Too many gangs

[Scott Bolinger]

at that place, I wasn't allowed to let the kids to spar. But after a kids passed a certain level in boxing as well as passed a certain level in the program that they were in, then I usually did a write up to approve the kid to train with my students intown. And there , they would be allowed to train in areas that they couldn't at the youth center, and they would be allowed to spar.

[Scott Bolinger]

well, I guess with my experience with working with troubled youth has been rather extensive. I worked at a youth center were the kids that were there were court ordered (usually from breaking the law or being a uncontrolable child). I worked at that place for 5 years. In that time , I was approved to expand and develop a boxing program. So I developed the boxing program with the help of a couple of the kids. And that was a learning experience for both parts. But the kids were thankfull in developing a program. they learned something out of the ordinary and unique. When kids learning something unique. I always recieved a greate deal of respect from the kids that were on my program and the kids showed respect to the other staff as well, and they usually past the program without much problems. The program was a leveling program, simular to a karate program. When I taught and developed the program I had to teach in a way that promoted the sport of boxing. I wasn't allowed to teach kickboxing or self defense. Keeping it as a sport, and teaching all expects of how to develop frome a amatuer to a pro athlete was more binificial to the kids. So they learn , not just kicking someones @ass, but they learned offense, defense, counter striking, toning, how to develop endurance, and strength training. So in different levels that they would test for, they would have to know certain boxing combinations as well as certian medicine ball routines or weight lifting programs. Do that, I ended up with a pretty high success rate

[WildWest.]

Well, it's not all that suprising. If you need a bodyguard who will be your first pick? A martial artist or an olympic level waterpolo player?

That's a pretty piss poor comparison mate.

Like Aseepish said, I would choose ex-military over a criminal any day of the week or more specifically, a well trained ex-military/police with a solid MA background....perhaps you missed the point I was making. What I'm saying is I don't like the criminal element training in MT because it's ruined the style's credibility in my country.

I don't recall making any statement about bodyguards at all.

[aseepish]

I think I would take ex-military over a martial artist - considering that I myself am a martial artist and probably couldn't guard a sack of potatoes!

[the tick]

Well, it's not all that suprising. If you need a bodyguard who will be your first pick? A martial artist or an olympic level waterpolo player?

[WildWest.]

It's a shame to see that the criminal element has infected others clubs and styles around the world too.

I think it sucks and there probably needs to be more instructor responsibility as to who they let into the club.

[aseepish]

In Singapore until relatively recently martial arts practitioners had to register with the government's "Martial Arts Control Unit" (MACU). They had big problems with gangs in the 1970s.

[jonbey]

A few years back there was a report on how boxing clubs in the UK kept kids off the streets (showing my age by calling them kids....). But at the same time, was talking to a pal in Brazil a while ago, and he was thinking about trying BJJ there, but his local club instructor was forever having to give "character witness" for members that were in gang fights etc. If you go back the China, many kung-fu schools would be controlled and run by gangs.

[WildWest.]

Indeed. I believe The Netherlands is now the place to go for Muay Thai training.

Despite Badr Hari's ability, the guy is a complete tool.

[the tick]

The Netherlands has had it's share of criminals in the fightscene in the past. Like Andre Brilleman. But it's all but gone now. The sport is getting more professionel each year. The only well known fighter these days who every now and then makes negative headlines is Badr Hari.

[WildWest.]

I hear you Scott. We live in a small country so I guess the clubs just take what they can get and that includes the troubled.

I'm also a serving Police Officer so, in my mind, it better I don't hang out with the guys I'm trying to lock up. It just annoys me that an art that I've done for so long can be ruined by such dickheads.

[Scott Bolinger]

you can get both positive and negative feedback know matter were you are. For the most part martial arts, kickboxing , boxing and MMA add a positive life style. If I had to deal with a mobster thats a fighter or a mobster thants not a trained fighter, i'd prefer to deal with the fighter. If your a meth head out there training Meth heads, then thats a bit screwed up , but it happens.

i've instructed x atticks, X gangsters or wannabees before, and added a greate deal of positive influence and most of them learned from my teachings and kept there butts out of jail and out of trouble. You have your general gym rules, be stern about that and most kids will respect the rules. Alot of times a gym provides a better environment that home life, so you set a good example to fallow.

[WildWest.]

For every good instructor whose helping people out......there are a whole shitload who are letting criminals and gang members become better and more brutal individuals so they can use there skills to continue to push the sale of methamphetamine and other illegal activities through the medium of boxing, MT and MMA.

I know this sounds a bit negative and over generalised but in NZ it's a very real part of the fight scene. We used to get K1 events here.....we don't now.

[basumarpo1610]

Boxing gyms would more likely be the target of the mob like in the US in the past for example,












but in Italy some gyms in some tough areas are actually known for taking people off the street.

[Tee Sok]

Even MMA....well, the UFC bosses have their reputation after all.