Reasons why martial arts works or fails on the streets?

[Alan Armstrong]

Starting with...

Why martial arts doesn't work on the streets???

Is it perhaps due to too many variables?

Everything is happening too fast?

No rules apply for the streets therefore no referee?

Being prepared for everything is not possible perhaps?

There is no time to get prepared such as warming up may be?

Hidden weapons are suddenly being enabled?

Being out numbered or not recognising the difference between bystanders and would be attackers?

You win the fight so vengeance is taken out on some one you care about?

Too many obstacles obstructing or hindering techniques?

The ground is not safe enough to fight on?

The weather conditions outside are causing poor visibility?

The opponent has a vicious dog on a leash?

Being taken by surprise?

The opponent is on self prescribed medication?

The opponent is an experienced street fighter?

Now your turn...

Why martial arts works on the streets???

[sensei8]

The MA doesn't work on the streets because the practitioner isn't prepared adequately enough. If the MA doesn't work on the streets, than there's no reason to learn the MA....any MA. The fault remains with the practitioner!!

Many things to consider, to be for sure. No matter what, the success and failure lies on the practitioner across the board. Knowledge and experience should never be overlooked, nor, at the same time, should it be that which dictates ones success or failure while on the street.

Making one a victim depends on knowing how to not become a victim. Walking by yourself or being in areas that are well known to harbor those that prey on those that they might make a easy victim or being down a dark alley/street or not having the mindset to make it from the elevator to your car without being accosted....so on and so forth.

The MA works effectively but only if the practitioner has trained across the board within this topic....resistant training and the like, for an example. Albeit, training for the unexpected as though ones life depends upon it...and it does.

No matter how much knowledge and experience one might have, two things must be considered: The individual and not appearing like a victim.

The individual is responsible for everything, and this includes in executing that which is effective, and therefore, practical. Knowing the MA means squat if the practitioner can't execute effective offense and/or defense.

Not appearing like a victim goes hand in hand. If you act like a victim, then those that prey on victims are like sharks that smell the blood in the water. Take any and all necessary steps to ensure that one's not appearing like a victim. And if you can't prevent from appearing like a victim, then you better have your fighting skills or at least know how to run faster than an Olympic Runner.

If not, than just stay sheltered at home...with the doors locked. Be aware of your surroundings at all times, and train for the unexpected effectively and practical.

[Alan Armstrong]

To my way of thinking is that, martial arts is no good for fighting on the streets due to not training for it realistically.

As on the streets there is no belt level to try to obtain or tournament to reach for.

Where on the streets there other things to consider and reach for, such as a weapon or the nearest exit; fight or flight.

Street fights contain unpredictability, confusion and chaos where as in martial arts it contains order, rules and familiarity.

Street fights are usually quick, intense full of anger and hate, whereas in martial arts, respect, sportsmanship behaviour is required.

As there is alot of mixing martial arts exposure, as this is the fashion thing at this time, perhaps mixing with the street styles makes more sense.

As in defending against hay makers and kicks to the groin, if having long hair or a beard then how to realistically work with them to use as an advantage if possible.

With classes held wearing street wear apparel and not stretching out before sparring, with low lighting, objects scattered on the ground as hazards or used as improvised weapons.

Training to my mind should be as close to the real thing as possible.

As on the streets thugs look at martial arts as entertainment and as a hobby.

With the growing popularity of MMA (ground and pound) is looking more thug like contrary to old school (pound for pound) MA.

The exposure of street thug fighting methods in popular culture has surpassed out dated class room self defence martial arts.

Perhaps the solution is, street thugs giving self defence classes or advise supervised by police officer, prison guards, military MP'S, well anyone who is responsible enough to intervene if the situation becomes dangerous or unsafe.

Ok perhaps just thug advise

BIGGESt self defence myth

Bottom line...

Martial artists need to learn how to be also street smart

[Fat Cobra]

I like sensei8's response.

I will also add my two cents (and worth two cents only):

Different martial arts organizations, styles, dojos, and clubs offer MA practitioners different results. Some are focused on sports aspects only (like point sparring and kata competition). Some are focused on conditioning only (like cardio kickboxing and Tai-bo). Some are focused on combative sport (like MMA). Finally, some are focused on life protection (self defense on the streets).

The last two types in this list are the types that will lead to success on the street...though nothing is ever guaranteed.

The real problem results when someone is taking a style that is focused on one type of activity, but they believe (or are led to believe by their instructor) that it is a different type. This is very dangerous.

[Alan Armstrong]

Martial Artists Art The Worst Self Defence Experts

[sensei8]

Martial Artists Art The Worst Self Defence Experts

While I don't agree, I do respect his opinion!! Thank you for sharing it!!

We, MAists, are so quickly clumped together as if all MAist are equal across the board. That infuriates me to no end because there's not one MAist that is the same as the other because MAists are individuals with their own ideas knowledge and experience. So, when I perceive that I'm being thrown into the general mix of MAists, I cringe somewhat because I'm not part of those MAists that are being spoken about.

For example, Shindokanists train realistic as possible, and this isn't just a catch-phrase, short of actually killing each other; this a staple of ours. We teach the fundamentals of whatever, and then we throw the student out of the frying pan and right into the fire unceremoniously...make it work effectively or burn.

[Alan Armstrong]

7 Golden Rules For Self Defence

That involve boxing skills.

Personally I practice 10hrs of my 35hr training week on boxing.

For the sole purpose of self defence against multiple opponents.

Mindful of:

Range Mobility Precision Power

Does boxing work in a street fight?

[sensei8]

7 Golden Rules For Self Defence

That involve boxing skills.

Personally I practice 10hrs of my 35hr training week on boxing.

For the sole purpose of self defence against multiple opponents.

Mindful of:

Range Mobility Precision Power

Does boxing work in a street fight?

For anything to work in the streets will depends on the individual!! I don't see any reason(s) to question any method, boxing included, when the individual is responsible for its effectiveness.

Imho!!

[Alan Armstrong]

Do you see any effectiveness in this on the street?

https://youtu.be/GZUgUWgFs7c

Or this

https://youtu.be/6ThrtY5Jtg4

In the real world of self defence, it is best to strengthen one's own weaknesses first and not learning techniques or moves that are not realistic, as each individual is different, what works for one person dosent nesccecerily work for the next.

Awareness of

Spot the bad guy looking for a fight

Is useful knowledge to have.

Notice that the wing man is filming this event.

Street fighters always have a back up plan usually (if not a weapon) it is their buddy or friend, that will tip the odds in their favour.

If it just happens to end up in a street fight, then beware of the wing man buddy!; that will be hitting you when you are not looking, or jumping in if needed.

Just waiting in the wings while the person you are fighting is playing a distractions game with you, all of a sudden the POW!

As the wing man (out of nowhere) kicks in and sucker punches, lights out!!!

Or the street fight senerio can start in reverse with lights out first...

Sucker punch analysis

Gang attack analysis

Dealing with gang attacks in MA style just for starter's...that leads to techniques that lead to nowhere. Continuing on to serious defence delusions continue on to focusing on to misleading information, very sad really

Back to

Boxing for self defence; philosophy

[sensei8]

Nothing is guaranteed across the board. Awareness also involves not making a bad decision, like when one's outnumbered...unless one has no choice. Only then can one do whatever they can; take out as many as possible, if even at all.