YoungMan

Once you enter the dojang, professional behavior is expected and required. Outside of class, you can act like a dating couple. In class, you are students.

The Hwa Rang Do as practiced by Joo Bang Lee is no relation to the historical Hwa Rang, although he did try to claim heritage originally. It is more of an offshoot of Hapkido.

And this why I've never given private lessons or private tests-you need to be able to overcome this nervous feeling of being in front of people. As Tae Kwon Do goes, so goes life. In self defense, you will be much more nervous and need to be able to deal with it. Practice so that the techniques are automatic, and then when your name is called, breathe deeply in and out to stimulate relaxation.

You know, I've given up getting mad and frustrated at these demos and thinking "we could do so much better" because it accomplishes nothing. When I see these jokers in their fancy uniforms and flashy technique, I just shake my head, be thankful I practice where I do and train a little harder next time so that I don't become like them.

Don't forget, this is not self defense, where you do what you have to do to get out alive. This is sports, where your mission is to win the match and fight again. You are not trying to hurt each other, you are trying to win a match. As such, there must be rules in place so that both fighters get out with a minimum of bodily harm. I really dislike it when people say you should be able to poke the eyes, kick the groin, punch the face etc. You are trying to win a match, not cause permanent injury.

I would say the main Tae Kwon Do organization in the world now is the World Taekwondo Federation. The ITF, having split up into three entities and without Gen. Choi, is certainly not as relevant as it once was. Others: ATA-American Taekwondo Asociation. But again, certainly not as influential without Haeng Ung Lee. USAT-The new version of the USTU. But it is a far cry from what the USTU used to be. Nowhere near as powerful. There are also a host of lesser organizations, mostly regional, that have more local influence. But I think the future is going to bring a decline of the world organizations and the rise of newer organizations. This is evolution.

And people wonder why most sports martial arts events ban techniques like this? Why risk blindness just to win a medal or a small purse? Small consolation for a permanent disability.

Based on your description, it sounds like a lack of muscular control in the abdominal region. Very common among lower ranking belts who have not yet learned proper control. My suggestions: 1. Keep your stomach, more specifically your dan jeon area, very strong during choombi stance. 2. Same thing for horseback stance. Keep that area very strong while punching. 3. Practice crunches and lower back exercises to help build that area up. Pilates are very good as well.

6-9 months? That seems a bit much to have to wait for yellow belt testing.

Just goes to show, you start using illegal techniques and things escalate to the point where people get hurt. Nothing like an eye poke, bite, groin kick, or illegal choke to really irritate someone. As long as everyone are playing by the accepted rules, everything's cool. But you start doing illegal moves to get an edge and all bets are off.

Several of our Instructors hold classes in church recreation facilities. So obviously being Christian is no barrier to practicing Tae Kwon Do.

We hold testing about every two months, so it takes about that much time (give or take) to reach yellow belt. We don't use hand contact to the face during free sparring however. For the record, there is a thread dedicated to self taught martial artists. Many contributors (myself included) have a problem with that.

Then age aside, I think legitimate karate masters (those promoted by recognized organizations) probably feel that climbing into a cage to fight is inappropriate for someone of their rank and status. They most likely feel they have nothing to prove, that what they practice is not a sport with which to win belts or money, and don't want that kind of publicity. They may have competed earlier on in their career, but possibly feel it is unnecessary now. That's what separates a true Master from simply a good fighter. Being a good fighter doesn't make you a Master. Yeah, there are so-called Masters competing in tournaments, but I don't think they are the same type as the ones I mentioned above.

I would never stand around and watch a streetfight. I refuse to derive amusement from two peoples' conflict. I might observe for a few seconds to see if others are at risk, or watch to see if one party is being beaten so badly he might need an ambulance. But if the situation seemed to be in their hands, let them handle it alone. I would bring to a streetfight whatever the situation calls for. If the aggressor is obviously inexperienced and nervous, I don't need anything more than perhaps a small demonstration of what he might be in for if he keeps it up. If he is 6'2", 290lbs, and enraged, that's a whole nother story. Then, anything goes including, kicking, punching, biting etc.

