The Big Martial Arts Thread

**R6_kid:Me** · 14th June 2006, 14:15

most of you have pretty much seen what im after, basically there are a lot of shit head 16-17yr olds that hang out around with my mates and generally end up causing shit for no reason what so ever, or just because they are drunk.

Had one seriously start attacking me, punching to the head etc... when i figured out wtf was going on and decided to teach him a lesson two of his mates jumped me and then my mate went for him and it basically turned into a 6 v 2 fight...

I was sort of thinking Aikaido (sp) for the defence side of things with jiu jitsu or something similar for the semi/full contact side of things... practicing once or twice a week with one, and once with the other. But yeh, im pacifistic (pussy?) by nature so i do like the idea of aikaido, that is the fact that its a deflection of power rather than a 'block' so that you force your oponent to the ground using only defensive moves... then you can sit on them and tell them who's boss.

I do understand that in reality you need to take a beating to really learn how to fight - as said, no use trying to do the fancy moves if you cant take the hits.

**Wolf** · 14th June 2006, 14:17

I've tried boxing, Judo, Karate, Tae Kwon Do and Aikido.

I still find that years after a few weeks' Judo training I instinctively do a proper break-fall if I slip over onto my back.

I found the warm-up exercises at the TKD classes nearly crippled me and left me incapable of properly training - I was out of shape and it was like being flung straight into a marathon.

Aikido I liked the best - the warm-up exercises were gentler than those of TKD and focussed on limbering you up, making you flexible.

I found the all three dojos I went to tended to race through three or four techniques a night and the next night you're onto three or four more.

I'd have preferred that they properly drilled fewer techniques so that you walked out able to do one or two well rather than come out vaguely remembering one, especially since some of the combinations of movement were complex.

I also found that they teach many different techniques for dealing with the same attack - a punch, a grapple, a hold etc - when it would seem to me to be better to learn a few techniques really well and drill in them until they become as ingrained as my break-fall is.

The big plus (for me) to Aikido is that you don't "waste time" learning to hit and kick people. You learn ways to deal with someone trying to hit, kick or grab you.

I figure that if you match hour-for-hour training in Aikido and Karate, the trainee in Aikido will know more ways of defending themselves than the Karate trainee does because the Karate bloke will have spent his time learning to punch and kick rather than devoting his time to stopping punches and kicks.

The Aikido trainee will also have learned techniques to deal with falls.

I would like a "shortened" version of Aikido - some of the more versatile (and potentially devastating) techniques to deal with all the attacks - one technique for each attack form - that can be drilled over and over until they are ingrained and you respond instinctively to the attacks.

Far better, IMO, than having to decide between 5 different ways to deal with a right cross while it's en route.

Aikido is gentler on the trainee than other martial arts I've tried but it is by no means "soft" - I'm only a white belt and already I know three techniques to dislocate a shoulder or break a limb and a couple that'd crack the bugger's skull.

Out of practice at the moment. Will go back again when the boys are old enough to train with me.

**Wolf** · 14th June 2006, 14:28

Originally Posted by gareth_d

i do like the idea of aikaido, that is the fact that its a deflection of power rather than a 'block' so that you force your oponent to the ground using only defensive moves... then you can sit on them and tell them who's boss.

You can also dislocate his shoulder in under half a second and leave him screaming in agony on the ground while you deal with his mate who's closing in on you. If you do it right he won't be likely to get back up to continue the fight (unless he's so wasted on P or other drugs that he's feeling no pain).

You talk of being harrassed by groups of hoods (funny they don't have the nuts to hassle you when they're alone) so you need to think not in terms of "fighting" but in terms of "taking down".

Aikido is good for that, one of our exercises was to charge one of the black belts who stood there throwing us off to either side of him one after the other - we of course rolled out unharmed as we're trained to fall. A bunch of street punks would not be so lucky and the chances are that first contact with the pavement would be with their faces...

Never fight.

Never ever.

You can lose a fight but you can survive taking the person/people out and getting the fuck outta Dodge.

Take 'em down quick and don't let it turn into a fight you can possibly lose. Then get out. Run-fu is still the best option no matter how well trained you are.

**Colapop** · 14th June 2006, 14:36

Be careful Grasshopper that your motives are true. Learning martial arts for anything other than self defense is a self defeating exercise.

**Finn** · 14th June 2006, 14:44

Or you could save yourself a lot of hard work and get a Class B firearms license like I did. Sure martial arts guys are quick but they can't dodge bullets. The other advantage is that you can let your body go.

**Wolf** · 14th June 2006, 15:38

Originally Posted by Finn

Or you could save yourself a lot of hard work and get a Class B firearms license like I did. Sure martial arts guys are quick but they can't dodge bullets. The other advantage is that you can let your body go.

Class B just lets you store your pistol at home and transport it to and from the club, it doesn't permit you to carry it in a ready state concealed about your person or in your home or vehicle, nor does it permit you to use a pistol as a means of self defence.

You can always do what a mate did when he realised he was being followed by three or four hoods:

He crossed the road, they crossed the road.

