DWx

You could just use a vertical fist instead. The same movement would apply, you'd just be closing the hand. Spear hands are quite effective though. I've smacked my dad in the stomach before when we were messing around and it does take the wind out of you. I agree though that if the guys got solid muscle there its probably not as effective.

Speed and mass are the main components of power. If you have good technique, that probably means you already can use the mass so working on speeding up your movements will help. Maybe working on actually hitting something would help. Probably not using a makiwara at this stage but if you are feeling yourself creating an impact on a pad your power may improve. Its hard though without seeing you actually do it so it would probably be best if you asked you sensei and the senpais what to do to develop more power.

Generally most online stores give you a size chart. For shin protectors generally it would be best to actually try them but its simple enough just to measure yourself with a tape measure and match it to the appropriate size. I would personally give the store a call if you're not 100% sure

Yeah I didn't think so either but the one I linked to has actually been sewn onto a shirt. Looks like pretty thin stuff though so you could probably wear it inside.

Century do a couple that go underneath, don't know how much protection you'd get from it: http://www.centurymartialarts.com/Sparring_Gear/Martial_Armor/Martial_Armor_Vest.aspx Macho also do rib guards that you could probably wear underneath: http://www.macho.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=10000084&prodid=WWWRGMDX I did find this but I don't who makes it and can't find another site selling them: http://www.playwell.co.uk/moulded-body-armour-p-1830.html

Thanks John. Thats great help. Will try it out when I have my first session.

Thanks that does help a lot. I know what I want out of it. At the moment my main priority is to increase my endurance, to be able to go more rounds without tiring as quickly and to be able to short bursts (i.e. engaging when sparring). So I'm guessing I want to work towards being able to reach a certain level of activity and sustain it for a period of time. Like work myself up to a certain intensity on some of the cardio equipment (I'm thinking treadmill, elliptical trainer and bike?) and be able to keep going. I'm also used to a reasonably high level of fitness as my TKD instructor back home is a bit of a fitness nut. I'm now at uni and the club here doesn't train anywhere near the same intensity so I feel I'm losing my previous levels (I also go visit my old club when back at home and I know for definite I can't keep up anymore!). There's also the "lose weight" goal but I reckon that'll slowly come as a by-product of eating better and increasing activity levels.

Thanks for the help guys. Will definately have to check out the crossfit website sometime. To Ozpunker: I'm not sure if they have personal trainers there. The gym I was going to join is basically just a suite attached to this sports centre. There is a proper gym nearby with the full works like a sauna, pool and personal trainers, but its like 3x the price. I was going to record the reps and amounts I was doing. I even bought a diary to write it in . To JohnC: Thanks. I guess the reason I get bored most of the time is I go in and don't have a clue what sort of intensity I want to work at or what I want to get out of it. And the intensities I used to work at weren't enough (and I was working to what the trainer suggested). Would you recommend getting a heart rate monitor then?

I'm determined to get back in the gym (and stay in it!) for at least an hour a week when I go back to uni. Problem is I get bored and can't really structure my sessions very well. I usually just wander in and do a bit of whatever I feel like and don't really get much out of the sessions. Anyone know any websites I can get gym programs from? Stuff like how long to spend on the treadmill in each session and what reps to work with weights each week. (Or you all could be nice and help me figure out a programme myself ). Specifically I want to work at my cardio mainly and on my core strength as there is a tournament I want to go to in May and I'm working on getting in shape for that. Its just a standard gym with your basic equipment. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Congrats Onward to 3000?

wow, I would be so embaressed if I or anyone I know turned up looking like that. Forms are an exhibition and a clean, well cared for gi is all part of the presentation aspect. Just as how you conduct yourself on the mat, you have to dress yourself accordingly. If its a long drive or if its going to be a while before I put my doboks on, I'll have it in a suit bag so it doesn't get crushed. I know you're supposed to fold it properly but I would rather hang it up the whole time so it doesn't get badly creased.

I'm 18 too so you're not alone. Anyone else batting for the kids group?

