Dont call me Sir

When in a confrontation I use 'The Fence' (Geoff Thompson) and from then on I'm either walking away, attacking or covering, in which case I'd use 'The Crazy Monkey' cover (Rodney 'Chico' King). DCMS.

Firstly, most fights are at a range of 18 inches. At that range it's very difficult to hit and virtually impossible to block. I'd even go as far as saying that blocks are a complete waste of time in a 'real' fight, but I'll save that argument for another day. Secondly, your head is only vulnerable as a target, not an attacking tool. The head is a very good weapon if you know how and when to use it, and I can say that with considerable experience (a the user). DCMS.

Like all techniques, it depends on the situation, range and opponent(s) and its a case of (to quote Dave Turton) "Adapt, Apply & Create". Imagine you're pinned against a wall by an aggressor who has got you in a lapel grab, you're on tip-toe and you're nose to nose. That is the ideal time to use the headbutt. As always; Nearest tool, nearest target. The headbutt is just another tool for your toolbox, learn it, practice it, train it, keep it and if need be, use it. DCMS.

Tie your belt loosely, then slip it off. Once off, tighten the knot and put it into a 'tumble dryer'. Remove belt and there you'll have it, an authentic master's belt! Seriously, yes, there are people out there who would do such a daft thing! DCMS!

I've never rented a Martial Arts DVD. However, after attending a seminar I do like to purchase a DVD that covers the content of the seminar, purely for reference purposes. Most people on leaving a seminar only retain 60% of what they have been shown/taught, so buying a DVD is an investment. DVD's I've purchased are from Instructors such as, Richard Dimitri, Geoff Thompson, Peter Consterdine, Rodney 'Chico' King, Dennis Martin, Lee Morrison, Master Sken, etc, etc, all top quality instructors. DCMS.

The ideal striking part of the head is the upper forehead, running from temple to temple (though not the temples themselves!). I've used the headbutt a number of times, resulting in at least two KO's. The 1st KO was a 'standard' headbutt that connected with the upperjaw/nose of the aggressor (I'm 6ft 1in, he was 6ft 4in). Though I got the desired result, I did have a nasty cut from his broken front teeth. The 2nd KO was using the top of my head. I took a 'haymaker' causing my legs to buckle. From a low, crouching position I drove forward and upwards, driving the top of my head upwards, under his chin. It lifted him off the floor and he was KO'd before he hit the ground. I sustaind no injury from the headbutt. In the chaos of a fight it's very difficult to always connect with the right target, using the ideal striking part of the head. It also depends on the height of the agressor compared to yours, that's why the headbutt is better used as a pre-emptive attack. And remember, it's always advisable in any physical confrontation to use the following; Nearest tool, nearest target! The ideal target on the opponent is the eyebrows as it is extremely painful for the receiver, causes brain-shake and usually results in a cut. The nose is an ok target, but I've seen too many headbutts to the nose having little effect, with the receiver still standing and able to continue the fight. DCMS.

Over the last two years I have had two of my students get into fights. Each time my students came to my house, after the event, and asked to talk with me. I sat down with them, listened to what they had to say and made a decision based on what they told me. On both occasions they acted in self-defence and within the letter of the law. Also, they didn't bring the Academy into disrepute. Based on what they said I gave them my advice and chose not to take the matter any further. I'm the judge and jury in my Academy. They did exactly what I would've done and what they were taught to do. Both students came away without any physical injuries whatsoever and also became a little wiser. As for the instigators of the physical confrontation, well, they'll think twice in the future. No two fights are the same. There are always 3 sides to every story; each others and the truth. Base every fight on the merits of those involved and the actions taken, then act appropriately. DCMS.

That's partly my point, a traditional art, with traditional philosophies, can still teach 'modern' improvised weapons, but they rarely do. DCMS.

A simple question........ If Traditional Martial Arts (TMA's) taught the use of improvised weapons of their day, such as farming tools like the Kama, 3 sectioned staff, etc, etc, then why isn't the same philosophy continued today with TMA's, with the training/use of modern improvised weapons, such as a Heavy Ash Tray, Pool Cue, Pen, Mobile (cell) Phone, etc, etc? DCMS.

