delta1

I don't know what brand of ghi Mr. Parker prefered, but in the early days I've heard that everyone wore a heavy weight Judo ghi, white of course. Any way, I wouldn't think the brand matters. He should just get a ghi that is comfortable, dureable, and within his budget.

Welcome Wilt! Hope you can find what you want in a school there.

Good reasons for wanting to do martial arts! Welcome, and hope your journey is a good one.

Not as bad as my Italian! Good to have you here- and I don't speak Italian, but we all speak martial arts! Welcome.

There's no official brand. Just get a good one, or it won't last. And most AK schools wear black, but not all. So check with your school to see what they want. Also, if they do grappling, you might want to get a ghi that's made for that. Really sucks patching and replacing ties! Just curiouse, but why do you ask? Are you in, or thinking about joining an American Kenpo school?

Yes. I've become very close to my lawn through the martial arts and backyard sparing- if ya get ma drift!

Welcome, Shadow Warrior. Good to have you here.

Welcome, kg. Good to have you aboard.

Sure! It's a lot of fun, and good training too! But I think of it more like learning to work in variouse environments, and useing the environment as well as finding improvised weapons in the environment. Just a few ideas to work with: *Use of light, and shadow. Try to get him looking into the light, or try not to be backlit if trying to get position before commiting. *Use of terrain or structure. Try to make him fight uphill. or use pinch points/restrictions to limmit multiples access or maneuverability. *Use of apparetus/equipment. I once used the HVAC (ventilation) system to pick up my scent and dump it in another area while trying to avoid a K-9 search. It worked. *Someone here once asked about fighting in a vehicle, so I went and tried it. Caught some flack when I posted my findings, but I learned a lot from those exercises. *Fighting on different surfaces. The more experienced you are on uneven terrain, slick, soft, or other surfaces, the better your chances when moving on or between them for real. *Try moving or defending from some of the postures you find yourself in dureing the day. Can be an eye opener, both from the standpoint of vulnerability and what you actually can do. Your immagination is the only limmit here. If nothing else, go rent every Jackie Chan movie you can and try some of his stunts. Take pictures if you try that, though. We'll all want to see your out-takes!

Profacci, I don't get too bent about other peoples opinions of the different arts. I know what I train, and how I train it, and what can be done with it. Most people base their opinions on what they know, or have seen, or have heard. If they havn't experienced good Kyokushin, or American Kenpo (my base), then how can they think it is good? So don't think there are no hard contact fighters here, or that every/any one disrespects your style. Also, there are a lot of people here who train only for self improvement or for sport. There's nothing wrong with that. I fact, those are very legit reasons for doing martial arts if that's what you want. I wouldn't disrespect their choice either, but they may not be the most knowlegable about fighting arts. Heck, for that matter, I didn't really know much about Kyokushin until talking to some people here. Dijita posted some good links, and what I saw there looked pretty impressive. That's one reason I come here, you never know what you'll learn.

Yes, when the adrenal dump occurs, you will be left with mostly gross motor skills. So that should be the primary focus of your training. But training the finer skills is not a waste, as you don't loose everything. Your premises are true, but your conclusion is not necessarily true. Pressure points and joint locks can more easily be applied after you've softened him up with your gross motor strikes. And, sometimes, the dangdest things are just 'there' in the middle of the ****. But, again, I agree that it is imperative to have those basic, instinctive, gross motor skill movements down solid before all else. Most fights will, sooner or later, go to close quarters. But not all do, and some move in and out. Depends on the skill of the fighters and where they, or the most skilled, want to take it. And if you are fighting multiples, you need those long range skills to take out opponents before they can close. Once in close with multiple opponents, you are in seriouse trouble. So, long range skills are important, as well as medium range and close range. I'm going to disagree with the point about hitting large areas instead of picking targets. You may not land every strike where it was intended, but you should definately try to hit a specific target. I want the point of the jaw, or the chin, not just the head. Well, I've studied their work, and I don't recall them saying things like no long range strikes, or that you can't get clean hits on specific targets. Can you give me a specific instance, or reference? They did teach a lot of the things you are talking about, but remember that they were primarily trying to teach men to engage in hand to hand combat in a very short time. So, their techniques and tactics tend to be simple, basic, and easily learned and applied. Not a bad recomendation for a fighting art, but certainly limmited. I think you are on the right track, but don't get too restricted and throw out some useful things in the name of simplification. You have more than six weeks before you jump into Normandy, so you can afford to learn a little more.

