why muay thai?

[MinisterofDeath]

GrdStorm
why do you hate katas so much. They are like a textbook. each kata has the techniques that you are learning at that time. its not like you're gonna bust out with a kata in the middle of a fight. Katas teach proper structure and alignment. If I get in a fight I'm not gonna start doin a 30min kata, I'm gonna beat the crap out of the guy. Many people misunderstand katas. Just look at them as text books.

[Fighter]

I suppose you can think of Kata like that. But if youve practiced all the moves and are going to do them in a Kata, whats the point. What you would be better was if you learn the techniques then you spar with someone and your teachers could mark you on wether you used the correct techniques and made them effective.

Kata should be done as a dance in a MA seminar and made to look as flashy as possible. But is not a good learning aid. The word "Kata" is translated to dance.

More benefical is shadow boxing. So long as you visualize your opponent blocking, striking etc.

[MinisterofDeath]

i agree sparring is great, but it doesn't make forms obsolete. I see kata as being used for development of proper structure, technique etc. if the martial artist opts to spar even better.
As for shadow boxing I think thats great as well. I guess you can say I do a form of shadow boxing although its not just punches. After I do my form I'll start on the wall bag then do the shadow boxing.

[Fighter]

Cool,

What else do you do in your training regime.

[MinisterofDeath]

well if I have a partner I'll do some blockin exercises. He throws whatever strikes he wants as fast as he wants and I have to block em. After that I srat striking back, almost sparring but not quite. Also do just basic air punching no footwork just stationary, about 900. Oh yeah also do chi sao(sticking hands)

[Fighter]

Chi Sao, Chi Sao is one of the most benefical exercises. But I dont do the traditional Chi Sao I do the modified version Bruce Lee made. Basically same but with different foot work.

[MinisterofDeath]

do you see any advantges disadvantages with the different chisao? do you 'equalize' the power that is being sent to you?

[Fighter]

The advantage to me is that the modified version is closer to the On Gaurd position (the stance I mainly use) and makes it closer and easier to apply in real combat.

And yes I do equalize the power being directed at me.

[Nthman]

Muay Thai has "kata" heh..well sorta aren;t 13 count, 15 count, 18 count combinations sort of forms?? Sorta...but I think they serve a similar purpose...

I strongly feel that Kata's are a distraction to effective Martial Arts. I know the traditionalists will feel I have somehow "missed the point" but, to me, it is definitely a case of "the Emperor's new clothes".

They are robotic movements done to unrealistic distances against thin air. OK, if you're into Zen and emptying the mind, maybe they achieve that, but they do not achieve fighting. I know there are effective fighters who swear by Kata, but I think they have developed despite the Kata.

My own view is that they were devised as a training method before people invented better training methods, but people's love of tradition meant that they had to stay.

Get on the bags, floor to ceiling ball, shadow boxing, sparring.

Train for reality.

Thats my two pennyworth.

[CHOKE UK]

I must agree totally with bri-thai.

If a average person simply learnt the basics of thai boxing and bjj,
say 3 months of each, then they would have a very good foundation that they could work on themselves.
And this could be invaluable in real life self defence situations.

The same cannot be said of years of KATA.

The origins of why it was taught have been lost or superseded.

It is merely used now to pad/fill out the lessons.

My 8 year old girls does karate, and 75 per cent of the lesson is taken up by it.
They spar for 3 mins. and i tell my girl that 3 mins is 100 times more important than the kata.
And even then the ridiculous rules and advice they give is so impractical. lots of silly jumping kicks.etc,etc.

Then i'd have to take her home and show her how it should be done.
I'm afraid kata is a con, designed to make the club look good at displays.Not for self defence.

Its as simple as this...........................
What you practice is what you improve at. !

Practice kata and you will be good at kata,

practice fighting and you will be good at fighting !

See which one helps you when you are attacked in a dark alley !

[MinisterofDeath]

kata is supplemental. I'm not saying kata should replace sparring or anything. Kata is just for developing techniques. practice them over and over till they are right. then you can see how they hold up when you spar. it does suck that some schools throw kata in the curriculum for show or too fill in gaps. Many instructors teach katas without knowing how to disect them and teach the significance/application of the movement. Many people build up alot of confidence because they are good at x kata which i think sux and the instructors are to blame not the kata. Ignorant instuctors teach robotic movements and dancing around. Instructors who know the shiznit will explain whats going on to the very last detail.

[Fighter]

Kata,

Someone said Kata is like a text book..... Thats not true, people think that kata is way of practicing techniques. Shadow boxing is far more benefical and realistic.

As I have said, kata is translated to dance. Kata should only be used for show not practice. It should be for pleaseing an audience....like a play I guess.

Im sure back in the acient times kata was really shadow boxing. But then students started copying the exact movements and so on. So I beleve that we may have totally misinterpretated kata all together