DWx

Probably more useful for learning theory such as terminology or other lists of things your school requires you to remember.

Thanks for sharing the link Brian. I always find it interesting how different associations and even countries evolve their own style and flair to sparring even though they share the same base and rulesets. Thanks, Danielle. I do wish we could change things up from time to time, and do some strikes to the head with perhaps some different padding or something. It really changes the strategy, and opens up things for students. I'd agree the strategy does change. Even though we do head shots, we're limited too, no hooks or uppercuts, straight shots only in tournament. Of course we do train them from time to time but when our sport sparring excludes it, we don't tend to focus on it much. For comparison, here's some of me (I'm with red gear): https://youtu.be/qwweN3PR-NE

Thanks for sharing the link Brian. I always find it interesting how different associations and even countries evolve their own style and flair to sparring even though they share the same base and rulesets.

Welcome to the forum Lugh

It's just a film. Purposely scripted that way to make Lee seem like the mysterious all-knowing Kung-fu master. I've always taken what he said as meaning don't concentrate on what's in front of you otherwise you'll miss the bigger picture... so don't concentrate on the kick but see the fight as a whole... Bit cryptic but like I said it's supposed to make Lee seem like a master.

Really interesting article cathal.

Was going to say this. Some of my best TKD memories are from travelling with others to events, even better if you get to stay overnight in a hotel.

It's not Karate but FWIW in my style of Taekwon Do stepping in front is a cardinal sin as it would restrict your hips and make you more likely to get tangled up. Foot behind the standing leg is better, but foot to foot is better still.

Welcome to the forum Kung Po Whilst I couldn't find Shito Ryu specifically, it looks like you have a few other clubs in your area if you are open to different styles Wado Ryu http://swindonkarate.org.uk/ Wado Ryu http://www.bristolkarateclub.org.uk/index.htm Shotokan http://www.genjitsu.co.uk/ Bunkindai (?) http://www.bukindaikarate.co.uk/site/home/ Number of clubs listed here too http://www.stroud.gov.uk/docs/leisure/hobbies.asp http://www.cirencester.co.uk/clubs/

I hate to say it but students and instructors alike need goals to work towards. That's why the belt system works ao great as it offers measured progression. I personally keep myself motivated by competing a lot. Not for everyone but it works for me to have a couple of days in the year to both look forward to but also to work towards. I think when you're motivated in your own training that enthusiasm can rub off on others. If competition is not your thing I also find training semi regularly with my peers and with my seniors or with other styles to keep my training alive and interesting. Can then bring back any new ideas to your students or use them to cement your own knowledge.

Congratulations Doire

Whilst I agree with your points Spartacus, in my mind I still separate power breaks and speed breaks as two different skills. True that there is an obvious difference between one board supported and one board in free fall, but when you start increasing the boards on a suported break it becomes more about proper use of mass whereas the speed break you can't really throw any body weight behind it. For example a 5 board side kick relies on you fully commiting everything thing to the movement like a sledgehammer smashing through the target. You need mass too as speed alone won't break. But if you try that on an unsupported set of boards you'll just knock them out of the way as it's speed alone that's needed to slice through.

How'd you build yours Wado? I thought about building my own for the garage but not sure it's worth the headache.

Instead of one person using it while the rest of the class watches and waits their turn, it could be one of several stations. One student at the glideboxx, a pair in another section doing focus mitts, another pair doing prearranged sparring drills, etc. But I think this is truly for the hardcore practicioner to have at their home, or in a place like UFC Gym (formerly LA Boxing) or a big dojo that emphasizes kumite and competition like a Kyokushin dojo. It's basically a niche product within a niche market. It won't revolutionalize training; it's just another training tool. A seemingly very good training tool, but a training tool nonetheless. This is kinda how we use the standard bags at our dojang. Either people rotate on the bag from some other drill or pad work, or if there is an odd number in partner work the spare will work the bag instead.

Sensei8 is right on the money. Life happens. I too have to keep skipping sessions recently due to work commitments. I know its not like a full training session but just doing some cardio or running through kata is better than nothing and will keep you ticking over. Martial Arts are a lifelong journey but they shouldn't get in the way of your life.