He crossed back, they crossed back - OK, so much for coincidence.

They must have known he'd made them and were probably wondering if he was going to run.

He straightened up, rolled his shoulders to limber up and began cheerfully whistling "I Can Feel It Coming in the Air Tonight".

When he looked back again, they'd fucked off. They weren't keen to take on anyone who seemed to be happy that he was about to scrap with three or four guys

I once dealt with an aggro guy and a couple of his mates who accosted me in a fish and chip shop by laughing derisively at the bloke (he was taller and more muscly than I was) and walking away. Of course, I wasn't stupid: I stood and occupied my attention with the Space Invader machine - the glass of the screen gave a good reflection of what was going on behind me and I would have had time to get out of the way if he came up behind me.

What I saw was them leaving the shop. They had failed to intimidate me, so I wasn't "fun" anymore.

I also got the "What the fuck you lookin' at?" in a pub from some guy obviously spoiling for a fight. I politely replied that I was just daydreaming while enjoying my drink and though I may well have been looking in his direction, I was certainly not staring at him and had no idea he was there until he spoke.

He did a double-take, surprised at my politeness, said "Oh, that's OK then" and wandered away visibly pissed off - I think he was hoping I would respond rudely to his challenge so he could smack me over and feel justified that I started it. (Or at least claim to the police later that I started it.)

Didn't give him the pleasure.

**Finn** · 14th June 2006, 15:45

Originally Posted by Wolf

Class B just lets you store your pistol at home and transport it to and from the club, it doesn't permit you to carry it in a ready state concealed about your person or in your home or vehicle, nor does it permit you to use a pistol as a means of self defence.

You're not supposed to speed either. I use it for competitions and of course fun. It does however provide a certain level of comfort in the unlikely event of a home invasion where I believe the law is on my side. Okay, worse case scenario I get charged for misuse of a firearm - woopey.

**Deano** · 14th June 2006, 15:47

Originally Posted by swanny

Personally I would suggest Boxing, it is the only practical fighting style and has been around the longest.

Ever heard of Muay Thai ?

Can't get much more practical than that and I bet it's been around longer than boxing too.

**Deano** · 14th June 2006, 15:47

Originally Posted by Finn

Or you could save yourself a lot of hard work and get a Class B firearms license like I did. Sure martial arts guys are quick but they can't dodge bullets. The other advantage is that you can let your body go.

Are you always packing Finn ?

**justsomeguy** · 14th June 2006, 15:56

Originally Posted by gareth_d

most of you have pretty much seen what im after, basically there are a lot of shit head 16-17yr olds that hang out around with my mates and generally end up causing shit for no reason what so ever, or just because they are drunk.

Had one seriously start attacking me, punching to the head etc... when i figured out wtf was going on and decided to teach him a lesson two of his mates jumped me and then my mate went for him and it basically turned into a 6 v 2 fight...

Eh, ever thought of hanging out somewhere else?? Best form of defence is to not put yourself in the situation in the first place.

Martial arts are all good buddy but take at least 6 months to just loose your general clumsiness.

What do you think happens? You learn to fight - they attack you - you smash them into pulp - they think whoaa he's a tough guy leave him alone??

No.

They go away - find someone tougher than you - and smash you to a pulp. Or find your bike parked somewhere one day and thrash it.......it's even worse if they find out where you or your lady/mates live.

That's how it works in the real world from my limited experiences. Unless you want to get some professionals (not cops) involved and send a very clear message - that is expensive and takes matters to a whole new level, but gets the job done once and for all.

Just avoid the bastards, Auckland is big enough to find other places to be.

My .00002c

JSG

**Wolf** · 14th June 2006, 15:58

Originally Posted by Finn

You're not supposed to speed either. I use it for competitions and of course fun. It does however provide a certain level of comfort in the unlikely event of a home invasion where I believe the law is on my side. Okay, worse case scenario I get charged for misuse of a firearm - woopey.

When being reassessed for my firearms licence the guy asked "What do you think of using your rifles for self defence?" and I replied "Interesting notion as the law says I can do so if I feel my life is in danger yet it also says that my firearm, bolt and ammunition must be stored separately under lock and key so I'd have an interesting time explainig why one of my firearms was accessible and loaded in order for me to defend myself. And I doubt the attacker will kindly wait while I unlock firearm, bolt and ammunition, assemble the firearm and load it - he'd have time to shoot me dead about 43 times in the process."

The bloke said "Good point" and marked something on his paper.

I think he was ticking the "Smart-arse" box.

**Finn** · 14th June 2006, 16:00

Originally Posted by Deano

Are you always packing Finn ?

No but that's what I tell the girls. In the good old days in SA (80's) I used to. My brother, who also served in the military and I used to work for my Uncle. We had to visit various construction sites and do a bit of traveling. We were on our way to Joburg once and a brick, tied to rope and a bridge hit the corner of our car. Gave us one hell of a fright. Pulled over and emptied our rounds at the shadows. Fuckers.

My brother continued in the military as has been MIA for 6 years.