Have you considered silicone wrist bands? Like these. They come in loads of colours and are 'training friendly'. Just a thought. DCMS.

MartialArthur, that is correct, the last thing you want to do in a street fight is go to ground out of choice. In any confrontation you must always assume 2 things: 1. That the aggressor is not alone. 2. That the aggressor is armed. With the above in mind, why would anyone want to go to ground out of choice?! I've read many times that statistics state 90% of fights go to ground. However, when you look into the source of the statistics, they come from the American LEO's, who's main aim when dealing with an aggressive (physical) assailant is to get them on the ground to then cuff them, rather than hurt them. In the UK this is done in numbers and it's not uncommon to see 6 Police Officers pinning down 1 individual to put on hand-cuffs. It's the safest way to get the job done. The reports filled in, back at the station, would then state that the fight went to ground. The "90% of fights go to ground" statistics were then used for marketing purposes by certain "ground fighting" Martial Arts styles. In my experience, I'd say that 50% of street fights go to ground, so there is definately the need to know some clinch and grappling techniques. Having said that, in the UK you can, by law, use a pre-emptive strike as part of your defence, but you must have reasonable belief that a physical threat was imminent. My students priority is to control distance and verbally disuade an idividual from a physical attack whilst maintaining a good passive (hands up) stance, then to act pre-emptively with a heavy blow followed up by a continued aggressive attack. The attack is fully committed with only one thing in mind - to win. Within TKD there are the usual techniques, but Straight Palms, Hammer Fists, Elbows, Knees, Low Kicks, etc, are rarely used, let alone trained for street fight situations. How many instructors have let their students spar using ALL the TKD techniques that they have learnt in patterns or line-work? Not many, I'm sure, and if not, why not? Those who have been in many street fights will know that knuckles and teeth don't mix. I've have peices of teeth inbedded in my knuckes that have got infected and had to be sugically removed! This is why my students are discouraged from using knuckles (in a street fight), in favour of Straight Palms, Hammer Fists, etc. With a little thought, and a few "add-on's", TKD can be applied to the street, the rest is down to the individual using it. DCMS.

Firstly; the standard of debate on these forums of late is very high and I enjoy a good read/echange without it getting personal, it's a credit to you all (an the Moderator). After 24 years in MA's I'm still learning - thank you. Secondly; as someone who has studied MT for a number of years, and trained closely with the European MT Champion, it is my opinion that the fight was a miss-match in terms of ability. The MT fighter, in the clip, is very poor and to be honest I didn't think much of the TKD fighter. So, generally, the MT fighter was very poor and the TKD fighter was average in my opinion. I don't think any real comparisons can be made from such a poor fight. I would've wanted my money back from watching that!!! DCMS.

I would just like to correct/ellaborate on my comments; TKD has all the STRIKING tools needed in a 'real' street fight, but as an art it does fall short in certain areas such as Clinch and Grappling. I always advocate to anyone learning TKD to cross-train simply to gain the tools needed for the 4 ranges of a 'real' street fight. TKD is an awesome art and has done me well in the past, though it is an incomplete art (in terms of realistic Self-Defence/Self-Protection), but then tell/show me an art that has it all, as there isn't one. DCMS.

In a 'real' street fight it's 90% mindset, 10% techniques, so, like Fairfax_uechi has already suggested, it's the practitioner, not the art, the wins the fight. In my opinion, TKD is a good platform/foundation art that has all the tools needed for 'real' street fight encounters, however, TKD is rarely taught as such. Many TKD Instructors DO NOT teach effective Self-Defence/Self-Protection in the correct manner, such as incorporating 'Aliveness' into their training, rather than text book static training with compliant partners, in a warm and well lit dojang, on nice soft mats, etc, etc. Other important things like Awareness, Avoidance, Passive Stances, Escapes, Verbal Disuasion, Adrenaline Management, Mindset, Pre-Emptive Strikes, 'Covers', Forward Drive, 'Openers', 'Finishers', etc, etc, are also too often over-looked. DCMS.

