Thread: Martial Arts

Anyone here do some Martial Arts?

If you do, explain what it is that you partake in and perhaps what generally goes on in classes.

I do Kungfu, but really it's a very open class. We do forms (or Kata), Sparring, Grappling, Tai Chi- nearly anything you can think of just depending on the class.

I typically go every weekday, and ever other day for two classes (each class is an hour). It's a lot of fun, I've learned so much about so many essential things.

In the classes we certainly learn more about the mental aspects of fighting, which really, are the most important aspects. Anyone who disagrees is simply foolish.

All in all it's changed my life drastically- I'm a much better person overall and I feel so good with the personal modesty I've attained, along with wisdom. Mental techniques I've learned in the class can be reused almost anywhere else, whether it goes for coping methods for tragedy or determination or relaxation to get things done.

I took some martial arts classes years ago. It was just a friends father, who taught his kid and a few other of us. I am not sure what kind of martial arts it was, since it wasn't to formal of a class and was probably a bit of a mix.

Basically we did warm ups, jumping jacks pushups, the normal stuff. Followed by sets of the basic punches and kicks. Then he showed us the more advanced moves, which were either reviews of stuff we did before or new stuff and we would spar practicing what we learned that day. We also did kata's once in a while, after learning a bunch of moves to put it all together.

We didn't do any grappling at all. Since the basic idea, is that if someone tries to grab you, you block it and break their arm or you hit them in the temple and hopefully knock them out. So in a way if your doing serious grappling you already lost.

We practice a lot with trying to defend ourself against multiple attackers too. Which my be why the teacher always warned people, if you beat someone up they will come back with their friends and get you. That is why if you fight someone, you break their arm or leg and send them to the hospital so they can't come back.

Definitely not a nice way to view thing, but fighting is serious.

Precisely, plus if someone has the intent to harm you, you best be making sure that you make them unable to harm you. Breaking something vital or perhaps putting them out in some way is just how it is sometimes, for your own safety.

Martial arts shouldn't be for fighting, it's for self defense. If I found out one of my students just beat someone up, I'd throw their ass out of my class.

I practise Shotokan and Goju-ryu karate-- very different types.

Shotokan is the one I practise at a competitive level. Trainings generally start with warm ups. Warm ups are hard =\ You have to be flexible, powerful, fast.. everything really. What follows varies- but apart form days that are purely about fitness we generally focus on aspects of either kata or kumite. For kata we do a lot of intense stance work. Low, solid stances are not easily achieved. Also breathing, flight paths and timing are important (especially when in a team). For kumite and free sparring we mainly work on stamina and speed. We end with a warm down and the Dojo Kun:

HITOTSU! JINKANKU KANSEI ni TSUTOMURU KOTO
To Strive for Perfection of Character

HITOTSU! MAKOTO no MICHI o MAMORU KOTO
To Defend the Paths of Truth

HITOTSU! DORYOKU no SEISHIN o YASHINAU o KOTO
To Foster the Spirit of Effort

HITOTSU! REIGI o OMONZURU KOTO
To Honour the Principles of Etiquette

HITOTSU! KEKKI no YU o IMASHIMURU KOTO
To Guard Against Impetuous Courage

A lot of sessions are actually spent perfecting the basics.

Originally Posted by Alric

We didn't do any grappling at all. Since the basic idea, is that if someone tries to grab you, you block it and break their arm or you hit them in the temple and hopefully knock them out. So in a way if your doing serious grappling you already lost.

We practice a lot with trying to defend ourself against multiple attackers too. Which my be why the teacher always warned people, if you beat someone up they will come back with their friends and get you. That is why if you fight someone, you break their arm or leg and send them to the hospital so they can't come back.

Originally Posted by Spenner

Precisely, plus if someone has the intent to harm you, you best be making sure that you make them unable to harm you. Breaking something vital or perhaps putting them out in some way is just how it is sometimes, for your own safety.

What form of martial arts do you two practice? Never have I heard such foolish advice. Your instructors, if what you are saying is true, are poorly trained. Seriously, no sensie would advocate such senseless violence. In extreme, I mean very very extreme, cases yes-- but everyday tussles? Honestly, break something vital?

I do TaeKwonDo, and im trying to get on the National Team. As of right now my classes contain me teaching the up and coming national team contenders, and then my own training regiment. I work out basically 24/7 and i am always on a certain diet. But National Team opens up a lot of things.

I dont do tkd so i can fight people. I do it for the sport, as in so i can go to the olympics. (that is of course the greatest dream). If we do catch anyone using tkd to throw kids around, we throw them out too.

