elbow while your sliding back just a little , after grabing the elbow you you step in for hitting the floating ribs. Wow, very nice. Would like to see that worked out, just to get it right.

It sounds like they need to adopt some of the live randori that BJJ and Judo are notorious for. You can't beat that live training effect.

Very nice. I need to find a school that teaches those styles.

I wish that sometimes I was pressed into more self-defense situations, so that I could have the feel of it down.

English is my first language. I used to speak Spanish pretty well, but have been out of practice too long. I can also make up my own words, when I get really angry.

I didn't know that, and I've talked to him in person. He's got rank in kendo, judo, aikido and karate, but I was unaware that the karate style was shito ryu. Cool. Very well rounded.

You bring up an interesting point here. All that I have seen of aikido, which isn't much, mind you, are things like punches hanging out and getting caught, or someone running towards the guy, and then getting tossed or broken. How do they defend a jab, or any other technique that does not hang out there? I am sure it can work, I just never see anything done against another MA who isn't restricted as to how to attack.

That does sound good. Finally, maybe we will be able to see a good MA movie again. It really has been a while.

I don't know why, but I am very interested in Tang Soo Do, and what goes on in the classes. So, just let me have it. Tell me anything you want about it. I would like to compare what the TSD people do to what I do in my TKD classes.