Taking Muay Thai and JKD classes at the same time...good or bad idea?

[Aimhigher38]

ok..I've been taking Muay Thai classes for 2 months now and i've been enjoying it....My younger brothers have been taking JKD taught by a guy named Felix in Hayward,Ca... and their style close fighting sparked my interest. Do you think its a good idea to take both at the same time... ? Will it just confuse me even more since I will be new in both Arts? or should I just stick with MT? I know the two arts are quite different...since the stronger leg is in back in MT while the in JKD the stronger leg is in front... what u guys think?

[m.artist]

most jkd schools incorperate muay thai into the schools anyway, i see no problem with this.

[Yaberdaber]

Study JKD and MT, in my opinion. Long range of MT and close fighting of JKD should complement each other. Besides, JKD is supposed to be a combination or arts... I don't see why Bruce Lee wouldn't incorporate MT if he was still alive.

[doubleouch]

When I was a baby I learned to walk and talk at the same time and it caused no confusion. When I was in grade school I learned math, reading, science etc. all at the same time and it worked out well. The human brain can handle alot. Don't worry about it.

[Thai Bri]

But that isnt a fair analogy. If you were a baby and people spoke two different languages at you, how well would you converse with the world? You'd get mixed up and no one would understand you.

[toshiro]

I thought that having your strong side forward in jkd was just a phase that bruce went through? Didn't he switch his stance later on? Or was that something Dan Inosanto did?

Thai Bri, I think your correct about it not being a good analogy but not because of the language thing, plenty of bi-lingual kids in my neighbor hood who don't seem to have to have any problem communicating with me in english. (Though they are all one up on me because I can barely commuincate in english sometimes, forget spanish, hmong or somali) But none of us are toddlers, their brains are like freakin sponges. I wish I would have started MA that young.

[Thai Bri]

The problem is when two things not only contradict each other, they even have Different structures upon which they are built. The only way I reckon you could successfully train two things at once from a beginners perspective is if you mix grappling art and a striking art.

And that is probably better for your development as a fighter anyway.

[Aimhigher38]

I think I'll just stick with Muay Thai and learn some misc JKD if my brother wants me to help him with his practice...I think Thai Bri is probably correct.... thanks

[toshiro]

I think it would depend on aimhigher38's goals. Is he looking for SD, or getting into a ring someplace, or just learning and fitness? I agree with Thai Bri that for self defence or the ring mixing the two arts at an early phase of development would be a bad idea, I definately wouldn't be trying to get into the ring if I was only learning JKD in a Bi-jong stance (SP). But like I said it depends on your goals.....your not gonna earn a belt in either art.

How often do you train aimhigher38?

[Aimhigher38]

I'm sure my Cru would like me to get into the ring sometime soon....and of course...i would like my learning of MT to be used for self defense for real life situations...if i ever had to. But when my brother comes home and shows me what he learned in class....I feel like my MT experience can not protect myself in close fight range...i would be in a fighting stance and he comes forward and pulls me closer to him...and he does these funny things like eye grouges and nut kicks(kick in groin)... I can jab him and he blocks and pulls me in and counters back fast... I know I cant compare the two MA since MT is mainly for competition while JKD is more for self denfense... I just figured that learning both arts will make me a well rounded fighter in real life. Currently I train 1.5 hrs a day 3-4 times a week....I have private one on one training once a week with my Cru Cheetah...I love Muay Thai but when i think of street fighting or self defense... I want to learn some close range righting or floor fighting....but i think I'll stick with muay thai until i'm more grounded like Thai bri mentioned before experimenting with other MA...

[toshiro]

When your brother closes range with you clinch or plum with him. Sounds like you are playing 2 different games. You can't eyegouge with gloves on.....well not very well, besides that it's against the rules. If your goal is to get into the ring than forget the JKD stuff for now, concentrate on your muay thai and learn the otherstuff later......Learning how to move, hit hard and take a shot are for more valuable than any tricks you might learn. How long has your brother been doing jkd?

[C. Montes]

"I feel like my MT experience can not protect myself in close fight range...i would be in a fighting stance and he comes forward and pulls me closer to him...and he does these funny things like eye grouges and nut kicks(kick in groin)... I can jab him and he blocks and pulls me in and counters back fast... I know I cant compare the two MA since MT is mainly for competition while JKD is more for self denfense... "

You should have your instructor work some "Plum" (muay thai neck clinching) drills with you. MT is one of the best striking arts in the world for close quarter control and fighting. MT camps will vary in their preferred tactics - most are either Kickers or Clinchers - with decent boxing ... and then you have the European/Dutch style that has a very strong boxing base on top of the clinching & kicking. Just don't buy into the whole "JKD is better for self-defense because they use eye gouges and grion shots" argument. thats just silly. take it from someone who's trained, fought, and taught both arts. those techniques still require proficiency in a striking delivery system to reach their targets and as far as close quarter, whoever controls the clinch dictates the tactics used - whether it be eye-gouges, knees, or elbows (and nobody does it better than the thais at that range)

MT is a unique striking art in that respect because they have some manner of standing grappling and holding and hitting is allowed (which is a much more common scenario in a self-defense situation) Boxing alone does not address that and the JKD approach usually does this without the benefit of a resisting opponent to actually help gauge and improve your skill level.

Don't sell your MT training short by not investing serious time in the clinch. in fact, the PFS Rapid Assault Tactics program made popular by JKD instructor Paul Vunak uses the Muay Thai clinch as their point of termination from where they launch headbutts, eye-gouges, knees, & elbows. again these are only tools but its the command of the position that makes it all possible. and remember a muay thai kick can easily become a grion kick just by conciously changing what you're aiming for.

last thing - if you stick with Muay Thai not only will you be in great shape but you'll probably end being one tough SOB regardless ... =p

good luck in your training - you should post on the muay thai forum for more info on the clinch/close quater fighting.

[toshiro]

I just recently started posting here and I forget that people might not know what I'm talking about, good elboration on the plum for someone posting on the jkd board.

[Aimhigher38]

thanks for all the advices ......my brother and I are both about 2 months into our MA....so we're both very new.... I guess we both trying to find pros and cons with our arts when it comes to self denfense or street fighting

[atlas1212]

My opinion is that if you practice JKD like one practices Muay Thai (full contact), then JKD is the better choice. It is less sport oriented and gives you more options. But if the difference is full contact Muay Thai vs. a McDojo version of JKD...go with the Muay Thai.