Selecting a self-defense (martial arts) training discipline – input please

[deamonpi]

something to keep in mind.  Unless you are planning on making the Martial Art you train a life career, be very wary of instructors getting you to break boards or something.  There's no reason for you to hurt yourself just because you are learning/training.

[devzal]

While you are trying to find the right one for you, I best advice is good old fashion boxing. You will be surprised how much faster, harder, and more accurate your punches will get. There are many styles of fighting that are good, but in a panic a good punch goes a long way.

[fightingquaker13]

While you are trying to find the right one for you, I best advice is good old fashion boxing. You will be surprised how much faster, harder, and more accurate your punches will get. There are many styles of fighting that are good, but in a panic a good punch goes a long way.

If you've got the size or strength for it, I'd more than halfway agree. In a crisis, simpler is better. Some guys are artists with single actions, most of us would do better with a Glock; point, click, repeat as necessary. The thing I'd add is to take a page out the 911 terrorist's book. They went to their local boxing gymn and asked for training in street fighting for self defense (shocking that you could find that in an old school sweaty mat and heavy bag no BS boxing gymn, I know ). The idea being that rather than perfect punches for points, a side order of eye gouging, head butting and foot stomping is just as easy and instinctive. There are a lot of good dojos out there, but it seems like you're looking for something run by and for fighters not athletes. I think you might have an easier time finding it at "Big Mike's Gymn than "Master Lees Martial Arts Extravaganza". Just a thought.
fightingquaker13

[shooter32]

I'd like to hear more on this from MB,Mike J. and Rob P.

For us "older guys" that aint what we used to be   would like to hear thoughts on a martial art or other. That would be something we need to look into.

Back in my mid 20's almost got my black belt in Taekwon-Do. Still work on the hand to hand stuff but no more spinning back kicks for me

[Ping]

Bucktracker wrote:
"Although it lacks ground fighting."

I agree but the key is staying off the ground. Jujitsu is for rolling around on the ground along with wrestling. I want to punch, jab, kick and flee the scene and avoid any continuation of the fight.

I also agree that I would like to hear what Mr. Janich or Mr. Pincus have to respond with. Thanks to Mr. Bane for already commenting.

In the end, it does not matter who or what you studied in martial arts or boxing. It is the man who walks away to live another day without having to take another life.

Again, just my personal opinion.

[Sponsor]

[deamonpi]

Bucktracker wrote:
"Although it lacks ground fighting."

I agree but the key is staying off the ground. Jujitsu is for rolling around on the ground along with wrestling. I want to punch, jab, kick and flee the scene and avoid any continuation of the fight.

I also agree that I would like to hear what Mr. Janich or Mr. Pincus have to respond with. Thanks to Mr. Bane for already commenting.

In the end, it does not matter who or what you studied in martial arts or boxing. It is the man who walks away to live another day without having to take another life.

Again, just my personal opinion.

If you want to 'punch & move' Aikido, Judo, Hopkido and more traditional Karate styles would be good and easily available options for fast response and ability to run afterward.

[Rob Pincus]

Here's my quick thoughts:

1. You have to get comfortable fighting while in contact. If your style is about striking or quick throws/"moves" to break contact I think you are missing important skills. You may not want to be on the ground, but we all know that fights are likely to end up there. Being comfortable with grappling skills (grounded and standing) is vital to fighting well.

2. Just like in shooting, I feel that at the extreme edges of training, sport and competition distract from context of a real FIGHT. Be careful of them both. In terms of individual skill development, they can be the best thing going, but always keep the ultimate context of your real application of those skills in mind.

3. Just like in shooting, no one person/school/style is likely to have all the answers.... and if they are even going to come close, they had better be progressive and comprehensive in their approach. If you are starting with a 500 year old art, you are starting 500 years behind the curve. In this way, the MMA schools are probably the most progressive.... just make sure you keep #2 in mind.

4. Some people are smarter, faster, more coordinated and stronger than others. Don't worry about what your Sensei/guru/hero/gym's best fighter can do. It is about what you can do. I have trained with Gracie, Blauer and Couture, but they all bring different natural tools and experiences to the table... while they all made me more dangerous, they've never turned anyone into a clone. The same is likely to be true of any instructor you find. It's what you can do that matters.

5. With #4 in mind, the first place to start is with physical fitness. You can have great style, but without coordination, strength and endurance, your knowledge of an art isn't going to help you much on the street. The guy with one eye closed and the 1911 six inches from his face shooting bull's eyes at 20 yards that looks down the barrel while releasing his magazines and tells gun shop stories about how dangerous he is, is exactly like the overweight guy who gets red faced and out of breath walking up the stairs who tells you about his years of Karate/Boxing/Dim Mak training....

In addition to trying to get some training time with Janich (who I think "gets it"), I recommend looking for a Personal Defense Readiness seminar as a good place to start. Many of the PDR instructors also teach traditional arts or are full fledged S.P.E.A.R. Instructors that can offer both short term awareness/empowerment/strengthening as well as long term courses of study. In this way, Janich also offers those of you looking for an integrated approach to using tools (knives, sticks, guns) that fits mentally with a practical approach to unarmed defense.

-RJP

[shooter32]

Thanks Rob!!

[WaffenAlaskan]

 Rob , Which Gracie did you train with. Renzo comes up to Alaska during the summer. He puts on a few clinics and the goes fishing. I have a great pic of my son with Renzo appiling a rear naked choke on him. WaffenAlaskan

[dnittler]

Wow! I am honored. Both Bane and Pincus responded to my silly question. Thank you to everyone who contributed.

A brief update in the quest. Last night I sat in a trained with the local MMA guys. The two main instructors come from very different backgrounds (one from Jujitsu the other focused on Chinese Min Hip (sp?) boxing in his past). They seem to train seriously both grounded and standing incorporating control, grappling, striking, breaking holds and throws.

The night I visited was grappling work. - all in street clothes. They seem to focus on moving in a very “organic” manner. Direct, to the point, without any “style” and wasted motion.

 I even "got to" spend 10 minutes working out with their fighter so he could warm up before his training session.

It was kind of frustrating trying to get a hold of the fighter - it was like trying to grab jello. The mindset that is prevalent is to break the hold and redirect that motion back into a strike, which is the complete opposite of what I am used to seeing/feeling. It was like his hand/arm was there, and then it was gone and swinging back in. 

It was fun rolling with the other beginner (at around 260 lb. he was difficult to move around) in the class, and I am incredibly sore (the lactic acid kind, not the beat down kind).

The gym is 5 minutes from my front door, which is a big plus. They are a really cool group of guys with varied backgrounds and fighting styles.

I have a call into the Krav Maga headquarters to see if I can locate the instructor that previously had the school in the area a couple of years ago, but haven’t heard back yet.


How hard is it to take someone trained in this format (MMA) to be effective in real world self-defense? I guess I am curious if you guys think I should continue to actively seek out a different format, or should I settle in with this group for a while?