DWx

Wouldn't mind trying it one day. white owl and Ranpu, if you don't like needle there's always acupressure.

If you could cross-train in one other style, what would it be? and why? Doesn't have to be anything that compliments what you currently train (but it can be if you want), just an MA style that you've always wanted to try and have a go at. I've always wanted to pick up a weapon style so something like Iaido would be cool.

Only attended TKD seminars so far. Have one with our association master every year. Attended seminars by GM Choi Jung Hwa (Gen. Choi Hong Hi's son) and did a 3 day IIC with M Hwang Ho Yong VII (known as the "flying" master because of the photos he did for Gen. Choi's book, he's also technical director for the Czech Republic). Would like to do some more if I get the opportunity and hopefully attend some non-TKD ones too.

Everyone has the same, basically this with your name on the other end (in the same style of writing) and your dan ranks in roman numerals.

Main thing is that the knot has to be correct so it hangs properly and both ends have to be the same length. Coloured belts are the same both ends but for black belt, one end of the belt has "Taekwon-Do" written on it and this has to go on the right. The other end has your dan stripes and usually your name and this is on the left. Don't think its a rule as such but the writing usually faces outwards (so you can actually read it). We also have belts that go around the waist once rather than the double wrap that is more common.

Depends very much on the situation. The roundhouse is one of the techniques I use most both in normal sparring and competition sparring. Tend to use it mostly leading off of my front leg (which is usually my right) however for a more powerful kick or just when I want to gain distance or move backwards, I can use my rear leg. Unfortunately our rules don't allow for below the belt so the majority of them come under the ribs or into the stomach/solar plexus. High roundhouses are reserved for the odd surprise technique or when my opponent is at a closer range. Usually kick with the instep, although I do use ball of the foot occasionally depending on the target. In sparring we're not permitted to use the shin but if my opponent gets too close I sometimes check them with the roundhouse and the shin can connect instead . Step, hop and on the rare occaison jump. And yes to multiple kicks, given the situation of course. That was a lot of questions

Being a good kicker isn't about high kicking. Its about being tactically sound with your kicking, and using good technique and power when you do it. Yep no point in kicking to the head if it doesn't do anything. Better a solid kick to the leg than a tap to the head.

Quite surprised he didn't manage to get run over.

Had a promotional email come through about the TKD game and have downloaded the demo. Its actually pretty good. And its not just about how fast you can press the buttons as you have to think about what will work. The demo only really lets you do roundhouses and a punch but even then you have to think about whether to do rear leg or front leg and distancing. I like the idea that you can train your fighter up too. I might even consider buying it as its only $20 at the moment.

Welcome

Sounds like a pretty good idea If you all want to do it, why not? Maybe one of the higher grades could even act as sensei for a while?

It depends on the school but as far as I know its not something that is overly stressed. In ITF style the kiai is not really used (or trained) however I don't know about other systems. We kiai at my uni club and it sooo weird for me as I've never really done it before. My shouting is weak and pathetic, it just seems really strange and I actually forget to do it most of the time.

Congrats

I think it also depends on the stroke you are doing and the technique. Some strokes are going to better than others for working the abs, and better technique is more likely to result in the full use of the body rather than predominately using the arms or legs or whatever.

Not Karate kata but I would practice: Chon-Ji Joong-Gun Choong-Moo Kwang-Gae Choong-Jang

When you said teach at the beginning Shotokan-kez, I thought you actually meant teaching a class. If it was just a warm up I don't think I would have any problem with it. We get kids from like yellow belt upwards to sometimes take the warmups. As part of their syllabus they're supposed to understand about why we need to warm up and how they should go about doing it. If she was being silly and giggly though that is another matter although maybe it was something to do with nerves and being in a class full of her peers who were also giggling.

