NightOwl

Submission wrestling, if anything just learn proper sprawling and I need to have ground fighting or I will feel sad. CURSE YOU DOUBLE LEG!!!!

According to a recent report, North Korea has been smuggling out spies and assassins under the guise of 'Taekwondo Masters' under the ITF. The article can be found here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080909/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_taekwondo_korea?hj

I know of some great ones in Washington and seattle- gotta love Team Quest although they use submission rules

I believe that TKD is in a lot of movies- just not by name. The high kicks make it great for action sequences. This is similar to how wushu is used a great deal of the time in fighting sequences but never specified as a specific style.

Thanks for the responses guys and gals.

Somewhat. Military service does (both world wars, Marines, Air Force, Navy, Army), and there were some boxers and wrestlers in there to boot (grandparents and some uncles). My gf is into ma's to boot but I guess you couldn't qualify her as family.

This post was originally published as an article in a dedicated KarateForums.com Articles section, which is no longer online. After the section was closed, this article was most to the most appropriate forum in our community. As we all probably found out when we asked our 20 pound lighter friend to "grab my wrist and see what happens," very early into our martial arts careers, it takes more than a quick demonstration and a try on an uke for technique to be ready for actual usage. Instead of coming off looking like Steven Segal, you come off looking like... well, probably not much better than Steven Segal. Embarrassing yourself in front of your friends for their free amusement is one thing, but how about the drunk biker who doesn't take too kindly to your critiques of impressionism in French art? (It could happen). Unlike with your friend, failure doesn't mean just a bruised ego, and unfortunately many martial artists have not taken their technique training to the level needed to give you a good chance of pulling something off successfully. Here are the steps in the process. 1. The Demo OK, this is the one EVERYONE has. The primary purpose is for someone who knows the technique to show it, so that those who don't can understand it. Mind, you aren't actively participating as the learner, but it is still a step, so I'm putting it in here. Also, this is usually how recruiting is done - demos never fail and they always work flawlessly. However, it is important to keep in mind that demos aren't real life. 2. Slow Application (No Resistance) Depending on the move, this step can take a long or short time. Regardless, the point is to slowly break down the technique until you can perform it on an uke without mistake. You need to make sure that you have the base mechanics down before you go at it full speed. Otherwise, you are likely to, at best, be sloppy or, at worst, ingrain bad habits. No resistance is given and time is taken for learning. Eventually, you can gradually speed up until... 3. Full Speed (No Resistance) Once you have the move down, it is time to go at regular speed. After all, if you actually used it at slow speed, it would be worthless in real life unless you are fighting in an illegal tournament known only as the "Kumite" at your local retirement home. Note: it is important that your uke go at full speed as well. If you are practicing for a counter attack to a punch and your uke gives a half hearted haymaker - you are NOT training for a counter to a punch. You are training for a counter to a half hearted inward swing of an arm. If you are going full speed and your uke isn't, you aren't truly training at full speed - the speed that you would face under "working conditions." Up until now, I've gone over what most would consider standard training. However, unfortunately, just training up until this point does not mean you can use the move outside of your training partner. In fact, if you can perform the move at full speed against a compliant partner, you have learned the mechanics - but not necessarily the technique. What do I mean? As an example, any 13 year old understands how a car works and how you drive it. However, not many 13 year olds actually could drive (at least I didn't do so well). Likewise, from the demo to the application, you learned how the move is done and what to do. But, you have yet to put the keys in the ignition and drive. This is where I feel many martial arts schools fail their students and many martial artists trick themselves into thinking that the wrist lock, that makes the 270 pound white belt fall to his knees in class, will work on a 160 pound man with little remorse if he spends a couple of nights in jail for starting trouble. There are many reasons why people do not go beyond step 3. Reasons range from being "too deadly" to claiming that a resisting uke disrupts an esoteric "balance" and therefore violates some unwritten martial artist code. Whatever the reason given, there is not much getting around the fact that in order to see if you can actually do something - you have to actually do it. "Testing day" for a technique can be in the gym or it can be when it is do or die. But (as much as I hate to pull in the guy), I think Bruce "best martial artist ever according to dorm room walls" Lee likened it best when he compared studying fighting without fighting to practicing swimming but never going into the pool. It's time to go into the deep end. 4. Full Speed (Light Resistance) The logical step up from step 3 besides being the next highest number. Why not full on gun-ho resistance as I seemed to implicate? Because most people can't handle full resistance yet. Yes, it seemed to all click and be so easy doing that awesome scissor sweep! But, anyone who has done a lot of hard training can tell you that once you start letting your partner react like a normal human being would, your confidence in if you really could pull it off drops dramatically. It is a different game and you realize that you almost have to relearn the move a second time. Mind, you couldn't do that at all if it weren't for steps 1-3, so by no means are they useless - they are essential! Nevertheless, they are only part of the learning process and now you need to be slowly introduced to pressure training. At first, it shouldn't be too much - just pushing back a little, not falling over unless you are really put off balance, etc. Once you can get that down it is time for... 5. Full Speed (Medium Resistance) Fairly self explanatory. Your partner should be pushing back - attacking more than once if you can't catch him and escaping if you don't get things right. 6. Full Speed (Full Resistance) By this point, you should be getting to be able to use the technique, even if the recipient actively doesn't want you to. Also, if resistance training is new to you, you'll probably have realized at this point how much someone fighting back makes a difference. I, not too long ago, had my first randori in Judo. Suddenly, moves that would make my uke fall on the mat (even when legitimately unbalancing and throwing them without them going along with it) became extremely hard to pull off when my opponent was constantly moving, fighting back with their own moves and actively resisting throw attempts. It is a very different experience and it will take a bit for your body to get used to the stress of it. However if you want to learn how to fight well, it isn't always going to be comfortable. This stage of training tests to see if you can use the technique even if your opponent is fighting back as hard as they can and to truly know if you have mastered this stage, you need to practice against different people as well (especially people lighter and heavier than yourself). 7. Sparring (Medium to Full Contact) This is it. Some denounce sparring as a "sport" - and it can be true that sparring can be pursued just for the sake of sparring. However, the original intent of sparring is for it to be a training tool - and many miss that. Yes, it is not the same as the "street." But, is throwing a completely compliant uke across the room any closer? In fact, I would argue that such a regulated setting has even more "rules" than sparring (sparring is often criticized for having rules). The fact of the matter is that it is the closest you can get to an actual combat situation and still have everything in a controlled setting. Once you can pull off a technique in this environment- where not only is your partner resisting techniques, but actively attacking you at the same time, you know you are ready. Thus it is these 7 easy (?) steps to fully learning a technique to the point where you have a good chance of making it work. It isn't exactly free of Tylenol and a couple of bandages every now and then, but it has proven itself to work. Is it possible for someone to only go to step 3 and make something work? It's possible even for just step 2. However, it decreases the probability that you will be able to use it in real life if you don't train for it.

