Treebranch

Original Karate used to move as they blocked. I don't know what happened. Over time it seems like they just stand there and block with their arms only. There is more power generated by the body than the arms.

GrrArg said: You are absolutely right. This is to give you good form and movement. Practicing these forms helps you move efficiently in a real situation. In a real situation you will be reacting naturally, and all the techniques you've learn will all mess together into pure free response to what the attacker is giving you. You will discover by when sparring that you didn't have to go so wide here and so linear here and such. Too many people can only see what's on the surface of things and don't see the value of these forms. It is up to the individual Martial Artist to intrepret these Katas and practice these forms until it becomes second nature. Then with sparring and training they will begin to see the value of these Katas. I blame alot on teachers for not explaining what these forms represent. It would make it alot easier for students to see the value of the forms and how they relate to real fighting if the teacher would relate it to real fighting.

Martial Artist said: I don't know about you, but I can see the value in almost any MA. I don't care if that style spars or uses bad work or just dances around. I take what information they've given me and test it. Tai Chi has some very valuable information in it's forms, but alot of people don't know how to intrepret the information. Some of the so called Soft MA's have some really effective techniques, it's up to you as a fighter to make them work. All the information is out there, it's up to the individual to use it or not use it. That's what makes Martial Arts so fascinating.

quigley_321 You've described it beautifully.

How would you?

It's called Randori.

I also think it is silly to have someone do full contact if they are too new to MA's, whatever style. They should atleast be proficient in the basics first. Proper kicking, punching, how to fall, moving, balance, etc.. If not they could get really hurt and see ya one less student.

Exactly, so just cause you may think you atudy a great style doesn't make you a great fighter. Because using the word Great or Good is subjective, therefore an opinion. So if you are a fighter a true fighter, that's what really counts. If you don't have the fighting spirit I don't care what Style you study it's not going to work very well. I agree some styles of MA have turned into almost pure dance, but a fighter more than likely wants to fight and wouldn't study one of those MA's. But if people like those types of MA's than that's fine. What do I care, I found something I enjoy. Art vs. Art who knows it depends on the fighter and the training, not the Style.

Depends on who you are fighting and how you feel at the time. If I'm fighting someone small and weaker, and I can see he's doubting himself. I will overwhelm him, and destroy him fast. If it vice versa I'll lure him and try to gain the advantage by in his weak spots. What I went by flow with it is, do what you have to do to survive. What you do is up to what you feel will work at any given time. FLOW.

All MA's have holes, if you can't see them you are lost. It is up to you the individual to fill the holes, if you can see them. If you can't see them, others will. I kinda took offense to the JACK OF ALL TRADES THING, because Budo Taijutsu is basically a MMA if you think about it.

Yeah, but San Soo is pretty straight forward. So you can learn to be effective fairly quickly.

Yes. If all things being equal, the one with natural abilities will always be better. So what I'm saying is if the person with the natural talent works just as hard as the person with little to no natural talent, the one with talent has an advantage. For example Mozart and Salieri. Mozart was a prodigy and Salieri had passion, but he would never equal Mozarts level of talent. I'm not claiming this as an ABSOLUTE, but in general this is the case.

Yes, but with the proper gear of course. Gloves, head gear and such.

Yeah, that's what I said attack the person not the knife. Close the distance, but timing is crucial. You also can move at a 45 degree angle to the outside of the knife hand and take him. You're gonna get cut, so do whatever it takes. There's many ways to deal with this, but you have to take what is given to you. I usually carry a small lock blade, so the attacker better know how to use it, cause I do. You may even get killed, but you're not gonna just stand there and do nothing.

I hear Breaking is making a come back. Oh you mean breaking boards and such. Sorry.

I think trying to fit a technique into a situation is sure death. You have to flow with the fight. Trust your body, if you train hard it knows.

The Master of All is the goal. Trade school or University? Hmm. What fits you?

To answer the question on this thread, TMA's don't suck. That's a matter of opinion, not a fact. It all depends on what you want out ot MA's.

It's all up to the individual. People talk big and take credit for other people accomplishments that really has nothing to do with the art they study. Hard work will pay off.

Yeah, that guy making on 8 pattern really sound like he committing to an attack. If this person comes at you, you still want to move out of the way 8 pattern or not. You're in a better place to strike or whatever presents itself. Distance and timing is crucial. Attack the person not the knife.

TJS all things are not equal in a fight. I'm not talking about Competitions, real fights. There are just people that are natural fighters, that was what I was trying to say. Let's say 2 people both study under the same teacher, but one of the students has always shown natural talent. No matter what the other student does he will never be as of a fighter as the one with natural talent. They can have the same level of dedication and all that, but some people are just born to fight, and some are not. That's all I was trying to say.

River it is not. They are 2 different MA's. Believe me I know.

River San Soo is basically Chinese Combat Fighting. It was founded by Master Jimmy Wu and I studied under on of his former students who was 9th degree BB. San Shou is the style Cung Le fights in. Both are really good Styles, San Soo is more focused on streetfighting, it can be very brutal.

Sorry, my bad.

Just like a good painter had the innate talent to draw well at a young age, and with proper training this person becomes a great artist. Of course dedication, love of art and so on are absolutely necessary for success. Most great fighters were raised fighting, they usually comes from disfunctional homes or really bad areas of poverty. Of course there are many exceptions to this, but most Boxers and Pugilists were people of which I have described. Rich people don't need to fight to get what they want. My point is a good fighter were always fighters since they were young, and with the proper training become great fighters. So little Joey who loves ( write in MA of your choice ) is never going to be as good as John. John has 3 older brothers who beat on him all the time, and at school he had to fight too. He knows what it's like to get beat up. He has no fear of a fight, he is a fighter.