What do you excel at?

[KenpoTess]

Are you a great kicker?

Why, because you're powerful.

Because you can kick anyone's head.

Because you have excellent targeting?

Lightning fast kicks

Other


Striking/punching

Power house?

Targeting is dead on.

You're fast

Other

Blocking

You're would rather defend than attack

You can block anything coming your way.

Other

Speed

You're very accurate and fast

Your kicks are fast.

Strikes and punches are better fast than powerful.

Other.

List your best qualities and tell us about them.

[Kroy]

I started out as a boxer when I was a kid and developed my combinations and hand speed at an early age. It's a very big part of my training, still.

[rachel]

I love doing backfists on the bag. spinning backfists are great! My teacher says I have great power. Also my back kicks are pretty good too.

[KenpoTess]

Originally posted by Kroy
I started out as a boxer when I was a kid and developed my combinations and hand speed at an early age. It's a very big part of my training, still.

That's great Kroy :) Do you find you lead with your head from your boxing days or was that never an issue? I ask this because I know some ex-boxers who get clocked no matter what they do.. just because old habits are hard to break ~!

[KenpoTess]

Originally posted by rachel
I love doing backfists on the bag. spinning backfists are great! My teacher says I have great power. Also my back kicks are pretty good too.

Hey Rachel :)

Yeah that bag work is great outlet~! Spinning backfists are a big no no in our school.. They are considered a 'blind technique.. Very dangerous to use in sparring unless you STOP the spin focus the target and then strike.. but then it's no longer a spinning backfist.. :shrug:
Most every tourny I've heard of forbids them..
Plus a spinning backfist leaves you open upon completion of your spin, offering you to your opponent..
Tell me in what type of situation or technique do you use them? *curious here *G*


A good back kick is a wonderful tool.. I use them alot in sparring.. that and the plain old Front kick.. the first kick we learn and the first most forget :)

Great to see you here ~!!

Tess

[Kroy]

Originally posted by KenpoTess
That's great Kroy :) Do you find you lead with your head from your boxing days or was that never an issue? I ask this because I know some ex-boxers who get clocked no matter what they do.. just because old habits are hard to break ~!

You struck the nail on the head there. I was infamous for leading with my head but my instructor beat that habit out of me. I still tend to do it from time to time though.:boxing:

[KenpoTess]

Originally posted by Kroy
You struck the nail on the head there. I was infamous for leading with my head but my instructor beat that habit out of me. I still tend to do it from time to time though.:boxing:

well glad you have a good instructor who beat it outta you *G* :D

[pknox]

How about grappling? I know some great lady grapplers out there (no fetish jokes please -- I'm being serious).

[Rich Parsons]

Tess,

Once again, I do not fit into teh pre-defined box ;).

I would have to say I excel at teaching, I try to find the words and or action that connects with the student.

People tell me that they can go out and smoke a cigarette while I am kicking, so I would have to say speed and and kicking are not my area of excel, and as I get hit alot, blocking is out, hmm maybe punching? Well as I mentioned, I am not fast nor dead on.

Oh wait this is in the women's self defense forum.

Sorry Tess :eek: :asian:

[KenpoTess]

Originally posted by pknox
How about grappling? I know some great lady grapplers out there (no fetish jokes please -- I'm being serious).

I love to Grapple Pknox :) I think all women should learn at least how to deal with chokes, arm /leg bars etc. We have been training in Samurai Jiu Jitsu all along with our Kenpo and it's a great thing to know~! The falls and rolls have saved my butt numerous times.. from slipping in the kitchen to falling on ice..
Women are rarely going to be able to overpower their opponent.. but a good pinch, bite .. twisting will surely help break the lock and maybe free them!

Good point~!

[KenpoTess]

Originally posted by Rich Parsons
Tess,

Once again, I do not fit into teh pre-defined box ;).

I would have to say I excel at teaching, I try to find the words and or action that connects with the student.

