Username

You've probably noticied that as the fighting application of a martial art increases, its philisophical benefits decrease. I think thats a reasonable observation, maybe I'm crazy. Why do things have to be like this? At the far end of the spectrum you've got Tai Chi and such, which has no combat application (except for emotional management, buts thats digressing...), then on the other you've got those reality systems urging you to kill everyone and that mercy = death for you. Why does everything have to be this way? I can't learn to fight from a traditional martial art until I've studied it for years and years, and those reality systems...how do you trust something like that, that was created by some mysterious guy who's claiming to have taught self defense to all these prestigious government groups, half of which exist only in sci-fi? Its no small wonder why people are switching over to BJJ and kickboxing. To someone like me who is coming back to the martial arts after years of being away, its a real turn off. I'd like to hear what you have to say.

You've all helped a lot, anyone with more to say, please do!

Wolv, where do you do BJJ (name of the dojo)?

Anyone who reads Black Belt Magazine will surely know what Tim Larkin's Target Focus Training is. Basically, it it is a reality system that deals with striking specific targets on the human body in order to destroy your opponent. I've been getting the newsletter, and some of it is totally advertising, but I really agree with some of the principles. So I'm asking, did anyone ever do TFt? What do you think?

thaiboxerken said: but train in more than just Muay Thai, since Muay Thai doesn't deal with weapons or ground fighting. Thats very admirable that you came out and said that. A lot of people are very ignorant about things like this. You have the humility to know Muay Thai does not make you invincible. Thats nice to hear from someone! Oh, and missy, while sport kickboxing isn't all that great for self defense, if you integrate the knees and elbows from Muay Thai snd study target areas of the human body and how to hit them, your're doing okay. Work on situatuonal responses, if only in your head. I would still try to learn some grappling though. Take a judo class or something. I'm no self defense expert, but this is common sense stuff here.

Yeah, I'm sure the particular school/teacher would have a lot to do with it, but there is probably some sort of standard? I would actually like to know for both adults and youths. As to what techniques (and I might sound really ignorant because I don't do BJJ yet), it seems for most of the chokes done without the gi, it would be extremely easy to apply presssure to the trachea instead of the carotid arteries. Theres a few locks I'm concerned about too, since I play other sports and serious joint damage really scares me. I want to take BJJ, but I want to be sure I know what I'm getting into. Please help!

At what point are what locks, takedowns, and chokes taught in BJJ (go head, use the technical names for the techniques, I know 'em now )? It seems like some would be very dangerous if taught to a begginer.

I'll probably start some kickboxing pretty soon. I'll likely be taking BJJ at a school, but I want to supplement that with some solid striking. Can you give me some specific recomendations on bags, wraps, gloves, kicks/instep guards, and prices for each? Thanks.

Yes, high kicks look cool and IF you land a good one they are extremely powerful. But very few people have the speed to execute on without opening themself up. If you do, great. But for me, I'll hook him in the side of the head, throw an elbow to his face, or uppercut to the chin. I'll save my kicks for the legs, groin, and stomach. Just my thoughts, do as you please.

From what I've learned about ancient Pankration, it is really too brutal to make a comparison to modern MMA, at least in a competition. As much as they beat the stuffing out of eachother, I seriously dought modern MMA fighters want to KILL eachother like the practitioners of ancient Pankration. Now, in a street fight, where the modern MMA guy's self-preservation instincts kick in, and he IS ready to kill the other guy, I've got my money on the modern fighter.

gcav said: I'm all for tradition, but that needs to be balanced with growth. My style has a "tradition" of "change". Thats exactly what I was trying to say. U said it better.

Point taken, Wap. Still, don't you think change in the MAs can be a good thing? Like Shane said, add to, don't take away. Shouldn't one strive to improve his/her art and preserve important values of it? Oh, and I have no problem with traditional arts, but often with reality (can't spell) systems because of how they present themselves. Thanks for the replies, hope we get s'more. This could be a good disscussion.

I haven't practiced martial arts in years, and when I did, it was only for a couple of months. I've decided to come back, but before selecting my art, I've done extensive study on the various martial arts. Because I am studying many systems, but practicing none, I can look at things objectively. I've noticed a few very disturbing things. It seems that thousands of martial artists in traditional systems are digging in their heels, trying to stop change in their art. Then there's the reality fighting systems who insist arts like TKD are useless. Do things have to be so black and white? Times change. Everything changes. Instead of trying to preserve tradition for the sake of preserving tradition, ask yourself: "Is this worth preserving?" Why not get involved in the evolution of your art? If your striking art is outdated as a fighting system, why not see about implementing some grappling? If you find that traditional values may help in your reality system, why not try to integrate those? I say with relative certainty that the art you practice now is an evolved form of an earlier art that just wasn't good enough. Lets not try to stop the evolution of our martial arts. Please reply with your feelings about my thoughts.

Don't forget: Nothing is a substitute for a real instructor, and many of the techniques are very dangerous. If i were you, I wouldn't use them without a qualified instructor/grappler present, especially if you're just starting out.

I recently purchased Mastering Jujitsu by Renzo Gracie. It's over 200 pages long, in a huge format. Techniques are well explained, as are the underlying theories etc. There is also a section on self defense, another for competition, anything you could want. It cost me about $20. I'm not a true grappler (yet) but even I can see that this is a great book. If you want to learn throws, get Judo: Techniques and Tactics by Jimmy Pedro, two-time Olympic medalist. It also teaches some good matwork.

Thanks very much. If anyone has more to add PLEASE! do.

I have some questions about BJJ programs, as a prospecting student. I know things will vary from dojo to dojo, so those rhetorical replies are uneeded. Just tell me what you know -Are strikes taught, or just grappling? -Are Judo style throws used/taught, if only on request? -How are chokes and locks practiced safely (relatively ) -What kind of equipment do I need, other than a Gi? -How do youth rankings (white, yellow...) transalate to adult rankings (white, blue...) I sincerely thank you for your time.