MA Clichés

[bushido_man96]

My philosophy on the 'No first Strike' rule:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4i9gG85vIio

The interesting thing about this scene is that originally there was supposed to be a big fight scene. However, Harrison Ford had the flu that day, and did not feel up to the physical strain. So, they redid the script.

[NightOwl]

Perhaps this thread is becoming a bit of a cliche itself but here's another one to post:

..but first, a recap!

Bruce Lee:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=IX9R_smMlHo&mode=related&search=

The 'Street'

http://youtube.com/watch?v=YSd2-nYQzsY&mode=related&search=

'You know MA? So what will you do if I do THIS!'

(no clip!)

102% of fights end on the ground:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XefG6FQklzI Yeah, I cheated with using TKD...

NINJA!!!

There is no first strike in Karate:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4i9gG85vIio

.................................................................................................

So that brings us to...Katanas

Does the katana need an introduction? Portrayed in numerous films and grainy home video clips as a blade that can cut through ANYTHING (in case you ever need to slice through a car door), it has garnered the title of 'Best sword ever'. But why? Swords are hardly unique to Japan: China, Rome, the European Powers, the Persian Empire, all of them had their own sword styles. Yes, the katana is well built, but just because you can wield one and know kendo doesn't mean that a practiced swordsman of yore couldn't beat you soundly. Sword fighting as a martial art has been preserved the best in Japan to be sure, but historical records show that European swordsmen (for instance) were hardly clumsy, in fact they had a sophisticated fighting system. Also, whereas the katana can only slice on one side, the straight sword has two edges. Here's a good article:

http://www.thearma.org/essays/knightvs.htm

until then...I leave you with the death of an icon (and a glimmer of hope):

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-sHTJAKN-5k

[KarateEd]

NightOwl,

Thanks for the links to the videos. They were quite entertaining especially the one with the "Ninja" in it.

The Katana was pretty impressive slicing 3 .50 cal rounds in half before it to split in half.

Ed

[NightOwl]

NightOwl,

Thanks for the links to the videos. They were quite entertaining especially the one with the "Ninja" in it.

The Katana was pretty impressive slicing 3 .50 cal rounds in half before it to split in half.

Ed

Ask a Ninja can be good stuff!

Now this may be even more cliche than ninjas (but don't tell them that I said that or they might flip out and kill me using just their pure awesomeness): Boards

http://youtube.com/watch?v=yOjAlqYA0Fw

As Bruce Lee said, 'Boards don't hit back'. Yet for many this is the ultimate test of martial skill. Perhaps just in the layman's eyes (since breaking stuff looks impressive and is often shown in demos), but it also seems to be the highlight of many tests as well. But since a board is stiff and stationary, it is not at all like hitting a living (and moving) target. So why does it symbolize martial skill? Perhaps because it originated from Iron Body Training or something similar in the past, (and breaking boards is not easy depending on the quality of the wood and your strike), but mainly I think that it is just because it is accepted as the best test because it looks that way superficially. Mind you, I'm not saying to drop it, but I am saying that its importance has been overblown.

[learning kempo-karate]

Hello, Most times we are quiet about our studies in the martial arts. Many of our students see us in our day times jobs or shopping and they say.."Hello Instructor or Hello Sensi" .

Other times people ask because they heard you are training or is a Black belt.

It is amazing how many people think you must be like "Bruce Lee".

They think you can beat up any body? Just because you have a Black belt. ( I got three, my old one, my new one, and one I brought long ago for spare.)

Today if you say you have a Black Belt....people become afraid of you? ...or think you can protect them? ......if they only knew the truth! .....Aloha

[baronbvp]

Them: "You do martial arts? Aren't you kind of...old?"

Me: "Yes."

Them: "Can you break boards and bricks?"

Me: "No, I've never been attacked by a board or a brick."

[bushido_man96]

Now this may be even more cliche than ninjas (but don't tell them that I said that or they might flip out and kill me using just their pure awesomeness): Boards

http://youtube.com/watch?v=yOjAlqYA0Fw

As Bruce Lee said, 'Boards don't hit back'. Yet for many this is the ultimate test of martial skill. Perhaps just in the layman's eyes (since breaking stuff looks impressive and is often shown in demos), but it also seems to be the highlight of many tests as well. But since a board is stiff and stationary, it is not at all like hitting a living (and moving) target. So why does it symbolize martial skill? Perhaps because it originated from Iron Body Training or something similar in the past, (and breaking boards is not easy depending on the quality of the wood and your strike), but mainly I think that it is just because it is accepted as the best test because it looks that way superficially. Mind you, I'm not saying to drop it, but I am saying that its importance has been overblown.

Good video! That was great! I particularly enjoyed how he blamed his assistant. If you ask me, that guy holding the boards looked rock solid.

I can see the point in your arguement against board breaking, NightOwl. However, board breaking can be of some use. At our higher level colored belt testings, and black belt testings, in TKD, we do board breaks. Usually, it is just on two boards, with 2 holders at each of the stations. It demonstrates technique and power, and the ability to focus and target.

Like you said, breaking is not the end-all, be-all, of the martial arts. However, they can be useful, as long as they are not taken out of proportion.

Edited February 22, 2007 by bushido_man96

[a_ninja]

a clique well i know jet li won the mma championship at the age of 11 with his kung fu and i know think he lives in a monestarty

[NightOwl]

Cliche: Haymaker Harry

Haymaker Harry is a thing of pure evil. Every night when the moon is full (or so they say), Haymaker Harry roams the streets of the city, preying on any honest soul fit to call him or herself a martial artist. As he sees his prey approaching, he hides in the shadows and then leaps out....many do not survive this encounter. Fourtunately for the inspiring martial artist, haymaker harry has a weakness: He only attacks once (usually with a sloppy or very stiff punch), and when he misses he will usually stand there for a few seconds giving you the opportunity to unleash all of your martial fury upon him, sending him back temporarily into the blackest depths of the underworld from which he came.

Knowing this, a large percentage (if not the majority) of dojos have wisely decided to train their students as to how best to handle this menace. Thus many times in training for self defense, one student will play the role of 'Haymaker Harry', throwing on sloppy or stiff punch/ kick/ grab, while the other easily doges it and rains blows on his now helpless foe. Not only does this provide great training for the most likely encounter on the street, but it also helps conserve energy by not having to add resistance to training techniques that would otherwise take up so much time. Haymaker harry drills truly are the best.

Here is a good example of what we need to be preparing ourselves both mentally and physically for...God help us all:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=GhqUJKt3uuM

[bushido_man96]

Harry Haymaker. I like that one!