Martial Arts
 

Anyone here do any forms of it?

I do takwondo, and the main reason I made this thread is because I'm going in my very first tournament on Saturday and I'm freaking out! Any sparring or forms tips? All help appreciated :D

Kick their ass girl! I know you will. :)

Actually, I can help out a bit on this. Work on your cressant kicks and round houses. Remember to use your fastest moves, not your strongest. You're going by points I imagine. Aggression, use LOTS of it. You can disqualify a lot of people by chasing them out of the ring. Make even your fastest moves, HURT. People will block with their arms. So destroy the shit out of their arms. You wont g et any points for ax kicking someone in the bicep, but you will make blocking their worst nightmare. If they can't use their weapons to block or defend, they can't win. A spinning heel kick right into the side of the arm several times will render the opponent's arm useless, making it easier for you to score that strike. You spar for points, don't be afraid to hurt them though. Make it hurt. You'd be surprised as to how many people forget that sparring in a tournament is still a fight.

That strategy sounds awesome. They will be decimated.

My husband is a sensei, and two of our girls take karate. They've gone to 3 or 4 tournaments. They started out being really nervous like you, but now they know they're lots of fun. Nerve-wracking too, like any competition, but remember your training and you'll do fine. Good luck, and have fun!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=co1j4EC2YOE

Best of luck disorder! Tasmania #1 Kick-arse under 18's girl!

I'm the opposite of Kontan. I do Shito Ryu style Karate, with training in Tae Kwon Do.

My preference is to take things slow, and keep my body tucked in, compact, low, and move around my opponent. Doing this for a while wears them out as they keep trying to attack you, as long as you keep side stepping they'll usually miss. Block while you strike, so if you throw a straight punch at them, make sure your other arm is either shielding your face or your stomach.

Also, make sure you can execute combinations. For instance, if I throw a hammer fist then I will have already built up the momentum for a round house or straight kick, which can then be easily followed up by another straight punch.

Momentum is your best friend. It saves you energy and throws in extra hits. I'm a fairly big guy (6"2' and 200), so if I run with a heavy front kick, they'll most likely have to leave some part of their side open to try and stop how much pressure I'm putting on them. This is where I agree heavily with Kontan. Hit them extremely hard with what they block with.

The two strategies that Splintered and Kontan gave are good ones, perhaps it's best to pick the one that works for you.
Kontan's would take more stamina. You'd have to have more consistency with the power of your blows, it would take your all, and if you don't have a lot of stamina you'd have to win quickly.
Splintered's would be easier for someone like me who likes to wear an opponent down before taking them down.
What I'd do is use Splintered's strategy for the first few opponents, and, when they think they have you figured out, switch over to Kontans. It's best to have more approaches, though, especially in a tournament.
If you have the opportunity, watch your opponents matches if they have any before facing you!
Good luck!

Crying Crimson Tears takes karate lessons but I don't know the details.

Crimson? Care to join the topic?

My advice is to protect your weak points and move with the punches and kicks so they hurt less. That will give you time to get your head together and fight. You'll probably be a jumble of nerves at first and then it will come back to you.

Thanks for the pointers :D I actually tried them out, and did pretty well.

I got first place in forms (Taeguk Sar Jang)
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...05-08_2129.jpg

And first in sparring!
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...05-08_2130.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...05-08_2131.jpg

And I was one of the few people who managed to avoid getting hit in the face :D So proud of myself.

I applaud you, I'd never be able to do that. I have limited skills in matial arts, having only taken kung fu for two months.

Wow. That is really impressive. Was it your first tournament? You can be honest.

Wu Ya Zhan Shi, Way of the Raven. :D
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1qDjlb3Q-1Y

Started Karate at 8, then kickboxing at 18, now Muay Thai, Jujitsu and Taekwondo

Thanks :)
Yeah it was. But I've been training pretty hard for it.

Fuck, that is a fantastic style. Iwould love to learn that at some point in my life and intend to pick up some kind of style when I get a round to getting a proper full-time job.

To Disorder....

Fucking congratulations!!! :D

*Serious celebrations from over the Tasman Sea*

So, tell me about it! How many people did you compete against and at what age level? That is something to be really proud of. :)

Why yes I shall join this topic. I take a form of karate that originates from Mongolia. The system my system derived from is called Cho con di. It is also derived from Okinawan. (If I spelt that right.) My system is called Whe Chun after our Master Sensei. My dad is a Sensei and my brother has been taking it a year longer than me. I have been in it for 8 years. My brother for 9 years.

As for sparring tips watch your blocks, keep them up. Keep your arms in, and watch their chest not their eyes. Their eyes will try to lead you in a different direction than they might hit. And go for combinations if you can. Kick low and then go up for the head. Don't lay it right into them at first though. Don't lose your energy too quickly. Your nerves will keep the adrenaline going, which will help you.

Sorry for the double post I didn't see you did so well. I am quite impressed. Good job.

Wow! You and disorder are both dangerous. Glad to hear your father had you trained well, so you can protect yourself. Impressive.