Returning to martial arts, questions about adaptability

[Corvidae]

When I was 14 I started training in martial arts. I was in a program taught in our towns park and recreation department. I obtained a 2nd degree black belt. In 2004 (I was 22) I decided to stop training. I had gotten married, wanted to finish school, etc. Today, the program no longer exists so going back is not an option.

So, I would like to begin training in martial arts again and am looking for the right style for me. I am concerned about adaptability. In my previous system we punched with a vertical fist and used primarily soft blocks. I know many others do the opposite. Doing thousands punches, kicks and blocks for many days and many years has made it second nature. I am concerned if I go another route I won't be able to adapt. Even if I tried to toss out all the knowledge and training from those 8 years I still don't know if it would be enough to prevent me from using it.

Any advice from those who are instructors who inherit students from other systems that do everything the exact opposite? Any advice from those who are training in multiple styles?

[Toptomcat]

By 'adaptability' in this specific case you mean that you're looking for a martial art that will let your previous training translate smoothly into their system?

[joesteph]

So, I would like to begin training in martial arts again and am looking for the right style for me. I am concerned about adaptability. In my previous system we punched with a vertical fist and used primarily soft blocks. I know many others do the opposite. . . .

Any advice from those who are training in multiple styles?

Though I've never reached dan level, the art I've been studying uses the horizontal fist, which I used for exercises that involved punching, but I naturally favored the horizontal and three-quarters fists for striking focus mitts and BOB, as well as when sparring (speed, plus the taller the opponent, the more likely the vertical). When I took JKD lessons at the same time, the vertical fist was easy to utilize.

In the style of JKD I studied, the emphasis was to evade or parry, not to use hard blocks (as in force v. force). In Tim Tackett and Bob Bremer's book, Chinatown Jeet Kune Do, and Tim Tackett's DVD of the same name (following the book chapter-by-chapter), I'd call certain protective moves soft, as in pak sao.

I'm not sure how interested you are in the "art" of martial arts or the combat factor, Corvidae. If it's the latter, then you might consider Jeet Kune Do. You'll have to get used to the Straight Lead, which involves putting your bodyweight into the punch, but I think you could adapt to that readily, and you might find it to be interesting when using the vertical fist.

[BDPulver]

to be honest. The hardest students I've ever taught where boxers. years of there footwork and postures is hard to break them of that.

I've trained with other styles though, its really no different then going to your own style. It's more of a mindset really.

My biggest problem on adapting was the kicks. We kick with the ball or side of the foot. Occassionally the heal. I've trained with some that use the top which to me signal'd a broken foot but thats how they where trained and since I'm a visitor I learned to voice my concerns to the head instructor.

[ninjanurse]

Most students I have come across (myself included) who have studied a different art/style are able to make new patterns in addition to the old ones-it just takes practice. I tell them that we are not changing what they know just adding more ways to do the same thing, i.e., another way to punch, another way to do a side kick, etc.

[Ryan-Larkin]

Though I am fairly new to this forum I have been training the marital arts for many years. The fact that you said you were even considering 'throwing out' your previous knowlege pressed me to respond. My senseis have always told me 'there is no dominant art, the more you know the better'. I think this perfectly applies here, why throw out you previous knowledge when you can train that plus your new style (what ever it may be). I am sure you can apply some of the previous techneques to the new style.