Hudson

Especially with something like Katana, you do not want to forego a teacher in your first few lessons. There are so many details in drawing sword that you could create bad habits with. I would say a video is the worst way to learn basics - basics are your foundation, if you mess those up, you're pretty much without a paddle from there.

JKD isn't a style, there is no JKD kick, no JKD punch. It's just what Bruce Lee thought up at that time. And he'd probably have a whole new mindset if he was alive today, since he was frequently thinking up new ideas and concepts for his fighting. With that set aside, not all Kung Fu styles are good for "street fighters", because you can't learn it well without constant practice and hard work, and lots of time. Some of the styles are very complex and while just as worth it in the higher levels of training, very hard to grasp in the beginning.

I hope that was a joke - I mean, you didn't seriously use McDojo in a sentence did you?

I always thought my kicks have been pretty good, but then I saw some demonstrations and these guys and gals had lighting kicks straight up! And all inbetween. So I am asking you (Specifically people who A. Kick fast and powerfully B. Kick fast and powerfully, and have a very kick heavy style) to give me an example of how to train kicks, what kind of reps you use, what your leg workout looks like, etc;

I would not suggest Muay Thai for street fighting at all. The reason people say this is because of the conditioning Muay Thai fighters are always bent on conditioning - if you don't have the strength or time to put into it, Muay Thai can become useless. Although, to be fair, that's true of almost all MA's. Also, Muay Thai has also found a way to become something thrown on to certain schools you'll find teaching something likened more to cardio kickboxing. But, again, if the instruction is bad in any art, you will fail. I think the art that would suit you most is Hapkido - it has a well rounded curriculum and while it not be as refined as some or have the blunt, raw strength of others, it's very well balanced and quick to find useful.

Ok, let me add some more criteria - what are your thoughts on combat effectiveness of jointlocks, ease of use, and use against groups (vs 2, vs 3, etc;)

What are you feelings about joint locks?

A long time ago before I took up martial arts, in middle school. Got in a fight and pushed over a bench. And I'll tell you, that locker had a hell of punch.

I've used it to quite some advantage in full contact fights. Side snaps I love for getting underneath an extendend arm, or open guard. I should warn that I take a more sideways ready stance than most people which probably leads to my use of side kicks. But yes, side snap - once you get it down properly (I had a hard time keeping my hip from rolling over) it can sneak up on people. Side thrust is good for street fights for taking out lead legs.

A special one I know is called Step-up missing back kick facedive.... it's like a step up back kick only you miscalculate the width of the target, send your back foot out into air and fall face first into the ground. But yeah, step-up kicks rock, even if they aren't totally practical. Reklats - fighting? Does that mean you are part of my style as well?

MenteReligeuse, while everyone would like to be able to converse with as few extra words as possible, "no" is not a suitable response to what he said - if you disagree, state your reasons. Otherwise you're just being bothersome. As for Wu Shu - most people view Wu Shu as some form of martial art "dancing", with no real application. Of course, these are the same people who could take any martial art and then look like kickboxers in the ring because it's "effective".

So, why are you on a forum? The street way? I assume that means pick a fight and hope they aren't armed? Get sloppy, and then pick the wrong fight and get your rear end handed to you on a silver platter? No thanks. The forum is a great way to have open exchange of thoughts with other practicioners - never think you can't learn from someone. And I think he said learn from FORMS, not forum. And forms are great! There is so much hidden in forms that when explained to you you will already know because of practice. As far as forms being taught because they're "required"... not very enthusiastic, are we? Forms are a way to teach an entire curriculum in one set!

The concept seemed to blow right by you. Yes, you could have practiced all day TODAY. But at some point you will have the responsibilities and burdens of jobs, bills, society, etc;, that will interfere with training. Why not train in my backgarden "All day, every day"? Because it's impossible to train all day every day in my back garden! The key words are "every day". Doing it on weekends is not every day. I'm no stranger to the woods. Provided I set up a good camp, I could go for months. I didn't grow up in the city - I can swim, camp, carve, all that good nature-like stuff.

