I want to study American Kickboxing for self-defense. I want to know that when I kick or punch my opponent that I am executing the moves on someone who is truly trying to evade and hit me. I don't just want to hit punching bags all day long and practice moves that I never really used on my opponents at the gym. It is a fall sense of security. Striking someone in a fight takes more then power and technique. The person needs accuracy, timing, speed, and ability to perform the moves under the pressure of attack.
Muay thai is very good, but a person needs to be a well-seasoned fighter in muay thai before he can say he is a good fighter. He needs to get into the ring and get hit, regain balance, maintain control under attack and successfully apply techniques during this high adrenaline situation.
I like American Kick boxing because they make you spar intensely. I also like martial arts like judo, because you are attempting to apply techniques to someone who is resisting you. I think a big misconception in martial arts training is that a person who hits a bag and hits it hard is a lethal weapon. Or a student who throws amazing kicks in the air during katas will be good at self-defense. Learning to feel the pain of being punched, kicked, pushed and dealing with fears and keeping composure while under attack is a necessity before the person can proudly say he can apply techniques.
|