Alan Armstrong

To put it very simply, is the money more important than the style? Or. Is the style more important than the student?

I agree with Tempest. The self defence instructor was coming from a military type background. That seemingly had a large gap of understanding for regular folk. The class was comprised of knife attack and defence for the most part. Thing he was trying to convey that there are many types of situations, that need proper judgement of how far a person should escalate defensively. For a nurse for example, defending against a patient. Then up scaling defensive situations from there. Points he was trying to cover, was to react accordingly to situations, without needing to over react to situations, where people could be harmed by using more force than necessary, or not reacting at all.

Thank you MatsuShinshii. I teach martial arts twice a week by invitation in a MMA centre. I don't belong to any association and I don't wear or give out belt rankings. I have about 18 years combined Dojo experience, over a 50 year period. Practiced in many disciplines for the fun and interest mostly. Never tried to make money from martial arts just something that I've always been connected with through the good times and the bad. Have seen the McDojos over the years, I guess who am I to say what they do is wrong, most might want to gripe about my methods as well.

Thank you sensei8 for pointing out the TKD example use of hands. While on the subject of fast hands. When I quit TKD the other student that I had a fight with in the kwoon was a higher rank than me. He would constantly throw haymaker roundhouse kicks at my thighs, and hardly nothing else. Week after week when sparring with this fella, he would do the same thing. I asked him if he wanted to spar full out? He agreed. Big mistake on his part, cos I'm super fast with my hands. I explained to the instructor what happened (after he pulled me off the other guy) he said that the other student didn't do anything wrong. Also, I was constantly bullied by a 6'4" TKD Black belt. I'm 5'7" tall. He would side kick me so hard that I would need to do a safety roll backwards twice. He would constantly do this to me, time after time, he was certainly getting a kick out of kicking me around. Another TKD higher rank than me would change the two step sparring technique and hit me in the back of the neck, some 20 years later I am suffering from the damage he caused with arthritis. I sorted out the 6'4 TKD black belt by ducking under his kick, touch the knee on his supporting leg, as he finished his kick, for him I had vanished out of sight, as he turned around I pulled a punch to his nose. He was in shock! The instructor saw everthing and shouted out to me during the incident "Be careful of his knee!" While I was sparring with other black belts they complained to the chief instructor because I could beat them. The CI started wispering to them how to beat me, during sparring class. How unfair for me and how humiliating for them. I was almost ready to take my green belt test. Had alot of reasons to quit TKD and not many reasons to stay. I won a Gold in the TKD provincials for sparring before I quit, wanted to go out with a bang! I like Emin Boztepe because he wants to genuinely help the underdogs like myself to win against those that are oppressive to smaller or weaker people.

Personally I cannot recount how many wins and loses on the street and in tournaments; including in bars and clubs, over a life time it can add up to be alot. Have been in far to many fights than I can possibly remember. I was bullied as a child growing up so that accounts for alot of fights, if being bullied counts as a fight. Grew up eventually belonging to youth gangs, that added up to alot of fighting. Have been hospitalized a few times, my wins and loses have been about equal, if there is such a thing as equal in fights, or wins for that matter. Have been attacked by the police on three occasions; those I will never forget; do they count as fights of beatings? To fight two people ay the same time does that count as two fights or just one?

Interesting to see the preventative methods of self defense than the actual physical aspects. There was one debate going on in a self defense class, that I attended. The question was put forth to the potential victims; "Would you give your money to a person that is threatening you?" The women answered "Yes" The teacher continued asking the questions "What ifs" As people were starting to wonder what was happening. The teacher was trying to get the point across that eventually you will say "No" to threatening demands, so why say O.K at the very first threat? Because once you say yes to giving up your money, then next you will be asked to give up your jewelry and so on... that could lead to sexual demands; a situation that is escalating with each demand. Was mentioned earlier about deescalating a situation. The idea the self defence instructor was getting at, was to not give in to demands, somewhat like governments have learned from past experiences. He wasn't saying to never give in to demands, just to put the idea across that to fight in the beginning, might be the best option in the long run.

Wondered if Jujitsu or any grappling art for that matter is practical for a one day self defence class aimed specifically towards the public sector?

Perhaps the Kung Fu man went home to practice up on his chain punching techniques; for his next close encounter. I have heard that "chain punches" are very fast and very difficult to stop; perhaps it was just luck, that he didn't use them.

Emin has had 300 real life fights, how many real life fights has his critics had? Real life fights, meaning that exclude any type of tournament setups.

