Thread: Martial Arts Styles

Having trained some in both traditional MA and modern sport oriented styles, I'm comfortable saying that both have much to offer . I'm really stepping out on a limb, huh? I think cross training - after a certain skill in fundamentals has been reached - is a good idea. It doesn't have to be one or the other.

Jordan

Getting dropped like that in the dojo, on the mats, with enough practise, is already a frightening thing.

Getting dropped like that on a hard floor, if you don't know what is happening, without practise...

Originally Posted by Bruno

Getting dropped like that in the dojo, on the mats, with enough practise, is already a frightening thing.

Getting dropped like that on a hard floor, if you don't know what is happening, without practise...

Indeed! We worked "suicide" throws the other night, don't know what it's called in traditional martial arts (opponent pushes you, you lose balance backward, grab opponent, go down with a slight backward rollw ith your foot in their hip joint, and push/throw them over you, landing on their back or head a few feet or more away). Throwing ONTO a thick mat (extra paddng) with people who were NOT trying to injure you is scary enough. We all imagined the same on concrete, to remember to tuck our chins so as to not crack our skull....but the aggressor....OUCH.

I have trained in Aikido for a short while and really liked it. I never really felt like it was a reliable self defense however unless you were extremely practiced at it and in just the right situation. Some of the locks and holds are effective but you have to be an expert to maneuver the opponent into a position where you can apply the technique. I have seen some Aikijujutsu as practiced by James Williams and the mindset is much better for combat applications but I still have my doubts. I like what I see of Kelly Worden up in Seattle. I also very much like Krav Maga but like anything.....it depends on the instructor. Certain Krav Maga places emphasis on training under extreme stress. This is all important if you are going for real fighting ability. The mindset has to be developed and then some people aren't cut out for that type of thing. I have had some.....we will just call it "training"...and I can assure you that technique is secondary to mindset and the ability to think and react under extreme stress. Tactics is what will win the fight before it ever happens or avoid the fight completely. Situational awareness will do more for you than all the MA classes you can fit into your time schedule. I love MA but it is an art as it is practiced today. I really love to watch Taijutsu and the simplicity of movement. I think it was once a very deadly and effective art but only the keepers of the art will ever learn the true art. It is compartmentalized info and 99.999% of people don't need to know any more of it. As for MMA....its great for fitness and if you ever have to go to the ground with one attacker but tactics and situational awareness will keep you out of that (very bad) ground fighting situation.

Originally Posted by smokelaw1

Indeed! We worked "suicide" throws the other night, don't know what it's called in traditional martial arts (opponent pushes you, you lose balance backward, grab opponent, go down with a slight backward rollw ith your foot in their hip joint, and push/throw them over you, landing on their back or head a few feet or more away). Throwing ONTO a thick mat (extra paddng) with people who were NOT trying to injure you is scary enough. We all imagined the same on concrete, to remember to tuck our chins so as to not crack our skull....but the aggressor....OUCH.

In Judo they are called sutemi-waza -- sacrifice throws. You're describing yoko-tomoe-nage, which we affectionately call the Captain Kirk throw from its use in the original series.

Throws like the elevator girl... well, that's two crash pads stacked on top of each other. We've tried it with only one, and it's pretty brutal for guys who know how to fall, working on a sprung floor with the same mats they used at the 96 Olympics in Atlanta for Judo.

I can't imagine dropping some fool with that on concrete.

Originally Posted by sensei_kyle

I can't imagine dropping some fool with that on concrete.

I think at that point, he might consider a career change.
Because if you can't feel confident snatching purses from smaller girls, then the life of crime is probably not for you

Originally Posted by Bruno

I think at that point, he might consider a career change.
Because if you can't feel confident snatching purses from smaller girls, then the life of crime is probably not for you

Something like a crash test dummy maybe ? He could say he has experience

Originally Posted by MisterA

Be very afraid of the might mighty suplex!

Heh, I like how she intentianally thows her handbag aside, the very item they are supposed to be wrestling over just so she can teach him a lesson.

Originally Posted by Vnam68

Escrima-Doce Pares

I really like Eskrima/Kali.

I wish I could practice Pekiti Tirsia around here

This thread has been an interesting read...

I wrestled as a kid, then got in to submission grappling and muay thai after college. I've trained a little boxing as well, started training bjj (with the gi) about 6 months ago (don't want to get too far off topic, but if there are any grapplers out there who are resistant to training with the gi due to mma aspirations or something, DO IT...your game will become a lot tighter). I've had amateur bouts under mma and mt rules, competed in no gi grappling competitions, and had 1 pro mma bout.

In terms of self defense, I think muay thai stands above the rest, followed by western boxing. The reasons are movement and distance...in either of those arts you will learn footwork and head movement...you will learn to establish/maintain distance through the use of the jab/teep...in muay thai, you will learn to control your opponent and move him in to the path of your strikes using the clinch.

I am a huge believer in wrestling and grappling, but grappling on the street is NOT ideal...concrete, rocks, broken glass...I'd rather stand and trade anyday. But I'll say this...a man who is excellent at ANY art will usually be able to impose his will on a lesser skilled/trained opponent. I used to train with a wrestler who I know with out a doubt could hit an ankle pick or low single on me at will, even shooting from outside of striking distance...my teeps and jabs would be useless. I currently train under a judo/bjj bb who I know could throw and choke or joint lock me at will provided he could close the distance...my jabs/teeps might be effective for a little while, but chances are he would get inside and get it done before I could catch him with something that would fade him.

Pick something (ideally something that involves live sparring/rolling...imo thats crucial), and get really good at it...thats your best bet.