All Questions
6
votes
3answers
964 views
How useful is a grappling dummy, when you don't have a live training partner available?
There is no substitute for a live training partner, but sometimes a training partner just isn't available and drilling is an important part of training for groundwork grappling.
For those times I ...
6
votes
0answers
102 views
Translation for “Those who are possessed by nothing possess everything.”
I am looking for the original Japanese phrase for the above quote by Ueshiba Morihei 植芝 盛平, and haven't been able to find it. It is in his book "The Art of Peace", but I haven't got a Japanese ...
5
votes
5answers
373 views
How to select the right Aikido dojo
What should I be aware of if I would like to start training Aikido? I used to train as teenager in small dojo. I picked up few tricks but I never got the essence of Aikido. Is there something you ...
5
votes
8answers
347 views
Are there musical instruments which, when practiced, noticeably increase martial arts skills and performance?
Martial arts movies suggest that some musical instruments (drums, for example) are particularly well suited and matched with martial arts practice.
Is there any truth to this claim? Which instruments ...
5
votes
5answers
312 views
What are good exercises for strengthening knees to hold stances better?
About a year ago I suffered a major knee injury and while I have been cleared to return to the dojo and train, I still have some weakness in the knee. What are some good exercises to strengthen the ...
5
votes
7answers
476 views
Rule 1: Cardio. What exercises are worth doing to increase cardiovascular fitness?
So, I am looking to increase my general cardiovascular fitness to fit better into the martial art training I do -- Aikido but that should only matter a little.
The main question is What exercises ...
5
votes
6answers
266 views
Controlling my emotions during sparring
I'm currently a yellow belt but I'm sparring with brown, red and black belts. Of course I'm not as good as they are so during sparring I get emotional and frustrated very quickly... I know it's silly ...
5
votes
4answers
544 views
Why do taekwondoists bounce so much? (And how do we help them stop?)
At training last night (Japanese JiuJitsu), we had two people with TKD backgrounds training with us. I couldn't help noticing how bouncy they both were. They both came from different TKD school, yet ...
5
votes
5answers
265 views
Doing Miller's One-Step Drills
In Rory Miller's book Drills he talks about various "one-step" drills where you each get one movement at a time with a partner. This move can be either an attack or a defense, done slowly, and they ...
5
votes
5answers
204 views
Sliding the Feet in Contact With the Ground
Some techniques in hapkido are practiced with a foot sliding along the ground or remaining in contact with the ground. For example, in a sequence we call a stepping pattern, it isn't uncommon to step ...
5
votes
4answers
243 views
Endurance problems while practicing martial art
I have been attending krav-maga lessons (twice a week) for two years and always had low endurance. After every lesson I feel exhausted a little more. My stamina improved since I started but I still ...
5
votes
8answers
391 views
Are there good alternatives to wood for weapons?
As a follow up to my question on the state of my neglected jo:
Any way to repair a Jo that has become warped?
I've been thinking I don't like my wooden 'Jo's very much. I've broken a couple and ...
5
votes
5answers
351 views
What exercises help to develop frontal leg speed?
For many people, the front leg kick is a very effective "stopping" move when faced with a charging opponent. The faster (and more accurately) a defender can deploy this kick, the better the ...
5
votes
2answers
199 views
Aikido ikkyo variations
I had few inital classes where we have been training ikkyo. And I'm already getting pretty overwhelmed with the variations.
I know that ikkyo is usually followed by the attack name, and than it is ...
5
votes
5answers
122 views
Ways for restraining an “automatic aggression response”
I have little hope for an answer, but would like to hear your ideas:
Yesterday evening I went visiting my dear old ma. She lives at one of very best neighborhood of Tel-Aviv - Very quiet, very ...
5
votes
5answers
502 views
How does one mentally push past pain in training?
Big part of my training is maintaining control of your body even though I feel physical pain. There are usually two situations, in physical pain while still having energy to fight, and in physical ...
5
votes
8answers
494 views
How to get rid of fear of fighting
"How to get rid of fear of fighting". When i get hit i am scared to get beaten more. I am worried about my nose getting break which costs me to lose. But i love the sport.
5
votes
5answers
2k views
How can you practice wrist locks/grappling holds without a partner?
The problem I have is that I have class once a week, and the class is small. Striking techniques, and overall one-step sparring techniques I can practice at home and in the air. Grappling, ...
5
votes
4answers
1k views
Proper way to take care of boxing gloves and wrist wraps after use?
After heavy usage, boxing gloves and wrist wraps can get build up mildew and other nasties. What should I do the keep my gloves and wraps in good shape?
5
votes
6answers
549 views
How should I expect my fist to change over time from punching?
My knuckles were at one point fairly pointy, with deep valleys between them. I noticed after a while that the first two knuckles (where I generally strike with) have flattened out slightly. I can even ...
5
votes
3answers
314 views
Is kickboxing or boxing particularly dangerous?
What I mean is that is it more dangerous than other contact sports that aren't martial arts? Such as Football, Soccer, Basketball, etc...
And if yes, why?
5
votes
4answers
138 views
Transitioning between similar arts
When moving from rapier to Hapkido, there was a lot that transferred and very little that interfered. Range, positioning, and most of the footwork transferred along with the mental aspects, and the ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
What submissions are not allowed in competitive Judo?
After watching a number of matches during the Olympics it seemed like a lot of opportunities for submissions weren't even pursued.
In the matches I observed I only saw two legitimate submission ...
5
votes
2answers
207 views
Should I avoid open-handed blocks in sparring?
