Martial Arts

[Sapphire]

So is anyone into martial arts?

What's the best martial art?

[Ryllharu]

It was appalling how much energy she was wasting just hopping around in circles, over and over again. Not really necessary because he didn't put much effort in, or have any technique.

(edit: also surprised at the youtube comments that say she won. The video cuts each time he knocks her down, which is often.)

What's the best martial art?

From a practicality standpoint? Brazilian jujitsu, Marine Corps Martial Arts and its Russian equivalent Systema, or Krav Maga.

In terms of fun? I've always been partial toward Savate, but there's no place to learn it where I am.

But I'm more into archery (it's a martial skill ) anyway, instinctive shooting.

[David75]

Best? Depends on the objectives, right?

[darkshadow]

There is no best martial art, though Jeet kune do embodies the principles of potentially being the best: Absorb what is useful, discard what is useless; every art has its strengths, combine multiple arts to get rid of the flaws.

[shinta|hikari]

That was a pretty stupid video.

I like kickboxing. I also do a little Tae Kwon Do and Judo.

[Animeniax]

Why have it man vs woman? Are they trying to show that a woman using karate can compete with a male "street fighter"? Ridiculous. The problem with karate (and TKD, etc) is that its main use is in sport competition, where they score by light taps, not actual blows. Meanwhile styles like Muay Thai and Dutch kickboxing are practiced full contact in promotions like Glory, Lion Fights, and the UFC. So calling this a "real fight" is nonsense.

[Edort4]

Well you should have a clear focus in mind about what you want from it. Some styles have lots of martial in them (to the point where in my opinion they lose the arts part and is just learing how to brawl) and others have a more artistical/philosophical approach.

One that combines a bit of both worlds would be full contact karate. It has some "lets hurt us" component to it and still maintains the philosophy/lifestyle of karate based on self improvement.

[Animeniax]

While I understand that a large part of martial arts is the discipline instilled by repetition of complicated forms and sequences, I think styles like karate and TKD spend too much time on these forms or katas. Particularly in mcdojos, belt progression is achieved almost solely through learning the forms, not through sparring or practical use of the skills learned.

[Ryllharu]

Particularly in mcdojos, belt progression is achieved almost solely through time and money-spent, not learning the forms, through sparring, practical use of the skills learned, or even a general aptitude at it.

Just two minor corrections.

There's a lot of those around my area (or pretty much anywhere in the US that's not a major city). I've never heard them called McDojo's before. Definitely stealing that.

It's pretty funny hearing stories of people absolutely bewildered that they can't beat someone with a lower belt in sparring.

[shinta|hikari]

Well real traditional martial arts are quite deadly. The sports oriented versions nowadays are not the true form of Karate, TKD, or Kung Fu. Sport competitions have tons of rules in them, some even banning hits to the head. The older techniques of martial arts include a lot of groin kicking, eye poking, neck chopping, head butting and throat crushing, which have become absolutely useless in modern competition, including UFC etc. Traditional martial arts weren't just about Katas. They were used to kill as well. Peace has just completely removed that aspect nowadays.

[Sapphire]

I wanna learn wushu or ninjutsu, lol.

[lelouch]

I wanna learn wushu or ninjutsu, lol.

There's a ninjutsu training camp in midwestern US - they teach you to climb trees and throw shuriken and stuff like that.

[Animeniax]

I'd say for street fighting that wrestling/grappling is the best skill to learn, followed by judo and boxing. If you can wrestle your opponent down, you've almost won the fight in most cases. Judo helps you get them to the ground as well.

There's a lot of those around my area (or pretty much anywhere in the US that's not a major city). I've never heard them called McDojo's before. Definitely stealing that.

It's pretty funny hearing stories of people absolutely bewildered that they can't beat someone with a lower belt in sparring.

Most dojos will be the mcdojo type because of liability and it's what parents want for their kids... some semblance of physical activity and progression without serious risk of injury.

The term "mcdojo" isn't mine, it's fairly common in the martial arts world, considering the fast-food/processed mindset of most dojos.

[shinta|hikari]

Grappling is extremely effective in mixed martial arts and "street fighting" because people don't want or aren't allowed to kill each other. If someone tries to grapple you, headbutt them in the nose then gouge out their eyes. If you can't reach their face, crush or hit their testicles. It does not require a lot of space and impact to deliver crushing blows if you are allowed to hit vital points.

[Animeniax]

Easier said than done. A good grappler controls your body and limbs, making it hard for you to hit them or get your hands on them.

[shinta|hikari]

Yeah, but it is a hell of a lot easier than having none of those options while being grappled. There is a reason why those moves are banned in competition. It is because they are too effective.

[Animeniax]

Too effective or too deadly/leads to serious injury? That's not exactly the kind of competition most consider "sport."

Still, if we're talking about what martial art to learn that is most effective in real world scenarios, grappling is up there. Though for me, I'd hate to get in a fight with someone who knows how to wrestle.

[Uchiha Barles]

I love martial arts. I've been practicing Wing Chun for over a decade now and it is my favorite style, mostly because its principles resonate with me on an intellectual level. Before that I did Shotokan Karate, and Aiki-jujutsu. As far as what the best martial is...it probably depends on you. How you think, how you respond the training, and how much confidence you have to apply the techniques of the styles you come into contact with.

I wanna learn wushu or ninjutsu, lol.

I don't know if there actually is a combat/self-defense oriented martial called "wushu", though I've heard the term used in conjunction with Chinese competitive martial arts, where they display artistic ability in unarmed and weapon forms. For ninjutsu, I had the chance to train for a couple of sessions with a pretty solid instructor. I didn't learn too much by way of combat other than basic stances, footwork, and two basic fist strikes, but this guy was impressive. His movements were quick and subtle, and his footwork was at once agile and stable, it was inspiring. I have no doubt that training under that guy and doing what he tells you to do, you could become a great fighter.

And there's the catch: just about any martial art can produce a proficient fighter if that fighter works hard at it. With that in mind, first decide if you're willing to bust your ass learning a martial art, then research different styles to find the one (or the several) that mesh well with who you are and how you think. Then pick one and devote yourself to it for some time.

[Buffalobiian]

I don't know if there actually is a combat/self-defense oriented martial called "wushu",

"Wushu" in literally means 'martial arts' in Chinese. I don't know if that has a contemporary, narrowed meaning now. I'm guessing it's just the general term used to mean Chinese Martial Arts, and the instructors just teach you whatever sub-category they are willing or capable of teaching.

For all intents and purposes, 'Kung Fu' and 'Wushu' might as well be synonymous. The former's simply a Cantonese phrase.

[Animeniax]

A lot of martial arts schools (in strip malls) have 30 day trial periods, so you could visit some of those and see if you like the style and the instructors. Also, your university might have some martial arts clubs you can join to try out and meet people. I learned some judo in such a club... didn't stick with it because of a bum hip. Getting thrown to the mat when you have a bad hip is not fun.