thaiboxerken

when I mean kata, i mean sequential moves done in the air.

THat's cool, when I first started training, I didn't have an interest in weapons at all. Now, I just see it as another area of training that I enjoy just as much as the empty hands.

It could be, Jerry. Still, I don't see the "hard to bend" arm as anthing more than a trick.

Nothing wrong with questioning claims, is there?

If all you do for 6 months is kata, i'd go away. How long have you been there?

I don't know Guro Hines. Hopefully, you can try Escrima with a different instructor that can make it enjoyable. I know a poor instructor can ruin any art.

Nope. However, the guys with the last name "Fairtex" have. A group armed with knives tried to mug Bunkerd and his brothers, they had to explain to the police that they didn't have knives themselves and that the cuts on the muggers faces were from their elbows. Elbows are an important part of a thaiboxer's curriculum.

Weird, everytime I move, I'm more than happy to start out in the beginner class. Heck, working the basics is fun for me since the basics are the foundation of a martial art. Guro Inosanto strapped on a "white belt" over 50 times, and he still does when he trains in a new art.

I just finished a 2 day seminar this weekend. I think Guro is 67 years old now and he still moves very quickly, sharply and smooth. He is a great person and it's always an honor to work with a living encyclopaedia of martial arts.

"Is four years considered a short amount of time?" I'd say that's a fairly long time. One can learn to adequately defend themselves from the average unarmed thug in MMA systems within months. Add some Filipinno Kali and you'll have yourself covered against weapons as well. The best thing for you to do is check out the class and the instructors. If they are breaking boards and point-fighting, then you're probably not going to learn much about self-defense there. If all they do is Kata, I'd walk away as well.

Jules, I know where you can claim one million dollars if you can just prove that Chi "life energy" exists. https://www.randi.org I doubt that Chi exists, but feel free to prove me wrong and get wealthy at the same time.

"How would something like boxing or UFC differ from karate?" Rules of the competition and the amount of competition tends to bring out what really works in the UFC events. Of course, it's limitted to 1 vs 1 fighting with no weapons. It's my opinion that if you want to learn how to effectively fight in a short amount of time, go with MMA/UFC systems coupled with some weapon systems for self-defense reasons. If you want to learn kata and "self discipline" then the karate might be your cup of tea. Some karate guys can actually defend themselves too.

As far as protection goes, I think it's worth using it. To avoid bad habits, like relying on your protection, you just have to be smart enough to realize that the smack you just recieved on your headgear probably would've done you in. I think the SCA calls people that ignore the smacks "rhino skin", don't be one.

I really don't think there is much of a "con" in training Kali, as a system, it works from kicking range to the ground and all ranges in between. "Downside- there is a tendency to fall into the trap of trying to keep your opponent at bay with your weapon instead of going in for the kill. " I don't know who your instructor was/is, but that is not the case from the people I've learned. Long-range is taught first because it keeps you safest from attacks, but medium and short ranges are also taught so you can "go in for the kill". However.. if you don't want to go to jail, you may not want to kill.

Kali is good, Silat is also good for knife training.

Keep it sheathed or folded and you probably won't kill with it.

NorthWest fighting arts is where I train at. SBG is ok, but they seem to be almost purely grappling and MMA oriented. Where I train at, you get grappling, muaythai, Kali, JKD, silat and you can even train in the "internal" arts (which I don't care for). https://www.northwestfighting.com If you go, let them know I sent ya!

Chinese opera IS a martial art entertainment system. Much of it is derived from authentic martial arts, they just don't really learn how to apply it in real fights. Jackie is quick enough and trains hard enough that I think he could probably hold his own. I also think I heard him in an interiew where he said that he did train in some kickboxing.

When sparring, I try to do new things, particulary anything new I may have just learned in class. I don't care too much if I get hit, because I'm trying something new. If you are fighting in competition, go with what you know you can do and have worked on alot.

That guy is a moron. I've seen worse though, on "Max X" they showed a video where a person was holding an apple in their neck. The demonstration "expert" was to chop the apple in half with a Katana and not scathe the apple-holder. The apple-holder went to the hospital with a lacerated throat. The "expert" just wiped his blade and walked off the state.

Head protection does reduce the risk of concussion, as it spreads the impact of the strike. However, you really don't have to spar full-contact to train in boxing. There are many, many boxing drills that you can do alone and with a partner using focus mitts.

Also, don't kick high if the opponent has a knife.

I think the best time to kick to the head is after you've taken a person down. However, kicking high can work for some people.

Standing elbows do work, you just have to be smart about it. Many people train them, but have no clue as to how to use them in a real situation.

Rickson is a well rounded fighter, his Pride fights show that. It's my opinion that he was the best unarmed MMA fighter.