DWx

I think it all depends on what you want blackbelt to signify. In some systems it is incredibly hard and such an accomplishment to get there that blackbelt means a lot. In other systems its just a natural progression that signifies you know the basics. My own instructor has promoted 40+ people to 1st degree, then again for us, blackbelt is more of a step along the chain. It is a huge achievement but it only really signifies that you know things to a certain level and are able to take control of your own learning and to start doing things your own way.

I couldn't get your link to work but here's the same thing from ITV: http://talent.itv.com/stories/viewStory/16461153 I didn't think they were that impressive to be honest... I think a large part of it came from them ripping off their shirts and backflipping their way across the stage in front of swooning Amanda and the women in the audience! And I know they were pretty open about it being XMA but martially it was pretty poor.

I actually cause someone I train with a fair amount of damage by intercepting an axe kick. It wasn't intentional but I caught the lower part of her leg on my shoulder and carried on driving forward with my hand techniques. Because the kick was just past its apex and she was accelerating it down, she hyperextended her knee and had to go through several months of physio to get it right again. Also (to bushido_man96), in Juche there's a block against an axe kick. You kinda catch the heel in your hands.

We do a bit of both. But I do like the focus pads we use at squad training. The other person always fires back kicks or strikes if you stay to close or leave yourself vulnerable and the pads themselves force you to be accurate with your shots.

Congrats to him As a thankyou to one of our assistant instructors at Christmas he was given this slate thing inscribed in Korean.. can't remember what it said mind you.. But maybe something like that. Like a comemorative piece or something.

It is a little odd that he should want to do that during parliament.. but no need to get that upset over it.

I can't wait for the next Eragon book. At the moment I'm reading 1984 by Orwell on the recommendation of my history teacher. Its actually scarily accurate.

I know! That is so annoying. I had to reglue the insoles of my TKD shoes the first time I made that mistake.

Ah. Our system doesn't do that form. It is unfortunate, too. I think I may start practicing that form myself. Oh ok, it was a more recent addition to the Chang hon forms so I didn't know whether you did or not. Its quite a good form to learn. Relies heavily on the legs so is good conditioning work for leg strength. Unfortunately you have to be able to jump too which is really not my strong point so I hate performing it. Love watching it though. I must admit I've not really heard of him before (then again I'm not really into MMA) but Andy Hug defeated Cro Cop and he used a number of axe kicks.

Yup. Subscribing is really useful because then you can quickly see who has new videos and stuff when you log in.

Channels are the same as individual accounts.. so if you like have a favourite person who uploads cool videos, that would the channel. Some of the ones I'm subscribed to: BBC Chosonninja geriatric1927 kikz15 taichitsao & kenji1to6

A breaker board holder. No-one in the family are willing/able to hold a board for me to practice power on and I have two rebreakable boards going to waste. My Dad promised me he would build one... yet to see that happening.

A Wii, Nintendo Gamecube & Gameboy Advance.

Apple snail? Awesome. Those things get pretty big don't they? This place near us sells frogs & lobsters but I've yet to convince the parents to let me have one. We have two tanks, a 2ft x 1ft and a 5ft x 2ft. In the smaller one we've got 2 cherry barbs, 2 lemon tetra, a chinese algae eater, & about 5ish guppies. (The guppies tend to breed a lot so I have no idea how many). The larger tank has another algae eater, 4 clown loach, 2 albino catfish, 4 glowlight tetra & about 25 guppies. As for your platty, it still might be worth going to a local dealer to ask what the sores could be. Generally though you want to ensure that the gravel is kept clean, the water is clean and the temperature just right. Also might be worth raising the salinity of tank slightly and adding some bacteria to improve your filter.

Welcome!

We've had a tank for a couple of years. From experience, we avoid platties. They nearly always die! And they ate all of our guppies & guppy babies. Tetra also seem to be happier in a group if you can buy them. They like to go around in a school (or whatever you call it). As for the red patches, ask at the place where you bough them. They should be able to point you to a treatment. If not, and you've recently just bough the fish, you could claim a refund providing that its not the water in your tank that's causing the problem. If its contagious and you can't get the fish treated though you may end up having to kill it. Its not nice to have to do this but if not it'll spread to the rest of the fish and they will all suffer. Good luck with the tank

Welcome!

Our style doesn't have it any of the forms, either, but it is a popular kick in tournaments. Our instructor really used the heck out if it when he was competing. It is sort of in TKD forms. There's move 25 in Juche, the pick-kick which is very similar.

I am so going to see this. I love Jack Black! He's so funny. Can't wait. Can see the trailer here: http://www.kungfupanda.com/

If I'm training in MA shoes I always wear socks. I hate it when you get all sweaty and the shoes don't seem as comfortable anymore. WOuldn't wear too thick socks though or you will overheat.

Congrats to him!

I think there could be a fair few.. Forms would appear to be like events such as gymnastics, trapolining diving etc. where perfect form is more important than how far or how fast. All these events are watched by people who don't do them. For a layperson watching something like Juche or Moon-moo (I'm not familiar with WTF Poomsae) they look pretty impressive if done properly and I think it would be interesting to introduce the general public to some sort of form aspect.

Can't stand them. Everything just seems better if I have a hard copy in front of me. Nothing seems to go in if I'm reading off of a screen.

We tend to separate sport and selfdefense. In sport rules you actually get more points for high section and jumping techniques so "non-practical" methods are promoted here. Also hand techniques are limited to just punches in sport rules. Any kick you want can be done but it must be above the belt. We do have a more relaxed rule set for SD. No pads generally (although headguards if we're on the hard floor). Take-downs, grabs, gouges (no contact here though) allowed.

It happens. People may be a Maist but it doesn't mean they are going to be honest and fair. In the tournies I usually go to there are around 3 or 5 judges and they are rarely from the same school. The way we do it is to have to competitors up at once, winner goes through to the next round. The judges have to show everyone who they've voted for so bias is sort of avoided that way.. If that particular tourny you were at did like a winner goes through style of competition, it may be that the person who came second had a by through the first round. That way even though they lost they lost in the final so got a silver?