Martial arts

[impcmonk]

Originally Posted by drewesque

I would say that a larger guy could learn a bit from them, but would probably be better off with other forms as far as extensive training goes.

I totally agree. There is something to be learned from all. It does help to have a diverse background. That's why I said in my original post "The main thing however is to find something your comfortable with. No matter what you study, it doesn't amount to a hill of beans if you aren't comfortable enough to use it."

[impcmonk]

No rebuttle from Tomcat?????

[Bycyclist]

I think the danger of doing too many MA however, is becoming a "jack of all trades and master of none." Its important to pick one and stick with it for awhile, drill it, etc., until the responses become second nature, so that in a defense situation that it is useable. I think if you hop around among too many different arts before you develop a strong foundation in one, you'll screw yourself up.

In the "good" effective MA, you'll find that especially at advanced levels, there are many commonalities - same foundations/concepts, but variances in applications.

For example, I trained for over 10 years in Koshoryu kenpo, then recently trained in Kims' TKD (which incidentally, does not work for my body type and introduced latent back issues, so had to drop unfortunately), and readily discovered that my instructor was able to mimick and "read" my kenpo techniques. And he has never studied kenpo! It was because he was so skilled in his foundation, and understood "natural" kinesiology that he was able to apply his TKD applications in remarkability "kenpo" type fashion - and kick my A**!

IMHO most important thing is to find a good instructor, not a "black belt factory" and stick with something for awhile to learn: body mechanics and movement, breathing right, situational awareness, controlling fight or flight, moving away from center-line attacks, etc. Those foundations are far more important than simply learning how to string together a bunch of MA techniques. And you'll find they complement your combat handgun training as well...

[jdavionic]

Quick comment on mixed martial arts. I found it to be very effective but mixed in a different way - not Kenpo and TKD. Kenpo and Judo is a great combination (or anything similar). In Judo, we actually had a wrestling coach work with us on mat work too. When you combine them, you have an effective set of tools for street fighting. And like many others have mentioned, you've got to love the MA that you pick. Stick with it. Train, train, train, and train some more. In a real street, things happen extraordinarily fast. Too fast to think about what your next move needs to be.

[Bycyclist]

one clarification - the TKD I mentioned previous post was not the usual olympic style, flashy round kick stuff. This was a very traditional linear, fast, strong sparring style. Yes, we actually trained in grappling, joint locks, disarms, etc.

[impcmonk]

Originally Posted by Bycyclist

IMHO most important thing is to find a good instructor, not a "black belt factory" and stick with something for awhile to learn: body mechanics and movement, breathing right, situational awareness, controlling fight or flight, moving away from center-line attacks, etc. Those foundations are far more important than simply learning how to string together a bunch of MA techniques. And you'll find they complement your combat handgun training as well...

Well said!!!!

[jdavionic]

Originally Posted by Bycyclist

one clarification - the TKD I mentioned previous post was not the usual olympic style, flashy round kick stuff. This was a very traditional linear, fast, strong sparring style. Yes, we actually trained in grappling, joint locks, disarms, etc.

You must have had a decent school. When I used to kickbox, I could immediately tell those that studied TDK. Their kicks had decent power but they were slow - both hands & feet.

[hexus]

I am a master of Irish Drunken Style.

It consists of building up calluses in the face, underarms, and groin, letting them hit me, and hitting them back as often as I can. Works pretty well.

The only kind of belt you can get is upside the head, and drunkeness isn't actually a prerequisite.

I have recently started studying Biker Kun Do, which is an improvised weapon style involving broken bottles, baseball bats, chains, and people who are smaller than me.

This style is more difficult to master, but my Sinsei, Red, tells me I have a lot of promise.

[jdavionic]

Originally Posted by hexus

I am a master of Irish Drunken Style.

It consists of building up calluses in the face, underarms, and groin, letting them hit me, and hitting them back as often as I can. Works pretty well.

The only kind of belt you can get is upside the head, and drunkeness isn't actually a prerequisite.

I have recently started studying Biker Kun Do, which is an improvised weapon style involving broken bottles, baseball bats, chains, and people who are smaller than me.

This style is more difficult to master, but my Sinsei, Red, tells me I have a lot of promise.

Now that was funny as hell!

[drewesque]

Originally Posted by Bycyclist

I think the danger of doing too many MA however, is becoming a "jack of all trades and master of none." Its important to pick one and stick with it for awhile, drill it, etc., until the responses become second nature, so that in a defense situation that it is useable. I think if you hop around among too many different arts before you develop a strong foundation in one, you'll screw yourself up.

I agree that you are in danger of never mastering anything, but I disagree on the hopping around before you develop a good foundation. Until you find the right style, you'll want to hop around a bit. Since there are so many commonalities on the basic foundational level, it doesn't really hurt too much.
Personally, I not only avoid black belt factories, but I try to learn without worrying about belts. In my time in Tae Kwon Do, I never actually got a belt. Nor did I get the uniform (I'd call it what it is, but I'm not sure of the spelling). If I couldn't get it right in plain clothes, it served no purpose for me. We had a good sensei who was more than willing to accomodate those who wanted applicable training. We did have those who worked for belts, too. I have a friend who went ahead and went the route to get a black belt, and he is also certified to train others now. Taking the different route, he knows more katas than I do, is better at sparring other Tae Kwon Do artists, but less able to apply his skills. I mix in things from other styles, and I know I'm better equipped to fight than he is. Of course, I can't use sais or nunchukas nearly as well as he can, but I really can't see the point in training in those weapons.
Luckily, he's also a pretty good rifle shot, so he's got something going for him. He may even be a good pistol shot by now. I haven't seen him in a few years.

Back on topic, I would recommend that any form you take, you should make sure you get both striking and grappling experience. You never know when you'll need the one you don't know. If you end up on the ground and you are best at kicks, it's gonna be a bit tough to win the fight if you can't ground fight at least well enough to get back up to use that Chuck Norris roundhouse kick.