Martial Arts/Fighting

[Detective Dan]

So as of lately I've been interested in taking some kind of martial arts class, mainly for self defense. I'm a smaller guy, 5'8" 140lbs so I'm wandering what style would be the most beneficial for me. I'm wanting something more "real world" styled if that makes sense. I really just want to know that if out at a bar or whatever, and **** goes down i could handle myself.


So yeah, give some suggestions or talk about your experience with martial arts or whatever.

[Grumma]

I'm starting boxing on Monday if that counts lol.

I did Karate for a little while when I was younger but refused to pay for belt upgrades or whatever so quit.

Probably not gonna be the best opinion but something like Judo or Taekwando(sp?) could be what you're after. Deal with grappling, falling as well as striking.
At your size I'd be looking at avoiding fights as much as I could, but otherwise I'd learn how to dodge haymakers

[Reaganista]

if you want to defend yourself get a gun

if u want a fun sport almost any combat sport style can provide that as long as you find a school that's isn't full of LARPers or ppl who think they're in UFC

but if you just want to know you could knock out a drunk in theory learn how to do this and practice all the time
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=X9ziVb_E_YY

[radtaste]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_Jiu-Jitsu

[Rogue Six]

Muay Thai's where it's at. You'll bulk up a bit while learning this. but it will be all muscle.

[Reaganista]

unless u dont eat more

[simplephotographinthesun]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3K-mrlYG7Y

all you need

[Reaganista]

liver punches are highly effective in large numbers but if u only get one shot the flying knee is king

[PayneTiger777]

If there was a way to combine the fighting styles of Chuck Norris and Tony Ja then you would be unstoppable.

[Sk0rpi0n]

The most practical martial art for a "real" world combat situation is Muay Thai. Heres why:

1) Training in Muay Thai is focused entirely on combat, meaning you don't waste any time learning impractical kata (patterns, forms, dancing -- whatever) and you spend more time actually training and getting in shape.

2) "Real" world combat usually takes place in enclosed environments, because people interact more indoors (street fights are rare). Thus "real" fights are usually close quarters affairs. Muay Thai gives you all the tools for close quarters, standing combat, including knees, punching (most Muay Thai clubs just teach straight up western boxing), elbows, clinching (grabbing the head or body) and knees. Longer range fighting is also covered by various kicking techniques -- though you should limit your kicking as they expose you to take downs.

3) The defensive stance of Muay Thai is ideal for deflecting and evading attacks from common weapons such as chairs, pool cues, thrown weapons etc. But honestly, when confronted by a weapon you must react to both the weapon and its user. You wouldn't bring a knife to a gun fight, so its probably not wise to engage in a knife fight with nothing but your bare hands.

4) Take downs and throwing are usually legal in Muay Thai and defensive techniques are generally taught to avoid the ground. In street/bar fights, people who get taken to the ground are stomped, NOT submitted like you see on the TV.

5) "Real" fights often involve multiple opponents. In this type of situation it is essential to know how to fight standing. If you have more than one opponent you cannot roll around with them on the floor, trying to set-up a submission while somebody else kicks, stomps, hits you with a stool etc.

6) Muay Thai teaches the most valuable tool for any "real" world fight -- the low kick. In a real fight you must assume that there are no rules and that failing to win will result in a high degree of physical damage. Thus your most valuable tool, by far, is the classic kick in the nuts. This is the only kicking attack you should use. Do you need to learn Muay Thai to know how to do this? No. But it certainly helps...

And I hope that this post is helpful in general.

[Reaganista]

how do u plan on shin kicking somebody in the balls
i mean unless they have 1 leg

also u left out flying knees which is really all muay thai has to offer over boxing

[AA-12]

i'd say do bjj. you'll be more apt to stay out of legal trouble with it too.

[Reaganista]

bjj and muay thai are both fun sports i liked bjj more cuz u could basically practice at a competition level of intensity but if u want to defend urself u should really learn the ancient art of gun fu

[AA-12]

yeah that's what i love about grappling/bjj. you can practice just like you're really fighting. of course you don't crank locks but hey

[Reaganista]

ya it is a plus

[Sk0rpi0n]

how do u plan on shin kicking somebody in the balls
i mean unless they have 1 leg

also u left out flying knees which is really all muay thai has to offer over boxing

Think practically here. Not all Muay Thai leg techniques use the shin. Front kicks use the ball of the foot. If its a real fight you'll be wearing shoes or boots anyways...

