Who here finds striking boring?

[Ronson]

First off, let me first say that the title to this thread is misleading. I understand and respect the importance and skill in regards to striking. I am a huge fan of MMA, Boxing, and K-1 -type competitions where striking is involved and like everyone else, love the knockouts.

But to train at it, for me, is boring. Despite its wonderful combinations and power, the stand-up arts still seem rather limited in its repertoire in comparison to BJJ/Submission Grappling. Striking to me is like Dodgeball, where as BJJ/submission grappling is like human chess - so many moves, counter-moves, counters to counter-moves, positions, and strategies.

I guess I'm at a time in my life where I'm pretty confident in my self-defence skills on the street (against your Average Joe) and I now do martial arts just for fun and exercise (perish the thought).

Again, this is not a condemnation on the stand-up game. This is just my thoughts.

Anyone here feel the same? If you prefer the stand-up game over the ground game or prefer both, I'd like to know why too.

[EmptyneSs]

BJJ/submission grappling is like human chess - so many moves, counter-moves, counters to counter-moves, positions, and strategies.

striking skills dont include any of the above????

[Ronson]

What I meant was sport BJJ and pure submission grappling like you see in ADCC competitions.

[Shoot]

try striking on your own

I pretty much practice my striking on my own these days because I think striking classes are boring. However, I've taken some Muay Thai just so I'll know what to do on my own in training since I'm moving from boxing to Muay Thai for my stand up game. The reason I like training striking at home nowadays is that I can blast music and have a more interesting workout where I can let loose. I suppose I prefer grappling with striking in the clinch and on the ground over striking from the outside. This became clear to me when I stepped in the ring to box with someone 4 inches taller than I am who is training for boxing competition. It had been a while since I struck since I've mainly concentrated on BJJ the last couple of years. The pace was slow and friendly but it was enough of an eye opener to help me realize how much more effective I am on the ground or in a clinch than striking at a distance. But I actually enjoy the striking workouts I do on my own. Maybe try that. Maybe I just like not getting slugged by some guy with long arms.

[EmptyneSs]

grappling is really fun and i love it, but striking is also fun.ive been training in muay thai and boxing for the past year or so. i think striking can be boring if all ur doing is bagwork and drills, however sparring is a whole different story. just like in bjj or submission grappling, u need to utilize positioning, speed, counters, and use different strategies depending on who u are and who u are fighting. i think sparring in boxing and muay thai is really fun. its a thinking game, just as much as bjj. alot of people think striking is just 2 fools wailing on eachother with brute force, utilizing no true skills or strategies, but really its a thinking game. u have to be smart, use positioning to ur advantage to keep u in and out of range, parry strikes, counter techniques, trick ur oponent, and make fast decisions. for me, sparring is alot like a game, i have to dodge, parry and evade, and make my opponent open himself and take advantage of putting myself in superior positions to make my attacks effective. striking is simple, yet its also a thinking game that requires smarts.

[Ronson]

"however sparring is a whole different story. just like in bjj or submission grappling, u need to utilize positioning, speed, counters, and use different strategies depending on who u are and who u are fighting. i think sparring in boxing and muay thai is really fun. its a thinking game, just as much as bjj."
- EmptyneSs

I see your point. I guess when you get to that level of proficiency, the stand-up game can be like BJJ/submission grappling in that it's like human combat chess.

Shit, I'll just admit it. I hate getting hit and would rather deal with an opponent by neutralizing their strikes and submitting them. The funny thing is is that I got to the point in my stand-up training where I was keeping my eyes open when I got hit (you guys know that's a big deal) and then quit because of University. I now have lost that ability and am way toooo wrapped up in my BJJ progression.

[bodhisattva]

You can't work your striking game purely at home. You can work the heavy bag and such.

But you gotta have a guy hitting back at you, and working you, to work your striking game.

Even if it's just a buddy in your basement a few days a week, it will help more than a heavy bag and some focus mitts combined. IMO.

Striking is every bit as much human chess - boxing was called "physical chess" all throughout the 1900's. ..any systems of combat athletics is going to work itself out to be human chess if the opponents have stamina and experience..

[gregimotis]

It's interesting to me that you bring this up, because I've found myself in presicely the same position but on the other end of the stick. I trained BJJ long enough to get past the beginner stages, and I respect the grapplers for their skills, I just enjoy stand up more.

I like the flash and speed of it. I like the occasional busted lip and the friendly giggles when somebody in a spar gets hit just right. I like the rope jumping, the running, and the puddles of sweat all around the heavy bags. I like getting socked in the guts and taking it, I really like pulling some bob/weave/counter off and feeling for just a second like Rocky Marciano or Ali. Of course, I also get to feel like Sonny Liston pretty often, but too be honest, I like getting up off the mat and soldiering on.



I train more for personal satisfaction than 'self defence' and when I compete it's at an amatuer level, so I can afford to pick my ranges.

[CHOKE UK]

Find striking boring?

Only when I am losing?