As someone who has rarely been able to continuously train in a style, whether boxing, mma, or various grappling hi jinks, it can get somewhat discouraging trading in gloves and gis for textbooks and no car. How do you usually deal with long dry spells in your training?

This is very true. I have a brother who is 5'10", and about 320 lbs. He is strong as an ox, too. If I try to manipulate his wrists in any way, I am pretty much screwed. About the only way I can begin to do so is by using lots of distraction/diminishing techniques, and then I might be able to pull something off. Being big makes a big difference. Yep. And that is what it takes to get them to work- very good setup. You don't need as much of a setup for simple attacks and takedowns, but people I have met who actually use wrist locks fairly consistently in sparring are few and far in between. Many ''sparring styles'' drop them outright all together for most of their curriculum. An exception (sort of) is using wrist locks as a submission AFTER you have gain dominant position. For instance I've seen someone set up a triangle choke and combine it with a wrist lock (you don't want to make him angry). Again though this is mostly groundwork and not the standard standing lock that you usually see.

Jackie Chan is somewhat of a philanthropist from what I've heard- often going to various events and such. He's such a cool guy

Wrist grabs get knocked a lot and for good reason: almost always they are taught as an instant kill defense move that can take down an attacker of any size. In reality wrist locks are one of the more difficult moves to pull off and a notable size difference WILL make things a lot harder. Properly timed and set up they do work, however you often see them being taught as starter self defense techniques, and in that case there are many more simpler and effective things you can do.

ugh, I haven't been able to train hardly at all last month and I am starting up training again this monday. It has been around 100 degrees (F) and humid. Needless to say I am not happy with my double weave gi.

Bushidoman! You forgot the 'Baseball fan' analogy so often brought up! For shame At my rate of training (too busy at the moment), I feel more and more like an armchair warrior. Yet I can still describe a basic escape from guard and scarf hold, good martial arts for your body type, etc. Thing is I can't always back up my words. Thus I think that there is something to knowledge but I respect the knowledge of someone with first hand experience on the subject a little more as they can actually practice what they know.

Ah nunchucks- the most deadly of weapons banned everywhere but some Islands of Indonesia, and having been actually used less times to kill someone about as cellphones. Australia is known for its strict laws against weapons, so I'm not sure if there is much you can do except try asking nicer cops. And brokenswordx....I feel your pain.

Ah reviews! I'll try and get one out before the summer is done. Seven Samurai is a great movie- a must see. Most say it is Kurosawa's best but I have somewhat of a soft spot for Yojimbo.

Alas while I have not used it, I've heard nothing but good things. It sounds like a product that would fit your training nicely.

depends. For self defense not as much- against other grapplers you'll need more.

Ouch

All these people with air- I'm so jealous! Just wait until I sweat up a perfect 6 pack- then you'll be sorry

mutual welfare and benefit......

Be careful when researching martial arts- myth and fact tend to blend fairly easily. It can actually be pretty hard to find good sources but if you can, narrow your topic to the martial arts of one area and I think you will have an easier time. Good luck!

Good MA programs on TV are hard to come by, however I did really like Fight Quest and supposedly it has cleared for a 2nd season which I am excited about I did enjoy Human weapon a lot too...I know that the history was often incorrect and wild, and the fights were mostly just light sparring matches, but it was a fun show nonetheless.

I think that because having kids take martial arts classes is so popular, many people feel that it is something that only kids should be doing (which there is no such thing- I still value my afternoon nap time). School has kept me from training a lot in the past, however it doesn't have much to do with not having an hour or two to spare a few days a week, but because of location.

I've heard that mma gyms can get into the whole 'rival' bit, especially considering that the gym teams often face each other at competitions. As such I've heard stories of people getting into trouble for training at other gyms. As for challenges, I would say that there is nothing wrong with cross sparring (in fact that is a good thing for all parties), but a 'challenge match' sort of implies that there is some underlining animosity. If that is the case then DON'T fight in either of your gyms, in an area where nobody else is around, or show up randomly expecting a fight. Be professional and find a third party gym that is willing to host you and let out your frustrations there.

You know it is getting to that time of year when sticking an air freshener in your gi just doesn't cut it anymore. As heat hits the US (and Japan), how does your gym keep cool? Do you use air conditioning? Or do you use the heat as part of training?