And flying Knees all Muay Thai has over boxing? That's a laugh and a half. Hows about kicks, knees, throws, clinching, elbows and the tools to defend against all of the above. I mean, in a closed environment flying knees are just about the least practical technique you could use.

[Reaganista]

u mean a closed environment like if some1 put u in a cage and made u fight someone else ?
ok
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=aag4LYmON7U

but do those guys know that wasnt practical they should've shin kicked instead

[Sk0rpi0n]

I meant a small room, with furniture. Or a bar, with furniture. Not a wide open cage with tons of room to run arround. Geez. Can't you read my mind?

[Rams]

6) Muay Thai teaches the most valuable tool for any "real" world fight -- the low kick. In a real fight you must assume that there are no rules and that failing to win will result in a high degree of physical damage. Thus your most valuable tool, by far, is the classic kick in the nuts. This is the only kicking attack you should use. Do you need to learn Muay Thai to know how to do this? No. But it certainly helps...


Your most valuable tool is running. And I'd rather Deashi Harai my assailant than risk kicking him in the groin. Kicks to the groin are too easy to defend.

[Reaganista]

post was stupid cuz MT is a sport and nut kicking is against the rules you arent really doing MT if u spend ur time drilling nut kicks

[Sk0rpi0n]

If your fighting outside of a ring your not really participating in a sport anyways. Sports have rules. So how would any other "sport" or "Martial Art" mentioned help? You just contradicted all of your previous arguments...

Your most valuable tool is running. And I'd rather Deashi Harai my assailant than risk kicking him in the groin. Kicks to the groin are too easy to defend.

Running is not always an option. IF it was always feasible, there would be no need to defend oneself.

[Reaganista]

If your fighting outside of a ring your not really participating in a sport anyways. Sports have rules. So how would any other "sport" or "Martial Art" mentioned help? You just contradicted all of your previous arguments...

my previous argument was you should get a gun if you want to defend yourself
doing mt or any other combat sport and thinking sweet now i can fight muggers is slightly less stupid than playing basketball and thinking that but it's in the same league

also sport and martial art arent necessarily synonyms

[Detective Dan]

yeah i can't really take a gun with me everywhere, besides you pull a gun out in public people won't think twice about killing you first

[Reaganista]

lol?

[Permanent Solution]

The most practical martial art for a "real" world combat situation is Muay Thai. Heres why:

1) Training in Muay Thai is focused entirely on combat, meaning you don't waste any time learning impractical kata (patterns, forms, dancing -- whatever) and you spend more time actually training and getting in shape.

2) "Real" world combat usually takes place in enclosed environments, because people interact more indoors (street fights are rare). Thus "real" fights are usually close quarters affairs. Muay Thai gives you all the tools for close quarters, standing combat, including knees, punching (most Muay Thai clubs just teach straight up western boxing), elbows, clinching (grabbing the head or body) and knees. Longer range fighting is also covered by various kicking techniques -- though you should limit your kicking as they expose you to take downs.

3) The defensive stance of Muay Thai is ideal for deflecting and evading attacks from common weapons such as chairs, pool cues, thrown weapons etc. But honestly, when confronted by a weapon you must react to both the weapon and its user. You wouldn't bring a knife to a gun fight, so its probably not wise to engage in a knife fight with nothing but your bare hands.

4) Take downs and throwing are usually legal in Muay Thai and defensive techniques are generally taught to avoid the ground. In street/bar fights, people who get taken to the ground are stomped, NOT submitted like you see on the TV.

5) "Real" fights often involve multiple opponents. In this type of situation it is essential to know how to fight standing. If you have more than one opponent you cannot roll around with them on the floor, trying to set-up a submission while somebody else kicks, stomps, hits you with a stool etc.

6) Muay Thai teaches the most valuable tool for any "real" world fight -- the low kick. In a real fight you must assume that there are no rules and that failing to win will result in a high degree of physical damage. Thus your most valuable tool, by far, is the classic kick in the nuts. This is the only kicking attack you should use. Do you need to learn Muay Thai to know how to do this? No. But it certainly helps...

And I hope that this post is helpful in general.
Any good martial artist knows the application for every move in their kata and understands the relevance of their katas.