Sounds lke you had fun! Whether with your own, or with other stylists, that is part of what the martial arts is about, to me. Nothing brings folks together quite like beating the crap out of each other!

Given those three reasons, (1. Fitness 2. Change in lifestyle 3. Healthy Living) I'd recomend Taijiquan-fa, aka Tai Chi. But only if it is taught as a martial art. Most Taiji is taught as a healthy dance, but they get less than half the health bennifits as those that do it for fighting skills, and none of the martial bennifits. A school that teaches martial Taiji will not only do the form, they'll extrapolate and work the martial applications. They'll do a lot of push hands, work on power generation, and a lot of other things the health and fitness crowd don't do (as well as the all tha things they do). The gong-fu/kung-fu styles would also fit you, as would most of the Chinese based arts. Also, look for any of the Kenpo/Kempo styles, including the American, Japanese and Okinawan systems. For that matter, don't overlook anything that is available, but these would seem to suit you best, based on what you say. Oh, and all (or almost all) the martial arts teach you to walk away if possible. Even the military and combative arts teach (and have for centuries) that the best way to win a fight is not to fight in the first place. A lot of us just learn how, just in case, and because walking away is not allways an option. So don't feel alone in not wanting to go out and try your skills on the street. The only valid reason for looking for trouble is so you can avoid it.

ahultqui, first you should do a couple of things. Find out what is being taught in your area, and decide what it is you want out of the martial arts. To find out what is available, go to the different schools. Watch some classes, see if they will let you take a couple of classes to get a feel for what they are doing. But tell them up front that you are looking, and want to take your time deciding. Don't be pressured into joining up right now. Find out what they emphasize, how they train, what the atmosphere is in the school. As you get a little exposure to the arts, you will get more of a feel for what you want. You already have an idea- you mentioned health and learning skills. But there are a lot of valid reasons to study the martial arts, and different styles and schools focus on different things. Combat or self defense are two obviouse (and different) reasons. Health, fitness, self developement and improvement are also good reasons. So is sport, from point fighting to full contact. After you've gotten a better idea of what you want and what is available, we'll be able to help you better. There is a lot of good experience here in all styles and types of ma's, and a lot of people willing to help. Don't rush your decission. You want to get into something you can enjoy and stay with. Martial arts are a lot of work, and if you get into something that doesn't 'fit', it is easy to get discouraged and drop out. So a lottle extra time spent now will be a good investment in the future. Also, beware that there are a lot of less than honest people out there that will gladly waste your time and take your money. As you get closer, the folks here can help you avoid the bad schools in whatever style you choose. Most here love to expose the 'McDojo's'- all honest men hate a THIEF. Good luck, and keep us posted.

Welcome aboard, TraditionalFighter. There has already been some incidental discussions on the differences between San Shou and San Soo on the CMA board. Look forward to hearing abaout San Shou from a practitioner.

Since a lot of what I do is not in a regular class environment, without the controls of an instructor and a class plan, some things sort of stand out more. We work out a lot of things on our own before they ever get run by an instructor. I've noticed that we all have strengths and weaknesses when working like this. For example, my brother is by far the better instinctive fighter, and a lot of times if we are having trouble with a particular technique or move, I'll just attack him and see what happens. I'm the intellectual one, though, and usually the one they turn to for explanations or interpretations. The younger guys are sometimes able to take more abuse if we are working something out under force. And everyone provides a different perspective on most things. I've noticed that this carries over into regular classes also, it's just not allways as noticeable. I'm often paired with someone when the instructor wants them to work on their understanding of technique or moves. And, when we go to seminars, we are required to give a short class on what we learned. You often find that there is some common ground, but everyone brings something different away from the same experience. Do any of your schools develope or use this phenominum? Do they encourage or discourage, or just plain ignore it? Just curiouse.

