DWx

Welcome Ryan Good luck for your testing.

Depends. Maybe not so much for smaller, localised orgs, but large multi-national orgs (like the one I'm in) it helps to have a standard that everyone knows. It doesn't have to be Japanese, it could be English but if it is Japanese as it so often is with Japanese MA (which makes sense) its good if everyone can learn it. I've been to seminars with and taught by Czech, French, Greenland, Russian, you name it and been to competitions with the same, not everyone knows English but because they all know the Korean its easy to instruct and command everyone. If you have a standard everyone knows in your style, you can travel anywhere in the world, look on any web page, or be taught by anyone and still know what they're talking about. But of course, if you don't travel much or get taught by those outside your native language it isn't that necessary. Thinking about it, its a lot like Chemistry (I study it). We have IUPAC definitions and standards which are internationally recognised. Means I can read a paper from halfway across the world and still have an idea whats going on.

I'm just north of Derby. I was travelling into Nottingham, Sheffield and Derby for martial arts classes but then someone said there was a good Shotokan club that meets within walking distance of where I live. Just goes to show that you can't find everything on the interweb, sometimes it pays to actually go to the leisure centre and read the posters! Ah ok, I know more of southern East Midlands, sort of Leicestershire, Northamptonshire area. Could tell you of some good TKD clubs around Derby if you're interested Good that you've found something to check out though.

Be cool to see how the different styles and people handle street fights.

Least you now know what to work on Geo. Good post Toptomcat. Pretty much said all I was going to say (and more). I personally don't like static blocking. Always block and move...

If you want to be doing stuff everyday, try doing legs one day, upper body the next, then core. Just keep swapping what you're working on. Would still advise the odd day off though.

Doesn't get as dirty/easier to clean too.

Hey Bob, where abouts in the East Midlands you from? I'm from the Leicester area and know of a few clubs around here..

I'd go with this plan. Sounds like a lot more fun than hitting the gym. But yeah, personal trainer might have better insight to what you need to do.

A lot of guys are like this. No-one's saying you should beat all women up, treat them just like you would if they were a guy of the same ability. Its hard going against what you've grown up with but by not fighting us properly you don't help us at all. Hehe. Good for her. I'm kinda guilty of this too. If the guy isn't going hard enough, not treating me as a proper opponent, I tend to get angry and start going for the knockout. Good that you've gotten some tips off of your blackbelts Geo. Although learning to "defend better" is pretty general. Anything in particular you're working on?

Maybe with you being so tall you have a similar problem to what I have. I rarely get to spar anyone who is my size or bigger (5' 10 female and pretty heavy) so no-one hits me that hard in class. Other women aren't beig enough really and the majority of guys don't like to hit women that hard . Only real chance I get to experience that is in comps when its too late. As with all stuff over the internet, everyone can suggest stuff for you but its hard to tell without seeing. You're stepping in? What do you mean by that? Either you're stepping without a technique or you're telegraphing the movement before you kick or punch. You could do with using your right arm to block your head.. Maybe you could try what I sometimes do. If the kick is a front or side kick type of kick. Cover up, weight on the front leg and take the hit. If they're too close or hoping to push you with it they'll be off balance and you can come in with the close range hands as they recover their balance.

One of my TKD coaches is going there for the opening. Not really that jealous though... never really got into Harry Potter that much.

Welcome Alaric

I'd agree, don't do it every day. Take at least one rest day if not more inbetween training.

That's too bad about your karate classes George, cool that you get to try out something new though.

Nice topic Geo TBH I prefer a bit of both as a training method. When sparring people you are clearly better than, thats the time to work on stuff. So if there's a particular technique or strategy, go for it. Sparring less experienced people means you can dictate the pace and you have a chance to throw stuff that might not actually work against a more experienced fighter. Then when sparring people who are a lot better than you, use what you are comfortable with already and hone it. As you get better at certain stuff you've tried out then you can incorporate it into your overall game and try it out with the better fighters. I don't think either strategy works that great just on its own. Obviously if you just stick to what you're comfortable with you wont ever see any dramatic improvement because you aren't trying anything new. But if you don't keep at you're comfortable techs and strategy they wont really improve either. This is what my instructor does and it works great for forcing you to adapt what you know or trying out different stuff.

You'd think my style (TKD) would be all about the kicking but the heavier weight category you fall into, the more you'll be punching. I'll use the legs to get in closer then finish up with the hands. On the punching front its pretty limited though, for competition, only backfist, straight jab and reverse knifehand (ridgehand) are allowed although we all throw a sneaky uppercut or cross when the refs not looking. We also have this rule that limits the number of jabs in succession (bit stupid if you ask me). Anyway because of this, we tend to train only these techs so my proficiency is lacking in other types of punches.. But what do you expect from a kicking art?

Good luck Pajarito21 Good advice from everyone so far.

Welcome herbalcure30 Do you study an MA? What style?

Welcome Pajarito21

It doesn't all have to be about the money side of it. I'm sure there are a lots of reasons why group tuition is favoured over one-to-one. Toptomcat's previous point about teachers being able to teach groups but not individuals is a good point. Time constraints too might be an issue.

Its an ok song. Didn't really like it the first time I heard it but it grew on me. I listen to all sorts of bands and types of music...

Never had a private lesson, ever. Don't know whether that's put me at a disadvantage really. My instructor's pretty good in that he makes sure he gets a look at what everyone's doing and pulls people up in front of the class individually. Obviously though its hard to keep an eye on everyone and give everyone the attention they need. He does offer private instruction and the people that want/need it can have a lesson.

Welcome Karatequeen Well I used to have a German Shephard dog but sadly he died.. Now have fish

Congrats Dr. Frank! Judging is never perfect. Gotta make sure that you are clean enough to get the points and that there is no question that you scored. I just went to a tournament where one of the ladies on our team is 60. Competed in the 50 - 60 category. Actually really inspiring seeing her out there and winning.