A good martial artist

[hiddendragon98]

To be a good martial artist has nothing to do with your race,religion,size or even style it has to do with practice and having confidence in your self and having confidence in yourself doesn't mean thinking your the best it simply means having the knowledge that you can accomplish what you set out to do in my opinion that's what it truly takes to be a good martial artist.

[Zaine]

To that I would add wisdom.

[yamesu]

HiddenDragon and Zaine-

Both solid words.

I would also add "Self-Control". Not just in the physical sense, but mentally, emotionally and spiritually also.

[darksoul]

Also, I feel a sense of respect towards everyone is an important trait of a good martial artist.

[bushido_man96]

All are good traits. Being a good representative of your style, an ambassador to it, in a sense, goes a long way.

Knowledge, wisdom, experience, and the ability to apply these things along with the physical aspects of the style all lead to a great Martial Artist.

[Harkon72]

Being true to yourself is what counts, you are your only true opponent.

[sensei8]

I bow to each of you who've posted some great attributes!!

Thank you hiddendragon98 for starting this topic/thread!!

It's not the MA that's within us now, but it's the MA that still hasn't been discovered.

Edited November 29, 2012 by sensei8

[tallgeese]

For me, the mark of a good martial artist is, at the core of everything, being able to engage successfully in combat in the manner in which he has trained.

[JusticeZero]

Yeah, that was about what I was thinking, too.. The ability to communicate the concepts involved to others and have them be effective too helps. If someone were born with a freakish mutant stinger claw that meant they could fight well, they wouldn't be all that much of a martial artist, because there's no artistry involved that can be transferred.

[sensei8]

Yeah, that was about what I was thinking, too.. The ability to communicate the concepts involved to others and have them be effective too helps. If someone were born with a freakish mutant stinger claw that meant they could fight well, they wouldn't be all that much of a martial artist, because there's no artistry involved that can be transferred.

For an instructor of the MA, yes, but for MAists who aren't an instructor, no. Imho.