I totally agree, though, during my 14 years of TKD, I was told by many high ranking Instructors/Officials that jumping kicks were for dismounting riders by labourers who were working in paddy fields. A load of 'toffee' if you ask me as you're better off giving the horse a right cross!!! DCMS.

True, but there is no way that, that guy is a Thai Fighter, no way! DCMS.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the GI in Japan considered to be an under garment and therefore shouldn't be worn in public? DCMS.

I'm sorry, but I disagree. I understand what you mean, but you should respect everyone. Only when they lose your respect should there be the need to earn it back. Tom, Personally her actions wouldn't have bothered me and I would've shrugged it off and forgotten about it. However, if she has offended you, then wait until the right/convenient/appropriate time, take her to one side and give her your opinion in a respectful and diplomatic manner. DCMS.

The "Sine Wave", as a technique, is one of the most inefficient ways to deliver power/weight/speed. The "Hip Twist" is better, but both pale into insignificance compared to the vastly superior Shukokai "Double Hip". DCMS.

So, let me get this straight, by my reckoning........ 1st - 2nd Dan = 1 yr 2nd - 3rd Dan = 2 yrs 3rd - 4th Dan = 3 yrs 4th - 5th Dan = 4 yrs 5th - 6th Dan = 5 yrs 6th - 7th Dan = 5 yrs 7th - 8th Dan = 5 yrs 8th - 9th Dan = 5 yrs 9th - 10th Dan = 5 yrs 10th - 11th Dan = 5 yrs 11th - 12th Dan = 5 yrs 12th - 13th Dan = 5 yrs 13th - 14th Dan = 5 yrs Total = 55 years continuous training. Supposing the guy was 16 when he received his 1st Dan, then it is possible, at the age of 71, for him to be a 14th Dan. Any less than 71 years of age would be questionable, in my honest opinion. However, if the guy is approachable and is willing to divulge into his past, then take him at face value and make up your own mind. DCMS.

Just something to bear in mind; a headguard isn't specifically designed to prevent head injury from sparring strikes (kicks, punches, elbows, knees, etc). Ok, the headguard will prevent minor knocks and abrasions, but the main purpose of the headguard is to prevent serious damage to the head when hitting a hard ground should you be knocked unconcious. There are very few, if any, 'off-the-shelf' headguards that will prevent 'brain shake' and therefore prevent a knockout. Even I've knocked out a guy who was wearing the Redman Suit with a straight palm, easily! Age has nothing to do with it. It's down to the rules of the dojo/dojang and/or your personal preference as to whether you wish to wear a headguard. I personally don't like them because I find them a hinderance and I also let my students have the choice of not wearing them. If it's your choice, then you do what you feel you should do, but remember, should the brown sticky stuff hit the whirly thing, you only have yourself to blame. DCMS.

Scad, there's been some excellent advice so far, which I totally agree with. Who cares what anyone else thinks or says? Everyone's entitled to their opinion, and if they bad mouth a particular art, then so be it. It usually means they are poorly educated in the arts/styles and they prove that fact when they mouth off. DCMS.

The trouble with any sort of weapon is the users ability to deploy it under adrenal stress conditions. In other words, if the Pepper Spray isn't in her hand and ready to be used at the time of being attacked, then it's worthless. And besides, have you ever seen a woman look for her car keys in her hand bag. They take 10 minutes to find them and they are always buried under the make up, lippy, cell phone, cigerettes, etc!! The same can, and will, be said about deploying Pepper Spray!! DCMS.

Good point. When I refer to 'stances' I mean Formal Stances, such as Walking Stance, 'L' Stance, Sitting Stance, etc, where a conscious and deliberate effort is required. DCMS.

"Do you have to licence your hands?" "Do have to show them your BB licence before you can hit them?" "Ahhhh,, Grasshopper!" "Hiiiiiiiiii Yyaaaahhh!" <> "Do you wear Pyjamas when you fight?" "Can you kick me with shoes on, or have you got to take them off first?" "Bruce Lee can do a 1 inch punch, can you?" DCMS.