Emin thus far is looking alot like marmite, either you love it or you don't. From a none Wing Chun point of view, his techniques or lack of seem iffy or debatable to say the least. However in the WC camp Emin, shows exceptional skills for his Chi Sao and Chi Gerk. Also for his muscular physique. he also shows exceptional talent and sensitivity, contrary to the beliefs of traditional WC practioners. Win Chun before Emin's time was shattered by the MMA's between WC and Muay Thai. There was a need for WC to adapt or add other styles to stay viable. Bruce Lee came along and took from WC and added it to his own concept of MA and formed JKD. As Bruce not being 100% Chinese or related to Ip Man, would never been able to rise to the top in WC. Bruce Lee did however show the potential of WC to the world, that popularized it beyond imagination. When Bruce Lee died, there were many imitations of him, popping up. Very much like when Elvis and MJ died. No one has been able to go as high ad Bruce Lee because he left the bar far too high for anyone to exeed him. As times have changed and if Bruce Lee was still alive, there is no doubt in my mind that he could unite and lead the WC clan globally. Emin has Bruce Lee essence of originality. Also Emin is not trying to be the next Bruce Lee as everyone would be able to see through that. What Emin has, is his ability to help others to be better than they thought possible, something Bruce Lee was a master of.

Many people in the Wing Chun community (during the past years) have switched to Emin's Wing Tsun. Regardless of Emin's popularity out side of the martial art community, he has within the WC branches given a new perspective and inspired many to continue with confidence. Wing Chun has suffered many demoralized blows for being ineffective, Emin has changed that image by visiting many WC schools and converting them to his 21st Century WT methods. Traditionl Wing Chun is different from the contemporary version, that is taking over and practiced today. The traditional WC fighters were combatting with traditional Chinese martial artists. Whereas Emin's WT encompasses fighting against modern day martial artists. To be sitting in judgement on a video clip of Emin fighting 30 years ago, on how bad he was then. you will undoubtedly miss out on how good he is at preparing Wing Tsun students for the future. Don't be over confident on how good your style is against Wing Chun; because there is a new WING TSUNami generation on it's way, and under estimating others, is always the cause of downfalls; in this instance, it could be due to the influence of Emin Boztepe.

In some cases this may be difficult. However here are some blatant examples as follows; 1. They tell you that everyone tests every (fill in the blank) months. Do they all pass? If so you have found yourself a McDojo. 2. There are twice the number of belts for adults. This is pure and simple, a way to make extra money. McDojo. 3. They require you to buy video's, books, and attend a set number of seminars or you can't test. Pure McDojo. 4. White belts training with Black belts. No separation in ranks. McDojo. 5. If Kata has been changed to win tournaments. McDojo. 6. If Kata is nothing more than a passing thought and only trained for belts. McDojo. 7. If you see children running around with black belts on. McDojo. There are many more but you get the point. If the school is more interested in tournaments and how much they can squeeze out of each student, it's a McDojo. Leave and find a traditional school. The best way to see if an instructor is serious about his students and about the art is to take the class and watch how they interact with them and what they say and do. You'll get a pretty good feel for it pretty quickly. Solid post!! Number 7 above, does that apply to JBB's?? JBB is a SKKA/Hombu thing, and has been that, ever since their doors opened in 1957; I was a JBB for 5 years!! This is all great advice. Wish I had some guidance like the ones being pointeded here; when I was starting out on my MA journey.

Have no problem of how off or on track this topic sways. Training methods will deviate depending on style. Chain punching for Wing Chun is a part of their style, for them to do Karate or boxing punches would not fit in to their MO. I am very familiar with Wing Chun chain punching techniques, that without the proper training or instruction will most definitely be weak and ineffective. Had a real fight in a TKD class, with another student. Using Wing Chun chain punches he didn't have a chance, it nearly got me expelled, I did them the favor and soon after I quit. From personal experience (in my youth) when fighting on the ground, I used my head alot for headbutting and forhead face rubbing techniques; this is not something that can be practiced in a Dojo. There are plenty of dirty fighting street fighting techniques that can be used while fighting on the ground, that are not jujitsu based or similar to Wing Chun; however more similar to a wild animal attack. Had Emin Boztepe walked in to a BJJ academy instead of a Wing Chun school perhaps he would be batting for the other team and this conversation would never have happened.

As a martial artist, I don't care which style is better, BBJ or WC, I'm more concerned with what I've learned, that can be used to defeat my opponent(s) I respect my BBJ friends and they are likewise we me. The Gracie's and Emin, both, have elevated MA to a higher level, we should acknowledge and thank them all for there contributions and dedication to improving something that was already very special. All martial arts have strengths and weaknesses (none are perfect) this is why they are tempered with adaptability and humility. Martial arts has been divided in to segments/styles, for example a punch on the nose, be it a kung fu punch, karate punch, Muay Thai punch, no matter the name tag, is still a punch on the nose. Who hits harder or faster or straighter, does it really matter? As long as the stronger helps the weaker and that harmony prevails over rivalry, no matter the flavor or prevailing MA style of the current time, if martial arts can continue to stay as a positive endeavor, then we have a least managed to pass it on to future generations, with some minor improvements.

A tip: Tell a teacher you want to be a teacher and they will most likely help you to achieve your goal.