Any powerful technique exposes you to a take down. The most hilarious thing I hear regurgitated is that kicking = take down, then when someone over-extends a missed/dodged punch, they're surprised when they are taken down.

Muay Thai's stance is very aggressive i don't know what you mean by ideal for defense unless defense for you means taking it on the arm or leg instead of the body.

Any good dojo will teach you how to stay off the ground.

Muay Thai is not any more focused on multiple opponents than other styles. In fact, in many ways it is more focused on 1 on 1 fighting as you are square to an opponent.

Nuts is almost waist level...usually too high. Striking the knees and the feet is much more practical.

[Reaganista]

Any good firing range will teach you how to stay off the ground.

fixed

ps ur katas wont stop anyone who was even a jv level wrestler from taking u down
or a crackhead

pss unless it's gun kata

[Badmoon]

learn a good, consistent spread and the JV wrestler won't necessarily be too much of a problem.

[Reaganista]

ya cuz ppl arent familiar with that

[Sk0rpi0n]

Any good martial artist knows the application for every move in their kata and understands the relevance of their katas.

Any good martial artist also knows that kata are a waste of time. The movements of a fight aren't predetermined, therefore, practice sparring.

Any powerful technique exposes you to a take down. The most hilarious thing I hear regurgitated is that kicking = take down, then when someone over-extends a missed/dodged punch, they're surprised when they are taken down.

A good point. But do remember that if you are punching properly (ie. not doing constant hay makers and keeping your center of gravity focused) you will not be exposed. Kicking always changes your center of gravity and exposes a leg to a 'catch'. Hence, you have initiated your opponents single leg take down for them.

Muay Thai's stance is very aggressive i don't know what you mean by ideal for defense unless defense for you means taking it on the arm or leg instead of the body.

Ideal because it has a defensive technique for everything with little change to the stance. Ie. Kick check, leg grabs, easy sprawl etc. etc. This argument could also be made of the general MMA stance, minus the easy kick check.


Any good dojo will teach you how to stay off the ground.

But not any martial art or any "good" instructor.

Muay Thai is not any more focused on multiple opponents than other styles. In fact, in many ways it is more focused on 1 on 1 fighting as you are square to an opponent.

Whether you are standing square, sideways or half-facing isn't the issue. What matters is that you are standing in a good defensive stance. Putting someone in a hold sacrifices any chance you have to defend yourself as it ties up your limbs.

Nuts is almost waist level...usually too high. Striking the knees and the feet is much more practical.

But much less damaging.

[Reaganista]

crackheads have aids and hep c even if you punch the **** out of them u still die just later

[Grumma]

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=D3K-mrlYG7Y

[fatkidzonmopedz]

fighting is about the only thing me and my friends do anymore. there have been some gruesome battles. i should record upload and post here.

[Badmoon]

ya cuz ppl arent familiar with that

Well let's take it to the ring, pretty boy.

mop the floor with your a*s

[IPolkaLikeThis!]

Learn Eskrima.

http://www.black-eagle.org/why.htm

that will tell you why.

Also, my godfather's father taught Bruce Lee.

Sadly, his form of eskrima is nearly extinct.

[IPolkaLikeThis!]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH309YwzxsY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKoHjVjeHzM

[AA-12]

eskrima is awesome. too bad it's impossible to find a good place to learn. even krav maga is easier to find, hah.

[lak89]

you can take up MMA, its a mixed combat martial arts, including getting people in locks. I practice wushu and tricking so its more for performance than actual combat

[Rogue Six]

One of the Major forces in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu just passed away, Helio Gracie. he was 95 years old..

[Interstate]

Does anyone here practice Wing Chun? I have been looking into it and there is a place near me that teaches it. What are your opinions on it, what is it like to learn etc?

[IPolkaLikeThis!]

my godfather loved Wing Chun.


I wish he was still around to teach me. ; ;

[Reaganista]

Well let's take it to the ring, pretty boy.

mop the floor with your a*s

you think i'm pretty??

and you want to wrestle???

must be my lucky day

[(*The Noonward Race*)]

i only know many extravangtly named wrestling moves, my specialty is rope jumping moves, i've fought many muay thai warriors at once, and they never expect my dynamic 'bounce off the ropes and come back' again move