I've split blog entries up so that one doesn't become massive when I miss loads of days. ...Which I will probably do a lot.
Anyway. I work as a supervisor in a toy shop (sounds much cooler than it is). My store tends to do quite well, considering it is so small and out of the way. Owing to this, we're a training store. That is to say, other stores that are newly opened send us their managers and assistant managers, we train them up for a week, and send them on their way.
Two weeks ago we had an assistant manager sent to us from somewhere up north (of England this is). It turned out that he was a 3rd dan black belt in taekwondo. Weird! However, he practiced WTF style.
A quick lesson
There are two main styles in taekwondo. WTF (World Taekwondo Federation) and ITF (International Taekwondo Federation). There is one heck of a lot of politics involved in tkd, unfortunately, and this is why there is a divide between the two. Sure, you can learn both, but generally speaking, a dojang (gym) will only practice in one.
WTF is the kind of taekwondo that markets itself as a sport more than an art. It's the sport that was recently shown on the Olympics. As a martial sport, there are differences. You aren't allowed to punch to the face, for one. You wear body armour, for two. Generally speaking, the contact is much less, for three. Those are the basic differences, in sparring, at least.
I, of course, study ITF. I stay of course because I'm a hard bitch. I see no point in not making contact, since in reality on the street, there are no rules. You fight as hard as you can to defend yourself. But that's just my view.
End lesson
The reason I brought up that he practices WTF, is because he was giving me weird advice. He said put your weight on your front leg, not back. He said don't copy people because you'll get no where. As interesting as I find his comments, I'll take them on board and explore them, but my master is a 7th dan in tkd, and 8th dan (making him a grandmaster) in hapkido. He has raised 9 world champions, and countless European and British champions. I am loyal to him (our 6th tenet). Having said that, I will explore the comments because I want to know why they think it works. I like knowing all about something, question everything. That's just how I roll.
But either way, it was nice being able to chat to someone not from the club about taekwondo. It gave a new light on how I see things. Renewed envigour, even.
Sunday, 23 September 2012
So it's been a while since I last posted. A lot has been going on in my life, to say the least. That and sometimes I get lazy/lose motivation.
I went to the tourament a few Sundays ago, and it was rad. I took home gold in points, and silver in continuous. That may sound great, but they feel like shallow victories. You see, in points, I fought the same woman I fought in the last tournament. Only she hadn't graded, still holding a yellow belt. As the only other competitor in my field, it felt a bit unfair to her. In continuous, my only other opponent in that catergory was a 2nd dan black belt, who was rumoured to be a K1 European champion or some such. Of course I was going to lose to her.
The thing about me is that I like to feel I've really deserved my wins, not to be handed them by default because there's only two of you in a catergory. I was given a shout out after my points battle because I'd 'improved so much', according to the refs, but my opponent still managed to get a head shot in. A head shot is a kick to the head, scoring the most points you can in a single hit, 3. I hadn't even seen it coming. Proved how low my guard was. That's irritating all by itself, since I was emulating a more WTF guard, and it didn't work much, haha.
In the continuous battle I fought two 2min rounds back to back. I lost both (against the same person). I'm not wholly self-degarding myself on this one, because her level was so much higher than mine. But I did make it hard for her. One of my team mates kept yelling "get your guard up!", and when I wouldn't, he'd yell louder and get angry, haha. I managed to get inside her legs, which she relied upon, and land a few good punches.
What I learned through this tournament is that stamina is pretty key. I managed to last both my rounds without dying, but noticed a fair few others there had problems. I work on stamina anyway, but I'd still like to get it up more. I'd like to be able to fight 5 mins without having problems.
Speed is also essential. I've dropped a few pounds since the tournament, and am aiming to drop more, since this is the quickest and best way to get faster. Before, I would drop fat, but gain muscle, making for a slimmer, but heavier body. I am trying to change this.
Lastly, I've realised I need to aim for more headshots. My fighting style often sees me pressuring opponents and getting in close to them, but then I don't do too much other than punching. It leaves their guard lower, since they predict I'll go for body kicks (only gaining 2 points), so I need to be less predictable and more risky. I've been trying a few, but I think I need to work on stretching a bit, too. This will come in time, I guess. We'll have to see.