Like Bob said, there shouldn't be a hard and fast rule as you should adapt to every opponemt and situation. Also what works for me and what works for you are going to be two different things as it will depend on body type and personal style. So my answer is really that your guard should be fluid and adapt to the opponent and ruleset you're fighting under. If you know for instance that your opponent has poor flexibility, better to guard against the mid section kicks. Likewise if your opponent is a known headhunter, keep your hands up. That said I probably prefer a higher guard for similar reasons to you mazzy. The face ia far more important than the body. I also find that punches are better thrown from this position as a lower guard requires you to lift your arms higher to punch.

What do you all make of this? (be sure to watch the video) http://www.glideboxx.com/ Seems lile a good idea for solo training if you have the space for it. I can totally understand the need for something that moves backwards, forward and around whilst you're hitting it. Bags can be a little too static for training kicking combos.

Ok so I will preface this by saying that I am not the world's greatest runner, nor do I actually enjoy running. However my old physio used to also work with several notable British Olympians and always told me running (and walking) posture had a good deal to do with core strength and how you hold yourself through the movement. So I would definitely suggest you might want to work on it as it could help. But also try to get someone to look at your gait and how you are running. Or I highly recommend watching a couple of videos on correct running form

Welcome to the forums Doire You have had some excellent advice so far and I'm sure you'll benefit greatly from it. However honestly whilst its great you want to improve, I wouldn't sweat it too much about the kick. You've been training 4 months and this is your 1st grading. No one has a good side kick after so little time! It's awkward as hell to learn as it isn't a movement most people do naturally. Personally I think it's very hard to suggest correction without seeing you kick and without knowing the exact preferencea of your Sensei and how he likes the kick to be done. So he or she should really be your 1st port of call for help. That said, I will echo Hawmoon's suggestions of getting the kick right at belt level first and then progressing from there. When practicing, hold onto a chair or wall for support, and practice the kick slower at a lower height over and over again paying special attention to your body positioning and leg action. Then when you are comfortable with this, then you can start trying to increase height and speed.

I totally agree JR 137. Full contact is something that's great to work towards and is a real test of your technique when practiced, however it's unreasonable to train like this all the time. Otherwise you run the risk of prematurely wearing your body down. I find full contact can mask or compensate for bad technique too. Just by reducing the contact level down it makes it easier to concentrate on the technical aspects rather than just powering through the movement.

Welcome to the forums karategirl2000 Do you have a link to a video of the form?

Good luck for your testing, I did my 4th last year and was by far the hardest one I've done. Can't help you with physical training but I (as well as other's on here) are always up for some TKD related discussion.

Honestly BMI is a rough tool to estimate your health and whilst it can give you an idea of your health, other stats are a better indictor especially if you do sports. Take any average rugby or NFL player and their BMI would indicate overweight or obese. Current rugby union England captain Chris Robshaw is 188 cm tall and weighs 109 kg according to his world cup stats. That puts him at a BMI of 30 and classes him as obese. Doesn't exactly look obese: http://www.englandrugby.com/england/senior-england-men/squads/chris-robshaw/ It seems like you are making the right changes. If you want to lose weight and keep it off, it has to be a lifestyle change and not a quick fix. Ultimately it comes down to calories in being less thsn calories out. I personally recommend https://www.myfitnesspal.com/ and suggest using it to track everything you're eating currently, then once you're in the habit of this, start cutting back. That said training will get easier the longer you keep doing it as your body adapts. Good luck

Depends on the style as ITF Taekwon-Do grants the term at 7th dan. After this point there is no further material in the curriculum and at an absolute minimum the person would have 35+ years of training. The application process is pretty comprehensive too as you have to show what you've done over your TKD career such as number of students, who you've trained with, international events you've been at etc. I don't get too hung up on the term personally as I think we read too much into it.

Great anything specific you're looking for, patterns? Sparring? Breaking? Are there any schools in your local area?