Which Style to choose?

sknydave · 10-07-2000, 12:56 PM

Hi everyone,
I have been looking for a school here in Miami for some time now.. I just can't decide on which style to choose! The general concensus is that a style such as TKD takes several years before you can become a decent fighter. True? I like tkd and would like to join but I also like Muay Thai boxing or Jiujitsu.. As you can see I have some decisions to make. I had a bad experience with a School here in Miami where the head instructor and owner would basically have a 10 year old girl teach the classes and he would be out in the alley smoking and generally not giving a flying F about whats going on. So I am taking longer than most would I guess. If anyone can recommend a GOOD school here in Miami, FL please help.
Thanks in advance

Cleatus Ledbetter · 10-07-2000, 01:09 PM

I would advise to start with developing a decent ground game. i.e. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. We all know the mantra, '80% of all fights end up on the ground'

I would advise against getting boxed up into any one style. I personally have studied Jukido Ju Jitsu, BJJ, Judo, & Wing Chun Kung Fu. I have learned a lot from each of these stlyes.

Most of the elite MMA fighters take the most practical and effective techniques from many disciplines. i.e. boxing, Muay Thai, BJJ

Cleat

[Edited by Cleatus Ledbetter on 10-07-2000 at 03:24 PM]

yusul · 10-07-2000, 03:02 PM

I depends on what your goals are (self-defense, competition, hobby?), but the instructor is at least as important as the style. ie., theoretically, if you had a BJJ instructor who let a 10 yr old teach class while he smoked in the alley, that just means that the instructor sucks (and is likely a con). it doesn't mean that the style is bad. making sure that the instruction is legit and quality is the first step.

BJJ is good, Judo also has standup and ground grappling but is generally more sports-oriented. muay thai aka thai boxing (not "kickboxing" which is really another style although some people do use them interchangeably nor "muay thai boxing", since muay means boxing, so saying "boxing thai boxing" sounds stupid) has excellent striking skills at close and far range, and is the most popular striking style in MMA. you'll b in great shape too. If you can afford only one, and kant crosstrain, I would go with BJJ or Muay Thai. Check one of the prior threads, people were talking about good bjj schools in florida or Miami (i think 3days ago). shop around a bit, most should have some sort of free or cheap trial period. at the risk of argument, according to a LAPD police stat, around 60% of fights go to the ground, so it depends on where you live.

Quad · 10-10-2000, 12:37 PM

Hey Dude!! I train with Gracie Barra here in Miami(Paulo Castro)305 387 5001. In the Kendall area every day from 8:30 to 10:30 pm Check it out!!

10-10-2000, 01:04 PM

If I had it all to do over again...I would do everything differently. Well, probably not, but anyway...

Unless there is very good BJJ instruction in your area (hard to find), start with a good stand-up style, preferably boxing for good punches and punch defense. Later, find a good kicking style, like Muay Thai or Karate. Get a set of BJJ tapes, like Roy Harris' BJJ 101 and start practicing fundamentals on your own. Emphasize escapes and positioning over submission, at least in the beginning.

Also, find some friends with some high school wrestling experience and get them to teach you some basic skills, esp. sprawling (defending the takedown). There is no substitute for practice, so practice a lot. Work on conditioning too.

Hope this helps.

sknydave · 10-10-2000, 05:24 PM

Thank you for the replies everyone, I definitely appreciate it.
Quad, I work most of the week at night so PLEASE tell me they have classes before 4pm.. ?
I heard about a school inside the Zone Gym so I'm going to check that out in a few minutes.
Thanks man

Mr. Miyagi · 10-11-2000, 03:51 AM

Doesn't Conan Silveira have a school in Miami? I think he does but I'm not sure. I've rolled with a couple of his students before and they were good and they were cool. If his school is near you it's definitely worth checking out. I've heard that he is a great teacher and nice guy.

sknydave · 10-11-2000, 05:25 AM

Mr. Miyagi, I actually went to check out his school today. Turns out its right down the street from me! He is a real nice guy but pretty damn intimidating

The school is cool as hell and I think I found a winner!

Quad · 10-11-2000, 12:01 PM

Yeah, they have morning classes but Im not sure at what time.Give them a call.But if the other school(conan) is closer to you, go for it.As long as you train dude.Good luck!!

Temujin · 10-11-2000, 12:02 PM

Take a style that allows crosstraining. Pancrase is the best to get you ready to fight fast. Boxing + wrestling is also good. BJJ is okay but your stand up skills will not be challenged or improved.

Mr. Miyagi · 10-12-2000, 03:34 AM

Glad you found a school. Temejin is right if you're looking to be the best fighter you can be, but if you're not planning to be a pro fighter just do whatever you enjoy the best, whether you do muy thai, pancrase, bjj, shootfighting, etc, your self defense, fitness, and confidence will definitely be affected positively.