People tell me that they can go out and smoke a cigarette while I am kicking, so I would have to say speed and and kicking are not my area of excel, and as I get hit alot, blocking is out, hmm maybe punching? Well as I mentioned, I am not fast nor dead on.

Oh wait this is in the women's self defense forum.

Sorry Tess :eek: :asian:

Rich hehee ya goober :) no you don't fit in any defined box ~!! But I think I'll keep you around for the fun of you :)

If you can kick to the knees, shins, hips/ bladder. then don't fret about speed or height.. just blast that sucker and you'll be fine ;)

[LadyDragon]

I wouldn't be able to pick one specific thing that I excel at. I've always been an athelete and some things come easier to me than others. But any thing that is shown to me, I can usually pick up rather easily (with a bit of practice of course).

[Rich Parsons]

Originally posted by KenpoTess
Rich hehee ya goober :) no you don't fit in any defined box ~!! But I think I'll keep you around for the fun of you :)

If you can kick to the knees, shins, hips/ bladder. then don't fret about speed or height.. just blast that sucker and you'll be fine ;)

Well that is the saying in our club, "Rich is not fast, but oh boy never let him land one :D "

[pknox]

Originally posted by KenpoTess
I love to Grapple Pknox :) I think all women should learn at least how to deal with chokes, arm /leg bars etc. We have been training in Samurai Jiu Jitsu all along with our Kenpo and it's a great thing to know~! The falls and rolls have saved my butt numerous times.. from slipping in the kitchen to falling on ice..
Women are rarely going to be able to overpower their opponent.. but a good pinch, bite .. twisting will surely help break the lock and maybe free them!

Good point~!

Very true. It also gets them used to being in close contact with an opponent, which could very well happen in an actual attack. In addition, it teaches principles of leverage, which could prove very helpful given that the attacker will most likely be larger than the victim, and, as you said, will not usually be easily overpowered.

[stickarts]

I enjoy working on razor sharp backfists or jabs!

[Dark_Sunshine]

I've got to agree with you, Rachel, spinning backfists are beautiful things. They're speedy, which works great as I'm not very big, but I can drop my boyfriend with one. In my dojo, we focus a lot on more "defensive" techniques like the backfist and kicking to the knees, it's all done against pads. I guess it comes down to which aspects of martial arts you're into, I don't really like tournaments, self-defense is most important to me.

[Seig]

Years ago, spinning back fists were not only legal in the ring, they were the "save your ass" technique of choice. As a result, those of us that were around 15-20 years ago learned to defend against them. My students occassionally screw up and throw one, they usually wind up regretting it immediately. In a real SD situation, I much more prefer the spinning elbow. It is not as easy to block and carries even more crushing power. I do not feel that I excel at any one particular thing anymore. I have been teaching for so long working with other people on their strengths and weaknesses that it has helped me become much more rounded than I was even 10 years ago.

[KenpoTex]

I heard somewhere that spinning-backfists are one of the two techniques that account for 90% of K.O.'s in full-contact fighing such as vale tudo matches (the other being a roundhouse kick to the head). They are definately a powerful strike, however, my instructors discourage this move for the same reason that Tess mentioned: you are striking blind, and if you stop to look you interupt your motion.

[bdparsons]

Gotta disagree here, folks. Done properly, spinning backfists are neither "blind" nor is your turning motion "interrupted" while you acquire your target. I will agree though, that the reason many schools and tournaments have stopped allowing them is because people were taught to do them incorrectly, thereby making it dangerous, and in some cases an insurance liability.

Simply put, on any spinning technique the head should be the first part of the body to complete the turn, allowing the eyes (either directly or by peripheral vision) to acquire the target. Much like a figure skater in certain spins or a ballet dancer doing multiple pirouettes. Watch the head lead the turn and acuire a focus point. Same thing at work here, we're just acquiring targets.

