critics of the martial arts

[Tom Yum]

I started this thread for anyone who is a fan or against the martial arts.

Some people say all you need is strength and a mean streek, others say conditioning and constant training against resisting & spontaneous opponents, yet others say you can build up technique slowly until you develop acuteness that will make you overcome your opponents.

How about combinations of the above?

Talk amongst yourselves...

[Ahoym8e]

I'm against martial arts. The best way to deal with an opponent is from behind and afar (like with a .300 magnum), or run like a bitch (or just squeal like one if you can't) if faced with an actual confrontation.

[Hardball]

I believe martial arts is a "way of life" especially for the Senior Martial artist. 35 + years old. Once you start pushing 40 certain changes start to happening in your body. Martial arts can help you adapt to these changes. BJJ and MMA is good for sport, self defense and even prize money but for the aging martial artist I need more like stretching, meditation, kata and the comfort knowing that I can defend myself if need be. Sparring, mat work, heavy bag work are all important in maintaining ones self defense skills.

[Sibilant]

I'm 35 and I do Muay Thai and Combat Wrestling. I view it as either an art or a sport. I think there is nothing wrong with studying any martial art. Some are more art and some are more martial. I subscribe to the latter. I personally do not get anything from the spirituality side of it.

Who cares? As long as you enjoy it. That's the most important thing anyway.

[Hardball]

I personally do not get anything from the spirituality side of it.
Who cares? As long as you enjoy it. That's the most important thing anyway.

You're right, as long as you enjoy yourself, however, I live in a tough region of the country and I need my self defense skills to stay sharp. I'm 47 and for me doing 9 different katas daily is the spiritual side. Sometimes I do them to tai chi style music and I always do them at sunrise on the beach at vacation time. Those are the best weeks of my life...............seeing the sun come up at the beach. Someone once said; "You will never really reach your full potential as a martial artist unless you develop your spiritual side."

[Ahoym8e]

This is going to start a firestorm for sure, but here goes:

I guess knowing martial arts might help you a little in a situation of self defense, but I personally don't know many people that engage in Kata-like or armbar-like or jabcrosshook-like self defense in their everyday (or even everyyear) lives. I think self defense should occur HIGHLY infrequently, and should employ weapons, etc. , since you are truly defending your life and limb.

I think martial arts are good for you when you need to assert yourself. You have the confidence to take the "contest of wills" to a physical level if that's where it goes (even though it shouldn't). Instead of worrying (even just subconciously) about not upsetting someone that might be behaving badly (oh noes, what if he gets in my face, or attempts to push me), you can simply communicate clearly and steadfastly that the bad behavior needs to stop.

Which brings us to "mutually agreed combat." I think that martial arts, or at least heavy bag work, sparring (standup), and grappling with noncompliant opponents, (not sure about katas), make you better at mutually agreed combat, if you choose to go that path. If your'e into "defending your honor" because somebody is in your face about looking at their girlfriend, standing in "their spot" whatever, martial arts and hard training are the way to go.

You will get in trouble though, if not with some mega badass you have the misfortune to cross, then with a sneaky SOB that sticks you with a knife. If you escape even that there is still the possiblity of confrontation with the prosecuting attorney, with whom mutually agreed combat does not work well.

SO:

Martial arts are good for confidence and esteem, and your position needn't be tempered by fear of escalation to roughhousing.

For self defense I'd recommend a gun, if its legal. With 5 minutes of training, practically anyone well armed can "self defend" themselves against the meanest and hardest trained (unarmed) UFC champion.

:flamesuit on:

[Hardball]

Don't forget the ancient history of martial arts. In ancient Japan all swords were outlawed and only samauri class were allowed to carry swords. Here in modern america it's very hard to get a gun permit unless you own a business, or you are in corrections or law enforcement. Thus as in ancient history, guns are virtually outlawed, and martial arts is the next best thing. I'm advanced with tons of street combat experience; defending myself is not even an issue. It's called DO OR DIE.

Do you have the mettle? Do you have what it takes? To take a quote from the book of 5 rings: "The way of the warrior is practice, daily practice, accumulate practice minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day." When the time comes you will be ready.

Bowing Out.

[EmptyneSs]

I started this thread for anyone who is a fan or against the martial arts.

Some people say all you need is strength and a mean streek, others say conditioning and constant training against resisting & spontaneous opponents, yet others say you can build up technique slowly until you develop acuteness that will make you overcome your opponents.

How about combinations of the above?

Talk amongst yourselves...

well, my grandma said that she was gonna teach me how to make an apple pie. when she does, im going to make one and eat it all. and its gonna be pretty cool.

also, what do u guys think about caterpillars?

[Tom Yum]

This is going to start a firestorm for sure, but here goes:

I guess knowing martial arts might help you a little in a situation of self defense, but I personally don't know many people that engage in Kata-like or armbar-like or jabcrosshook-like self defense in their everyday (or even everyyear) lives. I think self defense should occur HIGHLY infrequently, and should employ weapons, etc. , since you are truly defending your life and limb.

I think martial arts are good for you when you need to assert yourself. You have the confidence to take the "contest of wills" to a physical level if that's where it goes (even though it shouldn't). Instead of worrying (even just subconciously) about not upsetting someone that might be behaving badly (oh noes, what if he gets in my face, or attempts to push me), you can simply communicate clearly and steadfastly that the bad behavior needs to stop.

Which brings us to "mutually agreed combat." I think that martial arts, or at least heavy bag work, sparring (standup), and grappling with noncompliant opponents, (not sure about katas), make you better at mutually agreed combat, if you choose to go that path. If your'e into "defending your honor" because somebody is in your face about looking at their girlfriend, standing in "their spot" whatever, martial arts and hard training are the way to go.

You will get in trouble though, if not with some mega badass you have the misfortune to cross, then with a sneaky SOB that sticks you with a knife. If you escape even that there is still the possiblity of confrontation with the prosecuting attorney, with whom mutually agreed combat does not work well.

SO:

Martial arts are good for confidence and esteem, and your position needn't be tempered by fear of escalation to roughhousing.

For self defense I'd recommend a gun, if its legal. With 5 minutes of training, practically anyone well armed can "self defend" themselves against the meanest and hardest trained (unarmed) UFC champion.

:flamesuit on:

Someone might call you all kinds of verbal explicatives over macho bs stuff, but the best way out of it isn't axe elbow to face, clinch-headbutt, knee then fish-hook to something else...you should try to verbally de-escalate or leave if its possible.

If you feel your safety or someone elses is at stake, then you can do what you need to protect yourself.

[Tom Yum]

also, what do u guys think about caterpillars?

Don't swallow the worm....

[Ahoym8e]

Someone might call you all kinds of verbal explicatives over macho bs stuff, but the best way out of it isn't axe elbow to face, clinch-headbutt, knee then fish-hook to something else...

No, but armdrag to rear naked choke might be...





















Just kidding. JEEEZZZ....

[Tom Yum]

We need to sparr again...lol.

[jubaji]

You're right, as long as you enjoy yourself, however, I live in a tough region of the country and I need my self defense skills to stay sharp.

Judging from internet forum bravado, some 99% of the world lives in the "tough" area

[jubaji]

Here in modern america it's very hard to get a gun permit unless you own a business, or you are in corrections or law enforcement. Thus as in ancient history, guns are virtually outlawed.

What a misleading, inaccurate generalization!

[jubaji]

I'm advanced with tons of street combat experience; defending myself is not even an issue. It's called DO OR DIE.

Do you have the mettle? Do you have what it takes?

Ai-yaa