Thread: Martial Arts

I think it's right to modestly assume that none of us are masters of any kind, therefore shouldn't be overconfident when assuming the outcome of a strike. Expect nothing. If you expect to shake up a person by hitting them in the jaw and they don't, that's going to distract you just enough to possibly allow it to take away your focus and get hit.

This also brings up my views of belts... see, I don't think a belt should symbolize anything but for the amount of time someone has trained. A yellow belt could destroy a black belt- all it takes is a lucky punch, or for the black belt to become overconfident. The measure of skill is to the individual, not to a generality within a belt division.

So basically, instead of giving a specific belt level, I'd say attempt disarming if and when you're ready. That could be tomorrow, that could be ten years from now. Whenever you have the mentality to stay relaxed and watch for what needs to be watched for, and to maintain an open mind to everything around you at the same time, you might as well be ready. These qualities could be found in a yellow belt just as easily as a black belt, it all depends on the individual willingness and how much they are willing to learn in the amount of time they've been training.

Obviously if its possible to avoid you avoid it at all costs. You don't play around with people who have knives and stuff. If you have no choice though, then you disarm.

I am not 'well trained' nor am I a very large person. So I am never going to assume I can win, against anyone. Though I am fairly confident that a display of overwhelming force will give me the chance to escape for any fight.

You really don't need to serious harm a person, you only need to create an opening so you can leave the situation.

Originally Posted by Alric

You really don't need to serious harm a person, you only need to create an opening so you can leave the situation.

Yeah, this for sure. It's very rare that you should have to really harm someone- perhaps if they're cooked up on something and have no pain tolerance or something like that then maybe choking them out would be logical if you had absolutely no way out.

But yeah, causing harm when it's not needed is unacceptable- and as a martial artist you should be able to use your discretion to decide whether or not to do something.

Years of traditional Taekwondo and Aikido training, with some Muay Thai.

In theory, there's a lot of viewpoints and arguing etc. I don't care much for it, in reality you've got muscle and bone (and possibly steel) coming at you and you better be good at redirecting that kinetic energy somewhere other than your body, and ensuring more of it doesn't follow.

I personally do Tai Chi and push hands because I find it enjoyable and challenging. Not only that butEspecially push hands. I should be profficient in 10 years time...I don't see Tai Chi as something masterable, but definately something that you could be good enough at if you know what I'm saying.

I'll probably get into Kungfu later. Specifically Xingyiqan, and baguazhang. Xingyiquan is an ancient martial art, very simple because often the armies had little time to train and this is what they came up with.

Uh, I do Taekwondo. I'm a probationary black belt, and am really mad at myself for not going to the national tournament.

What's a probationary black belt?

So what would a good beginner martial art be? I took Taekwondo (just because I thought it was interesting, FF doesn't recognize "taekwondo" and offers up "Wonderbra" as an alternate word) when I was much younger, but I only got up to the orange belt. I'd like to learn how to defend myself, essentially, as well as learning self-discipline.

That's because tae kwon do is three words
tae - foot
kwon - hand
do - way

Tae Kwon Do is a good beginner one, a black belt in Tae Kwon Do will be able to defend themselves just fine. Obviously, the instructor makes all of the difference. I taught tae kwon do for 2 years.

Yeah, as it usually is in regular school, a good teacher can make all the difference. Some may just show the moves and wait for you to get a hang of them, while others discipline the mind and spirit until you cannot do any less than great in everything you do.

So just choose the school you wish to train in wisely- if there is a brilliant instructor, the martial art you study should hold little significance- it's how it's taught.

Originally Posted by Spenner

I think it's right to modestly assume that none of us are masters of any kind

*Raises hand*

I mean literally, I'm a Shorin Ryu master. 3rd degree blackbelt, and been eligible for 4th for 4 years; I haven't tested because I could care less what my rank is. Like you said, belts are just for holding your gi closed.