2 more styles close to home

[bushido_man96]

The thing is, getting in close and grappling can happen a lot in self-defense situations. Therefore, that knowledge could be very useful. After a while, you get more used to the manipulations, and when you feel it being applied, you can go with it.

[lexmark]

I definitely understand that. I know that in a real situation, an attacker is not going to stand a certain distance away so you can set up for a kick or a punch or whatever. I've never been a in a fight really but I've seen some and I know that it's usually just 2 people that end up wrestling on the ground because neither one really knows how to fight.

I've gone 30 years without really needing to defend myself, I'm hoping I can go 30 more. But you're right, that kind of knowledge could definitely be useful.

[bushido_man96]

I've never been a in a fight really but I've seen some and I know that it's usually just 2 people that end up wrestling on the ground because neither one really knows how to fight.

I wouldn't assume that just because two people end up wrestling around doesn't mean that they don't know how to fight. On the contrary, it could be the very reason they are Wrestling at the time; it may be their strong suit. Also, just because someone can fight standing up, doesn't mean that they won't be taken to the ground by someone who doesn't know how to fight standing up. There are a lot of variables in the chaos of combat, and any exposure that you can get to help prepare you is great.

Be careful about making generalizations. When you assume too much, you can overreach yourself.

[lexmark]

Be careful about making generalizations. When you assume too much, you can overreach yourself.

Good advice. Thanks. I think I'm gonna go with the shotokan. I may end up cross-training down the road. i just think that with the jujitsu, I'd spend more time worrying about if the technique is going to hurt or not rather than on what the teacher is saying.

THanks for all the answers to my questions.

[bushido_man96]

You are welcome. I hope you enjoy your experience in Shotokan!

[danbong]

But he had me try that on him and the way he moved and twisted my wrist really freakin' hurt.

So he had you grab his wrist and then he defended with a joint lock?

I just don't know. I think, deep down, I know that I'm not the type of person that would be able to concentrate on the technique without thinking about how much it could hurt. But he did say that it should only hurt if I don't do exactly what he says to do.

You shouldn't have to cause lots of pain to teach joint locks. In the beginning you have very compliant partners so you understand the motions and the mechanics of the locks. As you progress, your partner can use more resistance, but by this time you should be good enough that you create a bit of pain, but not too much. An instructor should definitely be able to perform the technique without hurting you. So possibly he was demonstrating that his techniques work and can cause pain if needed, or he is not as skilled as he purports to be, or he just likes causing pain.

Now of course if somebody says "I don't think that technique works" and resists full force, it might take creating *lots* of pain to complete the technique.

And if I'm the type of person that doesn't like alot of contact, grappling, hair pulling, choking, that sort of thing, then jujitsu probably isn't for me.

And it's not a big deal if that's how you feel. What you do need to do though is to determine why you are taking martial arts. If health, fitness, stress relief...are the most important things, with "perhaps improve ability to defend myself" low on the list you should be fine. But if self defense is an important criteria, understand that you need lots of contact and "that sort of thing" no matter what art or style you study.

[lexmark]

So possibly he was demonstrating that his techniques work and can cause pain if needed

With how he was demonstrating with his son and the couple of things he did on me, I think it was just to show me what jujitsu can do. ANd that's how I took it not that this guy was deliberately trying to cause me pain.

If health, fitness, stress relief...are the most important things, with "perhaps improve ability to defend myself" low on the list you should be fine

I think you nailed it. I've not really been able to put the reason I want to do martial arts into words before. I just knew that I wanted to do it.