UseoForce

really, it all comes down to how you define a blackbelt, and there are as many definitions of a blackbelt as there are blackbelts themselves...

Brazilian Jiu-jistu should not be considered as any other style of jiu-jitsu. BJJ's whole strategy is entirely different than that of JJJ. Some of the techniques look the same, but as many are totally different. JJJ is closer to hapkido than it is to BJJ.

Muay Thai roundhouse (to the thigh). Never see it comin and stings like no other.

In an ideal world, we could fight against adversity every time. In the real world, there are just too many X factors.

Oh, BTW, read "Mastering Jujitsu" by Renzo Gracie. I know some of you are getting sick of me saying that, but it answers about 75% of the questions people ask on this web site.

Also, are you talking about the martial arts of boxing and kickboxing, or "cardio" boxing and kickboxing?

good post. Also, another note on old school jiu-jitsu in Japan. Many of the empty hand technqiues and weapons techniques are very similar. For example, a typical defense against the sterotypical looping punch is the inside-out wristlock. The lock is performed just like a power slash with a katana. Is it relevant to this thread? Probably not. But it's cool

I think an important component of any stance is how well it translates into weapons use. My stance, for example, is almost the same whether I am empty handed or shooting a pistol or wielding a knife.

So you agree MMA is a pretty good testing ground? BTW: Have you ever been hit hard with a knifehand in the neck? It might not end the fight, but it is certainly a stunning blow. I was trying to describe the feeling to a member of my family who is in law enforcement. In his defensve tactics classes, they refferred to it as "having you channel changed," like on a TV. That's probably the best way to describe it. It's not fun.

Spoken like a true JKD guy...

Well, that's not really true. BJJ came directly from judo, not so much jiu-jitsu. The main reason why it is Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and not Brazilian Judo is because it is meant to be an art, not a 'way.' Original Gracie jiu-jitsu was focused more on self-defense than jiu-jitsu, say, 5 years ago. It had lots of takedowns. If you read "Brazilian Jiu-jitsu: Theorey and Technique," you will see hip throws, the body drop and several other judo techniques. In addition, BJJ began to incorporate wrestling style takedowns. Because BJJ came from judo, it has many of the same throws. And, yes, there WERE lots of other martial arts around when the Gracies were developing their art. Lutra Livre and Capoeira are both native Brazilian arts. There were also plenty of boxers, various kinds of wrestlers, and judoka. The takedowns and throws in BJJ began to disappear in the early MMA era. No one knew groundfighting. As long as the jiu-jitsu fighter could SOMEHOW bring his opponent down, then he would surely win. The jiu-jitsu fighter didn't care whether he was on top, bottom, or if he got hit. As long as his opponent was on the ground, he knew he could win. So, if the jiu-jitsu guy could just tie up with the other guy and drag him to the floor, that was as good as any takedown. All that mattered was what happened AFTER the fight hit the floor. Nowadays, things have changed. Everyone in MMA has at least some grappling skill. It's harder to take people down. It's even harder to attain a dominant position on the ground. Furthermore, jiu-jitsu fighters cannot dominate from the guard like Royce did in the early UFC's. Sure, it's better than being mounted, and you still might get an armbar or triangle choke, but it's not what it used to be. Better takedown defense has necesitated that groundfighting specialists get better takedowns or else fight on their feet.

So what'd I do...?

To me, hitting the air full-power sounds like a great way to hyperextend a joint.

there's not much benefit to hitting the air at full power. if you want to hit full power, get a heavy bag. that will benefit you more and injure you less. if you are grappling, yes, you can go at 100%. sparring, you can get close, but you shouldn't do it any more than a few times per month. If you go more often, only go about 60-70% - still enough to KO someone,making it realistic. I'd rather spar 60% daily than go 100% on air. Totally agree

Frankly, you do TKD, which teaches you to kick with your instep. THAT is a much more vulnerable part of your body that the skull. The skull above the eyeline, (the part that protects the brain) is very strong and very hard. It is a good striking weapon.

I'm glad to hear some people actually do traditional weapons sparring. When I first got into martial arts, I remember talking to a person about the "weapons" division in a tournament. Isn't it sad how when one hears the word "weapons" associated with a tournament, one automatically thinks of a form done with a weapon. Why train with it if you're not going to really learn how to fight with it?

In fact, everyone: READ MASTERING JUJITSU RIGHT NOW! (no, I don't work for Renzo Gracie, but this book has some of the best martial arts philosophy discussion, better perhaps than the Tao of Jeet Kune do...)

My signature is only meant to reflect my philosophy on martial arts. If I come across any techniques, principles, or ideas that I like, I'll incorporate them into my style. I have no particular allegiance to any ONE style (no style is best). It also reflects my ideas about staying away from counter-productive training methods.Don't read too much into it. You can train full contact kickboxing and grappling and have a pretty decent idea of what works and what doesn't. Are you going to telll me that Chuck Liddell couldn't handle himself in the street because he never "tested" his techniques there? Are you going to tell me that MMA fighters are not good "street fighters?" Of course, it would be nice to test my technique in the street. However, I live by a set of values. I don't like maiming people, I don't like the idea of becoming the component of society that fights over frivoulous matters. Plus, you never know when the guy's packing a gun or knife, or maybe his buddies will show up. It's not worth risking your life (IMO) If I have the choice between walking away from a fight and "testing my technique," I'll walk.

That's true for stand-up sparring, not really true for grappling. Read "Mastering Jujitsu"

"Viloence is rarely the answer, but when it is, it's the only answer." Tim Larkin It's pretty much a black and white issue to me. If I think that there is a chance that someone will get hurt, I will fight. If the altercation can be solved without violence, great. It's not real complicated.

Teaching yourself anything is not advisable. Even if you don't hurt yourself (and you will) your technique will probably be bad without an instructor to correct you. For starters, I think your workout could use some tweaking. Go to the Health and Fitness forum, there are some knowlegable guys there that can help you out. You are very lucky. You live in New York. I bet there are 100 different martial arts styles within 20 minutes of your home. You sound like you are very into acrobatics. Check into Capoeira. It's a Brazilian martial art that looks a little like break dancing, but it does have some great fighting techniques as well. Good luck !

Violence is a tool. There is nothing inherently good or evil about it. It is the manner in which it is used that is good or evil. It's best to avoid fights whenever possible. Believe it or not, I have never been in a real serious fight. I've been insulted, harassed, enticed, even had a few people start shoving me saying "C'mon, defend yourself." I get angry, but then the realization hits. When I realize the power I have, the ability to break this moron limb by limb, my anger changes more to pity. This insecure, stupid being dares to insult me? I just shake my head and move on. The kind of people who try to start fights usually don't have anything to lose. I have a lot to lose, and I'm not going to risk it to avoid a moment of seeming "weakness." Now, if I was actually ATTACKED, I would do whatever necessary to defend myself. Will that time ever come? Who knows?

I've thought about that too. And for wrestling, both eastern and western are void of them. Judo and jiu-jistu do forms right (albeit with a partner?) But I guess partner forms are a different matter entirely...

It depends how much you move...

Does anyone here actually spar all-out with kamas, bo staves, or nunchaku?