Seig is dead on with what makes an effective spinning backfist, though he was speaking against its use. When the turn is made the arms should be kept in leading with the elbow. Once the target is acquired you have can either throw the horizontal backfist or the vertical backfist. If you change your mind, or find yourself too close to throw an effective backfist, you can always continue with the the elbow favored by Seig.

The spinning backfist is an effective weapon, though without proper training it is difficult to control. Too many folks turn it into a "get him off of me" technique. When done properly it is an great precision move to set-up and execute and follow-up on. Done poorly it is easily nullified.

Remember it's just "a" tool in the toolbox, and everybody is entitled to their opinion.

Respects,
Bill Parsons
Triangle Kenpo Institute

[MichiganTKD]

I've been told that I excel at everything. Actually, I'll admit that my hand techniques could use use a little more work. Being a TKD student, kicking just always came more naturally to me. However, I never placed limits on what I thought I should be good at, or felt that forms or sparring were better for me. I felt, and still feel, that I should be good at basics, forms, kicking, sparring, drills, and self defense. I also understand fully that not everyone feels this way. Some people prefer forms, some sparring etc.

[ShaolinWolf]

I've been told that I excel at everything. Actually, I'll admit that my hand techniques could use use a little more work. Being a TKD student, kicking just always came more naturally to me. However, I never placed limits on what I thought I should be good at, or felt that forms or sparring were better for me. I felt, and still feel, that I should be good at basics, forms, kicking, sparring, drills, and self defense. I also understand fully that not everyone feels this way. Some people prefer forms, some sparring etc.
I agree. My hand techniques in sparring are pretty good, but I get bored with them because that's where I can easily score a point(people leave themselves wide open, but I get sick of using hands because they are no challenge). In forms, my hand techniques are pretty good.

With kicking, it's natural, because I'm in TKD. I use my side kick plenty because I have longer legs and I keep plenty of people at back. On short people, that is. On tall people, I use my flexibility to get in close and yet still kick their heads. My speed needs some work, but of course don't we all. I'm speedy enough for now. Like Michigan TKD, I've been told I excel at everything.

To answer Tess' questions:

Are you a great kicker?

Why, because you're powerful. yes, my legs are powerful

Because you can kick anyone's head. yes, but I haven't gone against a 7 ft tall person yet, so for now, yes...

Because you have excellent targeting? yes, somewhat

Lightning fast kicks. Well, not as fast as lightning, but fast enough...

Other. Of course


Striking/punching

Power house? not really, just fast hands

Targeting is dead on. Yeah, but I normally use mixed up combos in sparring that end up making people block my legs or a punch so I can get another punch in. I get fast targeted punches in at the beginning that score a good amount of points.

You're fast My hands are fast

Other Of course

Blocking

You're would rather defend than attack Against some of my instructors, but no.

You can block anything coming your way. not entirely, no, but I can block the large majority of stuff that comes my way...not against instructors or higher ranked black belts...

Other Of course

Speed

You're very accurate and fast I'm pretty fast and accurate, but I'm still working on becoming faster

Your kicks are fast. Yes

Strikes and punches are better fast than powerful. Oh, heck yeah...lol I can only lift atm 120 lbs...heh you do the math...

Other. Of course

:asian:

[MichiganTKD]

You know, I've thought about my lack of hand techniques and sort of reached the same conclusion. To me, kicking techniques just seemed more beautiful and harder to learn. I even go so far as to think that by studying hand techniqes, I'm devolving into a karate student at the expense of Tae Kwon Do. Not to say that hand techniques aren't important. They are. However, I don't really focus on the techniques themselves so much as the mechanics and principles behind them. For example, I really think that rather than practice a spinning backfist or elbow, if you practice the waist action and mechanics, the technique will take care of itself. Moreover, I've seen lots of students who obviously focus too much on the techniques and have a very foundation. Where do you practice this foundation? Basics and forms. If your basics and forms are no good, nothing else will matter.