Don't sweat it- I've been here a while, and I'm still slow. Look forward to hearing from you.

Interesting posts so far. But, I know there are more reality guys out there, lurking in the shadows. I'm just curiouse as to how you train. Same with those who practice for reasons other than to actually use their skills in real applications. I know a lot of sport or self developement schools (and I do think those are legitimate reasons to take a martial art- this isn't a 'mine's superior' agenda) also do some reality stuff, or at least try to bridge the gap sometimes. What's your aproach to this?

White Warlock, interesting story. I used to work in EMS, and had to deal with similar incidents, ranging from true psychological dementia, drug and alcohol or chemical induced dementia, and just plain criminal and/or angry people. Like you, we were limmited in what we could do,while they were pretty much free to do what they wanted. They could be charged after the fact, but usually could get off pretty easily. Since we often dealt with them before they were diagnosed and committed, we were not allowed to use any devices to restrain them. There were 'tricks of the trade', but it wasn't uncommon to end up in the back of an ambulance with one of them unrestrained. I think that's where I learned a lot of my deescalation skills! But, the really interesting thing is when you have to take one of these patients down, working as part of a team with people who are untrained, or have not trained together. You learn real quickly that numerical superiority is no guarantee of success, as often your own team mates get in your way, or hold back when they should be helping. I was like you, usually the first one to go in ("Oh, look, there's delta1. He's stupid, let's let him handle this first.") I've had patients controled, or semicontroled, only to have someone come in to 'assist' and mess me up. Even had them grab me instead of the patient. Also had patients calmed down and then an assistant gets a little overzealouse, and you are suddenly back in the shite at close quarters. I had one real a-hole in the ambulance and calmed down, until my partner droped an oxygen bottle, regulator first,right square in the middle of his forehead. The guy yelled and fought for over an hour- when we got him into the ER we ended up with more cops than staff in there, and the on call doctor was late. We discussed quite a few scenarios to just shut this guy up (none of them legal), 'til I finally said to tell him if he didn't quiet down, I'd send my partner in with another oxygen bottle. She never forgave me for that remark- her husband was a State Patrolman, and with that many cops around, you can bet the story was retold and embellished many times, allways culminating with 'how we finally shut him up'. One of the people I used to train and work out with was a prison guard. We were working on rear bear hugs once, and I asked him to attack me like he meant it and do what he'd normally do when applying a rear bear hug. A big guy, he slammed me hard from behind and hooked his left ankle around my left ankle, and we went straight to the ground on our sides- but with me wrapped up. Then, he just laid there and hollered for one of the cops (who also trained with us) to come help. That is how they are trained to do it in the prison system. I know, these are a little off topic. But since you don't get a lot of gang members posting here, if you want multiple attack scenarios from the multiple side point of view, this is mostly what you'll get.

Sounds like this guy is one of those who wants to prove how tough he is, but doesn't have the cojones to put it on the line with the full contact guys. He has to go somewhere and punch up 15 yr old girls, or abuse the trust of others. He's nobodies friend, since he's too self centered for true friendships. And this type person will hurt someone bad if he isn't stopped. If you are that good a friend with your instructor, I'd suggest you talk to him. Tell him your concerns, and those of the other students. I'd suggest to the instructor that he doesn't need this kind of liability, and that he is having a bad effect on class morral. Be ready to stand by the instructor if he gives this guy the boot- people like this can be really ugly when they think they are being questioned or disrespected, which is most of the time if I had to guess. He may threaten lawsuits, spread rumors, threaten, whatever his petty mind can come up with to retaliate. You all need to be seen to stand solidly behind your instructor for the long haul if he does the right thing. I wish him well in dealing with this guy.

