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.

Originally Posted by Hardcz

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...

Thing is, TKD has all of 5 hand strikes. Protecting the head is easier when you're only looking out for feet. It is by far the least practical "self defense" system.

Oh, fun side note: There was a TKD studio in HB CA named "The House of Discipline", no kidding!

[Kreth]

Originally Posted by Drat

Oh, fun side note: There was a TKD studio in HB CA named "The House of Discipline", no kidding!

If it's like some of the places around here, they "discipline" you into paying on your contract each month...