Experiance in fighting

[DavinWest]

I was just wondering what ya'll thought about the whole experiance in fighting thing, like somedays I just wish someone would start something with me, so I could see if what i know works and is useful. even if its not and i get trounced, it would be an experiance and i'm ok with pain.
is it neccesarily wrong to feel this way? i mean i spar but its never like a real fight there's always hold back and such.
hmmm its all crazy.

[Shintake]

That sounds like the stage we all go through at some point during our martial walk, thus it is completely normal. When i went thru it, i realized that i was trying to find that niche, that reason why i was training.

In 25 years, i have been involved in only a handful of encounters, and none were at a time when i was training. When i started training, it was for excercise and discipline, not to mention the self-defense benefits. However, it wasn't long until my mind forgot those reasons and began to search for a reason to continue with something i never used, was very difficult, and seemed only to wear me out.

I'm grateful for that period now, because it was then that i realized that spiritual and artistic development were very evident in my style, and they became my focus. Nowadays, i don't even like to tell people i study, and my art has become mine and mine alone.

[DavinWest]

I was wondering about like training. like i dont do any formal training. i did for a while but schools really started to get on my nerves they were always about look at me i'm better than you kinda thing. so i just take what I know and build upon it with knowledge and trying different things till i find what works for me. i try to take whatever I can for whatever art. would it be said that that is a form of JKD?

[sikal]

Originally posted by DavinWest
I was wondering about like training. like i dont do any formal training. i did for a while but schools really started to get on my nerves they were always about look at me i'm better than you kinda thing. so i just take what I know and build upon it with knowledge and trying different things till i find what works for me. i try to take whatever I can for whatever art. would it be said that that is a form of JKD?

Well, I'll leave the JKD question for JKD players (I don't consider myself as such). However, I'd suggest you find a better school or maybe private instruction. The "I'm better than you" attitude is never appropriate and should be discouraged (to the point of intolerance if need be) ... if it's not, then it's the fault of the instructor (especially if the instructor has this attitude also).

I've found that, usually, there are good schools or solo instructors in most areas. They're not always easy to find ... in fact, some of the better instructors are often the harder to find ... but they're usually there.

There's nothing wrong with solo investigation ... but good instruction is important as well.

Best, Mike

[gungfuhero]

If you train intelegently and really understand the concept of JKD, then you will be doing your own brand of JKD. However, it won't be easy. Bruce Lee came to his understanding of JKD after years of practice with martial arts legends and introspection. He also had an incredible work ethic and put in hours like you can't believe. I suggest finding a good JKD instructor (and if you can, instructors outside of conventional JKD) to help guide you on your way, someone to help you through your stage of sophistication. Learning efficient means is imperative and will make or break your expression of JKD.

[J.K.]

"they were always about look at me i'm better than you kinda thing. "

Thats the kind of school and partner you want to avoid. When and where you train - should be free of ego. You are trying to learn where you are weak and make those short cummings strong and vice versa. Ego is a wall of counter production. If you rid yourself of ego you will loose the desire to compete an inherrit the ability to learn and absorb what is useful. JKD is based on this concept. Find a school where everyone is consider an equal regardless of rank. Skill is easy to identify - a truely skilled fighter has confidence in his self and his art. He/she does not need to prove himself/herself to others - their action speaks for its self....

[MikeJKD]

Davin,
I think I'm safe in saying that you have to do more than become a recluse to really get what JKD (or any other art) is about. I understand your frustration with classes, and it was for much the same reasons that I myself am largely private lesson trained. But the fact is, no amount of reading or practicing with buddies can replace the good instruction of experts who have been there. Their instruction opens your eyes to things you may not have thought of on your own, and it saves you from making many, many years worth of mistakes to get to the ability you want so badly. Best advice, find someone who teaches the way you need to learn, and go see them, no matter what it takes.
Bahala NA,
Mike