First, it is a credit to your instructors skill that he mannaged to escape without hurting this guy. When a dangerouse hold is applied with that kind of force, you have no choice but to treat it as real and defend against it. That brings us to the main point, this student is a threat to not only the instructor, but to everyone there. In the martial arts, we allow our fellow students a degree of control and trust we'd allow few, if any, others. We allow them to put us in all kinds of situations that could kill or permanently injure us- and we trust their morality and skill to control their techniques so that everyone walks away intact. This guy has shown a lack of respect, and that he cares little for the safety of others. He showed poor judgement and a disregard for his partner, and contempt for the class in wasteing your training time and subjecting you all to this. What he might have been thinking at the time is irrelevant. What he did was dangerouse. Whether it was the result of some flawed thought process, or some deeper emotional problem, doesn't matter in the least. I doubt anyone there is qualified to make that judgement any way. But you all can see what happened, and you know it was wrong. If this was a momentary lapse, I'd say a severe reprimand is in order. And I'd watch him closely, monitor all interaction with other students. I'd withold his candadacy for black belt for a LONG time, until he's shown this is not a seriouse character flaw. Giving him any kind of authority over other students could be disastrous. If this has ever happened before, to any degree, I'd revoke all rank and send him packing. If your association has any way to notify other schools, I'd report him as a danger so that he doesn't simply go elsewhere and get his rank. The martial arts are hazzardous enough, and enough accidents and injuries occur without this kind of attitude. I really dislike people like this. Fortunately, they are very few. But, it only takes one, and this guy sounds like he's that one.

I agree, keep trying. Rejection happens to everybody, and the truth is that it has as much to do with their perceptions and prejudices than anything. Not bashing them, it's just one of the unfortunate facts of life that most everything you do will depend on what someone else thinks- from getting into school, to getting a job, or selling your services. Use the year to improve your skills, and to improve the way you present yourself to them. If you can, find out what they look for in a successful candidate and develope those traits/skills, as well as the way you sell them on your having those qualities. Good luck!

How many here think they are learning to fight? I do. My base is American Kenpo, a reality based martial art. How many of us actually practice awareness skills, and things like de-escalation scenarios, or reading the signs that warn of an impending attack? Again, i/we do. But not as much any more. I need to do more of it. Think of JKD as a philosophy, and who here practices it? Do you work with other stylists, learn your own system then pare it down to what works well for you? Yes again. It's an ongoing process, but that is good because that's when I think things get more effective, and a lot more fun. Do you train with force, spar with hard contact, or do you think it is unnecessary? Used to do a lot of this, but have had to back off some more recently. Still, without the force, what's the point? You can't learn to fight under uncontroled force if you don't occasionally train it under controled force. AK could be thought of as a mixed purpose art, since it is used in tournaments and fights from point sparing to NHB type events.But it was primarily developed as a self defense art, which is how I train it. Good question, delta1, even if you did screw up the poll (you IDIOT!).

OK, I screwed up the poll, and apparently can't edit the poll section. (Have I ever told you guys that I really hate computers? I hate paperwork in general, but computers are the worst- probably why I don't have an office job.) Any way, just answer as a regular post and forget the @#^* poll.

"Combative Martial Arts" "It's not just about fun and fitness, you are also learning to fight. Learn how to be better aware of your surroundings, combat skills, and how to handle life and death situations. Includes JKD!" I'm just curiouse. How many here think they are learning to fight? How many of us actually practice awareness skills, and things like de-escalation scenarios, or reading the signs that warn of an impending attack? Think of JKD as a philosophy, and who here practices it? Do you work with other stylists, learn your own system then pare it down to what works well for you? Do you train with force, spar with hard contact, or do you think it is unnecessary? Feel free to expound on why you think your art is or isn't a combative art. Why you chose a combative or non-combative style. Or, maybe yours is a mix, or multi-purpose art.