I think it would depend on the individual person. I know some pretty mature young blackbelts that I would be happy to receive instruction off but then again have met some that I really wouldn't. I would hope though that even if the person teaching is a 13 year old they still know their stuff and are reasonably qualified to give instruction. Personally I wouldn't mind it for the odd one off lesson but if that was my main source of instruction I would be a little put off as there is only so much a 13 year old has experienced.

I have looked at places like ebay and a number of the MA internet sites, can't really find something either within my price range or suitable. Thats a good idea JohnC. I could definately use that for the wooden boards. Have you ever tried it with a rebreakable board? When I've had them in a stand before, they're usually just supported from the back, both top and bottom.. I think I kinda need a set up like this for the rebreakables..

For me it was a number of reasons. One of the main ones was fitness and losing weight. As a kid I had done quite a bit of sport (swimming, tennis and netball) but none of them were things I really really enjoyed. To be honest I was a bit overweight as a kid so when I stopped doing these sports I needed to find something else to do. I also got bullied at one point and was a shy kid anyway so it was also a confidence thing. I don't remember ever asking my parents if I could do MA but I used to watch all the old Bruce Lee films and lots of Jackie Chan stuff so I guess they kinda figured out that I'd be interested in it. Anyway I remember driving past the local community college and my Dad asking if I wanted to start Taekwon-Do. I said yes because it was apparently like Karate and it sounded foreign enough for a 10 year old. Loved it since the first session and haven't stopped since. My younger sister actually used to make fun of me when I practiced and didn't seem at all interested in joining. My parents wanted her to at least try it but it was nearly 2 years before they finally got her through the door. She hasn't stopped either and loves it (although she doesn't seem to be as obsessed as I am ). What keeps me going is the self discipline involved in learning new things and constantly improving what I've learnt so far.

Expanding on this slightly, Your cells respire either aerobically or anerobically. The first involves the use of oxygen, the second doesn't, however the second produces less energy per mole and results in the formation of lactate. This probably explains it better than I can: http://www.rsc.org/education/teachers/learnnet/cfb/respiration.htm However there is some research to suggest that lactate ions (or lactic acid) isn't what causes stiffness etc. See the Exeter University link I posted earlier or http://www.time-to-run.com/theabc/lactic.htm http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/19/health/healthspecial/19lactic.html In any case, increased fitness levels and endurance will help to delay fatigue and soreness whatever the cause.

Thanks John, Thats exactly what I thought was the problem with ballistic stretching. My home instructor is always saying don't do it and do things like PNF stretching or just static stretching instead however my new instructor (runs the university club) makes us do it. He counts each bounce too so there isn't much opportunity for me to do a more relaxed version or else I will skip the counts.

What are the real dangers of ballistic stretching? Does anybody use ballistic stretching methods? In my home dojang and from sport lessons at school I was always told that its bad because it is easy to tear the muscles and cause injury, and that its not the most effective method of increasing flexibility. However at a new school I'm training at, ballistic stretching, or at least bouncing the stretch, is the main method (and sometimes the only method) used in class. I'm tentative to actually stretch this way but obviously have to if the instructor says so. Anything I can do to limit the chances of injury?

08's been a good year for me too. After a year of getting my current syllabus stuff right ('07), could relax a bit more this year and devote some time to competing. On that front I think I've done pretty good, I'm happy with what I've acheived. Late this year I've had to move away for uni and had to join a new club so have had to deal with a lot of differences in teaching style and methods and technical differences. Just getting used to that now.

Reviving this as still haven't gotten around to getting a holder or having one made. So has anyone got any suggestions? I've seen the ones made by Century but they seem a bit pricey. I would build one myself so if anyone has plans/instructions for doing so that would be equally helpful.

I don't really see this as an issue at all. Case-in-point; Wrestling is already a sport option in most school systems. Other Martial Arts can be taught in a similar premise without any concern. I agree with bushido_man96 on this one. Its not that much different than kids learning outside of school in any case. The same thing could still happen. As a side note, I have a friend from Hong Kong who was taught MA as part of sports classes from junior school upwards.