Question about Martial Arts with a lot of joint locks?

[Mtal]

I was wondering, like to hear what people thing. Ok, we have martial arts that are mostly striking, and then with the UFC, ones that shoot in, grapple you, etc...... Now I was thinking about the styles like Ju Jitsu, Eagle Claw, ok help me out, I am sure there are a few more.

First, are they effective? It could be a situation you have to control some one, you don't need to knock his head off with a punch, but also maybe taking him to the ground might not be be the best for that situation (well its ok for him to go to the ground, but maybe you should not).

Then I was thinking if I was using a style that had a lot of locks, what would my strategy be against a boxer, kick boxer, or a grappler.

I have dabbled in a little Ju Jitus (also used to watch a really good school before my JKD class) and for what I notice (not sure if other styles that deal with locks) really try to put a lock on there oppenent. Ok I under stand you usually try to fake him out with a kick or puch somewhere, but the lock seems to be the ends.

So do you guys feel a style like this is effective, practical, etc?

Oh one realy important question. Now I am in my 30's, now getting older, what's most effective, striking, locking, grappling. Just wanting to make sure I have a long martial arts life.

Well thanks, I would like to hear any thoughts anyone might have.

[marie curie]

I've found that a mix of striking. locking, and grappling works best for me.

As far as a time to use joint locks... Well, realistically, If I (a 140 lb 5'6" girl) am fighting off an attacker, I'm probably ok to go full-force. I probably won't kill him, and if I do, the courts will understand that I had to hit as hard as I could to even get away. Of course, if I were a guy, and another guy attacked me, my first thought would be "dont get KTFO or dead" but my second would be "don't go to jail- just make him stop" so I think that joint locks are an effective way of diffusing a situation that you don't want to end up in jail for. Also, many people will chill out after they realized that you could kick their butt, so you don't actually have to do it.

I think the most effective way to make this work is to block or parry a strike or kick, stepping into the opponent, softenup strike (knee to the groin, fist to the throat type of thing), then takedown with a joint lock. Is he still resisting? Broken joint- find another. Need to break another? Keep hold of the broken joint and control him by it.

Anyway- just my 2 cents

[GOM]

I think striking and grappling is best used together. Strike, strike and lock them up.

In this day and age with law suits flying around, it is better to restrain them in an arm bar than knocking their teeth out.

[parkerlineage]

My instructor always says this:

"What's the difference between jiu-jitsu and Kenpo?"

He grabs the guys arm in a figure four lock and throws them.

"That's jiu-jitsu."

He stands the guy back up, punches him in the stomach, grabs his arm with a nerve pinch into a figure four lock, pokes the guy in the eye with his own hand and a fist, then throws him and stomps on (by) his head on the way out.

"That's Kenpo."

Grappling is effective, but you can't only grapple.

In my humble opinion.

[Anbu Alex]

Joint locks mostly deal with the body's mechanical compliance and are also usally applyed steathly or after a strike/ with the strike

[elbows_and_knees]

the problem with joint locks is that they are fairly difficult to apply against a resisting - particularly striking - opponent. it's too hard and risky to just pluck a limb otu of the air while it's flying at you. Now, from a clinching standpoint, they can work pretty well. I use locks like the kimura all the time while standing. But you have to have some amount of control of the opponent first.

[UseoForce]

With a lot of traditional jiu-jitsu style locks, you trade reliability for control and effectiveness.

Japanses Jiu-jitsu (and many hapkido) locks are easy to pull off on newbs and people who have never seen the particular lock before.

On the other hand, I can use other techniques, like a BJJ armbar from the guard against anyone with any skill level (well, not ANY skill level, but you get my point.)

[GOM]

My instructor always says this:

"What's the difference between jiu-jitsu and Kenpo?"

He grabs the guys arm in a figure four lock and throws them.

"That's jiu-jitsu."

He stands the guy back up, punches him in the stomach, grabs his arm with a nerve pinch into a figure four lock, pokes the guy in the eye with his own hand and a fist, then throws him and stomps on (by) his head on the way out.

"That's Kenpo."

Grappling is effective, but you can't only grapple.

In my humble opinion.

Sounds like traditional Okinawan Te to me, and for those fortunate enough, karate as well.

[Sohan]

Techniques are only as effective as the person using them. Certainly joint locks can indeed be effective against strikes, but you must be taught the correct techniques and practice over and over until no thought is needed to perform a move. Nothing beats repetitions with good technique. The problem is that most people who learn joint lock techniques never get proficient enough to use them in a real fighting situation.

Respectfully,

Sohan

[DeadCell]

First, are they effective? It could be a situation you have to control some one, you don't need to knock his head off with a punch, but also maybe taking him to the ground might not be be the best for that situation (well its ok for him to go to the ground, but maybe you should not).

If you get into a fight you seldomly get to choose where the fight ends up thats why no matter what art you train its good to have a grappling backgound.

Then I was thinking if I was using a style that had a lot of locks, what would my strategy be against a boxer, kick boxer, or a grappler.

boxer - get punched in the face.

kickboxer - get kicked in the face.

grappler - get choked out.

So do you guys feel a style like this is effective, practical, etc?

As far as "locks" I will take what you mean by this as a Martial Art whose main focus is on small joint manipulation rather than grappling which requires obtaining a good postion on the ground. I will use aikido for instance, nobody is just going to allow you to grab their wrist and flip you around. They are going to use strikes to knock you out. Effective, no.

Of course, if I were a guy, and another guy attacked me, my first thought would be "dont get KTFO or dead" but my second would be "don't go to jail- just make him stop" so I think that joint locks are an effective way of diffusing a situation that you don't want to end up in jail for. Also, many people will chill out after they realized that you could kick their butt, so you don't actually have to do it.

I think the last thing you would be thinking about is going to jail. Any normal person who is jumped is thinking only of survival...fight or flight. But you have probably never been jumped on the street.