bushido_man96

That may have been it. The one I saw years ago had a different cover, though. It looks like it has been reprinted, though. Good find!

I am looking into some his books.

I am just going to single out TKD here, as it is my style of preference. There are a lot of TKD competitors out there, but many of them also have self-defense training of some kind, as it is usually part of the curriculums of their classes. I think this relates more to ITF stylists than WTF, as WTF is the governing body for Olympic TKD. However, the ones that excel at the tournament game also begin to specialize their training more, and it seems that it is all they do.

This is a good point you make, comparing the sport aspect of wrestling to that of BJJ. However, let's say that you bring in a very self-defense oriented style, like for the sake of argument, traditional karate. Even though he trains soley for self-defense/combat, he is still going to have an adaptation period to match the skills of the BJJ practitioner. The fact that he trains for combat is not going to help him against the BJJer anymore than the wrestler, even though he just trains as a sportster. As a matter of opinion, I would say that the wrestler's knowledge of how things work on the ground would be a benefactor to him, and the karateka would have a greater learning curve, due to the lack of experience on the ground.

This idea just popped into my head, and I thought I would mention it here. We all pretty much know that wrestling is a big sport/MA in the U.S., starting with kids wrestling programs, and ranging up to high school, college, and into the Olympics. However, why doesn't anyone who has wrestled in high school and not gone onto college, or even retired college wrestlers, try to start a gym open to the public, to train in wrestling, in which they could easily modify the techniques and the rules to make it self-defense oriented? There could be a lot of possibilities there.

I have the Gracie Self-Defense book, and you are correct. The case is using standing grappling to control the opponent, or using standing grappling counters to get out of a hold or headlock. Whenever their is a takedown, it involves the opponent ending on the ground, with the defender usually still standing. They also monopolized the use of the classic judo hip throw. It was the most common form of takedown in the book, I felt.

as far as I know, muay has never been grappling intensive. There's been one documented style I've heard of that's rich in grappling but that's it. muay has always been striking. Now, there are thai arts that do have a grappling side, but not this one, other than the few throws, takedowns and clinchwork you learn. some of these lethal moves are in fact the low percentage ones I am talking about. I was wondering if you could point me to a site that has information on the older muay styles, along with maybe a historical timeline? I am very interested, if you have some direction to send me.

All excellent advice. But, I would like to add that if it is a larger and much stronger opponent if you plan on grappling make sure you are a good grappler. Rudimentary grappling skills are not enough against sheer size and power. Grappling arts like BJJ are great but it takes a lot of practice and hard work to be effective. You just can't train a few weeks and become proficient. When even a skilled stand up fighter goes against a good BJJ practioner, he will most likely be toast. How do I know this? I just started to cross train and it was an eye opener. I'm not too shabby in my standup. My Sweeps, locks and throws are pretty decent. I'm not too bad on the ground but when flat on my back or when in the mount I was a dead man. What I'm really saying is that it is important to have a well balance arsenal at your disposal. Neither striking or grappling alone is enough. Remember a grappler can be knocked out before he goes to the ground, so both are important. This is good advise as well. Although I don't advocate going to the ground with someone, because it is not my strong suit, it can be beneficial if you know what you are doing. I have been trying to become more versed in ground fighting, but I know that it is not an easy skill to learn. Most of the advise I give is more related to standup, as this is where my experience comes from. Of course, that side step to a side kick could easily be switched from a side step to a single leg takedown, if the situation warrants, and you are well versed enough on the ground.

That does sound cool. If only I cold do that with tetsu geta. I could probably make wooden geta, but only tetsu geta if I took a metal shop elective. And I don't like metal shop. I remember seeing a book a while back, on how to make homemade martial arts equipment, but I can't remember the exact title. It looked interesting, if one is mechanically inclined.

Very nice review. Thanks a bunch!

When I used to teach at my old school, I did a different class pretty much every day, with focuses on certain things each week, like stances, or basics for new grade levels, and things like this. My current school has the same traditional classes every other day. I have a whole notebook full of classes that I have put together and taught, and some that I have put together and have not yet taught. What kind of ideas do you have? Give us an idea of what you like to do, and we could give some more specific help.

This is true, but if you are fighting one, and the other grabs you from behind, you could end up there anyways.

Perhaps Iain Abernethey's books and site may have some more to offer here as well?

I like the lap running. I will keep that one in mind. (Do your forms, now!!)

I think the swimming is a great idea, and is one of the best exercises that you can do. It sounds like you have a good schedule going, so I would stick with it.

Sounds like you had a good time, and you came back with something very important....new information!! Glad you had fun!

Good job! Very well done!

Go Kan Ryu Thank you. Never heard of it before.

Would that not ring alarm bells. Surley any legitimate Martial arts instructor or art would welcome anyone to thier ryu or style. Even taking a synical aproach and look at the situation from a bussies P.O.V, It would make more sense to welcome all. The deeper I dig the more this "Martial art" seems like a cult. It makes me so angry to think about the untold damage they (GKR, not thier students) do to all the hard work put in by true martial artists. All it takes is for one brainwashed "GKR shodan" to get downed in a real fight, that is one that actually allows touching (Shock horror ), and suddenly Karate dosn't work. Makes me a tad irritated to say the least. That is what I was starting to think as well. I get a lot of red flags reading this.

The rules are what tends to hurt the wrestlers more, but after some time in BJJ, they will adapt, like anyone else. Just because there are rules, however, doesn't discount the fact that it can't be a useful MA. That was the big thing with judo; make some rules to allow for more realistic training. BJJ has been a benefactor of Kano's visionary changes to JJJ. Since wrestling is used as primarily a sport, like judo, then the rules are still carried with it. It also has different goals, like pinning the opponent, not making them tap out. In TKD, the rules I fight under don't encourage tapping someone out, but it does allow win by knockout, so there is just a difference in rules.

My condolences.

Ok, say the tall guy throws a side kick. If you back away and block it, you don't gain any ground, and he still has his advantage. The next time he side kicks, you block and sidestep at the same time, at an angle towards your opponent. Now, you have blocked the kick, and gained some ground at the same time. You may even be close enough to start your own assault. Many people will teach you how to block, but the key to blocking is to stop the technique and gain ground/postition. Otherwise, the blocker just keeps backing up, and will eventually run out of room.

Yeah, I meant to call him by his real name. And as Fisher pointed out, I think that was when he competed olympically.

You may want to look into some books and/or videos by Fumio Demura. I have a book by him on the bo, and I know he has one on the sai as well. It may have a kata in it (hopefully not the one you know!).

Maybe so, and you'll note that I don't say they are completely and utterly without value. But having learn to crawl (ie. one-step) why do high grades continue to practice these drills. Should they not instead focus on walking and running, rather than revisiting crawling on a regular basis? The effect of this sort of training can be seen in many people's bunkai - stilted and artificial, just like they doing formal one-step sparring. Mike Thank you for the information. Do you have any drills that you could give that would help out with these kinds of exercises, either one-steps or self-defense, or bunkai drills?