Merge

[tallgeese]

I agree, go out and explore.

I don't really have a view on this from the kata side. Even in my pure karate days we were more of an up front application set of guys than kata. Even at that, no one system has it all. get a solid foundation then explore.

After that comes the most important stage- integrate what you learn in to how you respond. It's not enough to just pick up some movements, figure out how to make them work fluidly with what your foundation is.

That's where you really start to functionally step outside your base art.

Possibly it's that the style has it all, but the practitioner doesn't "have it all"!! So, we seek out what "we" lack.

That's an interesting idea. I can kinda see where you're coming from, but some of the stuff we talk about as part of a comprehensive combative program these days didn't even exsit as a part of original systems. The example I made before for instance:

"Karate will not deal with the ground like BJJ. BJJ will not address the knife. FMA will get you more reps than perhaps any other system out there, but it won't teach you hand gunning. A good shooting school won't teach you to clinch (outside of some of Henk Iverson's and they are difficult to find in the non LE realm). "

I truly don't think you'll find specialized training in each of these systems in any of the others.

[sensei8]

I agree that what's being taught nowadays wasn't addressed nor was 'it' thought of. The style evolves but the evolution of any said "style" shouldn't make it's core undesired to its practitioners.

However, in my lack, I seek out something viable to fill that void instead of depending on what's right in front of me, and in that, to work on it so that my lack isn't a excuse or crutch.