bushido_man96

Competing is definitely a good idea. You will learn so much about yourself by doing it. I feel that it is a good experience for everyone at least once. Once the pressure of competition sets in on you, you will notice a difference.

I suppose you could do a flyer that you could pass out to all of the parents describing what happens at the tournaments. List the events, and describe how they will compete and be scored in each one. Then, list some of the benefits that tournament competition can have. Like the way they promote sportsmanship, determination, the drive to achieve and do your best, the respect learned from judges, scorers, and other officials. Also, how to win with grace, and lose with dignity. Explain that it is a learning experience that has no equal. This should help them get a good idea of what tournaments are about.

Anyone ever thought of messing around with a single handed axe and shield? I played around with it the other day, and it was quite interesting. There are some things that you can accomplish with an axe that you can't with a sword. One thing is that you can use the axe head as a hook to hold the leg, and then shove them down with the shield. Also, you can hook weapons and shields with it as well. I think I will play with the idea some more.

I disagree, at least not with the present day MMAs of UFC and Pride, with all their extra rules. In the early 90's, when it started happening here in the U.S., it was a great thing. Now, not so much... and people are focusing more on things that are 'within the rules' and that work best under the restrictions of said competitions. Depends what it is you're referring to as "working the rules." Today's fighters in the UFC are light years ahead of anyone who fought in the original ones. They would in fact maul any of those fighters regardless of the ruleset. The biggest problem I have with the rules is the frequent standups, which heavily favors the strikers. Most of the rules instilled in MMA events favor the strikers over the grapplers. The exception being kicking a downed opponent (or an opponent on his knees) which is another one I really dislike. However, looked at from a different perspective, this is technically a good thing, because it pushes the grapplers to incorporate striking into their style much more so than they would otherwise have to. I don't feel that the rules heavily favor strikers. The ONLY rule that heavily favors the strikers is the standup rule. They fight on a padded mat, with a fence to hold on to....these favor the grapplers. Most of the rules affect areas that would be struck, like the groin. Grapplers can choke out their opponents, but a striker can't strike the throat (for obvious reasons, I realize), but the restriction here is obvious. I also don't feel that the guys today could "maul" all of the former fighters. Making generalizations like that is pointless. They have all seen the fights, and if they were going to continue their careers, they would have changed with the times as well. One style that I don't think is well represented is boxing. Now don't get crazy, here is why. Yes, they do strike, but do you really think these guys could slug it out like they do against a professional boxer, with their technique? Professional boxers have such good, fast hands, and clean technique. It is easy to see the difference between the two. When UFC guys start slugging, they just look like a toughman contest. IMHO.

That is a good question. It would depend on the level of AI the program would have. Also, if the program could adapt to the different learning abilities of different people. That would be kind of cool..... holodeck: "Good morning, Mr. Walker. What style would you like to study today?" Me: "Well, computer, I think I would like to work on my ground fighting today, so make it ju-jitsu." Cool concept to think of, isn't it!

I see. I don't have many books on joint manipulation, so I may look into them, if you think it may be worthwhile. Were they easy to follow, with decent photos?

That is a good one, too. I had never heard of that spot. However, you would have to be awfully close to hit that target, wouldn't you? Like maybe in a clinch or something?

I clicked on one of the ads on the forums here, and it brought up this site: https://www.miyamaryu.org/index.html They had books on their curriculum, called Combat Jui-Jitsu. I was wondering if anyone had heard of this system, and if anyone could tell me if it is worth looking into. I want to supplement my Hapkido a little bit, since we don't practice it any more. I am tempted to buy the books. Any info would be helpful. Thanks!

I didn't realize there was ground fighting in Silat either. Very cool. It seems to me that Silat must be a very complete and very good system. I believe it is a Filipino system, if I am not mistaken. For some odd reason, I really like to study the history, techniques, and philosophie of the Filipino systems.

The topic of using kicks in self-defense is a hotly ongoing debate in the Martial Arts community. Should you, or shouldn't you kick? Should you kick high? What target? In light of this debate, I thought I would offer what I feel is the best kick to be used in self defense, and why. I think the best kick to use in self defense is the low round kick, preferably with the shin. By low, I mean below the waist, on the common peronial (the nerve on the outside of the upper leg). Here are my reasons why: 1. It is quick, and I feel easier to target than a front or side kick to the low section of the body. You can throw it, and then turn your body after you hit, loading your body weight into it. It does not require very much chamber action, and won't telegraph as much as the other kicks, IMO. 2. The shin is a very sharp and damaging striking tool. This kick will most likely drop anyone who is not a Thai boxer. 3. By not striking the knee, but hitting the nerve, you can temporarily debilitate your opponent, and not bring excessive repercussions on yourself from lawsuits that would ensue from breaking the opponents knee. These are just my two cents worth. I don't claim to be right, but I feel very strongly about the effectiveness of this kick. An instructor of mine was demonstrating it one time, and I was holding a kicking shield over my leg when he did it. I could still feel the thrum through the shield, and I still buckled. A note about the common peronial strike. If you strike hard enough, you will elicit what is called a sympathetic nerve response, in which the other leg will buckle as the leg that strikes does. What do you guys think? I am looking forward to your ideas, points, and comments.

Those are all very good points to keep in mind. Very nice. BTW, Sohan hasn't had an animal analogy in a while, has he!

The only thing about the palm strike is that I don't feel I can get the same angles of attack that I can get with my fists. What I do like is the fact that you can hit someone with a palm strike and probably avoid a lawsuit moreso than you can with a punch.

Protagonist wrote: I really do like the belt system at your (previous)dojo bushido_man96. (When you say previous instructor, do you mean you're now taking martial arts at another dojo?) I think that way is even more organized than just giving out the standard belt. Yes, I am at a different dojo now, because I moved to go to college. I used that system grading myself for a time because you can just look at each student's belt, and then know what they need to work on, and what they have got down.

I don't really agree with you hear. Even if someone leaves your dojo, there is still a commaradarie you have with former students/classmates. If they left on good terms, then there is no way you would be able to determine their motives in sparring. Maybe they would just want to work out together for old times sake. Once the bad things start happening, then it has to be dealt with.

I would let go and begin striking with one hand, and hope the steering wheel obstructs his path to you as you try to escape.

I don't believe that there is a styled called simply "kung fu." It may be a different one than Wing Chun, and if you ask the instructor, he should be able to give you the run down of its characteristics. I don't know for sure how many styles of kung fu there are, but I do know it is a lot. Do your research, and see which one you will like most.

So would mine, if he were there. He tends to be very laid back, though, and just told me, "Well, it sounds like you've handled it." Good news to hear. I felt you were in the right.

No problem

Wow, that's crazy.

It sounds like a good time.

It is just a catchy name that they trademarked for their kids program. It is a pretty good program, too.

I think the main reason for this is the popularity of the name Karate. If you mention it, anyone will know what you are talking about, or think they know. On the other hand, names like TKD and TSD are not as popular, so these owners throw them in the window to get people looking. They can give the real name later, they just don't want to miss out on the people who have only heard of "karate."

For our black belt testings, we have to do a pretest class the night before, which includes all forms, one-steps, and basics. Then on test day, we do our form, two lower rank forms, all of the one-steps non-stop, sparring at least 2 bouts with a higher rank, and then board breaking. My toughest ever test was for my 1st dan through the ATA. I had to do all nine colored belt forms, all of the one-steps and sparring segments, spar a black belt twice, do two board break stations, and then make up our own form of at least 50 moves, I think. I was tired after that one.

Well, I mentioned the workout, and someone said "workout, what workout?"

That's cool....a man of many talents.