choosing the right martial arts?

[TheOne]

Hey I'm new to this form. My name is Jon and I'm 17. I have had a little experience with taekwondo, but I don't think that's what I want because it isn't really an all around thing. I'm looking for more of a block and then attack type of thing. Like take advantage of their mistakes, but an all around thing. Like they teach you how to punch/kick/throw/grab/ and deal with weapons as far as how to use them and deal with a person who has them. But I want more than just defense I want to know how to fight well basically. Like the matrix, but I'm not really for kung fu unless it really is the matrix type of fighting. Sorry, I got to relate everything to the matrix. Thanks for your replies!

[Bon]

hmm, you mean like in movies how one guy blocks, then floors the other guy ?

Doesn't often happen in reality... Normally the guy who strikes first and hard floors the other guy! :D

[Sweeet]

Ninjutsu does exactly that for for me - but I must admit it's probably very rare that you'll find anything good under the name of 'Ninjitsu' - unless the instructor is specifically qualified and certified by Hatsumi sensei in Japan, in which case I'm sure you'll get an excellent quality of instruction in what you're looking for.

Failing that, Kenpo Karate (IKKA) is probably up your alley, and potentially the FMA as well. Failing all of that, Hapkido is a very well rounded art, although it would seem to be a bit to defensive for your tastes.

Your best bet is to find all the dojos within reasonable proximity, and try a trial class at all of them and then make a decision. I'm sure people will follow up with advise on what you should keep in mind when you're doing that...

Good luck!

[TheOne]

hmm, you mean like in movies how one guy blocks, then floors the other guy ?Doesn't often happen in reality... Normally the guy who strikes first and hard floors the other guy!

Are you serious? You're telling me you can't block that dude's moves and then squash him? I really hope you're wrong.


Also I did some research on jeet kune do - bruce lee's way of fighting - but I was wondering. Is it a custom type of fighting? cause that would be cool.

Th last post mentioned Ninjutsu and hapkido which both caught my interest. Could you give me info on both of thos foms of MA?
Thanks!

[Sweeet]

Here's a link to the martial arts page on my website: there is plenty of information there...

http://www.soobad.com/martialarts.php

[Bon]

Things can be blocked, but they don't look pretty and aesthically pleasing like they do in movies is what I guess I'm trying to say. Don't pick an art based on the 'wow' factor, 'cause the chances are it most probably won't work on the street. But, there are exceptions to that I guess... Arts that look good to me are the ones I think that are going to be effective. Doing a number of blocks like karate guys do doesn't look effective to me, especially blocking low kicks with your hands - really, their leg compared to your hand, who do you think is going to come off worse? Them? :rolleyes:

For example, if someone throws a leg kick at you, you'll bring your knee up and block the kick with your shin. It doesn't look pretty like blocks do in movies IMO, but it sure as hell hurts a lot. :D

Most of the blocks that work IMO are like that, where you block a strike with a harder part of your body covering essential targets.

On the streets however, I reckon the person who sucker punches the other guy will just about always win the fight... so I'm not going to wait for some guy to strike me first, block (best place to be is not there :D but, that's not always possible, with blocking being your next best alternative... then you may want to block, to be able to counter easily, so it's kind of hard to cover it with a blanket), then hit him back - if I think someone's gonna hit me, I'll try and hit them first and damn hard! :p



I would say JKD is about as much of a custom art that you can get, as you find a style that suits you.

[r4bid]

Kenpo is great for the block and then wail on them type stuff.

Most of the techniques I know go something along the lines of
-move out of the way and block OR just block
-move in OR away
-kick, punch, throw, sweep, grab break etc... until the person is on the ground and in lots of pain.

We also do weapon tecniques (how to fight with or against weapons), grab techniques(how to get out of a choke), kata and sparring. I like it but its not for everyone.

[Joe karate]

Yea kempo is great. Lots of striking. Lots of blocking and at later levels more block/evasion and then its move in close for a kill. We also include weapons and grabs. Although in my school the joint locks are not taught as much as strikes, you can find that the locks and breaks are in the strikes.

[Brad Ellin]

You should be able to find someone qualified to teach Ninjutsu near you. Even if you have to drive a ways, it's worth it. I used to drive 4 hours one way to train. Nowadays, it's an hour to an hour and a half. Definitely worth the time. Go to http://www.winjutsu.com and check the yellow pages section.

[shadow joe]

i drive an hour for training and its worth it... i don't want a substandard education that's evident in some of the more local schools...



i reccomend to you... a GOOD Jeet Kun Do/Kali school, you'll learn how to block then trap and throw or batter your opponent... and you'll learn how to put power into your blocking and striking, you'll also learn the kali portion which is stick fighting. The stick fighting in particular carries the principles of JKD even further and prepares you to handle somoene on the street who has a weapon...



but if you really want to fight like the matrix I say take Tai Chi, it only takes TEN years to get a good base in the internal arts :P



the wait is worth it, i've only been doing Tai CHi a year and I have seen tremendous benefit,
JOE