I usually fight right leg leading. Just feel much more comfortable and capable that way. Lately though I've had the opportunity to work on my other side and have progressed pretty well I think. I spar with beginners quite a lot now so to even up the odds and to get me to work for my techniques I go left forward and try to stay that way. Ideally I'd like to be able to fight from both sides just as well but, at the moment my right will nearly always lead.

I'm lucky in that I've never really had a major injury. I was out for a couple of weeks once when I clashed my big toe with somebodys leg as we were both kicking (that taught me I should always pull my toes back properly or use the instep!). The docs didn't bother X-raying because not much they could do anyway but we think it was a fracture. Sprained my ankle badly once when I landed on its side during burpees. This was like 10 mins into the class so stupidly I refused to sit out at carried on doing all the cardio work and sparring on it. Wasn't very good the next day. "Almost" got knocked out once by my instructor. He did a spinning kick and I dodged the wrong way and landed the kick square between the eyes. Other than that not had much happen apart from the usual bruises and dents.

When you're a trained fighter and have learnt from a number of styles its pretty easy to pick things up. Especially if the styles are fairly closely related. I mean like when you're learning movements that you have done something very similar to in the past and the new movements are only slightly different, its fairly easy-ish to learn the new things. Same with things like the reasoning behind why certain moves are done in a certain way. And if you take someone like Joe Lewis, he has more than enough time in the day to dedicate to MA, its what he does. I'm not saying its right he got the blackbelts that quickly, just that it could be done by someone like him.

The boxing game just annoys me. You move too fast and it doesn't register the movement at all! And I always feel myself following up with a kick

I would very hesitant to allow that. Although we spar "semi-contact" you get hit pretty hard, I know a guy who accidently took a kick to the groin and his cup cracked. Also if you catch it sideways it can be pretty nasty too. Us women don't like get kicked there either!

Hope you get better soon.

I agree with the lesson planning. Even if its just a rough idea of what you want to cover in class its better than nothing. You can totally tell when someone is winging it and just making up the class as they go along. Enjoy it though, if you are most likely your students will be enjoying it too .

Reading some stuff on TKDTutor and came across this paragraph: Opinions on this? I would have to say I don't agree with this. I'm not that familiar with the Taegeuk and Palgwe but I still like watching them along with the Chang Hon forms. I personally don't find them boring at all. As for "skill that is particular to Taekwondo" some of the higher up Chang Hon forms get quite difficult with regards to leg technique and from what I've seen of the other form sets, leg techniques are a fairly large component. Other than leg techniques, I'm not quite sure what you would consider to be TKD's special skill. I think there is also a quite a lot in the way of technical challenge. IMO its about how in depth you want to look at them and how technical you want to be. You can just learn the movements and motions or you can try to develop that motion to create maximum power and efficiency for your body. And as for "lack roots specific to Taekwondo", I don't really see where the author gets this from. So ok maybe with regards to the forms there does appear to be quite a bit of Shotokan influence (some of the combinations are nearly identical) but still, the Chang Hon and poomse were developed specifically for TKD and to be used by TKD practitioners.

I like watching XMA but it should be separate from traditional. XMA and traditional performances have different goals and in judging them there are different criteria, a lot fairer to both the traditional guy and the XMA guy if they are kept separate. That kids pretty good though.

If you're looking at the history behind the form, i.e. the meaning of it: http://www.visiontkd.co.uk/patterns/patternhist2.htm#tong As with most TKD history its to do with post WWII and Korean political history. Not so sure about the history of the creation of the form. It was one of the original 20 that were created though and in most cases its listed as the last form in the set. You could try General Choi's memoirs? Don't know what's in there but it may give you an insight into the why the unification was so important to him. For the Chang Hong set as a whole, TKDTutor is pretty good: http://tkdtutor.com/10Patterns/PatternHistory/PatternHistory03.htm On the last page of the article he also links to photos which compare the Heian katas to some of the TKD forms.

Mostly download songs, usually from Amazon but sometimes from other places. Will usually buy the CD though if I want the whole album, I just like having the hard copy.

Not heard of that one before. Is there any reason behind it?

I've always used closed fist. The shields and pads we have have a thicker strap on one side for you to hold on to so its just easier to make the fist and grasp the pad. Helps when you get a kick which pushes the pad sideways. What was the reason for open hand?