What do you think of XMA?

[AceKing]

Looks great but is it effective, i dont think it is. I might be wrong depending if the person does more then one martial art then that flexiblity and what not might come in handy.

[Blitz]

Hey I like watching gymnastics and I really dont see a diffrence.

[Aodhan]

Unfortunately, this style of performance (XMA) is what is rewarded on the open circuit. However, there is a "traditional forms" division as well. The XMA is the flash and the hype, and gets judged as such, separately from the tradtitional katas/poomse.

It's in how the schools present it, and how perceptions are changed/disabused that gives XMA vs. martial arts a good or bad name.

Aodhan

[luckorskill007]

I do XMA at my martial arts school. I think it has really helped my training. Besides the fact I can do some gymnastics now, I has made my hands and feet noticeably faster. Also I have seen confidence improvement in the younger children

[Karate Dad]

From a "Fighting" aspect, XMA is nearly useless.

I see the benifit of the XMA type demo teams as an advertising tool for Dojo's to attract new MA students and for the young ones and teens it is a great motivation to improve thier techniques so the team looks better. You can't perform many of the XMA moves without having the basics of the kicks down nearly perfect.

In our local dojo my son (8 years old) has recently joined the demonstration team. I personally don't want him to be too comfortable with kicking or hitting someone yet. This team is motivating him to become better technically than many of the students that are 2 or 3 belts above him. No he could not win a fight against them, but that's mainly because of his age and desire "not to fight" which is actually a good thing.

The Demo Team will perform at parades, city events in the parks, and raise money for Hurricane Victims. THe performances attract attention with the music and the kids talents, this is usually more appropriate than a ritrualistic beheading of a sword form. Also mixed into the performances are some of the more traditional Katas to help attract a more traditional student.

Hey, just my 2 cents and I am looking forward to more good discussions on this forum.

[jaymac]

Pretty, but not effective.

[Oracle]

Karatedad..It sound like your a dad who really cares about his son's advancement in the martial arts.

With that said, this is the best age for your son to learn fighting, why ? because kids don't have the same fears that we learn as adults .

My son has absolutley no fear of fighting kids much larger and stronger. It's not a macho thing it's just that he thinks that it is normal because he started at such a young age.

He has been fortunate to train old school methods vs the michelin man approach to sparring.

I actually encourge the larger kids to test him physically and use a fair amount of contact. If your son gets hit in the street you just can't cry and run to your parents, every student deserves proper training to prepare him/her for a real life situation.

The first thing a kid needs to learn is how to take a hit before he can give one. 98% of schools fail miserably to prepare students for the realities of life and real life situations in the street.

Political correctness works on TV not in the street.

[Kensho-Ryu]

It's cool to add to your currnet knowledge but as a stand alone? I would look at it more like what Jackie Chan does on TV. Entertaining at best.

[lordtariel]

If flips, spins, and kicks are your passion, great. I have a lot of respect for someone who can pull those types of moves. I see nothing wrong with people enrolling in the XMA program; however, simplicity generally tends to win over flashy moves in fighting though, so I wouldn't count on it as an overly effective combat system. I'm sure there are good fighters that take up XMA, but they most likely have martial arts backgrounds in other arts.

[Brandon Fisher]

I am not a fan of XMA. I like the intensity but the gymnastics and kiai are not that impressive to me. The energy and excitement they build is great but I am tradtionalist and not a fan of people incorporating so many gymnastics into martial arts. As far as Matt Mullins goes his traditional kata is very good I think he should focus on that and I am sure Mike Chat's is very good also. Matt and Mike have a ton of power in their technique though just look at the XMA discovery special.