BenchModel

*cough* ...sorry, but you're talking bad about the stuff that I teach, so I need to go off a bit here. A large portion of the sub-Saharan combat styles have a similar structure to Capoeira - the 'dance' like sparring structure is as standard as the use of kata and forms to catalog techniques in the arts native to sections of and near east Asia. Hi JusticeZero, I didn't mean to offend you. I am just speaking from experience. I've done some Wushu in the past and found that the techniques were geared towards artistic performance. I am not saying that it's a bad thing, it's just different to doing Kung Fu. I've never personally done Capoeira myself, but my brother has. It could be that his teacher was more performance minded. My opinion of Capoeira is mostly coming from my brother's experience. But thanks for informing me about the art of Capoeira. Perhaps my brother's teacher's view on the art is different.

I think both martial arts and fighting have changed dramatically over the years. For example, some martial arts have been completely modified to the point that their technique is no longer used in fighting, like Wushu or Capoeira. Wushu is a performance oriented sport like gymnastics and Capoeira is a form of dance. But I think that when fighting becomes a martial art, it either undergoes the following:- - techniques change to become more artistic or aesthetic - the fighter has a lifestyle to go with the training - the fighter has philosophical beliefs towards the strategy/tactics - the fighter has spiritual beliefs with the way the fight is fought or ended There could be other reasons why fighting becomes a martial art, but these are the ones off the top of my head. On an off topic, I also believe "fighters" are missing out on alot in life, whereas martial artists have a more fulfilling life. Kinda like when I see MMA fighters vs traditional martial artists. But that's another topic of discussion.

I agree that more Karate schools have become McDojos. But I think that if the school has Jr Black Belts awarded to children that would give the kids more motivation to achieve their best. As long as they know the difference between a Jr BB and a proper adult BB. I also find it interesting that I used to think that BB were only for "Masters" of the art. But now my opinion has changed. Now I think of BB 1st dan as just a "competent" martial artist and that the higher ranks (like 6th/8th dan) are for true "Masters". But I do think that this change in opinion is a little sad. But this is why it is necessary to educate the public to let them know that they have to not only choose the right martial art for them, but also find the right school to teach them too.

Congratulations on your endeavours for studying a new martial art! You're absolutely right by saying that JKD really is a combative art. When I first started, it opened my eyes to a whole new way of looking at things. I came from a San Shou background so the footwork was very similar, but the tactics were completely different. I hope you stick with it and enjoy it as much as I did.

Does your Jeet Kwon Do instructor do:- - sparring - lead high kicks - ground fighting I ask because my first experience in JKD was a little odd to me. My instructor said that they don't do sparring because the first thing you have to do in sparring is set the rules for safety which in his opinion is not the same as street-fighting, so he says there's no point to sparring. Also he taught lead leg high round kicks. He has officially been taught by Dan Inosanto, but I think he taught him a long time ago (possibly 10 years ago). Did Dan Inosanto teach ground fighting 10 years ago, because my instructor doesn't seem to teach ground fighting at all. I am seriously starting to think that I should change my JKD instructor. What are your answers/opinions? Thanks