fungku

That's exactly my view on stances as well. I don't see a point of 'standing' in a fixed stance for no reason. My 'fighting stance' is simply standing comfortably with my hands in a position to guard my centerline and so as to make fast non-telegraphed, powerful strikes I think of 'stances' as transitional, fluidly moving from one to the other to deliver the associated techniques.

Hello everyone. I have posted a few posts already, and never introduced myself. I have had training in mostly Gong Fu: Hung Gar, Shaolin, Wing Chun, Choylayfut, and Taijiquan. I also have trained in Kickboxing. Now I'd say I train as a 'freestyle fighter'. My most common phrase is: It's the fighter, and not his style that wins the fight.

Watch this video from Kungfu.net I liek the part where one of the guys tries a big spinning hook or whatever and the other guy justs grabs his leg and sends him on a trip. This just shows make sure you know what you're doing. Like I said, keep your training seperate. If you want to do fancy stuff, because it looks cool and helps coordination, agility and balance, go ahead. Just remember when it comes to actual combat -> KISS - Keep it simple, stupid

Get his leg when he's kicking, and slam him onto the ground.

I say just look at different schools in your area and pick one you like. And if you got a drive through black-belt at a McTKD school, than you may be in for a surprise I recommend Wing Chun, it is very effective, and it would compliment your TKD training.

I hate to say it, but that Karate-dude was a complete fool. He went in with one arm up as if it were to hold the BJJ guy back or actually grab him , and tried to punch him. The BJJ guy saw him move forward and just went under the arm. After that the karate-dude had no chance. (the karate-dude's initial punch was completely without power, direction purpose or a target) It's liek he wanted to be beaten, the way he ran up to the BJJ guy like that = "Please take me down!" I wouldn't want to fight an expert BJJ practicioner without sparring or training with them a bit. Even watching videos like this would help. To learn what to expect. I suspect that this guy did not do that, and if he did, he obviously didn't learn anything. Either way this makes him a fool On another note the BJJ guy could've ended it a lot sooner. He could've done the armbar thing sooner than he did.... So well... he still kicked the kareate guy's ass though.

Personally I prefer both. Sometimes it's fun to put on shows. I think training 'real' moves should come first and foremost, and they should be seperated. It should be clearly understood what is combat efficient/effective and what is not. A lot of the 'fancy' moves are good to practice simply because of their fitness benefit. They may not be a 'combat-oriented' technique, but they can help improve agility, balance, power, speed, strength, accuracy, etc.

Kung Fu (my preference, since that's what I'm in) has alot of weapons with usefull techiques. or that filipino art, which I think is very practical. That one that has a bunch of different types of knives and sticks.

I think all you people who say "firearms are your best bet" are americans. (sorry to stereotype) I'd like to point out that if you'd like to stay out of prison, morgue or hospital, I'd stick with the stick... (no pun intended) Also he said 'street fight' which would usually mean that it's a *fight*, and the guy will usually either be barehanded and c ocky, or have a knife and be even more c ocky. Assuming that I can't get out or avoid the confrontation: If someone had a knife, I'd rather have something long like a staff. Or a chain. If none of those were available I'd hope that I'd have enough time to take off my jacket or shirt to use. If neither, I'd try and diffuse the situation, calm the guy down, or say things like i fhe attacked someone with a weapon he could do some serious jailtime (to make him think about consequences). If he does come at me with the knife, then I'd try and block it, even if I get my arm stabbed and/or cut, I'd rather get a knife in my forearm than my face or body. But once he did commit for a stab or cut, it'd be over for him, that's for sure.

Yeah, it would be very practical for combat, if you knew how to use it and had space to. It wouldn't be practical to carry it around with you either if you wanted it for self defence. You would also have to find a good instructor, but that's a pretty slim chance. I probably saw the same video with the girl using it, she was pretty good, but check out the guy in Jet Li's first movie - The Shaolin Temple, he was awesome. I myself have a 9 section whip-chain, and was trying to learn on my own, and it's very difficult, I can do some neat stuff, but I wouldn't use it in combat yet. I have weapons background with sword, nuchaku and staff. And I practice with an extension cord before trying anything with the real thing, since I don't feel like dying or crippling myself.

Broadswords, Straightswords, Hook Swords, Staffs (iron or waxwood usually), Rope Javelin, Whip Chain, Monk Spade, Kwandao, Pudao, Double Axes, Mellon Hammers, Nunchaku, 3-Sectional Staff, uhhhh.... there's more just wait... gotta think... oh yeah: Butterfly Knives, wind/firewheels, Spears (single head or double), and that's all I can think of off the top of my head. oh yeah, I forgot the 'tonfa' Some weapons can be used in combination, like the broadsword and tonfa. Great combination.