I went to the tourament a few Sundays ago, and it was rad. I took home gold in points, and silver in continuous. That may sound great, but they feel like shallow victories. You see, in points, I fought the same woman I fought in the last tournament. Only she hadn't graded, still holding a yellow belt. As the only other competitor in my field, it felt a bit unfair to her. In continuous, my only other opponent in that catergory was a 2nd dan black belt, who was rumoured to be a K1 European champion or some such. Of course I was going to lose to her.
The thing about me is that I like to feel I've really deserved my wins, not to be handed them by default because there's only two of you in a catergory. I was given a shout out after my points battle because I'd 'improved so much', according to the refs, but my opponent still managed to get a head shot in. A head shot is a kick to the head, scoring the most points you can in a single hit, 3. I hadn't even seen it coming. Proved how low my guard was. That's irritating all by itself, since I was emulating a more WTF guard, and it didn't work much, haha.
In the continuous battle I fought two 2min rounds back to back. I lost both (against the same person). I'm not wholly self-degarding myself on this one, because her level was so much higher than mine. But I did make it hard for her. One of my team mates kept yelling "get your guard up!", and when I wouldn't, he'd yell louder and get angry, haha. I managed to get inside her legs, which she relied upon, and land a few good punches.
What I learned through this tournament is that stamina is pretty key. I managed to last both my rounds without dying, but noticed a fair few others there had problems. I work on stamina anyway, but I'd still like to get it up more. I'd like to be able to fight 5 mins without having problems.
Speed is also essential. I've dropped a few pounds since the tournament, and am aiming to drop more, since this is the quickest and best way to get faster. Before, I would drop fat, but gain muscle, making for a slimmer, but heavier body. I am trying to change this.
Lastly, I've realised I need to aim for more headshots. My fighting style often sees me pressuring opponents and getting in close to them, but then I don't do too much other than punching. It leaves their guard lower, since they predict I'll go for body kicks (only gaining 2 points), so I need to be less predictable and more risky. I've been trying a few, but I think I need to work on stretching a bit, too. This will come in time, I guess. We'll have to see.
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
Hapkido is generally less cardio-fitness based than taekwondo. It specialising in using the opponent's strength against them to take them down, disable, and if necessary, finish them. It's not a nice art, it involves using joint locks, arm bars, jabbing the eyes, throat, elbowing the head, etc. You can't learn it without experiencing the pain yourself. You don't get out of breath because you've had to be on the feet bouncing for a two minute round, throwing kicks and punches, you're out of breath because it's been taken from you and you're hurled across the room.
Because of this, when I feel I haven't done well, it feels like I've done nothing at all. Tonight was a bit like that. 2 hours of being tossed to the floor, being beaten with a short stick (I have newly forming bruises on my arms to prove it), and I've walked away feeling I haven't done much. Probably didn't help that this was the first session I spent not wearing sunglasses, so I strained my eye and got a headache towards the end.
Something I did notice. You need a good partner. Usually I am paired up on a Wed with a fellow 7th kup, (10th kup = white belt, 9th kup = white belt, yellow stripe, 8th kup = yellow belt, 7th kup = yellow belt green stripe, and so on) about 12 years old, and weighs as much as one of my mighty calves. As fun and full of energy as she is, I need only stare at her to make her fold. It means you can't properly execute moves, and she certainly isn't great on someone as dense in body as I am.
If I teach my own classes, I think I'll try to switch up partners through the classes. Also try to separate up families. It occurs to me that younger family members together often end up scrapping. This isn't just because I see others do it, but because I practice with both my older and younger brother. I end up beating on the younger, and the older and I end up in strength battles 100% of the time.
In better news! I got my certificate and my new belt today. I am officially 7th kup! Already have my eyes on 6th. No more training sessions for me until after the tournament on Sunday. Wish me luck!
Because of this, when I feel I haven't done well, it feels like I've done nothing at all. Tonight was a bit like that. 2 hours of being tossed to the floor, being beaten with a short stick (I have newly forming bruises on my arms to prove it), and I've walked away feeling I haven't done much. Probably didn't help that this was the first session I spent not wearing sunglasses, so I strained my eye and got a headache towards the end.