Because it's not. Wrestlers (and boxers as well) are not considered martial artists in this country, they are considered athletes. Also, you never see wrestling and boxing listed in the martial arts section of Yellow Pages. Okay, boxing maybe. Wrestling is considered a western sport, is taught as a sport, and practiced to win medals and compettions. Therefore, in my opinion, wrestling should not be considered one of the major martial arts.

I'm still hoping they can go to Korea and train in traditional and sport Tae Kwon Do. To be honest, the kicking demos by the Japanese and Okinawan masters didn't impress me. Decent hand techniques though. I'd like to see some kicking demos from Korean experts (side kick, axe kick, back roundhouse, high roundhouse). I definitely DON'T recommend banging your hand against a rock for conditioning unless you want long term damage down the road.

Based on what you would find in the Yellow Pages: 1. Tae Kwon Do. Seem to be more of this than any other. The Olympics and kids programs definitely help. 2. Okinawan/Japanese karate 3. Tai Chi. 4. Non-Tai Chi Kung Fu 5. Hapkido. Often taught with TKD in some schools. 6. Aikido. 7. Brazilian Jujitsu. 8. Boxing I see very few ads for the other styles mentioned.

And yes, Norris' trademark technique in tournaments was the high back side kick which he learned in Korea studying Tang Soo Do. It worked because noone at the time knew how to counter it. This was in the mid-late sixties, and very few American fighters knew Korean techniques.

Just a theory, but it could be that one of the reasons why you don't see karate masters competing in MMA matches is that they feel they are past the point where competition is necessary or appropriate. In WTF Tae Kwon Do (for example), eligibility is extended to 1st-3rd Dans. It is considered inappropriate for higher Dans (4th Dan+) to enter competitions. It might just be that karate masters don't feel that entering ring or cage matches is appropriate for their rank and position. Keep in mind also, many legitimate masters are a bit older than your typical MMA fighter and don't want to risk injuring themselves in the name of sport.

Exactly. UFC devolved into using just enough subpar kicks and punches to get in close, and turn it into a submission contest. I couldn't imagine watching 20 minutes of that. And contrary to what was posted previously, I don't believe wrestling is a martial art. In fact, Keith Vargo (Black Belt Magazine columnist) did a series of columns postulating the same thing. But that's another thread.

And as we all know, if it's in Black Belt Magazine it must be legitimate

I wouldn't do both, personally. However, it would be wise to ask both Instructors, and follow their advice. If one Instructor says no, you must follow their advice. Why ask them if you're not going to listen to what they say? The traditional way is to follow your Instructor's teaching. If your teacher doesn't want you to do something, don't do it. If you don't want to listen to them, don't practice under them.

Hapkido was originally brought to Korea by Young Sul Choi, who lived with aikijitsu master Sogaku Takeda for decades, possibly as a servant. How Choi learned this art is open to debate, as there is no record of Takeda claiming Choi as a student. Originally, Hapkido was simply aikijitsu brought to Korea. Later, Han Jae Ji added many of the famous Korean kicks and developed modern Hapkido. Over the years, there has been much intermingling between TKD and HKD. Tae Kyon is the classical Korean kicking art/game that uses sweeps, circular, high, spinning, and jumping kicks. The TKD of today bears a much closer resemblance to Tae Kyon than the TKD of years ago, a result of the conscious Korean effort to get rid of the Japanese influences and revitalize the Korean roots.

Dojang rivalry is absolutely healthy as long as it is not carried to an extreme. I had a healthy rivalry in class with a partner. We would always see who had the faster basic kicking, best form, free fighting etc. As long as it is kept at healthy rivalry to motivate, rivalry can do wonders to bring up technique and motivate you to better yourself.

I know all my old forms because I taught for about 12 years and had to. I've seen instructors and black belts who taught forms while looking at the forms in a book. To me, this is absolutely unacceptable. If you don't know the forms, don't teach.