ckdstudent

But the keeper didn't save it, people always say 'he could've done that', and yet for some reason the people who say it aren't out on the pitch.

The meaning of martial arts has changed over time, it now includes a very different range of things from that it used to (used to include things like cooking, pitching a tent, riding, anything that could be used in the military). If all of those things are no longer martial arts then why not have competition arts which are part, at least they're similar.

Yes, if you condition your knuckles you deaden the nerves and lose feeling. The same happens if you condition your shin, or forearm. Whether its bad or not depends on your point of view, personally I think deliberately destroying your pain response is a bad thing.

Surely they should be trying to match your ability, simply overwhelming you isn't going to teach you, or them anything.

In grappling pure physical strength can give you more of an advantage than in striking.

The most efficient way to deal with Osama Bin Laden would be to nuke Afghanistan and the surrounding countries. It would be quick, it would work, and terrorism overall would probably pretty much vanish. And yet for some reason a lot of people seem to have the sense to realise that sometimes efficiency isn't always the best option and that expending a little more energy (which after all is extremely cheap) to make yourself safe is a good idea.

I said almost all deaths, the exceptions are those who make murderers.

Well there's a nice easy solution to that. Give them a painless death.

You get power by being relaxed and elastic throughout.

When you fight three people locks can be very useful. Fold their arm up behind them to position them between you and the others, then release and step back with a hard linear kick to drive them into each other.

We get taught it from the first, very heavily pushed into our minds. Of course, as more research into the biomechanics of Choi continues they adapt the techniques to produce the maximum power.

The laws regarding guns here are very simple. None.

In the case of most fights, if both of you hit the ground the fight's gone on too long. The majority of encounters are over in the first three seconds. This isn't to say that groundfighting is unnecessary, far from it, you should learn everything you can to defend yourself.

If you find them getting uncomfortably close and the rules permit then a shoulder-barge is generally a good choice. Circle down and catch them in the chest with your shoulder. If that's against the rules then a straight punch or sidefist can work the same way.

Tell you what, go up to a world champion sport martial artist and tell them that they're not a martial artist and aren't doing a martial art. I'll agree with whoever's still standing at the end.

Make sure you can at least watch a class, or better stay for a trial class. If you like what you see or enjoy the class then ask any questions you want, if you don't, leave.

The block is simply a good extra security measure. Most of the time a car tyre doesn't blow, but you still carry a spare. That one time when he does dodge your punch, or stop his punch in order to block yours, that block could well stop you getting hit.

The problem is that he probably received a lot of the stories from word of mouth, which means that they're exaggerated. If not then he's either lying or gullible.

My sabanyim is Nigel Brophy, fourth dan, who trained under Master Ku, one of the original founders of Choi Kwang Do before he broke away to found his own martial art (which incidentally is the only striking art in the world with no blocks, deflections, wards or parries). He is probably the most capable martial artist I have ever encountered, and a great guy. He is also an amazing teacher. [ This Message was edited by: ckdstudent on 2002-06-06 18:30 ]

Actually I'd have to say if anything it makes me want to take up medicine. The military may be more humane in many Western countries, but they still kill. Almost all killing is unnecessary and barbaric.

Where the equal and opposite force goes is a good question, which I used to know the answer to. I believe that the answer to the question is that the reactive force doesn't actually act on your fist, but on your entire body. As you throw the punch a force pushes your entire body backwards, when you hit a target the original force is transferred to them, and there is a new equal and opposite reaction to their movement.

Nope, you couldn't transmit the mass of the earth because the earth is relatively stationary, relative to both yourself and your opponent. The absolute maximum mass that you could put into any technique would be your own bodyweight, and for that you'd need to be freefalling through vacuum to land on them.

Ahem, the US uses the Imperial measuring system.

Fingertip pushups generally aren't damaging, just difficult. Chickenwrists can be incredibly damaging, I've seen two students in other schools sprain their wrists while doing them.

Around 60-70% of the power for any technique comes from your legs, via your hips. A contracted hip movement massive cuts down on that power. Often the fastest route between two places isn't a straight line.