There is no such thing as an everyday tussle. Which is why he taught it that way. Though in a real fight I probably wouldn't use martial art moves. I would take out my keys and attempt to stab the person in the eye, or throat. And if a person grabs me, I would stomp on their foot or if their a guy crush their balls. You don't need martial arts to fight dirty, and fighting dirty is the most effective way to stop someone.

Children get into fights all the time, adults don't get into fights. If you are an adult, you don't fight fairly. You don't fight with honor, or with respect. You do the maximum damage possible then leave. At least that is my philosophy.

If someone attacks me, I am going to assume they are trying to kill me, and react in appropriate manner.

There is martial arts as a sports, and there is martial arts for self defense. There is a difference between the two.

Originally Posted by Alric

There is no such thing as an everyday tussle.

Yes there is. Conflicts aren't all the same. To think so is very naive.

Originally Posted by Alric

Though in a real fight I probably wouldn't use martial art moves. I would take out my keys and attempt to stab the person in the eye, or throat.

If someone unarmed were to attack you and you 'took out your keys and attempted to stab the person in the eye/ throat' that is excessive force. Frankly, if you were to do so, and god forbid succeed, you should and probably would be incarcerated.

Originally Posted by Alric

You don't need martial arts to fight dirty, and fighting dirty is the most effective way to stop someone.

The above shows you know nothing of martial arts or common sense.

Originally Posted by Alric

There is martial arts as a sports, and there is martial arts for self defense. There is a difference between the two.

?
I seriously hope this that was a joke. For your sake not mine.

EDIT: Tell me, what form of martial arts do you practice?

Argggh. Honestly, I'm so sick of people and their extremist, sadistic practises and views tarnishing the good name of Martial Arts.

Originally Posted by Alric

There is no such thing as an everyday tussle. Which is why he taught it that way. Though in a real fight I probably wouldn't use martial art moves. I would take out my keys and attempt to stab the person in the eye, or throat. And if a person grabs me, I would stomp on their foot or if their a guy crush their balls. You don't need martial arts to fight dirty, and fighting dirty is the most effective way to stop someone.

Children get into fights all the time, adults don't get into fights. If you are an adult, you don't fight fairly. You don't fight with honor, or with respect. You do the maximum damage possible then leave. At least that is my philosophy.

If someone attacks me, I am going to assume they are trying to kill me, and react in appropriate manner.

Are you serious?

So, basically, your reaction to some cocky little punk who would impulsively punch someone in the face would be to stab them in the throat, or remove one of their eyes?

It's this mentality that is fundamentally what's wrong with so many police forces. People get angry (or medicated, or drugged, etc), and they do some stupid shit, most definitely, but killing someone over an explicitly non-life-threatening situation shows cowardice, and a complete lack of self-control.

By the way (more on-topic), I've taken a few years of Karate, when I was younger. Also, a few weeks of Muay Thai - with some periodic, free-form training, on my own.

I did tkd for 5 years. The last year and a half Ive been doing mma. Well, its not REALLY mma. More like, half the week I go to jujitsu classes, the other half I go to striking. The striking instructor teaches some boxing, muay thai, and kung fu techniques mostly. when we spar, the only rules we really have is not striking so hard you are going for a ko and no eyes or groin shots.

Some of the combination he shows us I had never really thought of before, and it has made my overall technique that much better. Especially when I mix in some of the kick combination from tkd I love to use that he doesnt show. He always starts us with line drills for different combos for a half hour. Then we do circuit training for a half hour, then the last hour we spar. I always feel very tired by the end of the night...depending on how much effort I put in the circuit training for course.

Well, this was the most recent martial arts thread, and since its still on the first page of this section, I didn't want to start a new topic, so I'll make my post here!
I have been doing martial arts for just about 13 years now (I'm 17 and I started at 4 and 1/2).

But, I practice in Tung Su Doe (A korean style quite similar to basic Tae Kwon Doe), and I have also practiced Wing Chun (Kung Fu) mixed with some Bogwa and leung gung stretching technique.

I also have a question to pose.
I am looking to try a different style of martial arts; I am happy training right now, but I feel like I still haven't found my place. I'm strong and definitely at the top of my class, but I feel as though my potential still hasn't been reached.
I'm kinda short, but muscular (not skinny, but not fat... maybe a little less than 'stocky') ... my kicks in Tung Su Doe are pretty solid, but of course, I will never be able to kick as high as others because of my body type, and I'm also not as fast (or quick) as some others. I usually am able to overpower my opponents because of my core strength and just sheer strength and will power... but I feel as though there is definitely a specific style of martial art that will fit my body type, and I was just wondering if anyone had any input.

