Chaz

Just the fact that our cops in the U.S. would probably dive on the man makes it all the more funnier to think about...lol

It makes me think they give out black belts way too lightly in America. Even if it is 25 years he's been practicing, thats alot of different arts and places you gotta be...Im not trying to bash the guy and his accomplishments, but it does make me wonder about him and MA in America...

I completely agree with Shorinryu Sensei first post, it's the principle of the forms and the muscle memory it develops. Even though we don't spare in my art, I can tell you it will surely help in real combat situations...

Black belt is not so much elite as it is a sign that you really are willing to learn the art you are in. It tells your sensai/sifu if your dedicated and are determined so the real learning can begin. I think anyone can earn a black belt if they work for it, certainly!

I would say it depends on the siyuation your in...If there is something going on that should be stopped, such as the things sevenstar wrote, I would say it's almost our responsability as Martial Artists to stand up and say something. Once again, it depends on the situation, you don't want to be suicidal if you can help it...

Relevent Training and full-faith in your art, especially if you only take one art...(a.k.a. ME) I advise to make sure you love your art and belive in it. I've tried a couple other arts before now, but none were as practical and effective as San Soo. It depends on what you like though...Also, good instructor plays a role in your training Immensely, make sure he/she knows what there doing. Hope I helped a little

In my opinion, I would say the best way to survive a "Fat Guy" would be to apply basic principles of physics in your training more often. Whether the guy is bigger or smaller than you, he still has the same mechanics as any other human being and there are many techniques out there that utilize this concept accurately and effectively(at least in San Soo...). For example; Arm breaks, leverages (more knee leverages, arms, ect... than throws in this particular case...). And lets not forget my personal favorite target, the groin...I don't care how big he is, that will break him down no matter what...

I used to have a problem with bully's when I was younger and I never really found a fufilling soulution till I joined San Soo. Ever since my attitude and outlook on other people has changed dramatically in the sense that I have more confidence in my ability and less credibility for people like the guy your explaining. MA teachs you character(If you don't let it got to your head...you sound like the type of guy that wouldn't let that happen ) and it will naturally help you learn what to do in these kinds of situations whether it's through force or not. I say the Uni MA club sounds like the perfect solution, and just hang in there...

Seems to me the easiest way around the flaining man is still to take his space either with your hips(if your quick) or throw a kick to the groin in there. He'll stop flailing in both situations. Either the the pain will stop him, or the off-balance and loss of control he'll feel when you have taken his center of gravity will. Right up the middle seems to be the best way to avoid any glancing blows as well. Even if you do get hit going up the middle(once again if your fast enough...) he'll have virtually no leverage to harm you with...Then he's yours, it's over...

...San Soo is one of the most effective and practical arts out there...it should be on this list if not at the top, either way...I recognize a few of those as effective arts, from what I've seen, as well...

One of my good freinds does kenpo...his instructor is the champion in California I think, but he is real impressive. I do have some bragging rights though, Even though hes been doing MA 9 years longer than me I can still best him every once in a while. He always tries to get me to spare, but I don't. Once when he was doing that he engaged on me with a toe kick aimed above the waist somewhere, I moved my hips into his and knock him flat...He was almost surprised as much as I was...lol

One word, MACE...lol

I'm sorry but I disagree with this statement. It seems to me if your on the defense what are your opponents going to do? Be on the offense. Say your on the offense without mercy? It will be much harder for the average joe to want to attack you if you keep wailing on his friends that get too close. I think being on the defense would do nothing for you, I'm a beliver in relentless attack whether it's 1 guy or 5 guys...

I personally think San Soo is very effective for survival on the streets. But Im sure the others listed are too, doesn't really matter if it's your average tough guy...

I've always been able to talk my way out of confrontations, not a bad thing if you ask me, I try to avoid getting blood on my hands...But man, has anyone ever seen two French road bikers get into a fight? lol, thats funnier than a chick fight if you ask me...(no offence to any MA roadbikers out there )

I've never felt leg sweeps would be the best option for anything I'd ever encounter on the streets, maybe in the studio for the sake of having them under your belt, but I'm not opposed to any suggestions...

I have two favorite fighters that I'm actually educated about. Those two are Jimmy Woo and Bruce Lee... Jimmy H. Woo brought my art over to the US and, after around 15 years or so, decided to teach not only chinese but all Americans that seeked his knowledge. I've learned many stories about him and his lineage from my sifu and my research, he was an impressive man that is responsible for my ability to practice San Soo... Bruce Lee I admire not because of Fists of Fury or Chinese Connection, but because of his philosophies and how he lived. I've read many books about him as well as his book(Tao of Jeet Kun Do) and he was an exceptional fighter along with his ideals...Though I don't agree with alot of things he belived, he was still a great man that deserves recognition for changing the Martial community in America.

Um...I can do flips and handsprings, but thats only because I have a freind thats a gymnast...Most likely your master probably hasn't learned that kind of thing from his Martial training. If you wanna learn that kind of stuff, join gymnastics or get a freind like mine...

This'll be short but here it goes... I have about a year of Kung Fu San Soo, and in my school you earn belts yearly...So i'll be recieving my yellow belt next month. This is not the only system I've stydied under though, I've also trained in Shotokan Karate but I felt it was insufficient so I researched and found San Soo and at this point in time...I'm only open to chinese arts, and some fluid arts. I don't belive in sparring anymore or really hard/direct styles. Thats just from my experiance...

I am a christian, but you could say my church is alot different from most, our morning sermons usually are made up of people jumping out of wheel chairs cause' they can walk again, or people crying out to God because there tumor dissappeared. Our church works deeply in the gifts(prophetic arts, healing, intercession, ect...) and ministry/outreach. I have painted prophetically before and it was totaly God because I can not paint the slightest bit, in fact I didn't even know what I was painting until it was done...but anyway Im getting off topic. My point is, I belive God blesses/annoints those who are in him who devote themselves to a skill or the arts. There is a verse in the bible somewhere that says "Everything you do, do in christ and you shall be blessed"(Something along those lines). God will give you things you never dreamed of having or thinking of if you work something and acknowledge him as the creater of it, even exceptional MA skills... Of course, I'm nowhere near the point where I understand what I just said and have applied in practice, but I belive in it whole-heartedly and it's one of my larged goals in life to seek it.

Tao of jeet kun do is the only must have I think. Even if your not planning on doing JKD it's a good read...

In San Soo we don't bring our fist together till right before the point of impact because it generates more force and speed behind the punch, your never just making a fist or tensing up for no apparent reason. But thats definately a preference to the art, not the way all styles do it...I'm pretty sure Bruce Lee used that method, though I could be wrong...

It is definately possible to beat 5 thugs at a time or more! I would say it depends on what art you are practicing to say how long...Also the situation is important to determine that. Thats just my feelings on that...

I don't know if someones allready made this suggestion, too many to read... But if someone did that to me, especially with there eyes closed, I'd give um a quick snap kick to the groin that they'd probably run right into. That should end the situation pretty quick when his hands are suddenly covering himself. Then you have all day to finish it... Stupid people like that never see that kick coming especially if you throw some windmills in there(if you take a fluid MA)...Although I do agree that your question is a good one, people with no training are harder to figure out sometimes because there so unpredictable....

Thanks alot Snakeeel for your comment, thats what I feel about fighting it's just hard to convince people from other arts...Thanks again