Big problem..

[CQC]

Okay guys, I have a huge problem. My sensei has gotten into a severe car accident and won't be teaching any more. As a result, the dojo has been closed down. All of the arts I've learned I've learned from there..and I'm very hesitant to go to another dojo for fear of lack of quality. Therefore, I'm looking into dojos that I know are great, despite them not specializing in the arts that I currently take.

I'm a worst case scenario kind of guy, and I would like an art that would prepare me for any situation. I know effective weapon disarms, however I feel the need to know more. That being said, he's a few dojos/clubs I'm looking into.

One is a Muay Thai/boxing (American) club. I know my kicks could use work, and I'm extremely fond of boxing, as it's one of my current arts. I've found myself boxing in street fights rather than taking people down. I've only practiced BJJ for a short time, my skills are probably average, however I'm scared to take someone down for fear of weapons etc., and me not being the best on the ground. I can manage standing up just fine, and my boxing skills are extremely fine tuned. Also, if I were to join this club I would probably get some ring time, which is always good.

However, they don't teach weaponry disarmament. If I were an above average MT fighter, is there any action I could take against this? I know it wouldn't be anything like my old Japanese Jujitsu if it even exists.

Looking around at other arts I'm beginning to doubt the effectiveness of my old art against a skilled opponent. A lot of Jujitsu is extremely close, however if someone is throwing 3-5+ punches at you you're not going to try and grab an arm, as you'll most likely get nailed by another punch.

I'm also considering Budo Taijutsu, as it is well rounded but is 45 minutes away, and I would probably only be able to go there a few times a week.

Finally, is there any arts you guys recommend me to look into? There's no local BJJ or JJJ club, otherwise I'd probably enlist in that. TKD isn't my style, and I'm not a fan of remembering katas.

Yes, I'm rambling, but any thoughts or ideas would be helpful.

Edit: maybe this should be in Getting Started in the Martial Arts.

[JusticeZero]

Any decent chinese, filipine or indonesian MA there? Kali, Silat, gung fu? I didn't see anything that wasn't Japanese or MMA-trendy on your list.

[Muaythaiboxer]

take the kickboxing place and still train with the people from the old dojo

[CQC]

Any decent chinese, filipine or indonesian MA there? Kali, Silat, gung fu? I didn't see anything that wasn't Japanese or MMA-trendy on your list.

I was actually considering a form of Capoeira, which is offered. I still have a lot of research to do on this subject, however the art interests me.

I used to take Hung Gar Kung Fu at my old dojo (which has now closed down) as well as Filipino stick and knife fighting. Nothing similar is offered in my town, and TKD isn't my thing. I'm not sure what the heck I want to do. A lot of other students are going to another dojo an hour away, to which I can't make it to regularly enough, so that's out of the question.

I still have to look around the yellow pages a bit more to find out what's offered and what isn't.

On the bright side, it's fun to do some research on many different arts. I'm really opened minded and will at least attend a class before judging it.

[MMACHAMP]

The only weaponry disarment i know is...if you see a weapon...then run. I think its sensless for a MA to teach you how to defend against a weapon...if a mugger comes up to me with a knife and asks for money im gonna give it to him lol. And as for being in a street fight with someone who has a weapon...never encountered it...and ive been in ALOT of fights. My advice is this...since you already know some basics of BJJ...order some advanced videos...then contact someone from your old dojo and get him to grapple with you on saturdays or something for like an hour...while doing that...join the muaythai club.

[G95champ]

Weapn training is like this if you know a little IMO its as good as knowing a lot. Truth is someone has a gun your prob. dead if they want you to be dead. If they have a knife your prob. stabbed if they really want to stab you. You can train years and still not protect yourself vs a weapon. Sticks and Clubs are differant but you dont need to know tons of def. moves just one or two vs. common attacks.

In the end all you have is your hands and feet. I say take the MT class and learn stand up sills espcially if you don't like going down.

NOTE if your fighting as much as your post leads me to think you are best art you can take is prob. to join the track team and learn to run away. Fighting is not a safe thing to do espcially when your talking about weapon def.

[CQC]

I completely agree with attempting to run away during a street fight. I haven't had to fight on the street for roughly a year, and certainly don't make a habit of doing so.

As for weapon disarmament, I'd only try and disarm him as a last resort. The only reason I'm paranoid is because I've had a knife pulled on me before, so I'd just like to be prepared if it were to ever happen again. I also agree that a few certain disarming techniques are generally all you need, and I guess I'm confident I could handle some weapon like situations if they did come my way.

Thanks for the reply guys, it's appreciated. Also, on a brighter note, I may have found a Japanese Jujitsu dojo to train in. Here's hoping!

[Fu Man]

None of your Sensei's senior students plan to keep the dojo open or teach somewhere else?

Considering all of the dojo members are in the same situation, I would try to contact the senior students to see what their plans are at this time.

Also, maybe the members of your dojo can workout a deal at another dojo to practice and/or take classes. A BJJ school closed in my area, and the instructor worked out a deal for his student's to train and take classes at the dojo where I practice Judo.

By the way, all things considered, I hope your Sensei has a speedy recovery.

Ted

[monkeygirl]

I'm going to move this to the Getting Started in the Martial Arts forum. Although you're not starting for the first time, I think that will be a good place for this post, because you're trying to choose a school, possibly in a new style.

good luck, I hope your instructor gets better.

[CQC]

None of your Sensei's senior students plan to keep the dojo open or teach somewhere else?

Considering all of the dojo members are in the same situation, I would try to contact the senior students to see what their plans are at this time.

Also, maybe the members of your dojo can workout a deal at another dojo to practice and/or take classes. A BJJ school closed in my area, and the instructor worked out a deal for his student's to train and take classes at the dojo where I practice Judo.

By the way, all things considered, I hope your Sensei has a speedy recovery.

Ted

Thanks for the comment, and I actually went to talk to the sensei in the hospital today. He thinks he's going to keep it open and a few of the 2nd Dan black belts are going to help teach the classes. Also, a friend of his is coming to teach Kung Fu as well, and has been doing it for 25+ years, so it should be great to see what he knows.

This is awesome news, and I'm really pleased. I'll probably even help out how ever I can.

Thanks for the comments everyone, and monkeygirl, thanks for moving the post!