bushido_man96

Was this a friendly encounter, or otherwise, ps1? Either way, I think that many stand-up stylists don't realize how quick it can go to the ground like that. I am very aware of the fact that I have a big weakness when I get taken to the ground, and definitely don't like to think about it. I would love to get into BJJ, or even a Wrestling club, someday, so that I can shore it up.

That is excellent stuff, guys. I remember reading in the books that I have on BJJ that the instructors talk a lot about building the combinations. Getting a good handle on one move, like the guillotine, and forcing people to respect it, would be a good way to facilitate combinations training, right?

That sounds like a good read, ps1. Thanks for sharing; I will have to check into it.

There is a book titles The Complete Idiot's Guide to Tai Chi and Qi Gong that might be of interest to you. The author of that book also has some videos out that may be what you are looking for. I am not sure how beneficial self-taught Tai Chi will be for you, but you can check these out and see what you think.

I know you were mainly looking at commercial-type places, but I think that Wrestling would make the list as well, with the sheer numbers that exist with kids, high school, and collegiate practitioners.

Congrats!

Good luck at the tourney!

I didn't see or hear those comments on the video. However, I don't think that they are correct with them. The video did show that it is important to have some idea of how to defend yourself when you get taken down, though. It appeared that the Karateka attempted to strike or grab the throat, but was still unable to get the attacker off.

You are welcome. I hope you enjoy your experience in Shotokan!

Those are good points, YoungMan. The UFC does appear to be a young person's game. Unless, of course, you are Randy Couture!

Again, you are basing your idea of what a Martial Art is on what appear to me to be Oriental/Asian concepts of what the Martial Arts have become. Just because there is no designated "Grandmaster" doesn't mean that it can't be a Martial Art. Just because it doesn't have forms doesn't mean that it can't be a Martial Art. Look at BJJ and Judo. Are they that much different? Sure, they wear a gi, but that does not define an "art." This may be how it appears, but ask anyone who has Wrestled, and they will tell you differently. I Wrestled for a year in middle school, and the conditioning training was the best that I had ever had, and I can tell you that it is not easy to do. Looking back now, I wish that I would have stuck with it, because it would have served my Martial Arts training very well. There is a lot of technique involved, just like in Judo or BJJ. The goals are simply different. If it was all about strength, then there would not be a need for Wrestling coaches.

Wasn't Norris' trademark a spinning back/hooking kick, though? I thought that I read that somewhere.

I think that Wrestling deserves just as much respect as a Martial Art as any other style would. I think that people get caught up in the idea that Wrestling is not a Martial Art because it is perceived as a sport, or because it doesn't come from the Orient. I think that Wrestling can have just as many applications for self-defense as any other style that is out there.

8-30-07 Went for a 15 minute walk tonight. Beautiful evening, too.

This is a drill to improve observation and memory recall skills. Just try to do it when out in public. Glance at someone, and then try to recall something about them afterward. Which hand did they hold their cell phone with? What color was their hair? Things like this. It will help to improve your awareness.

I wouldn't assume that just because two people end up wrestling around doesn't mean that they don't know how to fight. On the contrary, it could be the very reason they are Wrestling at the time; it may be their strong suit. Also, just because someone can fight standing up, doesn't mean that they won't be taken to the ground by someone who doesn't know how to fight standing up. There are a lot of variables in the chaos of combat, and any exposure that you can get to help prepare you is great. Be careful about making generalizations. When you assume too much, you can overreach yourself.

Ah, I see. I don't think I would want to hit the forehead with my bare hand, for sure. That is a hard bone. I am with you on that one.

To an extent, I think this is correct. I think that many of the exaggerated stances found in striking arts, like the front and horse stances, are more transitional than static. However, I think that there is also a "base" type of fighting stance that most will use, depending on their preference, that they will start in, and eventually revert back to many times, during a confrontation, like a Boxer's stance, if that is the fighting stance that one is comfortable with.

As opposed to concentrating on body conditioning, I think you may want to focus on some physical conditioning, in aerobic and/or anaerobic capacities. This will help you with your energy levels during training, as well as with recovery time to get back to it. Later on, as you get a handle on your techniques, you can then ask your instructor about some advise on body conditioning.

That is good advise. If everyone knows you like it, and use it, then "feinting" it in this way will allow you to play off of their defense. Good call, ps1. I never thought of trying something like that.

Very nice, Heidi. Very informative. Thank you for sharing that with us. I think I could make an article like this required reading for prospective instructors.

I believe that there is a difference between instinct and conditioning. However, I also believe that through constant conditioning, you can make something very close to instinctual. I know that not all will agree with me here, and that is ok. I think it is related to time in, if that makes sense.

That is hard to say. Lack of performance in a UFC is not necessarily a standard to judge by. However, I don't see why a stylist with a Kung Fu base couldn't succeed in an MMA format. If you want to fight professionally, then you would have to train professionally. Cung Le, a Chinese stylist, has had some success in some lower levels of MMA competition. However, the training goals of Le's style is different than that of other Chinese styles. I do think there could be a happy medium reached there, though.

Welcome to the Forums, James! It sounds like you have some good plans. We had a discussion based Martial Arts curriculums offered as a college degree: http://www.karateforums.com/you-can-now-get-a-b-a-degree-in-ma-in-the-usa-vt30350.html You will have to let us know how it goes there, and what you think of the program. I look forward to your insights!

Nine: I would respectfully disagree with this. I have never been intimidated by the size of an opponent. Maybe it is because I am too stupid to be scared, but I would rather think that my personaliy doesnt lend to being intimidated very well. I would think that the "1000 yard stare" is more intimdating than size. A person (regardless of age,size or sex) who looks as though they are looking trough you can be unnerving. My students accuse me of this all the time during sparring. We call it "total commitment" in our system and infact is what Zanchin (our schools name) means. it varies from person to person. on my job, I have ended confrontations before they started merely because of my size. I have even had guys tell me they would whoop me if I wasn't so big. size is a very powerful intimidator. I would have to agree with this as well. There is a reason why night clubs and bars hire great big people to be bouncers and doormen. I know that size doesn't matter to eveyone, but to the general, non-MA practicing public, it can be a factor.