Vovinam

[DeadCell]

Ive been taking Krav Maga for a while now and Im on my HS wrestling team and I want to broden my horizons a bit and take up another MA. But the thing is where I live the martial arts dojos are limted to Tae Kwon Do, Vovinam, and Tang Soo Do. I took up Krav Maga simply for self defense ( Im in the Army, SF Unit, and want to learn it to stay alive, and no Im not SF qualified even though Im Airborne and headed to Ranger school ).

 

From what I know the Tae Kwon Do place is called Karate America and is ATA. It looks like its a McDojo

 

The Tang Soo Do place is called Paks Karate.

 

And there is a Vietnamese martial arts place called Vovinam ( I think thats the martial arts name too)

 

Im just curious what would be the best selection for learning more self defense. From the many posts Ive read it seems Karate/TKD/TSD/etc arent effective in real combat and are more for sport now a days. And can anyone please give me an analysis on Vovinam I know very little of it.

 

Thanks

[GrrrArg]

Why would a TSD place be known as Paks KARATE?

 

Doesn't give the best first impresion.. thats all it may be though, a bad first impression.

 

If the TKD is a McDojo then obviously give it a miss, but look into properly first.

 

Never heard of Vovinam so cant really comment. Your prob best asking TKD and TSD people specific questions about each of these schools, someone may know about their rep.

[Squawman]

It really doesn't matter what style you choose just as long as you like the school and instructor and think you are learning something worth while. If you are a wrestler then I would go with TKD or TSD then you would really work on some good kicks and distance control in fighting.

 

On a side note I was just wondering how you could be still in high school and also in the Army going to Ranger school or Special Forces?

[Vito]

doesnt the army teach you some sort of boxing/kickboxing stuff?

[Trock]

Would you be in the Jacksonville, FL area by chance?

 

The problem is that very few people are aware of Vovinam. Vovinam mixes strikes/kicks, joint locks, and wrestling. It is a very powerful MA. Unlike many defensive MA's, Vovinam is just as much offense as defense...its very aggressive.

 

I have taken TKD from an ATA school, and know first hand that they are more concerned about th $$ than proper trainaing. I was able to sit as a judge for one of their "black belt" testings (about 50 people being tested). In all seriousness, about 1 % percent had the skill level of what should be considered a "black belt".

 

Anyway, do some heavy research on Vovinam. Many different MA's have used Vovinam techniques and principles...specifically Cuong Nhu.

[DeadCell]

Yeah, I live around JAX.

 

I did the split option program with the national guard and Im in an sf unit only not sf qualified. once my MOS is completeed next summer Ranger school becomes an option for me.

 

Thanks again Trock

[Shorin Ryuu]

I've talked to some Vietnamese and they said that they have no specific native martial art? Correct me if I'm wrong?

[Rotten Head Fok]

I think that if Rangers are an option in you, they will teach you self-defence. I know many a Ranger from Ft. Luis, WA. Go ARMY!

[Trock]

Ah, because I live in the Jax area also and attend the Vovinam school in Orange Park.

 

Not much of a selection in our area. I have to train during the day since I work at night. And it seems that most MA teachers work somewhere full-time and teach their MA classes at night. Master Vui (Vovinam teacher in Orange Park) is that only one that I have found that teaches full-time, and has the following to support that.

 

To Shorin Ryuu-----Funny that the "Vietnamese" people that you know had no knowledge of Vovinam - translated as the MA of Viet Nam. Although now that I think about it, very few "Americans" know much about American history...so I guess it really doesn't surprise me .