Martial Arts - What Do/Did You Study

Originally Posted by Drat

Hahaha, I've got a great TKD story.

I was a bluebelt and we got in a 4th degree who had a falling out with his TKD "master"* He was unsure about starting another style since he's spent 5 years in TKD (yes, that's right, 5 years to a 4th degree!). The weekend sparring class came around and my instructor didn't know who to pair him up against for his first time fighting (it was point-sparring that day). I got picked and wasn't sure was going to happen, the guy was a 4th degree TKD balckbelt afterall! The guy had some of the most beautiful flying, spinning kicks I'd ever seen. I stepped to the side as he was doing them at me and punched him in the head. he looked at me with the most confused look ever, sort of like a "where the hell did you go?" looks. This happened 2 more times and I was declared the victor. I have to give the guy credit though, he didn't give up. He lasted about 6 months before he decided he wanted to go back to TKD. He just couldn't figure out how to not fight in a straight line...

*we had a joke about TKD instructors back in the day: The day the get their 1st degree, they get a plane ticket to america. The get on the plane and they are a 2nd degree. The plane reaches altitude and the are a 3rd degree. Touchdown in America = 4th degree, and when they get off the plane, they are 5th degree masters...

Great story.... took on average 5-6 years to get a first degree in my primary art.... mostly to get you mentally ready, the physical part came with all the training...

I went to two different TKD places when I moved from home...about 100 miles away, so I needed a new school.... I walked in wearing my gi, no belt, didn't think it was right, I was already 9 years invested in various other arts at this point... didn't say I knew anything. They were teaching me the basic kata and basic moves... thing that got me is when they were telling me how to do a front kick, they told me to drop my hands to my sides... this was coming from a black belt...

And I know from sparring and tournaments if you do that you'll get your nose broken... I know this from personal experience.... get hit in the head enough you keep your hands up to protect it....

Originally Posted by Kreth

What if Segal uses his deadly "sped-up fight scene" skill?

Ya man, watch enter the dragon.