Ryan

I think it depends on the way it is done. If everyone from white to black is receiving the same instruction in the same class, thats no good. At my school, we have mixed classes, but it isnt always the same ranks. For instance, on tuesday night, we have two classes (for adults, there are child classes too). One is red and black only, the other is all other ranks. Some classes are all ranks, but every class is geared to cover material that you need to learn or practice, for any rank that will be in the class. Also, you only get better by fighting those that are better than you are. I prefer to fight people who outrank me because I feel I have the most to learn from them. When I fight lower ranks, I dont just pummel them, but instead try to teach them by finding and exploiting their weaknesses. They learn what areas or techniques they should work on. I think it can benifit everyone.

Yeah, I know its a stretch. It does fit within definition of the word, though.

Asians must have light bones.

I have, and like i said, it really depends on the person. I know we hear this so much, but its true. Ive sparred with boxers that just dont know how to deal with kicks. On the other hand, Ive sparred with boxers that I had a LOT of trouble kicking. Also, I think it is safe to assume that most 280 lb guys arent track stars, but then again, neither am I.

Is there a website? I did look very briefly the other day with no luck. Man, Ive become a post whore today.

I searched and came up with nothing in this forum. Since I just made a reply in another thread qualifying boxing as a martial art by using the definition of martial, I figured this would be appropriate. The definition of martial from dictionary.com is this: 1. Of, relating to, or suggestive of war. 2. Relating to or connected with the armed forces or the profession of arms. 3. Characteristic of or befitting a warrior. Therfor, it stands to reason that training with a handgun would be a martial art. So how many of you own or carry a gun? If so, what kind? Do you have a favorite? I do have a concealed carry permit, but I dont carry. Mainly because you cant take guns into places I frequent, and they can be a liability. However, I do love to shoot. I really like Glocks, and it seems you either love em or hate em. I like the compact 9mm models the most, but the full size models are nice too. Another one of my favorite Glocks is the compact .40 cal. Nice knock down power with a little less kick than a .45. I also like the H&K USP 9mm and .40 cal. I dont generally like .45s because my grouping is never very good.

Sounds good. However, I do think it is still important to note that the video is mainly meant as an athletic demonstration rather than self defense. BTW, how would you go about giving directions to Middle-of-Nowhere, Pennsylvania. I think Ive heard of it, or at least passed it on a road trip or something.

I voted yes, but now Im not sure I completely understood. Will I train on Easter Sunday? Heck no, I dont do anything on any sunday (except those between August and January...Go Saints!). I will be training on saturday and monday, though. At least one of the two, anyway.

I hear ya. Agreed.

Yeah, I do too. That would still be fun, though.

Well, I dont think this is really what youre looking for, but you might want to look at https://www.aiminghigh.org. Its a martial arts publication that may at least point you to something useful. I just dont think there is any real data to be had. Subjectivity is inevitable.

I have never made any representation of my opinion about boxing. However since it was brought up, here goes. By the true clinical definition of martial art, boxing would have to be included. Boxing is characteristic or befitting of a warrior. I am not scared of it, and I dont think anyone else is. Now, if the boxer is 6'6 and 280 lbs, I might be scared of HIM, but that would be true no matter how he trained (unless of course his only bicep workout was lifting the beer to his face while on the couch). I digress. Simple is not effective. I think you are right with this assessment, as Im sure a lot of people think that way. I personally think it depends on the particular athlete. One of my current instructors (4th dan TKD) formerly boxed exlusively. He can beat everyone in my school (other than the head instructor) without lifting his feet off the ground. So I agree, it CAN be effective. Yes, boxing is complex.

I have to agree. Good luck finding anything like that which is, in fact, reputable.

I would say studying an art is better than ONLY working with weights, but they really are quite complimentary. I do both, and so do most of my training buddies. Im no body builder by any means. Im only 170 lbs at almost 6'3, but Im much stronger than I look.

I really like all of my instructors. My schools head instructor is 7th Dan (TKD) Master Rick Hoadley. He was one of the founding members of the Unites States Taekwondo Alliance, which later became the International Taekwondo Alliance. Our school has since left the ITA due to differing visions of Mr. Hoadley and the current ITA board. He is a great man and excellent instructor. He is starting to get kind of old, so he isnt capable of demonstrating every technique anymore (or maybe he is, but he usually has a younger intructor demonstrate). Although he will step into the ring from time to time to spar us, and let me tell you, he still has one hell of a sidekick. He has been instructing for so long that he has gotten really good at describing ways to use muscles you didnt previously know existed. You almost learn from him without knowing it. He is very fatherly and genuinely cares about all his students and their abilities. He demands respect without asking for it, and makes the whole room better with his presence. His demeaner is always positive and never makes anyone feel like they are inferior. I dont think I have ever seen him discipline anyone, but he never has a reason to. I feel very fortunate to have him as my instructor.