By then we'll likely have real lightsabers. I could see Anthony giving the grim reaper a run for it

I don't think that will be legally possible, we signed a no-compete agreement.

ROFLOL!!!!!

ok... i've tried this before with minimal success but I'm bringing this one back from the dead.

This one goes out to those who have recently tested for 3rd dan (as well as those who have learned any bggb).

Has learning bggb changed your understanding/perceptions of previous gumbup? Has learning bggb changed your "style" at all? If so, HOW and WHY? What "clicked" for you (or didn't)?

Dig deep enough and I'm sure you can find something that has changed since learning these gumbup... at least... you should, i think.

I'm not sure if I qualify to answer but I think I learned to operate my lower body and upper body in off-beats.

that is definitely something that i wrestle with frequently.

on a side note, I was watching a white belt perform ssgb 1 the other day. He was struggling with the rhythm involved with stepping (and sliding) in chayunse and cutting. It then occurred to me that, perhaps, instead of ssgb, he should be learning bggb. why spend a few years trying to break his habit of off-beat upper vs. lower body movement, when he's just going to have to revert back to it later?

As I've mentioned to Master Jenko elsewhere, I'm lousy at perceiving the overall differences of the various series of gumbup. But I'll give this a shot.

Besides the offbeat footwork that makes its debut in the Bonguk series, two other new methods show up that I wasn't exposed to in the earlier gumbup. One is the use of the wrists (and to a lesser extent the elbows) to generate power for cuts. Granted we're not talking about the kind of powerful bone cutting cuts found in the SSGB series, but a weaker power employed in cuts seemingly meant to keep the opponent in a defensive mode while leading yourself up for a more powerful attack. For example, in the middle of BGGB#1 two successive whip-like downward cuts to the right are used while pushing your opponent backwards and followed up with a clockwise spin into a powerful (SSGB-ish) right downward cut. The concept of using whip-like cuts generating primarily from the wrists also shows up twice in BGGB#4 with a more powerful right upward cut following both times. Again, the intent seems to be to keep the opponent busy while pushing him backwards only to finish him off with a more powerful cut.

The other difference from my perspective is a heavier use of spinning. My take on this is that it's meant to either confuse the opponent, to generate more power, or both. Of the first four BGGB, this is especially evident in #4.

I also found the beginning of BGGB#1 interesting in that the cuts were essentially executed stiff armed. All of the power comes from the waist and hips. I don't understand the rationale and benefit to this, though.

Earlier today I was thinking that it's possible for one to go too far in going back to revisit previous gumbup and altering them based on what has been learned in the most recent series one has learned. Sure, the student should revisit and rework what he has already learned in an effort to improve and better understand the previous series, but where is the line drawn? SSGB are SSGB, YGB are YGB, and so on. I'm beginning to think that too much effort can be made to incorporate concepts from advanced gumbup into the previous gumbup, thus effectively omitting subtle techniques and strategies meant to be included. So where's the line drawn?

I do not think that replacing the methods of executing techniques in the earlier gumbup with those of more advanced gumbup is good. As Casey said,



However, I do think there is much to be learned by "trying" just that and comparing differences in feeling and such. When it comes to strict practice of the gumbup or teaching the gumbup, I do my best to stay within the style boundaries of what defines the series.

Also, and i may be wrong, but I recently have been working on shimsang gumbup a lot and it would seem that it contains sections/techniques that are "made for" the different styles between ssangsu, yedo, and bonguk gumbup. I wonder if this trend will continue. Any comments from those of you who know jangbaek gumbup?