baronbvp

I'll modify my theory. Regardless of style, the only way to train to multiple opponents is to spar with multiple opponents.

Good points.

True, but I respectfully disagree. Some styles are definitely suited to a single opponent: boxing, kickboxing, grappling, fencing, MMA for example. Fighters engaged with an opponent are vulnerable to attacks by another and aren't normally trained to fight multiple opponents simultaneously. Others - kung fu, karate, TKD, kobudo - are designed to more easily reverse stances and fighting direction, come off a strike move into an immediate attack on another opponent, etc. Good training involves handling multiple opponents at some point. This may be better discussed in another thread about numbers of opponents.

I'm not sure I agree. Circular styles involve more jumps, turns, and circular limb motion for strikes and defenses. Kung fu is an example. I think some of these circular styles developed as they did because of what I see as a major difference in styles: whether they are designed to defeat a single or multiple opponents. In my opinion, linear styles are more geared toward a single opponent, whereas circular styles are more easily adapted to fighting multiple opponents. However, most street fights I've seen were using linear styles regardless of the number of opponents. Maybe my theory is only a theory.

As long as it's intentional and varied, to me that sounds like reasonable strategy. Do your opponents ever learn that when they move toward you while you are standing still, that you "usually" lash out with your leg and then move away? That could be a bit predictable.

Hmmm...sounds very reasonable.

Thanks, Bushido. We'll see if I can hang with the full contact. Bare knee strikes to my chest or a missed kick that takes out my knee would be bad. The demo we saw was pretty brutal and may be more than I'm willing to endure, given what goes on in the rest of my life. I'll take it a class at a time.

Happy Birthday! Think you'll want to do Muay Thai when you're 45? I'm still not sure I want to. Might be a little too risky for injury at this point in my life.

I like it. Sometimes I'm inclined to decline pushups.

Bingo! Me too. I am a family man and a senior officer in the Navy. I don't get in fights.

Thanks guys! It's great to get back into training. "10, 20 30, 40, 50 or more..."

It was good! I am the oldest one in the class, but no worries. It's basically Muay Thai without elbows to the face. Their website is https://www.jungsumartialarts.com. The full-contact sparring will be rough - we saw a demo tonight - but I'm looking forward to it. We started with conditioning, then moved to some punches, then some kicks, then some knees. My flexibility is not good in my lower body, so that will take some time to build up a bit. We ended with some actual mild kicks to each others' thighs to get the students used to being hit. Most are beginners but not all. I like the instructor. He is nice but no-nonsense; he doesn't put up with fooling around but isn't mean. He's all about fighting and so am I. Now, of course, all my karate gear is the vinyl-covered foam stuff (Lighting by ProForce) that won't work for MT, so I have to buy all new gear except for my groin protector. Figures. I am looking forward to starting my training journal again.

I have my first kickboxing class tonight. I've done it some before, but never in an actual class. I'll let you know how it goes.

Fencing is linear.

It was more true of me when I was younger. In my senior year of high school, I wrestled at 127. Now I weigh 175 at 5'11" - not so slight, certainly not delicate, but built slender. It is still difficult to add muscle mass even when pounding the protein and heavy (for me) weights.

I have even thought through my kata while driving or waiting for my wife to try on clothes in a store. I prefer to move, though.

Wow, too bad you weren't selected after all the effort you put in. I found the same thing about beer on deployment aboard ships. When out at sea for an extended period, I would lean out even though I ate more. Once we hit port, we drank a lot. It doesn't take very long for beer (or other alcohol) to add body fat right back. All those carbs will cover up a six-pack. I guess it's basically trading one six-pack for another.

I wasn't on the ground, only in the air. The only time I had to use mine was killing snakes in the cockpit getting back aboard the ship at night.

If your knees are buckling, it sounds like a joint strength issue vice a flexibility one.

As hard as this is for me to say... ...you have to give up the beer. You'll be amazed at how this one thing will make a difference.

I do have to agree with patusai. As I get older and no longer seek the contact at some point, practicing kata will be a good way to stay involved and get a good workout at home. Knowing one's body and celebrating its movement is spiritually healthy.

It's more important to warm up than to stretch. In fact, stretching cold can cause injury. Warm up with 5-10 minutes of light to medium aerobic activity. Then stretch. Then do your workout, spar, whatever. Then stretch and cool down and then have a beer. Over-stretching over time can cause damage to tendons and ligaments as well. Get a good book such as The Genius of Flexibility by Bob Cooley or Ultimate Flexibility by Sang H. Kim.

Many things go into preparedness to fight besides physical conditioning. That being said, I know that I am less prepared to fight at the age of 45 because it takes me awhile to warm up. I would not have that luxury if a fight suddenly popped up. Training regularly makes a big difference. Those in regular fighting shape will do better. Otherwise nobody would do it.

I just bought one of these low profile mouthguards for myself: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000A7R76I/102-8342301-0674512 Good price for a gift, and can be used by most everyone.

Did you see the looks on the faces of the early UFC competitors when Royce Gracie took them down? Surprise, fear, anger, and, as Scooby says, "ruh roh!" Those guys were tough fighters, but not on the ground. Most people including muggers are not comfortable on the ground. If you are, it can only be better than not.