Wrestle him! My brother (A korean stylist) and myself (A considerably lower ranked Kung Fu student) wrestle all the time. It's not that we know a ton of takedowns, but after my 100th bout (and 100th loss) I noticed I was thinking quicker (Or else not thinking quick and getting locked). I knew ways to escape that nobody had taught me. I think wrestling is a great thing to accompany MA.

After doing some thinking, I think the seclusion training also has an aspect similar to the whole "1000 suburi for 1000 days" thing, which is that if you do suburi 1000 times a day for 1000 days, you'll reach enlightenment - ultimate technique - blah blah blah. I mean, how many of us could benifit from practicing all day every day? If you said you couldn't, slap yourself.

Self-defeating. How can you argue either way? Did YOU spar Mas Oyama after his seclusion? Maybe he got better! I know you didn't really go either way but don't knock this guys post because of a hypothetical statement. As far as for me, I'd love to train in seclusion. Sure, I have woods out back I can train in but I can still hear the highway. The great thing about going out to nowhere and training for me would be: Living in balance with yourself, with nature, and with the world. I wouldn't take anything with me though... just whatever weapons I needed and a journal. And lots and lots of pens/pencils. I think the nicest thing is the forced practice of forms over and over again. What else are you going to do? I think my sparring power would increase dramatically if I spent a year in seclusion. There's much to learn in sets I already have that I haven't seen. Theres details to work on. I'm sure I could generate an immense amount of power if I practiced it. And if I really wanted to spar... theres bears in the woods, right?

Hwang Jang Lee (TKD) Yes, "Thunderfoot."

Practicing pretty much any of the traditional arts will improve your personal health if you make them a way of life. Look at Gichin Funakoshi, who lived to be quite old (and healthy!) from the practice of karate. Unfortunately we have lives and can't all make kung fu or karate or what have you into a way of life. We often have to supplement something as serious or time consuming like MA into little blocks of time for certain nights a week. Since I am young I have plenty of time to dedicate and I train seriously with the intent of becoming a master and continuing the heritage of my style. And I believe if I practice daily and eat right than I too, can live a long and healthy life like so many martial arts instructors do.

Cardio is training your cardiovascular system. The best, undisputed king of cardio, is running. As for my diet, right now I am experimenting with CKD, Cyclical Ketosis Diet.

Doesn't sound like weak wrists, sounds like improper alignment in a punch. You know those details your teacher goes over about proper wrist alignment in a punch? They're very, very important. The only way I know of strengthening wrists themselves is to do pushups on top of them, but I am wary of doing that because of long term effects.

Yup. Doesn't the name seem wrong? Ab lounge? If it were so easy to get a six-pack that all it took was 7 or 15 minutes a day we'd all have them. Besides, abs are made in the kitchen! Well, and then in the gym. But nutrition and cardio are what you need, not some rocking chair.

Along with what everyone said, fight as if he were at you out on the street. I didn't say attack, mind you. Fight. Always be defensive and always be offensive. I think a large part of martial arts is making it your own. Think for yourself, sit down and meditate upon it, think of strategy and break it down. When you fight him, watch him, note him, and form plans. Know him and win. Like I said, make it your own. On top of that, all the usual tips: Keep your hands up, be relaxed, don't give away yourself and be AWARE. And fight as if losing means the end of the world.

Wait, am I reading this right? Defense against an unarmed, untrained person? Anything! Provided you have a good teacher. Sure, someone will say "Wing Chun for it's economy of movement and practicality" or "Jeet Kune Do's philosophy is that attacks are sporatic" blah blah blah. Anything will work against most unarmed people. Perhaps you'd like to break it down a little more? Or am I reading it wrong?

How about a deadly ninja stealth operative? Or someone like Jenna Castillo, a world ranking champion in Muay Thai kickboxing. So hard core that one kick will smash a normal persons bones into millions of pieces. As for Jet Li, I believe he is a Wushu stylist mixed in with some Hollywood Special Effects

Theres two types of too young. Too young to learn techniques - (If they can't KIAI because of pacifier...) AND Too young to understand The only probelem I have with youngsters training is them throwing their weight around in school. I won't give you parenting advice because I don't have kids and am bad with my nephews, but would I put my future son in a program that promotes activity, health, thinking, and good moral conduct, all in a friendly environment? Absolutely.