iolair

How does using a phrase like "If you push me again, we're going to be fighting" affect you legally? Any ideas?

I was 13, almost 14 I'm now 30.

How many distinctly different styles of striking with the hands are there? For example: Style 1: Karate, TKD, Tang Soo Do Style 2: Boxing, Kickboxing, Savate Style 3: JKD, Lau Gar, Wing Chun etc???

Just a few more logs to throw into the conflagration... 1) Most real fights start at punching range 2) A lot of fights are finished by the first punch or two So, having trained, powerful punches would seem essential for effective "real" fighting. This puts the boxer at a distinct advantage compared to some arts. But... 3) Fights that last beyond the first couple of punches will often end up in grappling range, even on the ground. 4) Most modern boxers learn to deliver punches while wearing gloves, and don't necessarily punch in the best way to cause damage and protect their hand while punching barefisted. So, boxing is a strong first style to have for real fighting, but some barefist practice and grappling work could make it a lot stronger. Finally... 5) Western Boxing was in the not-too-distant past a more rounded style than we see today, while it didn't have any kicks it was barefisted and allowed headbutting, forearm/elbow strikes and some throws such as the cross-buttock throw (hip throw) and back heel throw (o soto gari)

What is kata? Sometimes called "forms", these are set sequences of techniques and movements used to practice techniques without an opponent. I noticed that Bruce Lee used to make these little squeeky chicken noises when he fought I've never known what that was all about!! Is it true that the Martial Art "Aikido" is taught like a complete religion and has lots of theory involved? Many martial arts seem to carry with them a slight to moderate tinge of eastern spirituality. I think some of the soft chiinese styles are markedely more so than Aikido. It varies a lot from club to club too... What is the best martial arts movie? You'll get almost as many answers as there are people here! "Enter the Dragon" (Bruce Lee) is probably one of the most highly regarded. How long would it take to get really flexible so you can do high side kicks. To kick your own head height probably takes about three months of twice daily dynamic stretching. I've heard other people say that it can take anything from weeks to years to never to reach maximum flexibility though. Can any of you do the splits? You'll find plenty here that can, I can't but as I can comfortably kick head height anyway it's not a target for me. Are most karate and taekwondo classes really just "Macdojo's" that wont make you very good, but make you pay a lot of money to get your belts? I think to say that most are is wrong, but there are a few rip-off merchants out there...

Difficult call - Kickboxing has better punches, Shotokan is more rounded though. I'd put my money on Shotokan.

Seventeen years MA experience here - and I've never been knocked out, though I've been strangled unconscious twice (yeah, yeah, should have tapped first).

I remember a few stories like this. It's not (at all) that you are "registered as a lethal weapon", but the legal system treats you less leniently if you end up in court as a result of defending yourself - they argue as a "Martial Arts Expert" you should be able to deal with your attackers without causing injury!!!!!

Nunchaku was a rice flail. Tonfa was a handle of something agricultural, but I can't remember what... Sai someone told me was a tool for making holes in the ground to put seeds in, though I'm not too convinced. Bo and Jo are just staves - they could have been used for walking, been the handles of farming tools (spade, rake, hoe) or come from assorted other sources I guess.

I do western fencing, mostly for fun but it also helps improve my sense of distance and timing.

I wonder how Geoff Thomson would do at UFC?

Morote Tsuki = Double Punch? I've never been able to get that much power into it - although you can drive your body forward with it, because you're punching with both hands you can't get any power from hip/shoulder rotation. Anyways, the Karate reverse punch is part of the staple diet of Karate and a very powerful technique.

AFAIK Shotokan chambers reverse punches at the hip (in formal rather than sparring style), whereas other styles I've tried (Seido, Kyokushinkai, Seidokan) chamber punches more like level with the bottom ribs.

I'm a christian too.... I think that SOME martial arts schools have too much emphasis on eastern spirituality that is incompatible with the christian faith.

Geoff Thomson's "Dead or Alive" is by a long way the best book on self protection I've seen, and should be compulsory reading. A technique that will work everytime? Sounds optimistic. I think there's much to be said for making your jab as fast and powerful as possible though.

I love those wide hooks - I find them dead easy to turn into a hip throw - the other guy never seems sure how he ended up on the floor Elbows are good, but if you're worrying about busting your hands are you sure your punching technique and conditioning are all they should be?

Miyamoto Musashi is meant to have had over 300 real fights without losing. Geoff Thomson is also meant to have had over 300 real fights without losing. But is there a requirement for a martial ARTIST to have had any real fights at all?

Depending on the art - if he's bigger, it can be easier to get in under his centre of gravity to do a takedown or a throw. Anyway, going back to your question - yes, it's practice. The more you go into situations that scare you, the less you should get scared next time. Also, instead of trying to fight a seven-footer straight away, you can get experience of fighting those who are four-six, then when you get used to fighting them, five-footers, then five-six etc. Break your big goal into lots of smaller targets on the way there.

If you can still do 300 push ups after your arm workout, it sounds like you need to work your triceps harder!

You need to do exercises that work several muscles at once, particularly ones that focus on the largest muscles. Squats (and variations) Bench Press Dumbbell rowing etc. Use a weight you can manage about 8 times - if you can manage more than 12 with good form, it's time to increase the load. If you can't get to weights, use other ways to add resistance - for example, doing push ups with your feet on a platform a few feet of the ground (on a table, or resting against a wall perhaps). Try to rest a muscle group for 48 hours between strength training sessions. Eat enough protein (around 1.7g a day for each kilogram of your body weight, or about 0.8g a day for each pound of your body weight). Measure your chest, biceps, thighs etc, and keep a record of them each month so you can see how you're improving. That said, it's better IMHO to focus on gaining strength, not bulk.

For the reverse roundhouse, you should be able to anticipate it with a little practice, and attack their back as they are winding the kick up. Side thrust is IMHO one of the harder kicks to defend against - it can damage you even if you block it because of its power. You need to practice boxing-style weaving and laybacks to move yourself out of the kick's way. Sway your upper body either backward out of reach of the kick, or sideways so the kick misses.

Judo is a fantastic sport, excellent exercise, and I have used it effectively in self defence.

Well, apart from needing to get in a bit more grappling practice, there are three martial arts I'd like to try but haven't got any schools round here... in order 1) Capoeira 2) Savate 3) Aikido

I find a simple hip throw has worked very well for me defending against this type of punch (actually, it's probably the technique I know that has been MOST effective in real defence situations). Of course, your throws need to be fluent in order to do this - practice lots of turn-ins with a partner. (Or at a pinch you can practice them on a punchbag!)

What kicking drills do you find good in your workouts, either privately or in the training hall? I like the following with a heavy bag (when 2 or more kicks on the same leg follow each other, I do them without putting the kicking foot down) Right Front Kick. Repeat x 10 Right Front Kick, Right Roundhouse, Repeat x 10. Right Front, Right Roundhouse, Left Front, Repeat x 10 Right Front, Right Round, Left Front, Left Round, Repeat x 10 Right Front, Right Round, Left Front, Left Round, Right Hook Kick, Repeat x 10 Right Front, Right Round, Left Front, Left Round, Right Hook, Right Side Thrust Kick, Repeat x 10. Right Front, Right Round, Left Front, Left Round, Right Hook, Right Side Thrust Kick, Right Back Kick Repeat x 10. If I'm still feeling enthusiastic after that lot, I repeat again but starting on the left leg instead of the right. Or, in air, I like to do "four-corners kicking" ... Side thrust kick, swivel 90 degrees on supporting leg without dropping kicking leg, Side thrust kick again - repeat as fast as I can keep it under control until I run out of energy or balance.