Mr Pockets

You know a better way to utilize the same idea- just have one hand cocked and really act like you're going to use it, then hit him with the other hand.

Actually, doing the flyes for the back of the shoulders, id recommend doing it sitting. You're less inclined to cheat, and less likely to hurt yourself.

Exactly my point man. Now there are some schools who are more traditional and plenty of guys who train in BJJ who are mature... but the art itself leaves open the window that you can have guys who train that aren't in the right mindset. In many other more traditional arts, that possibility doesn't exist. I'm not saying that I'm a huge tradition guy; I'm not. I just think being more traditional lends itself to ensuring a good level of maturity both in and outside the dojo because those who are training have NO OTHER CHOICE. I don't buy into any of the Eastern religious stuff or any of the mental meditation aspect of Budo Taijutsu, but going to training and bowing and being more traditional gets me, and the rest of those present, in a more serious mindset. I've found that in all the BJJ schools I've ever visited, all the students still have an unspoken respect for the place. Whatever kind of people they are outside of class is them, but in class we still follow what the instructor says, don't talk when he's talking, etc. However, we don't ask his permission to leave or go to the bathroom, if one shows up late it's no big deal, we don't have to bow, etc. It may be informal, but there's still respect. Sure people mess around and teasing; and there's some swearing and stuff that guys do when they get together, but so what? It doesn't bother anyone there. Believe me, if there was some little punk coming to class and truly disrespecting everyone, he wouldn't be welcome.

Yea normally- but when fighting shrugging your shoulders is something you should always do.

I don't know specifically about JJJ and the clinch, although I'm sure it would teach you throws and things like that, but i can tell you that in BJJ, with a teacher who knows anything about MMA or NHB fighting, (which seems to be most of them these days- lots cross train in MT), you'll learn take downs and throws, AND strikes from the clinch.

I never said I knew everything- and I'm not entirely against traditional martial arts. (Huge fan of Judo, for example.) I do still say, though, that most traditional martial arts aren't as effective as the so called modern ones, especially in their current state. That isn't to say that there aren't good ones out there. And that certainly isn't to say I'd beat you in a fight (Treebranch), judging from your posts (which I like, by the way) you seem like a guy who can handle himself. However- while I can't judge everything perfectly, not knowing everything and all, I do have a pretty good way to judge martial arts- by their results. You see what produces what, and what is more effective. This is why I like the UFC: while it obviously isn't exactly like a streetfight, it shows in large part what methods work and what methods don't (illegal moves and "sport" strategies aside.)

I'm just going to repost what I posted before but it was removed, with the bad word removed: I see a lot of points in here I like and even more I dislike. First of all, technically speaking, boxing is a martial art. It's just not a "martial art" like you traditionally think of them. In a way, you are right in saying that many UFCers do not really care about "martial arts," they just care about fighting. But that brings up another point: martial arts, I thought, was supposed to be about fighting. Throw in whatever other philosophy or spiritual nonsense you want, actual fighting used to be a goal. What the UFCers have done is something remarkable- theyve allowed martial arts to evolve in order to come up with somethign that works effectively. Do UFCers train to fight in the streets? Of course not! Could they beat someone down on the street? You bet. If you want to be capable of fighting on the streets, training in so called "MMA" is the best way to go. It isnt a big stretch from getting someone to tap out to breaking their bones or choking them unconcious. Nor is it a big step from kicking a leg to a knee, a groin, punching a throat or simply putting your thumb in someones eye or ripping their ear off their head. All in all, the UFC, Pride, all those things are competition BASED on real life fighting. "As real as it gets..." with sanctioned rules that is. A reflection of reality it isn't, but it's a great approximation.

Maybe... they're the same thing! Think about it- an invisible man with no hard evidence proving his existance, or an invisible energy with no hard evidence proving his existance (please note that I said HARD evidence). The bible makes no mention of Ki, nor does the Koran, or even the Kaballah.