Short stocky people tend to be really good at Judo. Low center of gravity + short arms/legs helps a lot.

Originally Posted by Spartiate

Short stocky people tend to be really good at Judo. Low center of gravity + short arms/legs helps a lot.

That definitely makes sense! I'll probably try that.
I'm also going to pick up Wing Chun again, I really enjoyed it!

Btw, ninja9578, what is the Shorin Ryu style? It sounds Japanese, but I've never heard of it.

I agree with Judo, SaMaster. You also might want to look into jiu-jitsu.

Is this the official thread for Martial Artists here? I hope so. lol
I am a striker. I was practicing Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu before I got deployed (Since my crappling is still massive fail lol), but now I'm flat out until I get back to the states in a few months. I'm thankful to be able to strike a bag a little at least.
Martial Arts I've practiced:
Jun Fan Gung Fu and Wing Chun (Very little, but my Brother and his best friend are both Wing Chun instructors/JKD concept practitioners), Capoeira, Boxing, Kickboxing (Western), Muay Thai, Tae Kwon Do, Kyukido (Tae Kwon Do strikes, Hapkido joint locks/joint manipulations, Judo throws, Jujutsu newaza), Hapkido, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Shorin Ryu, Sanchin Ryu

Base Style(s)
Boxing, Kickboxing (Both styles), and Tae Kwon Do. I'm lower body heavy, so I'm a kicker. lol

I've practiced since I was around 12. I'm 23 now. I'm still just a beginner with some areas intermediate, and others still novice.

When I return I hope to go back to Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I also learned that a Kyokushin school opened up in Oklahoma City, so I'd love to start practicing the three together. If I had time for Judo I would do that too, but that's a lot. Maybe if I get out of the military. lol

14 years now everything useful I get my hands into. My original style, in which I teach too, is an art we have developed solely in Finland. It was originally based on karatejutsu, but it cannot be called nothing of a sort anymore, no resembelance. I believe that our art, as art of fighting itself, must be versatile and approach every angle that a single fight can have. That goes to the every distance ( long, short, grappling, wrestle, groundwork), in every area ( striking, kicking, throws, takedowns, control techniques, joint manipulation, strangling, wrestling, etc.)

For personal training, in addition of my own style, I do BJJ, SW, jujutsu, kyokushin, vale tudo, muay thai, krag maga/defendo. But I pretty much govern everything with a single style, but all other styles have of course their flavors and most of all good fighters to spar with.

The measure of skill is to the individual, not to a generality within a belt division.

True that.

The biggest misconceptions I seem to come across is about concerning the color of belt and unability to comprehend settings of a real fight. I have learned through my career that people give way too much value on a piece of clothing that serves the main purpose of keeping your jacket tied. There are so many blackbelts in this world who cannot do jack in a real fight, a bout or even teach properly in a training circumstances. Some styles just give out belts for free and it shows in the quality of blackbelts. A bad master ashames not only himself, but also his style and the one who has given him the right to wear that belt.

The second point of mine is about the huge variety of "martial arts". Seriously, there are styles that are mostly build around magic world that doesn't exist in this universe. The training methods vary a lot, most of them are pretty bad if you really want to train a student to fight. A real fight or just a match where the other one comes at you with intent to smash your head to the ground. You learn only by fighting. For example, I spar with many different people and styles and compete with their tournaments. If I only resided in my own dojo, I wouldn't learn half of it. Sure you can always train a simple technique, but it is nothing without application.

About headhitting most of the people have flawed views on that too. You cannot hit person in the head, with untrained fist, in the same way you use glove in the sparring. Most people underestimate the sheer power of bodyblows when it comes from a person who has trained them. Check kyokushin karate or hokutoryu jujutsu for that. Striking in a real fight is quite much different from the situations most people train in dojo, moreso on locks and control techniques ( let alone knife and disarming practice)

Originally Posted by Unelias

About headhitting most of the people have flawed views on that too. You cannot hit person in the head, with untrained fist, in the same way you use glove in the sparring. Most people underestimate the sheer power of bodyblows when it comes from a person who has trained them. Check kyokushin karate or hokutoryu jujutsu for that. Striking in a real fight is quite much different from the situations most people train in dojo, moreso on locks and control techniques ( let alone knife and disarming practice)

That's not to saw a trained expert can't go for the head. No one can fight with vertigo. If I hit chuck ledell in the jaw, he would not be able to fight me for several seconds, you can't train past limitations sf the human body. Granted, someone like that would have to let me do it.