Something I did notice. You need a good partner. Usually I am paired up on a Wed with a fellow 7th kup, (10th kup = white belt, 9th kup = white belt, yellow stripe, 8th kup = yellow belt, 7th kup = yellow belt green stripe, and so on) about 12 years old, and weighs as much as one of my mighty calves. As fun and full of energy as she is, I need only stare at her to make her fold. It means you can't properly execute moves, and she certainly isn't great on someone as dense in body as I am.
If I teach my own classes, I think I'll try to switch up partners through the classes. Also try to separate up families. It occurs to me that younger family members together often end up scrapping. This isn't just because I see others do it, but because I practice with both my older and younger brother. I end up beating on the younger, and the older and I end up in strength battles 100% of the time.
In better news! I got my certificate and my new belt today. I am officially 7th kup! Already have my eyes on 6th. No more training sessions for me until after the tournament on Sunday. Wish me luck!
I'll start with a bit about myself.
I am a 22 year old, 5'3/5'2, 70kg, female martial artist. I practice taekwondo and hapkido, a yellow belt green tag in both. I started just over a year ago, but have only taken it seriously (and this is the actual start time for me because of that) within the last 6 months.
When I started, I was about 84kg, and went to a one hour class of hapkido once a week. Now I practice Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday for two+ hours, both taekwondo and hapkido, and when I can I go to the Monday and Friday one hour+ lessons for beginners. You can see why I don't consider my real start date until much later, when I was much more active in martial arts.
Within the last 6 months, I've graded from white belt to yellow belt, and yellow belt to yellow belt green tag. I've also competed in my first tournament, and won a gold and bronze medal.
My goal is to be a world champion taekwondo fighter by the time I am 27. The clock is ticking.
This blog is for me to get down all the tips that have helped me progress, and any other thoughts about my progression in general. Maybe they'll help others, maybe I'll look back and use these notes for if I ever start teaching classes as a black belt. Maybe it's just cathartic! Either way, let's start!
Currently...
I want to lose 10kg. I've been told this will help with speed and stamina. I'm pretty muscular, and beyond the initial 14kg, I'm finding dropping more weight hard. Doesn't help that I've just had an eye operation (last Thurs), so I've had to stop going to the gym.
My red belt friend told me he usually gets up an hour earlier than necessary, before work, to do some body weight work. I got up extra early today and only managed a warm up, 10 press ups and a 60 sec plank. I think I need a regime. Still, a little is better than nothing. Two boiled eggs for breakfast. Protein all the way.
We'll see how I feel tonight after hapkido.
Another tournament taking place this Sunday, I need to get my sparring up. There is a lot to work on.
I am a 22 year old, 5'3/5'2, 70kg, female martial artist. I practice taekwondo and hapkido, a yellow belt green tag in both. I started just over a year ago, but have only taken it seriously (and this is the actual start time for me because of that) within the last 6 months.
When I started, I was about 84kg, and went to a one hour class of hapkido once a week. Now I practice Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday for two+ hours, both taekwondo and hapkido, and when I can I go to the Monday and Friday one hour+ lessons for beginners. You can see why I don't consider my real start date until much later, when I was much more active in martial arts.
Within the last 6 months, I've graded from white belt to yellow belt, and yellow belt to yellow belt green tag. I've also competed in my first tournament, and won a gold and bronze medal.
My goal is to be a world champion taekwondo fighter by the time I am 27. The clock is ticking.
This blog is for me to get down all the tips that have helped me progress, and any other thoughts about my progression in general. Maybe they'll help others, maybe I'll look back and use these notes for if I ever start teaching classes as a black belt. Maybe it's just cathartic! Either way, let's start!
Currently...
I want to lose 10kg. I've been told this will help with speed and stamina. I'm pretty muscular, and beyond the initial 14kg, I'm finding dropping more weight hard. Doesn't help that I've just had an eye operation (last Thurs), so I've had to stop going to the gym.
My red belt friend told me he usually gets up an hour earlier than necessary, before work, to do some body weight work. I got up extra early today and only managed a warm up, 10 press ups and a 60 sec plank. I think I need a regime. Still, a little is better than nothing. Two boiled eggs for breakfast. Protein all the way.
We'll see how I feel tonight after hapkido.
Another tournament taking place this Sunday, I need to get my sparring up. There is a lot to work on.
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