[TigerWoman]

I was asked at my 2nd dan BB test "what I thought I excelled at". I don't know what answer they wanted. I answered that I thought I didn't really excel at anything. He answered but you do, you excel at pushups. Sure, I could do pushups but it's not something to excel at. Was that supposed to be a compliment! No, at 55 I really don't "excel" at anything but staying in the game. I excel at "indomitable spirit" and being tenacious. At least so far, God willing.

[mj-hi-yah]

First Tess let me please say that you do a mighty fine job here!!! :)

I'm not sure if it's the best thing that I do, but my favorite thing to do in karate is punching and sparring. I love it, and with all the equipment and the helmet hair who would have thought it? The reason I love it, is that I love to punch - really gets out your aggression!!! Also, it's kind of like a game you have to try and think a few moves ahead. I like sparring with men or women, but it's different to spar with the guys because they usually have me on reach. Their arms and legs are longer, and most of them are bigger and stronger, but I am fast so I like to make an opening (follow in a kick or a punch) and go in on them, sometimes jam their punches and kicks with a few pop, pop, pops, and a quick exit out! But I always have to worry about protecting my head. They tell me they have to worry about my right to their ribs. There is a good amount of respect on both sides. My challenge is in controlling their height.

Do you like to spar Tess?

[KenpoTess]

Thanks alot MJ :)
Great to have you aboard~!

Sparring is the best *grin*, though I've had to take a vacation from it for the last few months due to a sparring incident with a visiting high ranking BB of a different system.. did some major damage to my elbow.. but I got him good too :D.
Sparring teaches much and you're right, you have to use different tactics against someone with 'Inspector gadget arms' hehee.. and with someone who towers over you and thinks they are a hammer and your head is a nail~!!
*growls at them* ;)
I'm known as 'TessManian Devil' *shrugs* with a chuckle*

Again, welcome and Enjoy the board~!

:asian:
~Tess

[mj-hi-yah]

Sparring is the best *grin*, though I've had to take a vacation from it for the last few months due to a sparring incident with a visiting high ranking BB of a different system.. did some major damage to my elbow.. but I got him good too :D.
Sparring teaches much and you're right, you have to use different tactics against someone with 'Inspector gadget arms' hehee.. and with someone who towers over you and thinks they are a hammer and your head is a nail~!!
*growls at them* ;)
I'm known as 'TessManian Devil' *shrugs* with a chuckle*

Again, welcome and Enjoy the board~!:asian:
~Tess
First sorry to hear about your injury, but I imagine he had to be carried out so good for you:mp5:

Oh yeah I've meet inspector gadget many a times...He's taught me to BLOCK, and my God...somehow like it has a mind of it's own my left arm now goes up...:boing2:

I like your nickname...it's cute but shows respect

I don't love mine but they stick when they fit ....they call me The Flurry Queen:boxing:

Thanks for the welcome!

I'll see ya around!:asian:

[bluemtn]

I have two votes- kicking and other.Kicking- not necessarily for head height (I can do, but not my main target area). I can kick fast and hard, and really good at the technique part of it.

Other- I love self defense. I especially love throwing!

[RachelK]

My best skill is not on the list. It's actually groundwork. I excel on the ground. I don't know why, but I think I fight better on the ground. Striking is another skill that I would put towards the top of my list, because people always tell me that my strikes are good. A lot of people have said that I can land three or four strikes in a time period in which they can only land one. However, it's not because I am fast. It's because my arms are relatively relaxed and this allows me to kind of snake around and get a few sneaky punches in rather than drawing back and "re-setting." In the style I practice, it's called a trinity strike, when you hit with the fist, then the elbow, then the fist again, or any sequence using the whole arm. It's probably called something else in other styles, I don't think it's unique to Systema. Staying relaxed allows for a whip-like strike that penetrates much more deeply than one with a tense arm.
Because many people have complimented me on my strikes, I have to remind myself not to have too much pride in it. We all have particular skills at which we excel and mine happen to be striking, groundwork, multiple attackers, and confined spaces (against a wall, in a chair, etc.). I am least proficient at knife work, although I like the stick a lot, but the knife, not so much.
Fun topic, thanks for sparking it!
Best,
Rachel

[Sam]

I excel at kicking. I have excellent balance, have no trouble throwing multiple kicks at different heights while covering distance, and have great targeting. I also have very good control and dont hesitate to throw butterfly-kisses wheel kicks to the face.