You NEVER lock someone in the real world unless you can lock both hands at once, or have already patted him down. You also NEVER kick at the head.

Originally Posted by ninja9578

That's not to saw a trained expert can't go for the head. No one can fight with vertigo. If I hit chuck ledell in the jaw, he would not be able to fight me for several seconds, you can't train past limitations sf the human body. Granted, someone like that would have to let me do it.

The point is that you'll most likely break your knuckles, palm bones or wrist. I know many boxers who have broken their arms in brawls because they hit incorrectly without gloves. Those who have strengthened their fists and arms for hitting ( ie. in traditional karate) have better chance to not break anything, but the impact is still great. In old bare-knuckle boxing one of the favorite moves to block head shots was to ram your forehead straight into its path. Still open palm beats closed fist in the head hitting, getting a KO from the mental nerve is a lot easier with palm.

But in case you hit right, of course, vertigo is quite nasty. Gives you that moment you need to continue.

Originally Posted by ninja9578

You NEVER lock someone in the real world unless you can lock both hands at once, or have already patted him down. You also NEVER kick at the head.

I locked two guys in the work last night. Arm locks and control locks are mostly applied to single wrist or arm. You just have to know how to force him down via locking. I'd not say never, but you have to be aware of the circumstances, which enable you to do so. The situation where both of the sides are alert, hands on guard, fists clenched, the typical "ring" sitation disables most of the lock techniques. However, you can use them when you chain them to other techniques. Ie. proceeding to shoulderlock or quillotine hold after delivering a sweep or uppercut to body. But it requires that then other side is distracted by pain, motivon or loss of balance.

But most of the situations just don't start with both guys ready to punch each other. A push or grab or similar beginning is more frequent. The trick is that usually when a big guy comes pushing you or grabbing you he doesn't expect you are completely aware what happens and ready to counteract. This is where you can apply most of the locks using the moment of surprise. To be frank, I consider these techniques the most difficult ones, since it requires fast reactions and skill to adapt to rapidly changing situation. My students also have most problems with these. We train a lot of random situations where the training partner can take a random grab, choke, push etc and you have to react immedietly without excessive use of force. Of course, you could always hit the other guy or knee his groin, but you will have a bloody good time in the court afterwards.

I agree with the kicking in the head. Not only hard in real situation, it is also usually too dangerous to take a risk and not worth it. Knee is only thing I'd like to use on bend opponent but that usually means I have an intent to seriously hurt him. If I can kick to head, I can also do other things that aren't as brutal. Low kicks though are tremendeously efficent and I apply them in all kinds of situations. Low kick can easily be changed to a sweep if needed.

Originally Posted by Unelias

The point is that you'll most likely break your knuckles

Why would you even aim at the head with your knuckles? Hit hard things with an open palm, hit soft parts with knuckles, that's white belt material.


I was referring to something like an arm bar, or a triangle. Something where your opponent can grab a hidden weapon with the arm you don't have control of. Locking a drunk in a bar is different than trying to lock a mugger. Then you can us a lock and just wait for the bouncer to toss him out.

Originally Posted by ninja9578

Why would you even aim at the head with your knuckles? Hit hard things with an open palm, hit soft parts with knuckles, that's white belt material.

While palm is a good weapon, a smaller fist bypasses guard a lot easier. Like in uppercuts. Also, fist has a smaller impact point than palm. My point was that most of modern boxing moves cannot be done with unprotected hand. Old prizefighting techniques work though, you just have to hit the right spot. Yes, that is white belt material, because in advanced levels you start to understand how to use your body correctly to strike in any angle or situation with all methods you have absorbed.

Originally Posted by ninja9578

I was referring to something like an arm bar, or a triangle. Something where your opponent can grab a hidden weapon with the arm you don't have control of. Locking a drunk in a bar is different than trying to lock a mugger. Then you can us a lock and just wait for the bouncer to toss him out.

Applied right he doesn't have time or means to grab a weapon. A triangle is a good point thought unless you get it right immedieatly so blood flow stops. But with arm bars you don't usually have to fear the other hand because he will worry his ass off his other hand or he is in a position he cannot reach you with his hand. I am not talking about any bjj groundlocks, I am talking about control locks or holds, which serve the purpose of controlling your opponent, not just submitting him. Naturally, I always use my verbal commands so that I can see the other hand all the time or get it where I want. A part that is often forgotten in self-defence practice.


