Search results

After 40+ years of martial arts training, I will say this: I do not agree with most westernized belt rank/test systems above 1st dan. This includes Kukkiwan and ITF. The bottom line is most of the dan tests are overpriced. Practitioners who are ready to advance should not be held back from...

The only problem that I have with these techniques, which I think is worth mentioning, is the fact that the defender ends up on the ground with his arms pinned AND fully committed to restraining the attacker; you're at a stalemate. You've put yourself at a dead end and if there is an accomplice...

I have been attacked by a group of 5 guys outside a convenient store many years ago. It's quite easy, and common, for two or three to try to attack you at once. Based on my personal experience, it is unrealistic for only one out of a hostile group to try to attack you.

I agree with you. One who has 20+ years experience of training/practice/exploring one art and holding a black belt vs one who has 1-2 years experience in the same art and holding the same rank. I think it's obvious which would likely be the more capable martial artist.

Not in Korea. The school was in US. The head of the school, however, was Korean; Grandmaster Chae Teok Goh. He's now retired.

1 year?! Wow. When I started in 1975, we had 10 grade system and it took the average person 8 years to get to black. In fact, our junior instructors were red belts (1st gup).

I was hesitant to say some instructors would be lying on the said forms. I, too, have issues with such dishonesty. And yes, the lineage seems to get foggy the further you dig into it.

I understand your point about it being odd to get 1st Dan without knowing KKW material. However, there is a local Mu Duk Kwan school that is under the KKW banner and test all belts, including dan ranks, under the old Chang Hon curriculum. No one there learns the Tae Guk patterns, yet they are...

The original Mun Mu Kwan was founded in 1966 and the name was suggested by General Choi, one of TKDs founders. I think by 1969, the MMK branched out into a few small schools and formed the World Tae Kwon Do Association. Somewhere along the line, they became affiliated with Kukkiwan while...

Belt systems vary from school to school. The curriculum in each school can be different and each belt could be held at different standards. A black belt from one school is not always the same caliber as a black belt from another school (even if they are the same style).

I was referring to hand-to-hand arts only. You are correct regarding the sword practitioners.

That is a very good training idea!

This is the only way I was shown to do finger pushups. Another good way to strengthen fingers/grip is to do eagle claw exercises with smooth rim jars (use water to weight them)

Well, I presumed it to be true when I heard it from the one who presented the scenario. He claimed to have worked with the said Sheriff's Dept after the event. I agree that the guy could have been making it up.

I under that you don't think this "apocryphal" story (weather true or not) illustrates a poor training practice, which your thoughts are justified. But, do you think the kind of repetitive training, the point being made, affects the outcome of an SD situation? My whole point was that incorrect...

If it is a ficticious account (which I can't say it is or isn't), it most certainly can illustrate a point and teach a valuable lesson. In this case, it would be the importance of proper repetitive training. Police Depts, Fire Depts, and our military understand this.

Interesting. I've only heard it once. Even if it isn't true, it does illustrate the effects of specific repetative traing.

Your post reminds me of one of the requirements I have of my students: they must engage in fitness training at least once a week, unless they want to join me in what I do. I also encourage a healthy diet.

I was trying to make the point that if one is going to learn self defense, one needs to learn how to fight. It's like having a side arm for defense. You can "know" how to operate it. But simply "knowing" and actually being able to use it proficiently are two different things.

I heard of this (I think it was back in 2018) when I attended a siminar on dealing with an active shooter situation. The SWAT instructor who was doing the presentation used this as an object lesson. If I'm not mistaken, it happened in LA, CA with the Sheriff's Dept.

You are correct. That's one of the first things I tell students. You can learn any martial art technique you want, but if you don't know how to actually use it (know how to fight with it), your not getting much.

I see what your saying. And I was not in any way intending to imply that I suggest people engage in full contact sparring in order to learn to defend themselves. I should, however, elaborate on what I posted. One thing I address with people is that, when in a hostile situation, there is a...

Oh, boy. I get into this discussion often. Martial arts has almost always been developed for combat use. They are fighting systems at their core, pure and simple. If you want to defend yourself, you need to train yourself to do just that. That means fighting "dirty" is on the table. You learn to...

The last time I checked, this was the last post.

My opinion is this: Compromising the structural integrity of the attacker (the knees) will take him out of the fight; if he can't stand, he can't pursue you. Robbing the attacker of air supply is also effective but temporary. Anything that involves pain (biting) and you are taking a gamble that...

It looks like there is some confusion regarding the word "spiritual" in this interesting thread. When the word "spirit" is used the martial art sense, it refers to the core values or principles taught within that art. It is not referring to "religion" but to one's expected character. Funakoshi...

I understand what you are saying. Perhaps if you reference the 5 tenants of Tae Kwon Do or the 20 precepts of Shotokan, the things that build character, others can more easily see the comparison you are making. Use those as examples of the "spirituality" you are talking about.

Any hand-to-hand combat system (martial art) is good as long as you learn how to fight (engage your attacker). I would stay away from the schools that only teach according to the rules for competition unless you're going that route. One way to tell if the school is into sport vs defense training...

Thanks, everyone. I tend to agree with your comments. Since I am relatively new to this forum, I did not realize that this has been discussed.

Al Chase. That's the name of the founder of Matrix Martial Arts. Has anyone heard of this guy? I have my opinion of him, but I would very much like some of yours. Thanks