bushido_man96

That is a nice history, Jiffy. It demonstrates what is possible when two masters get together and collaborate with each other, and don't let their egos interfere.

This is very true. Its like the "wise old man" who trains the new student in the movies, but never trains, himself. Yeah, I wanna be that guy, too. Its the American Dream, isn't it?

I kind of figured Ortiz would handle Shamrock. Too bad about Arvoloski, I like him.

Thanks, Sohan. I don't get to have a drink in the class with me, but when we break to do forms, I could steal a drink or two. I try not to binge too much on the liquid, cause then I get waterlogged!

See, that's what I'd like to go to. White-Yellow-Blue-Brown-Black, or something. If we Americans weren't so needy and always seeking a pat on the back, I'd go to white-brown-black. I don't know if it is so much about needing a 'pat on the back,' but more about haveing that many ranks to help with setting short term goals, and then establishing objectives to reach those short term goals. The rank systems make that a little easier to manage. All of the colored belt ranks add up to the long term goal of black belt. Also, if you have curriculum for each of the belts, then no matter how many you have, as long as something is being taught and learned, then it is beneficial.

It is not about being too nice, it is about finding SOMETHING that they are doing well, and then reinforcing it. Even if you only have one kid who stands at attention properly, point it out by giving a high-five or something. Believe me, these little things will start helping. If you just punish, punish, punish, they will begin to wonder if they can do anything right, and then you have lost them completly.

Here is a problem that I just realized with using Japanese and or Korean in our training, and when we speak about our styles. I, as a Korean stylist, don't understand what you are saying as a Japanese stylist. It is all good when you are talking to other karateka or TKDers, but what about when we want to get together? Then, I think English could come in very handy.

So, it is just a new organization, then?

I can't stand sparring with my chest protector on. For one thing, I like to block too much, so I don't need all that padding. Another thing is that it messes up all of my body moving when I try to kick and do spin techniques, and other stuff. I could never compete in an Olympic environment, I like to block. Does anyone else prefer to not wear chest protectors?

When you are in the back stance at the beginning of Jung Gun hyung, and you pick up your front leg and do the front kick, I have a seriously hard time getting any height out of it. I can get good power waist level, but I can't get any height. The same when I am in the back stances in Toi Gye and do the same kick. I am normally pretty flexible, but this kick gives me fits. Does anyone else have this problem?

I missed it. Who won the Ortiz/Shamrock fight? Who won the Arvoloski fight?

Everyone so far has some very good ideas here. Two things you can read to help you: Speed Training, by Loren W. Christensen, and the article Speed!, listed here in the articles forum, by USCMAAI. They both address some of the very important aspects of speed training.

The problem with hitting black belt, and realizing that there are just more forms waiting, is that most people think they know all of the techniques, and have them perfected, so they just stop, thinking that it will stay with them.

Grit your teeth and gut it out. Try to take your mind off your legs by doing blocks and strikes with your arms. Just as well work your whole body while you can!

Watch a class of each, and get some information from the instructors. I have always thought kali would be fun, but I already study a traditional style. You may want to look into the goju or kenpo, if you don't want the focus to be on weapons. Good luck to you!

This is a nice concept, jaymac. However, for our testings, board breaking is required, and you get two attempts per board to break them. This is why I think that breaking in class as an exercise is important to get the feel for how it goes.

I have never seen the "progressive" title. I am not familiar with it.

Well put, emperornero.

I have heard good things about both Kenpo and Shotokan. You could probably not go wrong with either one. View some classes, and see what you think. Ask the instructors about their philosophies and methodologies on self defense to answer that question for you. Also, research the internet, and check around here on the forums...you could try the Comparative Styles and Crosstraining forum. Good luck on the journey!

Look up all of the dojos around your area. Call them, and ask to come see a class. Talk to the instructors, and make sure you find out their philosophies and teaching methods.

Kind of like if you didn't have bad luck, you wouldn't have any luck at all?

Huh, that is interesting. I will have to start having Gatorade after my workouts. I find that when I come home from a TKD workout, I am so very thirsty, and I end up chugging the water in the evening to refresh myself. It is like I can't kick the thirst.

Yes, any of those techniques could have combat effectiveness. But once the hands come up to block and protect, it would change what he has to do, slowing him a bit.

There was a good point made earlier about a lack of continuation curriculum. I think that having something new available to black belts may help motivate them to keep on going. Our current school had an opportunity to do this with the addition of the ICHF curriculum, but it has faded out recently.

I have never heard of this style before. I have heard of kyokushinkai, but not this one. Can you tell me something about it?