savedbygrace

I'm an RN. Certified in infant, child, and adult CPR, plus alot of other stuff I have to have for work.

Thank you guys for your replies.

So you practice actually throwing combinations from negative body positions on the pads or will you throw a single punch from that position then regain balance then throw the combo? Sorry I know thats a nit-picky question.

I am going to try to explain this without sounding like an idiot..so please forgive me if I do. I know most of the time in class we practice punching in fighting stances with good and equal balance but sometimes during sparring sessions there are opportunities to throw a punch when maybe your leaning forward or backwards or to one side. Other than sparring alot and getting use to this, is there any other technique(s) that can be done to practice this? Whether it be for sparring or self defense on the street. I know you should not be off balance when throwing a punch but what I'm referring to is punching from those awkward angles. Does that make sense? Thanks for any help or advice. I also did a search on this but couldnt find anything specific. Thanks again.

Hate that for you man. I tore mine completely into around 15 years ago, and granted the technology today is way more advanced than from back then. The only thing I can remember about the recovery process, was that I tore mine during a football game in October (which also stunk cause I was leading the state in tackles when it happened) but I was playing baseball that following spring (March). I was also pitching and the knee I had surgery on was my planting leg but I done fine. Had to wear a bulky brace but I done fine. I do remember the donor ligament they used was from my patellar tendon. Dr. James Andrews done my surgery in Birmingham, AL. He was also the guy that operated on Bo Jackson when he messed his hip up. Dr. Andrews was one of the coolest guys you will ever meet. Anywho, good luck in the recovery process. It will get better I promise.

Thank you all for your replies. Does anyone know of where I might can find some good video footage of side step examples for fighting? I understand what it is but I like to actually see something at work so I can have a better idea in my head of what I'm trying to do. Thanks again.

I looked through the search function for something on this subject that I know has been beat to death (no pun intented) but couldn't find anything and please forgive me if I make this long. I will also try not to confuse anyone with my jabbering. I'm 5'6" with a pretty short reach. Our tournaments are point sparring. In my division all of the guys I compete against are 6'4" and taller. There are a few guys in my class that are this tall and when I spar with them in class I can really work on throwing different combos and techniques while at the same time, of course, working on throwing these combos faster and more crisp around their longer reach. I know speed is key and in my own time I should really focus on speed drills, but does anyone have any helpful ideas of drills or anything else that I can work on by myself that will help me focus on throwing combos BUT while also "working" on throwing them as if fighting a taller person with a longer reach? For instance, I can work on my speed by standing at my bag and throwing a back fist, reverse punch, then a back leg roundhouse kick. But it’s a different story when I try to do those combos against someone with a much longer reach. I'm just trying to get some ideas for any training techniques I can do on my on that would help me throw better combos against someone with a longer reach. Again, I know speed is key but I didn’t know if anyone had any ideas. Again, sorry for the long read. Thanks.

Ok, is this a good idea or bad? For instance, after you lift weights and get a real good "pump" and burn going, do you think its a good idea to practice your kicks and punches after lifting? I know that my punches and kicks are horrible after I have lifted because my extremities all feel like they are 20lbs heavier, but can this help build more strength and stamina, or is it not a good idea? I know that technique can get sloppy when doing this, but I was wondering everyones opinion. Thanks.

$25 a month, but we only have class 1 day a week for about 2-2 1/2 hours. Sometimes during the summer we will go to twice a week and if we do its still the same price. Rank tests cost $10. The only tounys we go to are through the Mississippi karate association which is 7 tounys a year...$40 to enter which you pay on your own. I wish we could have class more often, but my instructor has a full time job and works shift work so I know its hard on him.

I agree. I wish we would have these days where we could wear shorts and a school shirt instead of or traditional gi. Down here in Alabama, this fat boy sweats like a pig when its 98 degrees outside with 90% humidity, even with the A/C on inside. I dont mind sweating, as a matter of fact I like to sweat, but it is fun to change the routine up a bit from time to time.

This is also the way it is in my school that I train at.

I know what you mean, I wish alot of folks on here lived closer to me or vice versa. I think there would be some great training partners in here.

I know what ya mean. I had to save up for several months before I could get mine, but so far it has been worth it. It may just be a mental thing, but I can tell Ive had improvement already. A few days ago I could sit at around 90 degrees comfortably for several minutes without discomfort, anything beyond that was painful, last night I could sit at 100 degrees comfortably for several minutes. It may just all be in my head, but so far it has seemd to work really well, espically having to train by myself.

Yes, thats one thing I really like about it. I know its not a perfect evaluation of degrees, but it gives me something to go by. As of last night I'm up to 110 degrees.

I only got to use it for a little bit yesterday, but I really really liked it and I got a GREAT stretch from it. Very stable and it was alot easier than doing it by myself. I may change my mind after a few days but my first impression is very good, espicially when I work out by myself, except for when I have class. Right now my flexible degree is 100 degrees. I'll give another update in a week or so. Thanks.