Expectations of a martial artist.

[Shotokan-kez]

I suppose i'm starting this thread as it got me thinking over a few things after my thread about my lad being beat up. It drives me mad when i'm out drinking with friends because they always say things like "well it'll be okay if anyone starts any trouble because kez is out with us". Yes i know i should be able to do something but in all fairness i just don't know how i would react. Then of course you have the other side of things when people want to try and fight you simply because you do karate or other art.

Also we have a lot of youths coming into our club that shouts obcenities from the back of the class, it bothers me that some may be waiting outside and may start. Although they may be as young as 12, what would you do then? Some boys that are under 16 can be very large, and probably are very street wise, yet if you defended yourself against them you could be up on a charge from the police.

It's a difficult situation i think, knowing when to fight and who you can fight ect ect. Our dojo is in a rough area so i do worry about travelling to and from karate, especially since my friends son travels with us. Unfortunatly they are all kids, so how exactly would you defend yourself against them without any harm coming to them?

Just thought i would run this by you all.

Kez x

[a_ninja]

It is possible to stop a fight than join it. its harder but it can be done

[obiwansbane]

my friends are they same... they dont care cause they know basically they are protected regardless... but theres 3 of us out of the group of like 8 or 9 that are either brown or black belt so thats we dont concern ourselves overly about protection

as for the kids that yell stuff... i wouldnt worry too much about it, i doubt they will try something, they just like to pretend they are sweet.... if i remember correctly (correct me if im wrong) ure from the UK? so i dont know your legal system... but in canada, if he attacks u first, you beat him to oblivion without breaking anything or causing internal bleading, and then charge him with assault on top of it...

[DWx]

Often people expect martial artists, particularly blackbelts, to have superhuman powers and insane fighting skills. Most of the time they are ignorant of what MAs really are.

Not too sure but I think the law here in the UK allows you to hit back (within reason and causing minimal damage) if you feel very threatened for your's or a child's safety... Not too sure though.

Don't worry about the kids coming into class and shouting, they're often total idiots who have nothing better to do.

I remember once during an evening class, some kid decide to try and skateboard through the open door of the dojo and straight between the lines who were facing off getting ready to spar. The idiot got his skateboard stuck on the carpet in the lobby and landed on the floor in the middle of the dojo...

[bushido_man96]

When someone runs off at the mouth, that is all it is. If they don't come within your space, then the best thing you can do is ignore it. I am quite surprised that they come into the dojo and yell, though. I just couldn't see something like that going on around here.

As martial artists, I think one of the best things we can do is just stay within ourselves, and not let others get to us with their words. It is the control of our actions that helps to set us apart from the uncontrollable.

And when the time comes to use it, do what you are trained to do, and worry about the courts later.

[ninjer]

I suppose i'm starting this thread as it got me thinking over a few things after my thread about my lad being beat up. It drives me mad when i'm out drinking with friends because they always say things like "well it'll be okay if anyone starts any trouble because kez is out with us". Yes i know i should be able to do something but in all fairness i just don't know how i would react. Then of course you have the other side of things when people want to try and fight you simply because you do karate or other art.

Also we have a lot of youths coming into our club that shouts obcenities from the back of the class, it bothers me that some may be waiting outside and may start. Although they may be as young as 12, what would you do then? Some boys that are under 16 can be very large, and probably are very street wise, yet if you defended yourself against them you could be up on a charge from the police.

It's a difficult situation i think, knowing when to fight and who you can fight ect ect. Our dojo is in a rough area so i do worry about travelling to and from karate, especially since my friends son travels with us. Unfortunatly they are all kids, so how exactly would you defend yourself against them without any harm coming to them?

 

Just thought i would run this by you all.

Kez x

You could clinch up with them or take them to the ground. Grappling gives you the luxury of controlling your opponent without pounding on him. If you do find yourself getting into a fight, simply make sure you try your best to make quick work of the guy (i.e. knock him down) and get out of there before any cops or witnesses can finger you. It would also be wise to be sure that your friends dont try to explain to the others how "bad" you are. Dont let anyone know what it is that you know, do your thing, and then get out of there.

[gzk]

I would agree with what others have said in regards to kids yelling stuff, just ignore them if they're not actually disrupting the lesson. As for what you'd do if a fight actually starts despite your best effort to avert it, the best way to find out is to practise realistic fight scenarios, practise fighting at close range, enough grappling to get off the ground if you end up there, etc, multiple attackers if possible. Legally, I don't think the law discriminates age-wise as to who poses an imminent threat.

[bushido_man96]

Legally, I don't think the law discriminates age-wise as to who poses an imminent threat.

It would really depend on intent, and severity level. As Kez mentioned, there are som 14 year olds that are quite well developed, and could cause some bodily harm, if they wanted to. However, if you have little 10 year olds, the severity level may change somewhat.

[lordtariel]

I'd just ignore them on the street. If you're really concerned about it, get some more friends to go with you. Is it the same group of kids that keep coming in and yelling? I'd consider asking a police officer to sit in the dojo. When they stick their head in to yell they'd get a bit of a surprise. Might be enough to get them to stop.

Have you tried inviting them in to train? That's another option. It might through them for a loop if they're trying to be jerks and you instead invite them in. They'll either chicken out or better yet, join you and benefit from the martial arts.(That sounds a little peace-lovey I suppose, but whatever works)

[Shotokan-kez]

Generally they get kicked out of the dojo by sensei, and he can be quite strict. I just worry sometimes cos we cycle to training and i think thats a bit of a target being in a rough area, they may want our bikes!!

I see what your all saying. Here in the uk you can defend yourself with minimal force, despite the fact you are defending yourself against a threatening person they can still press charges against you!!