DWx

Here in the UK, the words "Standing on the shoulders of giants" is written around the edges of our £2 coins. It comes from a letter Isaac Newton wrote about how all of his achievements would not have been possible if not for the achievements and knowledge of those gone before him: "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." I think this is true for martial arts too. If we hold back knowledge we risk part of it dying with us. For me personally I want to see my students surpass me and build upon what I know. So I would still continue to teach them everything I know. Why? Because either they quit anyway and go on to other things. Or I just might spark something in them to turn them into that enthusiastic student that gives 100%.

Oh wow you even got the high school t shirt We dressed up on the Saturday but seemed to be the only ones out in the city in fancy dress. As I have this metal contraption on my arm from my recent op, had to go as female terminator and my sister completed the act as Sarah Connor.

Sounds great singularity6 Is this for playing games or general use?

Congrats Wado Heretic

Knee spring and sine wave are two different things. Knee spring creates sine wave. Knee spring is in all (ITF) movements. Sine wave is only in movements which travel or involve a stance change (but not all stance changes). This is not true. In ITF Taekwon-Do you never finish the leg before the punch. Everything MUST finish at the same moment. The punch should finish as the leg drives straight and locks the stance. I'll admit that the movements you see nowadays are over the top with this movement (often for competition) but from what I've seen recently there is a conscious effort now to reign it back.

Thanks Bob. It's hard to say re. progress as I've been immobilized for the past 3 weeks and not much I could do. The coming few weeks will be the important ones as now I can work on building up my rang of motion and strength. Not actually seen the doctor yet either. Wasn't much they could see or do when I was in the plaster but now I'm due an appointment. Unfortunately it turns out my paperwork got misplaced so I spent today chasing the hospital down for an appointment and they're going to try to fit me in next week.

Some jump better than others but you can still train to be better. That's like saying someone who's naturally inflexible shouldn't try to stretch. singularity6, you can also look at vertical jump programs for track and field athletes and for sports like basketball. A program like this would help you: http://www.basketballforcoaches.com/vertical-jump/

Welcome Mark

Checking in: Day 15 to 20: been a mixed bag. Shoulder mobility has been great so have been ditching the sling and moving my arm around more. Towards the end of the week was feeling great apart from some soreness on the inside of the elbow which slowly progressed to being quite painful. Day 21: 3 weeks after initially surgery and I've been released from the plaster into a mechanical brace (this one). At the moment I have 30 degrees of movement and this will be extended out over the next month or so until I have full movement. Turns out I developed blisters on the inside of my elbow which explains the soreness. Pain deep in the elbow is probably the worst its been. Day 22 (today): It's funny how quickly muscle goes. Currently my wrist is flopping around and I can't support the weight of my hand by myself. Practicing making a fist which is really difficult and I can't quite manage it yet. Biceps, triceps and delts are noticeably absent First physio appointment on Monday to see what damage has been done. Though I've got this 30 degrees of movement in a lot of pain at the moment not keen on moving much.

From my own experience we've always learnt Korean terminology and commands. Over the past few years I've attended courses and events with non-English speaking teachers and students and its definitely been a help knowing the same terminology as everyone else. We also expect students to abide by some Korean customs when meeting together for meals or in semi-formal social settings etc. Stuff like standing for your seniors and elders when they approach, waiting to eat until your elders / seniors are ready, not leaving the table until excused etc. Some people don't like it but I quite like instilling these values especially in kids.

I agree with all the points so far. Some great explanations in here. The way I explain it to students is that kata (and kihon) are your ABCs and teach you an ideal position to be in the moment your attack lands. Remember in elementary school where you learn to print letters and words? You learn perfect dimensions and directions for all of your pen strokes. This is kata and kihon, learning the ideal form for all of your stances and movements. Free sparring is like writing in cursive, flowing from letter to letter, where individual letters don't necessarily have perfect dimensions but they are still recognizable. Prototype, I believe you train(ed) in ITF TKD right? Most high level fighters do spar out of a loose L-stance or back stance.

If you study a style native to a different country or culture, do you make the effort to study the language and / or the culture of the style too? Maybe this includes technique names and terms but also could include conversational skills or cultural practices too.

