baronbvp

Great point. Yes there has.

I would say that today's UFC fighters are the best all around fighters in the world, and that some SF guys are their equal. North Korea trains their SF very harshly. I personally know some very lethal US SF people. There is no way to make a comparison between UFC and military fighters because their training and goals are different. I would also say that every fighter must be evaluated in his era just like NFL players. While Royce may not win in the ring today, he is the one who revolutionized MMA and the reason these guys now are so good. To say Gracie is not a world class fighter is to say Mike Tyson is not a world class fighter. To one poster: No karate black belt with ten years of karate-only experience is going to beat 3 UFC fighters no matter how aggressive you are. That would lead to a certain and expiditious defeat. Finally, most of us don't train in MA with the goal of killing our opponent. Most of us don't practice full speed full contact, either, because we have families and jobs. We all do our best to get as good as we can at whatever art or arts we've chosen. And most of us avoid the kinds of situations that result in street fights and wouldn't try to let our ego drive anything. That's why we still have families and jobs...

One of the areas that many of us feel is not trained enough (or at all) by martial artists is conflict deescalation. We all train to fight in various ways, but rarely should a situation devolve to violence as the preferred solution. In today's world, many members of the population seem more readily willing to engage in aggressive rhetoric and violence to solve problems. It has become more difficult for those who don't wish to participate in violence to walk away. Sometimes, others decide for you that walking away isn't one of your options. Unfortunately, it is even viewed as disrespectful. There are many ways to deescalate situations. This thread explores ideas about how to do that: ways you've seen that worked and didn't, and ideas you may have about how martial artists can lower the temperature and pressure of an encounter without ever needing to use those finely-honed skills. I have personally found that there are a couple of key points: 1. Being aware of the predominance of alcohol and drugs to fuel such situations. 2. Allowing an antagonist to "win" by saving face, increasing situational power, having an ego soothed, etc. 3. Showing an antagonist in a meaningful way why it is in their best interest to avoid violence. 4. Understanding group dynamics and mob theory. 5. Knowing who can assist you such as police, bar security, friends, a crowd, etc. 6. How to call for help when a situation is growing out of control. 7. How to prevent such things from occurring in the first place or again if they have just occurred. What are your thoughts on this subject?

One of the most effective programs that I've seen is a ride-along program with police. I used to send my Sailors on these rides to educate them about conflict deescalation, DUI, etc. Many of my kids came into the military out of rough neighborhoods and didn't really know any other way to resolve things than through the medium of violence. I was the senior shore patrol officer for a carrier strike group in Bahrain once, in charge keeping 6000+ Navy Sailors out of trouble in the bars. I learned many things in those few days. There are many ways to deescalate situations other than by fighting. I believe we could all benefit form this kind of training in the dojos. Police officers and bar owners and their security are usually more than willing to give talks. I suggest you take those over 21 down to a bar one afternoon before their business hour and get a half hour of familiarization.

Totally concur. I wouldn't limit it to post-conflict resolution, either, but include conflict deescalation.

Little Kicker, would I be mistaken if I said I thought you were a female from reading your other posts? If you are, then some of this advice is even scarier. You need to find friends to stay safe. This situation in your neighborhood sounds as though it could turn into a gang thing if it isn't already. Weapons, meeting people in the street, packs of teens - this is not a safe long-term situation. Have you gone directly to the cops to discuss the general neighborhood environment? Can they increase patrols? Is there a Guardian Angels neighborhood watch type organization in Wales? Maybe you could get together with your dojo mates or other MA buds and start one. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guardian_Angels for a discussion and additional resources. An excerpt: Good luck and keep us posted.

All great advice. You are being physically abused. This issue is way beyond a martial arts or self defense question, other than that you are seeking advice perhaps for the no-kidding immediate next time this happens. You need to change this aspect of your life and extract yourself and your mother. There is no way to win with fighting. There's a great Nickleback song called "Never Again" about this very thing. Abusive situations RARELY, if ever, get better.

See...these are all the little arguments that are going on in your head during the five seconds it takes to develop. Should I run? Should I strike first? Will I get hurt? Will I get sued? I don't like to strike first and risk assault charges, but I like to get beaten up even less. One thing I haven't seen is a timeline that should be ticking in your head, something like this: 1. Attempt to deescalate situation while surveying the threat and prioritizing opponents in wary passive stance. 2. Look for escape or assistance that you will attempt or engage. Delay attack while getting any family/friends to safety if possible. 3. Develop quick gameplan and backup plan, keeping wary of the threat and watching your back. (Distractors often talk to you while their buddy approaches from behind.) 4. Attack biggest threat preemptively once violence cannot be stopped. I would try to do this away from my escape route, so I don't have to go through the guy to get free. Or, if he's between me and safety, plan my attack to be a slash-and-run. 5. RUN!

