Boxing for self defense

[delta1]

artoftheninja,

 

http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/evolution.html

 

try this link. It has some good stuff on the diferences in old style pugilism and modern boxing. G95champ is correct, boxing teaches bad striking habbits due to the gloves. They allow you to hit incorrectly and also, due to the fact you have to deal with the weight of the gloves, the method of throwing the punch is slightly altered.

 

Other weaknesses are that they lean forward, bringing targets into range of your strikes. And they don't protect their lower body well, nor do they kick well. This is because they are only concerned with the "legal" strike zone from the waist up.

 

I should qualify the above statements by saying that a lot of boxers are or were street kids who do know how to hit with bare knuckles and also know they can use their feet outside the ring!

 

Boxings strong points are its physical and mental conditioning. Also, the fact that you hit and get hit with intent. And an experienced boxer will pick you apart- they hit openings as they develope.

 

Max, in your case I'd say the instructor and school are more important than the style. I don't have any links, but if you do a search on the net there are probably organizations, schools and styles for martial artists with disabilities. I wish you all the luck in your journey!

[Mr. Mike]

I would say to give Ed Parker's Kenpo a try. One of the basic elements of the system is that it taylors to the student, not the other way around. Ultimately, it's up to you waht style to try, but I wold say that any style is better than giving up.

 

Most schools will offer a trial membership. Why not test drive a few of them to see which one seems right? Or simply sit and watch some classes at any of the schools in your area.

 

Good luck, and I wish you the best. THe training has completely turned my life around, but nobody wants another sob story, so I'll spare you

 

The story mentioned above was indeed very touching, and is s tesimonial to the human spirit. Kinda makes you think twice before complaining that your feet are a bit sore, or your shoulder aches inthe morning, or you can't get rid of that pesky zit. Never take anything for granted, not even the air that you breathe. Think I'm kidding about the air, just visit a terminal lung cancer patient in the hospital.

[Mr. Mike]

The following is taken directly from the KArate Connection website(Ed Parker's American Karate):

 

"15. I have a bad hip joint and I have trouble kicking with my right leg. Can I still test and get my Black Belt?

 

16. I have been partially paralyzed by a stroke, left side, can I still test and become a ranked Blackbelt?

 

We have put these questions together because they have the common denominator of a physical issue. Each case is different, because each individual is different and if we can see a way for a person to proceed in the Art and progress, we will work with them to the full extent of our abilities...

 

...Getting your Black Belt involves much more than being able to do specific moves to a particular level of proficiency. Certainly, that's the first thing that's looked for but physical conditions and many other factors have to be taken into consideration so that we can make Kenpo work for you. Ed Parker was fond of saying that "Kenpo is like a fine suit made from exquisite fabric and it should be tailored to you". Every intelligent person instinctively knows that if two men of equal knowledge, abilities, talent and experience (if you could ever find two such people) were to meet on the field of battle, and one was five feet tall and the other six feet tall, the six-footer with superior strength and reach would have a natural advantage. So to say that a man in a wheelchair is equal in mobility to a man with his natural ability to maneuver, would be ludicrous. Could the man in the wheelchair have superior upper body strength? Yes he could. Could the man in the wheelchair have superior fighting knowledge and strategies, having learned how to make the chair work for him, instead of against him? Yes he could. Would these be enough to assure him a victory? It would surely make a huge difference in his chances. Would he be better off with practiced fighting skills and strategies than without them? Of course he would. So why would anyone wish to deny him those tools, just because he doesn't fit the usual mold?

 

If the man in the wheelchair were to put forth the same effort the mobile man puts out and if the man in the wheelchair were to replace his weaknesses with strengths and, with our help, modify the system to work for him, would he not be deserving of receiving a Black Belt for this extraordinary effort. We think the answer is, yes. In fact, considering those obstacles we might even say, more deserving. We have not had the opportunity to work with a case like this but we would certainly be available if it should ever present itself."

 

Perhaps this can help you make a decision. Good luck, and in the words of Churchill: Never, never, never quit.

[VinnieDaChin]

boxing is among the best martial arts period for self defense. learning to box without gloves is not hard at all.

[pineapple]

Try not to limit your choices, pick the art that you like and a good instructor. A good instructor will know how to work around any physical limitations and how to bring out your strong points.

 

As far as boxing in self defense, all I can say is I have a lot of friends who do strictly boxing and they been highly successful in street fights. (As always, there are exceptions)

[SloMo]

I understand some of the objections that people have with boxing but I don't know if I would want to meet up with a serious boxer in a street fight for a few reasons.

 

1) They hit hard!

 

2) Generally speaking, hand techniques are faster than foot. And boxers have very fast hands.

 

3) They are trained to take blows

 

4) Most "street" situations are going to be close contact which puts most people in hand range.

 

5) They have huge amounts of stamina

 

6) Sparring is a major part of the training

 

Now, I know that every style have some or all of the same benefits... and I would be worried about some of those too! ( kick boxing for example ). I think of every martial art style on a scale between the martial aspect and the art aspect. A style that is way on the art side would be Tai Chi, a style on the martial side would be boxing, kick boxing, etc. Most others float somewhere in between.

 

Now, to actually answer your question! I think boxing would be great. I do not know much about how CP affects your body but you would get great training and great upper body strength with boxing. As to the whole "learning to punch incorrectly" thing. I bet that if you went to a gym they could train you in bare knuckle punching.

 

Another style you might want to consider is Wing Chun. It also focuses on hands and upper body and is an great style for deflecting rather than trying to meet force with force. It's also a style that is build around close in fighting with minimal kicking.

 

I don't know much about the other softer styles so I'm sure someone here and talk much better about them than I could.

 

I agree that you should not limit your style but you do need to consider how much can you participate in with the rest of the class. With boxing and Wing Chun I do not see much that you would not be able to particiapte in.

 

Good luck!

 

Mo