Havoc88

I think all of you have great points about the fact that people should focus on refining their technique instead of stressing for their next belt. But this is my opionion: Many people post that when they start they were focussed on getting their next belt and that they would get discouraged when they would have to train two years to get to the next belt. Notice that I said when they start. This is only at the beginning of their journey in the martial arts. I think grading twice a year until your black belt is a good thing. It keeps you motivated and it makes you train twice as hard at least twice a year, so you pass the exam. After 3-4-5 years when you have earned your blackbelt, you will not be focussed that much on the grading system, but that is when the time table comes into play and you can only grade once every 2-3 years. So when you first start out you are motivated through the grading system, and after a few years of training you do not need the grading system any more to motivate you. That is when you have to train 3 years to grade again. Just my 2 cents Tom

Thanks BM I think I will try and learn to do them better. Two times a week or so may do the trick. Think it will be a great warmup. Like Sohan said in his former burpee topic, try doing 20 seconds of burpees, 10 seconds rest and so on. Do this 8 times, that is 4 minutes total, but I think I will be totally exhausted and completely warmed up to practice my kata/kihon/pull/pushups. I looked burpees up at youtube, to find some video's that could be helpfull, but I found two different versions. Version 1: Version 2: (The ones doing them in the back) So I'm still wondering. Tom

I must admit Sohan, you're in tremendous shape. Half an hour ago, I tried burpees for the first time ever, and they are hard! May it had something to do with me only having eaten my christmas breakfast, but it wore me out. Think I will start and try them more often and start, as you suggested, with 3x10 with a minute rest between sets. Hopefully I will start making progress. One question though. When I have dropped down in a push up position I do a whole push up, and after that I pull my legs back. You told in your origional topic, that in practice you don't do a whole pushup but that the the upward movement is replaced my the tucking in of your legs. Is this how its supposed to go? Thnks Tom

Merry christmas!!

I will give this a try this vacation. Have never done burpees before, but it will make a very good warmup, after wich I can stretch and practice my kata's, blocks, punches and kicks. Thanks Sohan! Tom

Just for the people who are interested. I used to be able to do 10 chin ups, almost dead hang. When I started this topic I started over again. My goal is being able to do about 20 chin ups, deadhang. Well, since I hadn't done chins in a long time, I had to start almost over again. This is how I did it. First day of chins: 2,2,2,2,2 = 10 chins 2nd day of chins: 2,2,2,2,2 = 10 chins 3rd day of chins: 1,2,3 1,2 1 =10 chins 4th day of chins: 1,2,3,4 1,2,3 1,2 1 = 20 chins 5th day of chins (today) 5,5,4 (5f) =14 chins It is not the amount of chins that I did that is important, but I just posted it so people can see an example of how you can vary with the reprange. I started out doing a couple of sets of 2 repetitions. 3 would be to hard for me. The second day I also did a couple of sets with 2 repetitions. The third day, I changed to a ladder of 3. Fourth day, I felt ready to do a ladder of four already. Today, I wanted to see how I would do when doing a lot of chins in my first set. The first set had gone pretty well, I think 6 reps were possible. The second set was a lot harder, and the third set I could only do 4 repetitions. At least I know that my max repetitions is about 6 already. Now I will make a choice for monday/tuesday. Or I will try to make a ladder of five repetiotions: 1,2,3,4,5 1,2,3,4 1,2,3 1,2 1 =35 reps Or I will try to do two ladders of 4 1,2,3,4 1,2,3 1,2 1 1,2,3,4 1,2,3 1,2 1 =40 reps. Will decide this later on. When I can complete the ladder of five, I think I am really making big time progress. After that, maby a reverse ladder of 4-5 like this 4,3,2,1 3,2,1 2,1 1 I think it is really important to change the routine a LOT! Happy so far at least Greets Tom

Shotokan: Learning the basics.

I simply call it timing, but yeah, same thing. One of the pieces of logic I use to explain rechambering a kick is that a kick is a strike, just like a punch. You wouldn't throw a punch and leave the arm out and let it drop for multiple reasons including: 1) it gives you opponent something to attack or grab, 2) it creates a weaker guard position, and 3) it doesn't set you up for any kind of follow up. These same three principles can be applied to a kick, however, with a kick you would also have to worry about that if you don't chamber and just let you foot fall, but you also have to worry about your balance on the way down. By rechambering your kick you get to bring it back down in a controlled manner rather than just letting it fall where it may and hope it doesn't slip on something--potentially putting you on the ground. Didn't look at kicks that way Only been studying for 4 months now, but thanks for the insight. It really makes sense. Not that I'm saying that I wasn't told to rechamber my foot after a kick, but this clears things up. Thanks again. Tom

Thanks for the link BM, I enjoyd reading it! Tom

I would go for the wii also. Think the controll is amazing with this thing. And I just love zelda and mario Tom

Sounds very nice. You are very fortunate to be able to train there! Keep up the hard work. Tom

Haha, I was just kidding You're absolutely right that you are only as old as you feel! Was just a little joke. Doing better again today? Tom

Starting to notice the age is kicking in eh Just kidding ofcourse Good to hear you are doing better today, hopefully you heal up fast The tips about the shower and hot water are good. Good luck with it! Tom

nice one!

Well, I know I was nervous last monday during my yellow belt test! As long as you can still concentrate to the fullest, I think it is good to be a bit nervous. It keeps you sharp. Tom

I will

The first step is always the hardest.. Really good that you just did them, even with all the other people watching. Just remember, they once started the same way you do now, and in a while, you will be better than them! Keep up the good work.

Thanks Tom

no problem at all Tom

D&C: as long as your dumbels are heavy enough, you can train your whole body perfectly with it. Back: Dumbell rows, lots of them. Do them correct! But cant you do pull ups at the stairs or something. Harder with the grip, but be creative! Biceps: all sorts of curlzzz Triceps: Dips between 2 heavy objects Tricep extentions above the head. kickbacks there are tons you can do with te db Shoulders: arnold press, shoulder press, push press, side raises, front raises, back raises. chest: incline bench, flat bench, decline bench, fleyes, pushups Legs: Squats, !!lunges!!, pistols go check this site out, it is really good and shows tons of exercizes! http://www.exrx.net/Lists/Directory.html Hope this helps a bit. Tom

jaaaaaaa, I earned my yellow belt!! I am really happy:D:D:D haha:D:D Now I have to train even harder to earn my orange belt next june. Thanks to all you guy's for the support Tom

In exactly 3 hours, my grading starts! Tom

Welcome to KF Succes with your training! Tom

I see no one has given you an answer yet. I cant either. Do not have experience with it or something. I would recomment you go to the doctor. You already have the problem for two years so I think it is about time you do that Tom

Very slow eccentrics can work too. Doing the eccentric movement in 30 seconds or so. Isometric holds are great too! Tom