What does everyone care? I thought doing martial arts was about getting the skills, was about you pesonally doing something that was beyond your wardrobe. So someone buys a black belt and a certificate online, who cares? Does a black belt enable you to fight? Or was a black belt once a measure or how far along a student was? It doesn't make him able to fight and doesn't diminish your abilities, and if someone is in martial arts with the goal of getting their black belt, they'll never be as good as someone there who wants to learn. Ask me what belt I am in the ONE art I do that actually does belts, (probably the only one left in which the belts still mean something, guesses anyone?) and I'll answer: who cares?

Body type is irrelevant in what styles are better than others. (Yes, I said better, uh oh!) However, the bigger one is, the more edge he has.

Keep doing them, and other cardio things. Running (intervals) will almost certainly help. But if you're doing what I think you're doing, you'll just have to get your body up to speed with them.

This is true, and it's because of this: while feet can be useful, hands are a necessity. The 80/20 rule is pretty clear on this (80% done by hands 20% by feet, if you're not following.)

I'm telling you guys, only thing that beats a knife is a knife of your own with more luck than the other guy, or a gun. Or a baseball bat i suppose....

Oh, well that's good. There really is no danger to pressuring your spine or something from standing with bad posture when you are fighting, though.

Not really, some maybe think that way. You have to admit though, right now BJJ is an art that is very complete in it's grappling. I can't find a BJJ school that doesn't teach techniques applicable from wrestling, judo, or anything else. It isn't just a style out on it's own, it contains the same throws and submissions you will find elsewhere. Plus! there's none of that bowing before class and hailing your sensei and all of that.

Haha! That is an old bareknuckle boxing technique. Some guys I know who fight in the cage will do that if they get stuck taking free punches to the head- it hurts them less than getting hit in the face, and the other guy will grow tired of smashing his knuckles, lightly padded or not, into a forhead.

Too true (I prefer to shoot the person.) Everyone who thinks they can disarm a knife should do this exercise: get a magic marker and give it to someone, even a little kid. See if you can get it from them without getting a mark on you. Then see what happens when someone pretends its a knife and tries to stab you with it. Then remember that the marker has a small tip while a knife has a much larger blade with atleast one side sharp all the way down to the base. You are really better off just shooting them.

It's spelled sacrifice. Anyway, being 15, you're better off doing MT and lifting a little, in my opinion, because you are starting early and building the SKILLS for fighting (I wish I had that early) and you will be building an excellent muscular base to build serious bulk on later when you're a bit older. By all means keep it up.

The entire idea of circular and linear is a waste of time and thought. Sometimes you move in a line, for instance jabs and crosses; and sometimes you move in a circle, like throwing a hook, uppercut, shovel punch, or whatever. Blocking should be niether (for those of you who block outside of your body.) To think in terms of linear and circular is really stupid in that it limits yourself to a ridiculous extreme.

Actually, and you may want to disregard this if you are under 15 or 16, you will want to be lifting between the 4-6 reps range to really promote strength and size, or bulk up. 6 meals a day, 1.5g of protein per lb you way (give or take) and lots of simple carbohydrates, as well as a few servings of veggies.

Do shoulder flyes bent over so your torso is parallel with the ground.

It is true that fit people sweat more, I don't really know why. Fat people seem to sweat all the time (?)

Is this some sort of April Fool's Day joke? No! When you are fighting, you want to be a little hunched over. Your power comes from your hips, and if you lean forward just a little it only helps. Not to mention that standing straight up ruins any defense you might want as far as moving around is concerned. Turn on any boxing match, UFC fight, Pride, thai boxing, anything with pro fighters- I garuntee you they are not standing straight up.

Sure, there's nothing wrong with that if you need it sometimes. Drink about TWO glasses of water per cup of coffee though, in addition to whatever more water you may need. Also, be wary of becoming dependant on it. If you're tempted to have more than two cups, probably getting too used to it.

It will either work or get you hit in the face.