Withers M.A.A.

When you use an axe kick direct the kick to the persons face and not their head. This will do way more damage. A backfist is a good follow up tech. because of your momentum but a straight punch isn't a good idea cause it doesn't flow with the kick. Pete

You should never fix your eyes on any one spot when fighting someone. Your eyes should see the entire pic and all your surroundings. If you focus on the eyes alone the person can trick you. If you focus on his hands he will kick you... etc. These are the words from Musasahi Miyamoto the greatest samurai ever. I totally agree with that. So don't focus on any one place. See your opponent in his entirity. Pete

To me it doesn't matter what degree someone is. I'm a 2nd degree and am in the process of opening my own school. When I was competing I competed with higher ranks at every torn. Some even as high as 6th degree. Did I win? Many times. Does this mean I'm better? NO What I'm saying is I train with people because they are knowledgeable and what rank they wear has no impact on my decision. Pete

I would say my favorite is my 540 kick. It has been my signature kick for many years now. Pete

Both are correct. You can either kick with the instep or the ball of your foot. The difference is: Instep: The kick is usually a snapping kick in which you strike with the instep quickly snapping your foot out and back. This kick has the same effect as that of a whip. Ball: This is a thrusting kick. This technique is designed to use more power from the kicker and relies on Impact more than speed. A ball kick is similar to driving the end of a bat into someones stomache. Pete

Does anyone know if there are any biographies on him? If so do you know the name of the book(s)? I know of the Book of Five Rings but I want something that depicts him as a warrior etc. Thanks, Pete

My favorite kick is def. the 540 kick.

No hand cartwheel = Aerial. You can also get someone to spot you for an aerial. If they cup their hands together and put there forearms on your hip you can practice. That will give you the extra boost and confidence to not put your hands down. Pete

I just finished reading Zen in the Martial Arts for the 5th time. If you haven't read that then go buy it cause it is well worth it. I just bought the Martial Arts translation to A Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi the greatest Samurai ever. I'll start that tonight and I also bought the Bushido Code translation. Pete

That is why I posted this. I don't want to spend that much money for a video.

When I was competing I had a flashkick in my form. The only way to safely practice a backflip is doing it with an experienced instructor. I would not recommend trying one without a good instructor who can spot you properly. DO NOT ATTEMPT A BACK TUCK WITHOUT A QUALIFIED INSTRUCTOR!!!! TOO MUCH IS AT STAKE!!!

Thanks for that but I need it on VHS. DO you have any other ideas of where I can buy it? Thanks again, Pete

Does anyone know where I can buy this movie? I looked on Amazon.com but couldn't find it. Does anyone have a copy they want to sell or make a copy of it for me? I would be very grateful. Thanks, Pete

TigerKorea how come your posts all starts arguments? You think you're a Martial Artist but like I told you before you're a clown. Nobody cares where you train cause whoever you are training with is obviously a poor instructor so noone cares. I would rather train with a monkey who is humble than a master who has an ego like yours. Pete

Try doing an ax kick or something. JUst make sure the person holding the board has his face out of the way. People are impressed with high ax kicks. Do that or a hand technique like a ridge hand. If you do that people will think you're nuts... Pete

NO I've never seen the old one. Is it any good? Has anyone ever seen the old documentary Budo The Art of Killing? That is a documentary of Japanese masters and their ways of training. It was made back in the early 80's but was one of the best movies I've ever seen. Those guys are just plain CRAZY!!!

I can do one. I never trained in Gymnastics but I had a gymnastics instructor teach me to do a back tuck. It only took a few hours to learn but took a long time to get over the fear of falling. It isn't that difficult. The key is to jump straight up not backwards, your arms extend straight up at the ceiling and your biceps should be behind your ears. This position will give you maximum height and it opens your body up. When you reach the peak of your jump you tuck your knees into your chest and your body will flip backwards. When done properly you will land in the same spot you started not a few feet back... Good luck but I wouldn't recommend trying without someone who knows how to properly spot you. Pete

I don't know what you guys are talking about.... Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon was amazing. Also check out Iron Monkey that was great... For crappy movies... it would have to be American Ninja part 3 I believe. The black guy and Joe just beat up a bunch of ninjas and the black guys says... "can't we fight someone else besides ninjas... I'm sick of fighting ninjas" What a riot!!!! Great Plot too!!! HEHE

monkeygirl not to sound ignorant or anything but "you stated you need all the help you can get." In my eyes if you think you need luck to pass a test then you are not ready. Make sure you are testing because you KNOW you are ready for your next belt. When I was going through the ranks I took much longer to progress than my classmates even though I trained 3-4 times harder and more often than them. I knew before I went to my next rank that I was "THE BEST" at that rank in the school. The end result took me 8 years to obtain my blackbelt but I knew I had earned it. I won't wish you good luck but I will wish you good skill.... I hope you pass your test on your skill level. Pete

My open form is definately my favorite. Took me years to complete. (evolved over the years into what it is now) It is extremely difficult to perform and takes every ounce of energy to finish but the end result wins... Pete

Well if you're smashing things with them they will eventually break. That is the bottom line. If that is what you are doing then buy multiple pairs. Use one pair for practice only where you don't hit anything and the others to stike things. If you're stiking solid objects be prepared to block the chuck from hitting yourself when it bounces back. Pete

Unfortualtely I would have to say depending on the boxer I would prob. lose. If he was of equal skill as I then I would say he would win. Boxers have prob. the best hand system out there. I include boxing techniques in my style but not to the intensity they do. I favor my legs esp. because of the TKD so if I had all my weapons I would have to say I would win. Then again it gives me an advantage cause I have 4 weapons but he only has 2. But on the other side of the coin it was my choice to learn the 4 weapons and his to only learn 2. Pete

I agree with what everyone here has said so far. Esp. the part if you are good they will come. I mostly agree with that because the school I was training at while I was competing I travelled 50 miles each way to my dojo. That is 100 miles per day and I trained there 6-7 days a week. My passion for the Martial Arts is stronger than anything else in my life. WHen I teach, which I have been for 10 year now, I put 100% effort into making whoever I train the best they can possibly be. I'm a tough instructor and very demanding. I'm also not an instructor with an ego who doesn't want his or her students to be better than they are. I'm the total opposite, I want my students 100 times better than I ever was. That is my goal. HOwever, to say I'm not trying to make money that would be a lie. Noone would start a new job and tell their employer that don't need to get paid. As stated previously, I do need to eat and pay bills like everyone else in this world. Just know that if you come to my school to train I will do everything in my powers to make you the best you can be. Pete

My main objective is to teach what I've learned and be able to pass my knowledge on to others. I want to help people better their lives. However, at the same time I DO want to make money. To say I'm only opening the school to teach my style would be only 1/2 true. I want to make money and to have a job that I love but I do want to make a living like anyone else. I think if you only focus on the teaching and not making money you will only be 1/2 as happy as you should. Pete

Welcome to the forums... I speak for everyone here and say if we can help you in any way shape or form I'm sure we will...