An example of control lock I meant

By the way, I work, in addition of many other security related things, as security officer ( or bouncer, I quess) I don't know what kind of people they mostly are in many other countries, but I hope I will not be a victim of prejudices

I'd love to learn Karate. I'm not someone who loves picking fights, i may play around with people and have fake fights just for fun. I dunno why i wanna learn karate. I guess to defend myself if i need to, but more of something to learn and get good at. I dunno if i could learn it, though. I had major knee surgery that never healed right although 300 pounds on the leg press barely is felt in my knee.

I gun in a hip holster is perfectly reachable in that arm bar. In that situation, you should continue the technique into a fishhook.

Also, you don't get into that position from the ground, you get into it by doing a hip throw.

Wow, bouncers around here are just big guys, they have little to no knowledge of martial arts, I've gone up against a few in MMA tournaments, they were easy to dispatch. Security guards also have little training, they have less than cops, which don't have much. If you have 15 years of training, you are way above everyone else, at least in the US

Gun might be reachable, but he is not able to take a shoot before his arm is broken or I have done something else. Also, all unarmed skills are rendered pretty much useless against a gun ( except in close combat applications). But a part of realistic view is that people don't generally even carry a firearm and more so use it afterwards. Why would anyone get into unarmed brawl if they carry a gun, risking losing it to the one they are fighting against?

In that particular control, opponent is lying sideways. Full control, which I almost everytime succeed to get forces opponent to lay on his stomach and is pinpointed to the ground with knee to the head or shoulder. In that case it is almost same whatever he decides to do with his free hand, since the arc he is able to move it is almost noexistent. Yes, you don't get to that position from ground, but I rarely see situations begin from ground. You get to that by getting a hold or lock on the standing position and locking your opponent to the ground. You don't need to throw, althought that is very good follow-up for any overhead throw. We are working on filming our own technique sets, so if we ever get that ready I can post some clips. or at least photos or something. It might take a long while though.. we are little hands full with all other things at the moment.

We have a company that consists many of long term bouncers and security personel. While we are all up to date on use of force and martial things, we don't usually need them. Being a bouncer is first of all a customer service job. It is our job to see that everyone in the bar/occasion has a good time and can have it safely. 95% of the situations is done with the best weapon ever : mouth. Words and smile. Besides, you get a lot of tips and beautiful chicks to go home with time to time

Wow, bouncers around here are just big guys, they have little to no knowledge of martial arts, I've gone up against a few in MMA tournaments, they were easy to dispatch. Security guards also have little training, they have less than cops, which don't have much. If you have 15 years of training, you are way above everyone else, at least in the US

There are same problems with majority in here. They basically take anyone to the door without any expertise or suitable personality. I have seen many grim faced, ready-to-fight bouncers in my life too and that is just plain sad. I don't care a s#"@t if a man is a nation wide MMA champion. That has nothing to do with the job or his ability to do it properly. Besides, MMA is a very bad choice for security personel, if that is all he has ever done. Or to pure self-defence to that matter.

Originally Posted by Unelias

There are same problems with majority in here. They basically take anyone to the door without any expertise or suitable personality. I have seen many grim faced, ready-to-fight bouncers in my life too and that is just plain sad. I don't care a s#"@t if a man is a nation wide MMA champion. That has nothing to do with the job or his ability to do it properly. Besides, MMA is a very bad choice for security personel, if that is all he has ever done. Or to pure self-defence to that matter.

Yeah, MMA doesn't translate well to real world situations. I can't tell you the number of idiots who have told me that their Muay Thai will beat my karate any time. Really? Miss a high kick once and you're off balance for a good second. I've done karate for 20 years, I don't need a full second.

You can say "shit" on DV

Originally Posted by ninja9578

Yeah, MMA doesn't translate well to real world situations. I can't tell you the number of idiots who have told me that their Muay Thai will beat my karate any time. Really? Miss a high kick once and you're off balance for a good second. I've done karate for 20 years, I don't need a full second.

Kyokushin beats muyu thai in overall in my opinion. But then again kyokushin is pretty much only style of karate I have high respect of. They both share my respect for toughness and relentless approach on fighting. For high kicks, there are many types of fighters in thai boxing and those I know KO most people with their lowkicks, very much like those in kyokushin. They don't need to kick high.

Yeah, I realized I can swear but somehow I am so used to censoring my swears I tend to forget it