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Sorry, yes.

My disclaimer: A lot of my points here will be in general terms. I do realize that there are exceptions to every rule, its all up to the individual, and that every thing is situational. My questions are directed towards most people, not the exceptions. Greetings. I am considering getting into FMA, but am worried about being able to strike without a weapon. The particular place Im considering begins incorporating empty hands 3 - 6 months after beginiing training. Most FMA's claim to be able to translate their movements into empty hands strikes easily. My concern is that while they may do empty hands, do they do it well? In other words are most FMA guys really able to strike empty handed fast and hard the way other styles would be able to? Of course FMA guys say they can, which for all I know may be accurate. Or they may be delusional. Lets not forget lots of styles claim to know some ground fighting, but then go up against a BJJ guys and realize their ground fighting is worthless. I would be especially interested to hear from folks that have done both FMA PLUS another empty handed style, but all insights are welcomed.

They border each other. Do you know the name/ number?

Howdy. As mentioned in some other recent posts Im moving to Phoenix very soon. Ive been in search (with no luck) of a school similar to mine. (JKD, FMA, Muay Thai) What I've found so: Pure FMA schools. Lots of Traditional schools. (Karate, Kung Fu, etc.) Krav Maga I did email a guy about JKD but have had no resonse. I think so far Im leaning towards the KM school but I we'll see. The yellow pages arent looking too promising. Does anyone know of a: 1. JKD 2. MMA 3. Muay Thai school in Phoenix.

Well this is finally going to happen. Ive done a bit of digging and was wondering if anyone has trained here: http://www.reactdefense.com/center.cfm

Thank you. Im familiar with the phone book. However, a. not everyones listed. b. I don't want to call 40 places if I can aoid it. c. I hate the "come in and try 1 class for free" sales pitch. d. I was hoping for recommendations.

Im interviewing with 1 - 2 companies this week in Phoenix, AZ and if I land a job I will be there in a few short weeks. Anyways, I need to start looking into training out there now. My first choice would be to stay with most recent training styles. A combo of Muay Thai, JKD, and FMA. (At least the JKD and FMA would be great.) I realize this may be pretty tough so any ideas would be appreciated.

Someone else already mentioned it, offer to spar. Get on the inside and punch punch punch.

OK Ive been trying to figure out for several days now how to ask this without sounding rude. I do truely appreciate everyones answers thus far. Becuase of that, please dont anyone take offense as this just isnt meant to be so. Does anyone have any thoughts about my question? Not about Kenpo. Not about where Im at. Not about where I might be going. But about the question I originally posted. Keep in mind, this just isnt meant as bad as it sounds.

I would stay where Im at without a second thought... but it takes a lonnnggg time to spar. Ive been there 14 months, Ive probably got another 14 - 18 to spar. Pretty discouraging.

I appreciate the responses. I should have been more clear though. Ive been at a school for 14 months thats a combination of Muay Thai, JKD, and FMA. I left 6 months ago due to an injury. Im almost back to being able to train though. Now, Im considering going to a "sport" type of school due to the attributes mentioned in my original post. Im sure Kenpo is great, but after 3 months of my attempting it, I realized katas just arent for me. (Please no kata debates here. They may work wonders for you and thats great, they just arent for me.)

I posted this in the comparitive section because Im hoping for unbiased answers. My goals: Self Defense. I never get into fights and dont plan on starting. Not any competitions either. Ive always admired the training found in what alot would call "sport MA's". (Muay Thai, Judo, BJJ, etc.) I think I enjoy training the most when its high energy and slightly brutal the way those folks train. It no secret though that those MA's dont address weapons defense. IMO they are great at what they do, but they simply dont do that. Then theres a style like FMA. Geared for SD. Lots of weapons training/ defense. However, with these attributes comes slower/ less intense/ less resistance training. (Of course theres the Dog Brothers, but how many schools are there like this?) So, between high intensity/ sport/ resistance, and low intensity/ less resistance/ self defense training, which do you think is actually better to save your life in an actual SD situation?

Do most FMA systems address the clinch/ takedown? Im pretty certain they dont go in depth with them. But do they at least cover the basics for defending against?

I dont think I understand your question between curriculum or habit. Its light contact MT sparring. I personally wouldnt even entertain the thought of full contact MT sparring after 2 - 4 weeks.

Experience.

Yup. And although I've never done it, I cant say I really agree with it.

Fair enough. My bad.

Ive been training MT and FMA for 14 months and never sparred. It actually takes 2 and a half years to spar @ my school. I dont doubt that may have something to do with it. Keep in mind though, if I was happy about it, I wouldnt be writing posts like this.

I started this post because I've never sparred. Im actually considering leaving my school for one that would start me off sparring rather quickly because of it. Your comment is the type of thing I was fishing for and didnt realize it. Would you mind explaining what you would suggest then? Not sparring? Really blast your opponent? Actually do the stuff most wouldn't normally do in sparring? As someone who's been training for a bit but never sparred, I've wondered about you're statement. While I have never sparred, I have trained to do nothing other than hit hard. Ive never held back or practiced control when blasting pads. (Of course, 3 minute rounds on heavy bags probalby dont get my best puinches because of being winded.) In addition to this, elbows/ and knees are pretty ingrained. Which may not be if I was sparring since I probably wouldnt do that to anyone in sparring. Please, nobody think Im saying that sparring isnt good or you shouldnt do it. As mentioned, Ive never done it and am really hoping to hear from people more experienced than me.

It was mentioned recently on another post that sparring can be detromental. The logic being that most people play tag and try to win when they spar. As opposed to really taking your training and trying to apply it and hurt someone. Perhaps the logic being that bad habits are ingrained from this. We've all read that "you fight how you train" so it kind of makes sense. Whats your take?

Valencia, Ca. Going outside of the Santa Clarita Valley isnt an option for me right now though. Out of curiosity, why do you think sparring may not be needed if we do effective drills?

Good point. I guess I forgot to mention that Im really not thrilled about starting over yet again.

Yup.

Howdy kids. So heres my dilema. Ive already bounced around a bit too much during my short time in MA. 6 months combo of KickBoxing, BJJ, JJ, and Judo. (MMA) All private lessons in a garage. I would have stayed there FOREVER but he moved away. 6 moth Hapkido. A total McDojo. 75% of the class should not be afraid to hit the focus mitts and not the air. My only regret is that I didnt leave sooner. 3 months Kenpo. Liked it. But forms just arent for me. Please, no forms debates here. They may work for you and thats great. Just not for me. 14 months combo of Muay Thai, JKD, and Kali. Liked it alot. The teacher, styles, lots of good stuff. Been off for a few months for a shoulder injury but thats almost better. The downside to this school, no sparring for about 2 1/2 years. That and when were arent doing Muay Thai, its not very aggressive. Ive got probably another 18 months to go to spar and its driving me nuts. In my first school we were doing light, controlled sparring. I really liked the agressive training @ that MMA school I was at. I also really beleive in aggressive training. For lack of better words, the "alive" concepts are something I really beleive in. So now(finally) the comparison. The is an Muay Thai school that opened up near me a while back. I could be sparring in 2 - 4 weeks. For self defense, do you guys think it would be better to: 1; Do Muay Thai with sparring. 2; Do a combo of Muay Thai, JKD, and Kali with no sparring. (another 18 months) I would say number 2 but I really hate when we arent training aggressively and playing patty cake with each other.

You are very fortunate to be where you are: https://www.straightblastgym.com