A head-butt to the opponent's chest is a quick and effective way of defending against a bear hug from the front or if the opponent is taller than you are.Bone rubbing techniques are done with bone against bone. The forehead can be modified in to a bone rubbing technique (on the opponent's face or on vulnerability location, suggested by JusticeZero) if there isn't enough space to launch a head-butt correctly

There are two sides to every story and also the truth that is not based on overwhelming evidence. If Emin and the Gracie's were in a sinking boat and if the only way they would survive is to work together, they would join forces to stay alive. However their difference were delt with off the battle ground and as there were no significant gains to be made and no interest in loses, there differences equated to nothing; a stand off. Emin strategy was a win win situation (The art of fighting without fighting) and the Gracie's lost nothing and yet gain something about Wing Chun. Wing Chun is a street fighting style usually practiced by many Chinese medical professionals, (such as William) gentlemen and women. It is not a sport but could be described as a scientific way of fighting. As a street fighting style, Wing Chun belongs on the street or in enlosed places and usally nowhere else. Rolling as in Jujitsu is not practical when fighting more than one opponent, therefore stand up fighting strategies are preferred out of practicality and not out of bias or prejudices. Jujitsu practitioners need someone to cover them as rolling with an opponent could end fatally from a third party intervention, in the form of a knife. Thefore Jujitsu needs a strong support system as in a family, friends, gang or mob. This has a strong appealing effect for many martial artists to become a part of this BJJ style.

open challenge on their terms! That rational people can deduce why!

I was sure someone would suggest to buy a horse. Practice your horse stance sitting on a regular dinning room chair, stand up then sit down; as if slowly riding a horse with both feet in the left and right stirrups Always keep your back straight, as if suspended from above, from the top of your head, from a single hair, located in the middle of your crown. Knees should be about as wide apart as your shoulders. Knees over toes with both feet pointed straight ahead. Coordinate you breathing while rising up and down. Breath in through the nose on the way up and out through the mouth on the movement down. Putting your tongue on the roof of your mouth while breathing in a circular continuous manner. Slowly work up to the total exercise, no rush. Slow and steady will win the race. All the best with your efforts!

Really there is not correct answer to this question. The best place to look is the one at the time that gives you an advantage over your opponent. Low light confrontations would relying more on tactile sensitivity information than from the eyes. Cannot look at an opponent if attcked from behind. Cannot look at the opponent if you are in a headlock. Peripheral vision is OK at a distance but when things are very close as in a clinch, eyes cannot give the fighter much information by switching to body sensitivity techniques, the sense of touch plays a very important role, a type of tactile night vision.

Re: Safroot's question; A B C = Always Be Conditioning. Wake up and pandiculate while still in bed. Go to the WC and do some wrist and finger exercises Chin Na and Aikido style; every trip to the WC when seated I will do these exercises. Make breakfast while standing on one foot or the other. Eat breakfast with one foot on the counter top and alternate legs. Have a shower and do some stretching and relaxing while there and massage the neck. Towel dry with more stretching utilizing the towel. Get dressed at the same time stretch with the clothes. Strap on ankle weights and perhapse work on perfecting or remembering a form. Watch some informative MA videos while stretching out. Clean the house while bending and stretching. Go for a brisk walk wearing ankle weights or a back pack with weights. Do some Yoga in the park or use the free open air adult exercise equipment. Walk back home make lunch and play with the pull up bar attached to the bathroom door frame. Work on proper posture while eating lunch. Watch more educational MA videos during my digestion or have a cat nap. Out the door for another brisk walk without the ankle weights perhaps for about 6 kilometers. Quickly get cleaned up have a snack and out the door to give an MA class. If no class that evening, then perhaps watch a movie while stretching. Go home again shower and stretch again, eat supper and write some comments here on KarateForum.com That's just one day in the life and times, every day is different but keeping to the A B C idea.

Out of the many Sensei's and Sifu's, and the rest) in my over 50 years of fighting) none of them do what I do today and that is to teach them ( my students) how to defeat me as the teacher. I constantly challenge my students to beat me at my own game. Actually I do at times make a game out of it; kinda fun. Never will I bully students. Could be an excuse for me to do the same to my students but it is not in my nature to do so. I feel like I learned martial arts the hard way. Used as a punching bag that pays monthly dues for the privilege of getting beaten or knocked about. I live with chronic migraine due to dojo bullies. Therefore I am very aware of some of the dangers and consequence within the dojo realms. Talking with a student of mine, that fell victim to a dojo bully instructor, in his past. Confided in me and told me that, he was bullied by an instructor. When the class ended (he went to his car to get his baseball bat) then waited for the instructor to come out, when he did come out, he beat up the instructor with the baseball bat.

Emin; before studying Wing Chun, he also practiced, Karate, Muay Thai, Judo and Wrestling. The fight between Emin and William took place during a seminar in Germany (30 years ago) in 1986. Emin was 24 years old when he attacked William, as he was about 46 years old. William's claim to fame was to have introduced Bruce Lee to Wing Chun in 1953. Emin's claim to fame was to beat up William. Emin also Challenged the entire Gracie family, another one of his claim's to fame.

A name: Kumitecombate

You could start your training now, with the A B C method:Always Be Conditioning This is how Bruce Lee became so great at martial arts. When I hear people saying that they don't have time to train, for me this is not possible. I make martial arts a part of my everyday movements. From when I awake till I fall to sleep.