The real deal on the streetfighter, and streetfighting.

[Kajukenbopr]

hey, as long as they dont start the fight, I wont show any agression. however; "They start the fight, but we finish it" - Kajukenbo saying.

[Budoscholar00]

Streetfighter meaning ethically undisciplined but a brawler that could generally be anyone? if im getting that correct!

Interesting way to express the term streetfighter. I have some cousins that would be considered the "Streetfighter" types!

There are three of them, they love to brawl... one claims he would take down any martial artist because he has taken down some tae kwon do black belts and maybe a couple of other martial artists not so well trained.

The problem is, his style is the first listed type! he hasnt been formally trained! his idea of a fight is taking bricks and trying to smash someones head in... he believes its kill or be killed! You have to be ruthless and brutal! In fact hes always been a bully to his family members and friends... and worse to others!

After taking his train of thought into deep consideration I decided to do a lot of research about his type of brawling! You will notice in a real fight with a "Sloppy Brawler" you will find them rushing you first almost every single time! This is why i am so fond of Aikido, Judo, Jujitsu, and the like! This is where a defensive/leverage based martial art could become extremely useful!

Budoscholar

[White Warlock]

Yep, streetfighter is a made-up title. Doesn't help that there's a video game out there by the same name. There are some things to run through on this topic, so let's see if i have the energy for it today.

Many persons studying a particular martial art do so in a test tube environment, where they practice their techniques, spar, and compete under the same or similar systems. In doing so, they become adept at their actions, but programmed to respond to a 'limited' array of assaults. They become pattern junkies, expecting their opponents to assault them in a particular pattern, or with actions they are 'accustomed' to.

This is not the fault of the martial arts, but of a particular school and of particular students. One must look beyond their 'regimen' and examine 'reality.'

Now, those so-called streetfighters... most, as stated earlier, are generally undisciplined persons somewhat knowledgeable in western combat skills (boxing, wrestling, etc). Western systems rarely include training in 'reason' and 'restraint,' and are often taught in rough neighborhoods by community sponsors that 'think' providing such things somehow 'helps' the community. In some cases, it does... but in most cases, it merely provides a free or cheap means for the criminally-minded to obtain more trade skills.

The nature of most people who fight on the streets is to 'pick' your opposition. They don't start a fight with just anyone. They look for targets that look assailable. I've witnessed many 'street-scene' fights, where one person, the so-called streetfighter, would 'exploit' another's enthusiasm and ignorance, in turn putting up a good show and impressing his friends... gaining stature as a tough guy. However, the vast majority of these 'street-scene' fights i witnessed, were nothing more than slightly elevated high school brawls. Nothing in comparison to the volatility i've experienced in hard-training with skilled practitioners.

Note also that most of these so-called streetfighters, as i indicated earlier, pick their opponents... or their victims. If you don't present yourself as a victim, as haughty, as belligerent, or as an easy target... they will likely not target you. The same fighters i noted above reacted quite differently with me than they did with the victims they hurt. Likely mainly due to their recognizing my confidence wasn't overconfidence, and that they could very well 'lose face' in front of their friends if they fought me and lost.

A person with 100 or so 'street fights' under their belt does not make them good fighters. It merely makes them opportunists.

But returning to street fighting, remember that what you train in the dojo is controlled. Learn to recognize that the majority of the lessons you will need to learn will not be in the dojo, but in your own mind. You must develop the right mindset, understand the extent of violence, the unpredictability of it, and of your responses to such. Understand how both you and your opponents think. These are the important things to develop, if you wish to 'avoid' a confrontation, be it street or otherwise.

The same things you will need to develop if indeed you are targeted. Know that humility is not merely a classroom agenda, but a lifelong agenda. You must be humble and show respect at all times. Don't make yourself out to be a victim, and don't train with a test-tube mentality.

[White Warlock]

Okay, not one of my better writings. Energy still low. Ah well, hopefully it still got the points across.

[Kajukenbopr]

Budoscholar00

This is not always so. True, most people jsut try to grab you and get you to the floor, but this is how someone who doesnt know how to fight will react.

However, if you find yourself defending agianst an experienced boxer (or someone who has trained in a similar art) will strike in a more controlled manner and become harder to control.

[Maddwraph]

also, i dont think this was mentioned, but never try something agaisnt a fighter that your not to sure on. like if you learned a throw in your art, make sure you can do taht move perfectly against a aggrressive opponent before ever trying it on the street. ive heard about people beggning karate getting beat up because they though the little two months they took could help them.