I guess people will never stop comparing styles. I suppose tThey'll never realise that it's the fighter, and not his style that wins.

geez.... remind me to never move to the US

I am seeing that show this friday. They are performing at my University. I think it would be great to see. Even if the modern monks train modern wushu like I hear. This will give me a chance to find out on my own. I think Martial Arts can put on shows, sure. But most of the things you would do in a show are most likely over-exagerated moves, and acrobatic moves that have little or no combat value. Just don't forget that. I think these things are fine, because they can help your agility and also things like confidence, as long as you don't forget what is useful.

The kung fu school I went to throughout Highschool had 5 levels: Gray, Green, Blue, Brown, Black. Each testing cost $13 Canadian (the price of a new sash). Classes cost $25 CAN per month. And for $5 extra you could also learn Kickboxing (which had no specific levels). Our instructor, taught in his free time, and was not out to make a profit, he just wanted enough money to pay for the space (rent, heat, and power), and sometimes came up short. That's when we'd do a show or something for a fundraiser. I personally think teaching for a profit is stupid. Unless you honestly need the money. Then I'd say you should offer a lot. Like training 5 days/week. When I have my own school, I am not going to teach for profit.

It doesn't matter what art you're in, if you don't practice sparring, you'll never be able to apply the techniques you learn in combat. As long as you learn how to apply what you've learned I'd say most arts can be 'combative'.

Bah, flesh heals! I say it's good conditioning, just don't go to overboard. And don't let anyone who doesn't know what they're doing into it.

Thanks Guys I think I might check it out. I've been in kung fu and kickboxing for a while. I've recently moved to a new city, and I don't really feel the kung fu schools around here have much to offer, and they charge a lot. I was thinking of trying something a little different.

This is a school near here: http://www.maritimemartialarts.com/tkd.html Does anybody think that this place would be a good place to go to?

Stand naturally, in a comfortable fighting stance, and depending on the situation, and techique you are using, your stance should appropriately match... Don't just STAND in a cross legged stance, 'bow-and-arrow' stance, or 'horse' stance like you might have to in class (to strengthen your legs). Move into these stances with your techniques. I can't explain myself very well. But that's how I see it, and that's how I train.

Come on, don't you think that means, bowing in submission, prayer or worship to another man. The bowing we're talking about here, is a bow showing respect similar to a handshake, as long as you're not down on your knees I don't think you have to worry.

Which style is stronger? Or which one relies more on strength? Tiger style relies more on strength, and "strengthening tendons". If that's possible, but that's the shaolin description. There was a reason behind most Shaolin styles that were meant to strengthen or better the body in some way. There is no way to say which style is stronger. But the one that I'd say relies more on 'strength' is Tiger. (put very loosely) You need to really study Kung Fu for a while I guess, to understand 'strength' is not what you want to rely on. Force should be your goal. Basic physics force = mass x acceleration if you take mass to be your strength (used loosely) plus what you get when you use your body 'torque' x acceleration, which I'll call 'explosiveness'. Anyway. It's not strength you should be worried about, it's technique. (in my humble opinion ) --- fungku ---

I also have not trained eagle claw, but I train Chin Na, seperately, it uses many Eagle Claw, Long Fist, and White Crane techniques. I think Eagle Claw would be a very powerful art with Chin Na. A poetry line from Eagle Claw, translated to English: "Grab the joint: twist." Eagle Claw students know from this, that every time they grab a joint such as a wrist - they twist it to cause the opponent pain. If you want my opinion I think Eagle Claw would be a very practical martial art to take.

I agree qith muaythai poser. You should research. Shaolin Gong Fu is a more complete style, but will take a lot longer to become an efficient and effective martial artist. Wing Chun was made to be fast and effective. It is a great style, emphasising quick hands. Simple footwork, and I think it is very effective. My own preference is Shaolin, but I also have greta respect for Wing Chun, I have attended a seminar, my previous gong fu teacher was also quite good at wing chun. Muay Thai is also very effective. Remember though. It's not the Martial Art that makes the Artist good, it's the person applying it. So no matter what you take, if you are willing to learn how to effectively apply what you learn, that's the true mark of a good martial artist. --- fungku ---

He didn't found the ShaoLin temple. It was already there. He did make many improvements, and taught them many new things.