[King]

I'll have to say I'm most at home when it comes to hand work. If I have any skill that I excel at it would have to be observation. I have a knack of figuring out how people work and setting up counters.

[Tez3]

Tigerwoman, you have made my day! I've been getting pretty fed up with my training for a while now feeling very low about a lot of things, mostly that I'm 53 next week. Your post cheered me up and I've realised I don't need to give up trying! I'm going to ask now if I can go for my 2nd Dan as I've been first for a long time and didn't think I should go any further! cheers!

[Kacey]

Patterns (forms) and instruction. Therefore, I have not answered the poll.

[Carol]

Tigerwoman, you have made my day! I've been getting pretty fed up with my training for a while now feeling very low about a lot of things, mostly that I'm 53 next week. Your post cheered me up and I've realised I don't need to give up trying! I'm going to ask now if I can go for my 2nd Dan as I've been first for a long time and didn't think I should go any further! cheers!


Tez, you in turn are inspiring me and many others that see our training as a way of life, and want it to be something that we can do and enjoy for as long as we possibly can. :)

[Drusilla]

I'm pretty sure that my best area is my kicking as I'm very flexible and have good muscles in my legs (not good for the skinny jeans look though LOL). I can get my kicks higher than my instructor, and considering I've only been training for 6 months, this can only be a good thing.

[Sui]

well at the moment i think i'm a decent kicker. Being a dancer previously and doing various other sports that require strong and fast and/or controlled legs it's only natural.

[Slihn]

I have always exceled in kicks(The Muay Thai Shin Kick) and speed.I guess it is because I train kicks the most,they have become my favorite type of striking in the martial arts.Most of the times when I fight I am faster than my oppoent,which has saved me more than once while doing "hard" sparring.

[dragonswordkata]

I like to avoid being hit, I get enough headaches at work without beating up someones fist with my head. Using 8 pt, 10 pt, Plum Tree or leg blocks has kept me out of harms way in many a sparring match, but my good'old 2 feet, and knowing what to say, and what NOT to say, have helped me walk away from some ugly situations.
Oh, so I may not Excell much, but I do Word and WordPerfect at about green belt :)

[yumeiko]

:)so I am the shortest person in my class, pretty much, and therefore it is to my advantage to wait for the person that I am sparring with to attack and open themselves up, block and then attack. Once they are inside my range they can no longer get all the power from their kicks and because I am smaller I am also a little faster so I can get punches in sooner. -this was something that my karate instructor kept pointing out though I seemed to instinctively know this already because even before he first pointed it out I waited for my opponent to attack-

[curious]

I am really good at punching but the force of it can be better. I have carpal tunnel in both wrist, it's worse on my right. Some times after class I have to ice pack and wear my wrist braces for the pain. http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/images/icons/icon9.gif

I'm pretty good at grappling, I'm one of two dominant females in my class. The only thing is because I'm almost always on top I don't get to work on a whole lot of techniques, it gets redundant after a while. Only recently one of the other females in my class actually got me off- once for like three seconds. Everybody in class stopped doing what they were doing and started clapping- congratulating her. :shrug:

I grew up learning how to block I learn that the hard way. It annoys my classmates that most of the time when they try to punch me- I block. The only way they get me is if I put my arms up and let them. :p

Now for the creme de la creme- kicking!!!!! For two years I have been doing my kicks bare; no shoes or shin guards. I kicked anything and everything; pads, bag and people. I even do my shin blocks with bare legs. My kicks are strong enough to knock the stuffing out of the pads and knock my instructor back a couple of feet. http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/images/icons/icon10.gif