10-10-2000, 05:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
sknydave Novice Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 27 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks Thank you for the replies everyone, I definitely appreciate it. Quad, I work most of the week at night so PLEASE tell me they have classes before 4pm.. ? I heard about a school inside the Zone Gym so I'm going to check that out in a few minutes. Thanks man

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10-07-2000, 12:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
sknydave Novice Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 27 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi everyone, I have been looking for a school here in Miami for some time now.. I just can't decide on which style to choose! The general concensus is that a style such as TKD takes several years before you can become a decent fighter. True? I like tkd and would like to join but I also like Muay Thai boxing or Jiujitsu.. As you can see I have some decisions to make. I had a bad experience with a School here in Miami where the head instructor and owner would basically have a 10 year old girl teach the classes and he would be out in the alley smoking and generally not giving a flying F about whats going on. So I am taking longer than most would I guess. If anyone can recommend a GOOD school here in Miami, FL please help. Thanks in advance

10-07-2000, 01:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
Cleatus Ledbetter Novice Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Little Rock Posts: 43 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	I would advise to start with developing a decent ground game. i.e. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. We all know the mantra, '80% of all fights end up on the ground' I would advise against getting boxed up into any one style. I personally have studied Jukido Ju Jitsu, BJJ, Judo, & Wing Chun Kung Fu. I have learned a lot from each of these stlyes. Most of the elite MMA fighters take the most practical and effective techniques from many disciplines. i.e. boxing, Muay Thai, BJJ Cleat [Edited by Cleatus Ledbetter on 10-07-2000 at 03:24 PM]

10-07-2000, 03:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
yusul Novice Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: north america Posts: 57 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	I depends on what your goals are (self-defense, competition, hobby?), but the instructor is at least as important as the style. ie., theoretically, if you had a BJJ instructor who let a 10 yr old teach class while he smoked in the alley, that just means that the instructor sucks (and is likely a con). it doesn't mean that the style is bad. making sure that the instruction is legit and quality is the first step. BJJ is good, Judo also has standup and ground grappling but is generally more sports-oriented. muay thai aka thai boxing (not "kickboxing" which is really another style although some people do use them interchangeably nor "muay thai boxing", since muay means boxing, so saying "boxing thai boxing" sounds stupid) has excellent striking skills at close and far range, and is the most popular striking style in MMA. you'll b in great shape too. If you can afford only one, and kant crosstrain, I would go with BJJ or Muay Thai. Check one of the prior threads, people were talking about good bjj schools in florida or Miami (i think 3days ago). shop around a bit, most should have some sort of free or cheap trial period. at the risk of argument, according to a LAPD police stat, around 60% of fights go to the ground, so it depends on where you live.

10-10-2000, 12:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
Quad Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 44 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hey Dude!! I train with Gracie Barra here in Miami(Paulo Castro)305 387 5001. In the Kendall area every day from 8:30 to 10:30 pm Check it out!!

10-10-2000, 01:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ronin Guest Posts: n/a	If I had it all to do over again...I would do everything differently. Well, probably not, but anyway... Unless there is very good BJJ instruction in your area (hard to find), start with a good stand-up style, preferably boxing for good punches and punch defense. Later, find a good kicking style, like Muay Thai or Karate. Get a set of BJJ tapes, like Roy Harris' BJJ 101 and start practicing fundamentals on your own. Emphasize escapes and positioning over submission, at least in the beginning. Also, find some friends with some high school wrestling experience and get them to teach you some basic skills, esp. sprawling (defending the takedown). There is no substitute for practice, so practice a lot. Work on conditioning too. Hope this helps.

10-11-2000, 03:51 AM	#7 (permalink)
Mr. Miyagi Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 719 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Doesn't Conan Silveira have a school in Miami? I think he does but I'm not sure. I've rolled with a couple of his students before and they were good and they were cool. If his school is near you it's definitely worth checking out. I've heard that he is a great teacher and nice guy.

10-11-2000, 05:25 AM	#8 (permalink)
sknydave Novice Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 27 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Mr. Miyagi, I actually went to check out his school today. Turns out its right down the street from me! He is a real nice guy but pretty damn intimidating The school is cool as hell and I think I found a winner!

10-11-2000, 12:01 PM	#9 (permalink)
Quad Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 44 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Yeah, they have morning classes but Im not sure at what time.Give them a call.But if the other school(conan) is closer to you, go for it.As long as you train dude.Good luck!!

10-11-2000, 12:02 PM	#10 (permalink)
Temujin Novice Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Dallas Posts: 14 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Take a style that allows crosstraining. Pancrase is the best to get you ready to fight fast. Boxing + wrestling is also good. BJJ is okay but your stand up skills will not be challenged or improved.

10-12-2000, 03:34 AM	#11 (permalink)
Mr. Miyagi Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 719 Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Glad you found a school. Temejin is right if you're looking to be the best fighter you can be, but if you're not planning to be a pro fighter just do whatever you enjoy the best, whether you do muy thai, pancrase, bjj, shootfighting, etc, your self defense, fitness, and confidence will definitely be affected positively.

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