A long time ago in my stupid youth, I was super drunk and mouthing off in a bar on New Years Eve. I got booted by the bouncers, then I continued being an idiot outside. Some guy got out of a limo full of chicks and tried to chill me out. I mouthed off to him too, so he punched me once right in the face. I was so drunk I fell down on my rear and just sat there. I realized at that moment that I was a complete moron, so I just said, "good punch!" and stumbled home. The next day I watched the Rose Bowl with a big black eye, humbled but proud to wear it as a badge of growing up some that night. I totally deserved it.

Thanks Patrick!

Nicely done!

BM, did you ever see a doc?

I am 5'11", 175 and relatively slender. I lift weights and have for years. You will benefit, no two ways about it. Just make sure you warm up, stretch well, and stretch again after you lift. It's easy to tighten up with heavy lifting if you don't. Oh, and drink LOTS of water.

One day 20 years from now, you may be the black belt on this forum counseling some kid who being born right now to start martial arts. You will only know the answer to your question if you start. I think you will like the answer.

I have to agree that this place looks a little McDojo-like from their website. Could be just the website, though. As to how the black belts tied their belts, I can't tell from the low fidelity photo how they are tied - perhaps too high on their waists and one too loose? Best check the dojang out and see if you like it. If you want to lose weight, their kickboxing class might help, even if it's only cardio-kickboxing.

Sometimes you'll find that the students who are dedicated and go as often as they can will get lucky. Instructors like teaching students who are eager to learn and show up even when it's hard. If you can only afford once/week they may let you go more often.

That's the hard part for me, getting the hips through the turn.

I use these for Muay Thai: http://www.mmawarehouse.com/Combat-Sports-Ankle-Supports-p/csi-1021.htm. I wear them on both ankles under my shin and ankle guards. I've torn ligaments in my left ankle five times in my life: four as a teenager, then again just over a year ago. Don't wrap it if it still is healing, at least not in order to train. You need to rehab it with strengthening exercises. Calf raises are actually very good to strengthen your ankles. You also need rotation motion and careful monitoring to ensure you compensate for ligament damage that is essentially permanent. Scar tissue has filled in the tears, and now your ankle(s) will be susceptible to re-injury. It can be something overt like kicking wrong with that foot, or turning weird as you pivot on it; or something insidious like catching your heel on a step as you descend some stairs. Take it from me - care for your ankles from now on, and don't overdo it. They make ankle supports that lace up if you really have problems.

Maybe you can treat yourself to some good BJJ books to keep your mind in it, and practice some moves on your own. Some people even use grappling dummies. Or roommates.

Many of us have limited time to train. I'm 45 and just don't have enough quality MA class training time left to "waste" it on kata. That's why I left shorin-ryu for Muay Thai. I need to spend my time sparring. When I don't want the contact any more, kata will keep me happy as I stay stretched and focus on the art of the form. Until then, I spend my time learning to fight better instead of imagining bunkai applications hidden within the kata.

There's some Muay Thai video on the internet that shows some evil kicks taking people OUT. They didn't set them up with hands. They didn't get taken down because the kick wasn't there long enough for them to be grabbed. Never bring a knife to a gun fight. Each thing has its place.

What they said. The nice thing about judo over BJJ, for instance, is the throws and takedowns. BJJ focuses more on mat work. You need to add clinching and ground work to your striking to be well rounded. That said, I love Muay Thai more than karate. I plan to add BJJ next month to round myself out.

Good points, Marie Curie. You can never pick your situation, but it won't likely be a nice open area with a padded surface on which to play.

That's why I like Muay Thai. Brutal, high tempo, attacking art. I look forward to adding BJJ to close the deal. But my STYLE is to use a little humor, let someone keep their ego intact, buy them a beer and diffuse the situation.

The Warriors - Nice! I have to agree. The Last Samurai (pseudo-American) Universal Soldier Karate Kid Rush Hour 1 & 2 Predator (I know, no karate, but so cheesy it's great. Two state governors in one SF team!)