DWx

I've got a 10 year old who's been with me about a year now. He's chronically shy and hates doing anything where he might look stupid. I couldn't even get him to run around the room with the other kids to start with, he'd just walk around or shrink back away from everyone. I think it'll depend on the individual kid but with mine I make a point of not drawing attention to him. Encourage him to join in and I pair him up with another kid who doesn't overwhelm him but I don't keep on at him to join in. I'll ask 3x maybe and he's not feeling it that's ok. And if it's exercises that everyone is doing, I join in and make sure I finish last not him as that seems to be one of his biggest fears.

That's great that you've got more students now! If Cobra Kai is actually revitalizing the Karate community somewhat, then that's a good thing.I've definitely seen a lot of enquiries recently and a fair few were mentioning Karate Kid / Cobra Kai to me. Wouldn't be surprised if the Martial Arts industry grows off the back of this.

We're training back in person from Friday (but were allowed to do so from today). We've got a tier system here in the UK with Tier 1 areas being the most lenient and Tier 3 (where I am ) with the strictest measures. We can only teach under 18s in person at the moment. So only Junior classes going ahead. Adults can join us online but can only be taught in a 1 to 1 setting. No contact or paired work for anyone. Unfortunately one of the halls I hire isn't opening back up so some of my classes are still online only.

Congratulations everyone

All sounds pretty positive Bob, keep fighting

That's awesome that you're pulling so many into Zoom classes! I was pretty surprised the first time it happened as in the summer we'd be at around 10-15 per session. But I think now it's dark and wet outside so the kids are stuck inside rather than enjoying the sunshine

That is an interesting setup; no reason not to utilize the technology. This pandemic may change the way a lot of things are done in the future. They're all still up on YouTube if you search for ITF Corona Challenge you can see the format.

You might want to put a note inside your refrigerator that reads.Are you hungry or bored? Have a Merry Hibernation DWx But I know how to ignore my own note hanging in the frig, if need be. Oh yeah it's totally ignore it. Just like I ignored all the healthy snacks I buy and go straight for the chocolate.

FWIW our ITF recently changed international tournaments to not be two at a time. Every round a competitor has to do an optional pattern (from their belt level) and then a designated one (same for both competitors, can be anything up to their grade). It used to be both up for optional and then both up for designated. Now it's one by one for optional, side by side for designated. In my experience it takes much longer as you're not only adding an extra form or round, you've also got extra messing around with getting people on and off the mats. The is of course if you are running an elimination tournament with the winner progressing through to the next round. I've also done TKD tournaments where everyone went up once and was scored and ranked, highest score wins. And I've done them where everyone goes up one by one in a group for a score and then top 1 or 2 of each group to through to the next round. I think the side by side method works great when you're trying to directly compare two competitors... Providing they are doing the same form. It's also great for getting through the round quickly especially if you don't show the actually score and just choose a winner. You're just making a decision about who looks better on the whole. One by one is probably more fair u to each competitor as you get a better assessment of them as you're less likely to miss something.

Personal goal? Stop eating and start moving. Currently doing a great impression of a bear getting ready to hibernate. The struggle of home working (easy access to the fridge) and no exercise is ruining me.

I feel you here JR. It sucks big time. In the summer I was quite motivated, ran Zoom classes online, was training like crazy myself (mostly general strength and cardio plus bag work). We opened up for a couple of weeks and did socially distant training. I even ran a colour belt exam but all low belts (6th kup and below). Now we're back in lockdown in the UK and I've had enough. I can tell the students need it though. Our Zoom classes are even busier than the first lockdown and we're hitting around 25 students per session, just over half of our school. We've also been doing online national training via Zoom and actually its working well as we're spending a lot of time working the basics, positions and general fitness. Its tough but its not always a bad thing to take a break. Might end up being a good thing for you. Martial Arts are supposed to enhance your life not feel like a burden.

Not in person but ITF TKD has been hosting regional patterns tournaments. Film your pattern and submit then on broadcast day the judges watch two competitors in "real time". Little bit artificial as you can keep refilming until you get the perfect one but at least its something. As for sparring for us, no chance. We can't even do sparring or pad work in class.

After 3 months in person classes (all social distant) we're back online again for a minimum of 4 weeks, could be longer :'( This is getting old fast

Wow you've had a lot to say Congratulations sensei8! You're catching Brian up!

Admittedly I only skim read it right now but this is a pretty comprehensive break down of the two methods and suggested better power generation from the full twist https://expertboxing.com/horizontal-punches-vs-vertical-punches Interestingly they make a comment towards the end about vertical Vs horizontal in relation to your body (your torso) or in relation to the ground and I guess your opponents body. I guess you have to consider the punch from both a mechanics point of view for the puncher, but also how the fist is orientated to the opponent. Now on a slightly related point... What about open hand strikes? Most would do them with the wrist in the horizontal position rather than vertical.

It could be that my technique with vertical isn't as polished but yes I tend to find myself making contact with 3 knuckles or the middle finger knuckle and ring finger knuckle rather that traditional forefist when vertical (thumb up). Especially if we talk about long range. Inverted vertical (thumb down) does tend to hit with the forefist for me. Thinking about it more though I think it depends on my intent with the punches. Short lead hand jabs I stay thumb up or rotate to horizontal. But if I'm committing with that hand then I'll rotate right over. My rear hand rotates thumb down for head shots but I probably stay horizontal if I drop for a body shot.

20mm are fine for line work, kata, sparring etc. But not great for throws. Depends how much you do of each but to save money you can have 20mm mats then buy a few thicker ones which you bring out for extensive floor work.

To be honest I tend to rotate right over for a lot of shots. Almost thumb down. This has the advantage of raising your shoulder and protecting the head. In ITF TKD we do see variants on fist position in the forms, and single vertical punches. These are for short range attacks on the whole, into the gut or kidneys, unless like you say twin fist which is longer range to the jaw.

Congrats Noah and Stephanie!

We don't really do Halloween in a big way in the UK. Some kids go trick or treating, some have parties but its not massive. In our TKD school we've been doing Halloween themed classes where everyone can dress up and we take a break from normal training and do fun fitness things. This year we will still let them dress up but we're going to be limited in what we can do.

So for us its always time in grade which is important, not age. So a 16 year old blue belt who's had the grade for 6 months may be more senior than a 50 year old blue belt who only just got the grade. We have junior blackbelts, they have a white stripe through the centre of their belts. They are always junior to a full/adult blackbelt.

9th dan for us though 7th is the last rank you physically test for. Nowadays there are quite a few 9th and 8th dans due to how widespread and how long TKD has been going for.

That sounds like a reasonable approach. Forgive me if this doesn't work as we don't quite have the same concept as bunkai in TKD. But do you have levels of bunkai? As in obvious applications through to more hidden ones? Could you teach the kata, teach the obvious bunkai, teach the next level, then third level is to devise your own bunkai. The student then studies the same kata for 3 grades but each time its fresh as more to think about.

Welcome to KF! What part of the world are you from?

Welcome to KF!