Jesse's video is right on target across the board!! Start with Jesse's video, then add the jumping onto of and/or over things. Most gym's have stationary platforms to jump upon of varying heights. Remember what Jesse, in the video link you mentioned, says about jumping at the very end of his video...that, I believe, needs to stay at the front of your mind at all times. I watched Jesse's video and agree mostly with the points made. Interesting point at the end though I'm struggling with how the jump translates to dropping quickly Can you explain this one as I feel like I'm missing the point.

So excited for this. Going to have to resist the urge to binge watch

Mouthguards aren't all created equal and with the cheaper "boil and bite" mouthguards you're more likely to gag and choke on them. If you can spare the cash, a custom mouthguard is worth it. A good mouthguard is the best piece of equipment you can invest it. Not only will it protect your teeth, it reduces the likelihood of concussion too.

So Day 12 (Tuesday): I made the mistake of going into work. Technically the doctor has signed me off for 6 weeks but I have been going stir crazy sitting at home. Also as I work in sales (B2B) if I'm not working, it jeopardises my ongoing projects so I spent all day sitting at a computer. Took it out of me and I fell asleep as soon as I got home. Day 13 and 14 (today): arm is pretty swollen and have been in a lot of pain from it. Pretty much all my hand function is back though my grip is still very weak and I still can't feel my little finger (can move it though). Have been told that my cast should come off this time next week and I'll be given the brace instead.

Yes, it is! And when you finally get healthy, we promise we won't trade you like the Royals did with Greg Holland.... Sorry about that....got a little carried away. Get well soon, Danielle! I'll pretend I know what that means

Happy Birthday Bob Sounds like you had a great day

Welcome Kohi You've gotten some great advice so far. I'd agree that maybe its worthwhile sticking at it a little longer until you get you 1st dan and then reasses from there. Is the Muay Thai school no longer an option for you?

I think there are positives and negatives to each approach. Step sparring is a useful format for developing tactics and practising responses but its no good as you say just learning to react to half speed punches. The one step format should be expanded upon to include other types of attacks and less regimented attacks (e.g. haymakers vs oi-zuki). Few blackbelts in our school, the next level of practice is for the attacker to attack with an undetermined technique and for the defender to react on the fly. Free sparring provides that live format, but for self defence you'd also need to practice with non-traditional attacks. Not every would-be assailant grew up at the Cobra-kai.

To update: Day 7: I had a new polymer cast fitted. Previously I had a half back cast which was open and bandaged on one side to accommodate any swelling. The hospital have now fitted me with a full polymer based cast which is much lighter and sturdier. First time I got to see the wounds and looks like i will have a scar from my wrist all the way to under my elbow. Day 10 (today): had to go to the hospital this afternoon as have had an allergic reaction to something and have broken out in a rash all over my arms and legs. The hospital don't think it's the cast but I'm struggling to think of anything else that has changed recently. For now I have to load up on antihistamines and be careful of any swelling in the cast. Sitting around is driving me nuts... Just moving from bed to chair to couch. Haven't done any exercise for 2 weeks.

Sounds great shortlyafter. Over the course of your training you'll find you hit plateaus and if you power through things will eventually improve.

JR hit the nail on the head. It's a bit of a broad question and hard to give an answer without seeing first.

Day 4 to 6: hasn't been too bad. Mostly my shoulder is getting sore as I can't move it too much and the cast is very heavy. I've been focusing on my hand exercises and seeing a gradual improvement in strength and dexterity. The inside of my elbow is really sore and itchy, I'm guessing where the incision was (I'll have a 10 cm scar after) but I won't know how things are coming along until they redo the cast next week.

With joint manipulation being a major aspect of grappling as well as many stand up techniques, understanding about synovial joints could have its advantages; would you agree?While martial art training and being aware of how synovial joints are playing a major role in what is being used and how they work, wouldn't this be helpful for a person to progress faster, safer and be more effective in their chosen discipline? With joint manipulation would it not be better to classify joints in terms of type of movement? e.g. hinge (elbow) ball and socket (hip and shoulder), pivot etc. Not sure what practical use it is to know it is a synovial joint rather than another type.