What got me into TKD and why I like it and what I as dissapointed about

[movingshadow]

I started back in primary school and did it through high school.
I loved martial arts but then later I got into watching Van Dam movies and I wanted to do the splits just like him! Yeah thats right. I didnt know the guy had done ballet before but he made those kicks look freekin sweet.

There were a few black belts in my Class at Dean Elders Martial Arts Academy (Yuba City California).

One Scott James - the guy could kick high and keep the kick out and make it look real pretty - perfect for demo type of guy. Then There was Chris Logan another one of the top black belt assistant studen instructors who could do some seriously good moves.

I have a pretty good kick myself and I wanted to develop it just like that. These guys were very encouraging to me as well when I was training.

I wanted to be able to kick bullies asses in school ause I got picked on a lot and I think I was kind of stupid but I tried a round cick to this guys head tho wouldn't leave me alone - just taking cheap shots at me in the shoulder (really hard). The round kick hit him in the face with my big ass shoe didnt seem to stop him but I could tell he was in a daze. Still it didnt get the effect I wanted!

I have however done some nice pretty kicking action once from this dude picking on me in the locker room. I kicked over his head and again another one low and high and it freaked him out. He never fucked with me again. It was cool = i could make my kicks look awsome and keep bullies away at the same time. (and not be voilent or hurt anyone).

But yeah I know other styles have there advantages over TKD but - TKD Is known for looking cool and if your into kicks too much like me - don't get in fights all the time - unless you KNOW you can kick a big huge mo fo down before he can get ahold of you and just smash you wiht his hand.

[Sircnay]

I wouldn't immediately go for a head kick on a guy. I used to do that in Highschool as well. People would NOT leave me alone, mostly because I also was doing ballet and jazz at the time and they were always bugging me. Little did they know, I was also a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. The first fight I was in involved me just side-kicking the guy into a wall in the locker room and following up with a side punch to the gut. And then the coaches broke it up.

After that, people didn't really bother me, but I always got challenged by the school thugs. Which sucked, I usually just did some stupid high flying stupid looking kick, like a 540 roundhouse or a double leg and/or a butterfly twist and they'd leave me alone.

But if you want to kick someone in the head, make sure it's a finishing kick rather than a beginning one. Start with a side-kick or a round house to the leg or a knee to the ribs. (Yes I teach knees, and low kicks in TKD! OMG! I know!)

[HtTKar]

I studied TKD after sparring a really good TKD guy. I had a hard time getting close to him. He'd just keep me out of my range using kicks...and he could kick almost as fast as I could jab. I decided to study the style for a while so I'd know what to expect. Plus I wanted to work on my kicking. I always thought I was pretty good with my legs until I sparred that TKD guy. There are some VERY good TKD guys out there.

disappointment. Well I guess the only thing is, once I got past the kicking range It was easy to stay inside and work him. TKD should be mixed with a style that trains for close inside fights to make it more complete.

[tomjfd]

If you really want to kick someone in the head, take out their knee then kick them in the head. High beautiful kicks don't always need to be the first move you make. TKD as well as Tang Soo Do are known for their high kicks, but practice and street are very different. I saw guys in school who would get into trouble, thrown some wild spinning screaming threat kick , and then proceed to have their asses handed to them by someone who knew NOTHING! True martial arts is all about surprise. The traditional Shoalin fist greeting is the prime example. One open hand concealing the hidden fist. If you show off, you get beat down many times. People who make fun are mere idiots and not worthy of lowering your self to even do a "threat" kick. People who outright confront you should merely be victims. Strike fast, be effective, then just walk calmly away. what you don't say will speak volumes about who you are. I really liked the post from Sirclay about the side kick followed by a punch to the gut. Quick, effective, then as the guy slides down the wall, you simply walk away. Great move! I'm 6'2, 250 lbs. I can throw awesome head high rounds, and hooking heel kicks. I can do jumping double crescents and make them count. but, in a fight you'll probably never see them because my kicks will be fast powerful front kicks or side kicks, and my hands and elbows will fly. i will concentrate on joints and striking points. It will be fast, it will be effective, and I WILL walk away. I'm 31 years old, a fireman, a father, and a husband. I will not threaten you, but you WILL NOT threaten me. I have to much to lose by losing a fight. So again, keep your art hidden until it is time to unleash it. Then kick ass, take names, and go home. Tang Soo!

[tomjfd]

sircnay...sorry about the name screw up

[tomjfd]

brain moving faster than fingers