I've been studying taekwondo for about 15 years, and I've always been taught to keep my fists closed tightly in sparring to reduce the chance of finger injury. Splayed fingers seems to be a common ...
5
votes
3answers
78 views
Does it help to use shorter breaks during training than during competition?
I know a boxing trainer who insists that, when training for a fight with one-minute breaks between rounds, it will give you an edge conditionally over your opponent to use only 30-second breaks during ...
5
votes
4answers
173 views
Finding my - center - hara - t'an t'ien
I have put 40+ hours into aikido practice. It it is becoming very obvious that training in class is not sufficient. I need to stretch more and work on cardio to improve my physic.
What I'm having ...
5
votes
2answers
110 views
What are the differences between gel and foam gear?
What is the advantage and drawback of gear with gel inside? Is it better than foam gear or is it commercial? Specifically is gel good for gloves, shin guards, body armor, or headgear?
5
votes
6answers
221 views
How to train to avoid target fixation?
One problem I've seen in myself and others at various stages of training is a tendency to become fixated on a particular target or technique when fighting. The tendency to focus on only a handful of ...
5
votes
4answers
402 views
Self defense with one hand tied behind back?
I'm completely new to martial arts. I would like to know if there are techniques that can be used in self-defense if you had one hand tied behind your back or in the case you lose your hand?
5
votes
3answers
3k views
How is a Kubotan used in self-defense?
Two weeks ago I participated in a seminar at my dojo where a so-called Kubotan or self-defense stick was introduced. I had never heard of that thing before. In two sessions, we got some background ...
5
votes
2answers
529 views
Is there any documentation of newaza in Fusen-Ryu?
Renzo Gracie's book Mastering Jujitsu makes the interesting and not otherwise repeated claim that BJJ is descended directly from Fusen-Ryu rather than Judo. Allegedly, while Judo was cleaning up at ...
5
votes
2answers
563 views
China leader's bodyguards: From bagua to baji?
I have heard that in China, the emperor's bodyguards used to be Baguazhang practitioners. I do not have source to back this up, but Wikipedia at least hints at it:
Because of his work as a servant ...
5
votes
3answers
282 views
What is the application for tai chi's single whip?
What the bleep is going on in tai chi's single whip posture? It seems to be emblematic of tai chi, being a pose frequently struck by practitioners in the presence of cameras.
The actual sequence ...
5
votes
3answers
290 views
How to get to closed guard when your opponent is in the combat base position?
A little background on the situation:
You can be in either sitting / butterfly or on your back in open guard
Opponent is on one knee, other one up
DLR, 1 Leg X-guard, full x-guard, hooking sweeps ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views
What are the differences between ITF and WTF Tae-Kwondo?
My kids currently train under UKTF, which follows ITF guidelines and techniques. Will this cause problems if they move to a WTF trainer? They aren't quite at black belt yet, so I'm hoping that if they ...
5
votes
2answers
60 views
To what extent do (should) judo and BJJ overlap?
Now, I'm fairly well acquainted with the history, concepts, goals, and methodology of judo and BJJ, on paper I mean. I realize that BJJ evolved from judo, and that both involve takedowns/throws and ...
5
votes
2answers
311 views
Should I learn karate if I had a slip disc problem in past?
I am 20 years old. I had a disc herniation two years ago, before that it was more than 1.5 years. I have been feeling good for the past six months. I do regular exercises and gymming, swimming, little ...
5
votes
2answers
194 views
Are roundhouse kicks prevalent in traditional kung fu systems?
While I was practicing drills tonight, it occurred to me that I have not seen roundhouse kicks in any form we do. All the forms I have seen in our system thus far, whether beginner forms or the more ...
5
votes
3answers
537 views
Why do different shapes of bokken exist?
Bokken are supposed to mimic/represent a katana for training purpose. There are suburi bokken which are heavier than normal to train muscles and develop power. But why are there different shapes of ...
5
votes
1answer
193 views
What is Fudo Myo-o (concepts of mushin, fudoshin, and zanshin)?
stslavik in an answer related to Kenjutsu mentions the concepts of mushin, fudoshin, and zanshin as part of Fudo Myo-o. While I am somewhat familiar with all three, I am seeking a more in depth ...
5
votes
1answer
206 views
Leg conditioning advice
I've just gotten back into karate about a month ago after a long long break, and I'm finding it hard to cope with kicks to the legs (with or without pads), especially the quads. Being a cyclist I have ...
5
votes
1answer
101 views
How do I increase shin strength?
I just recently started kickboxing/Muay Thai and my round to the bag causes a great deal of pain after a while. (20-30 kicks)
I know you build up strength in your shins overtime, and most people ...
5
votes
2answers
126 views
Judo gis for lanky players?
Lately a lot of BJJ Gi manufacturers have been making gis that are fitted for lanky players, but of those that make slim cut BJJ gis, their Judo gis are still just the standard cut (even Fushida now, ...
5
votes
3answers
310 views
What is the cause for Northern and Southern Chinese kung fu differences?
When I hear anyone talk about a specific Chinese martial art, it falls into either a Northern Chinese or Souther Chinese style. I have learned that the general differences between the Northern and ...
5
votes
1answer
154 views
What is the proper technique for holding a Century-style body shield for use in Taekwondo?
My family just won a Century body shield as part of a raffle to help raise money for our school's booster club. We don't often use a body shield in class (in fact, I only recall having used it in one ...
5
votes
4answers
588 views
Why Do Pressure Points Work Differently Against Different People?
In hapkido we do a great deal of training with various pressure point techniques. These include pinches that hit a nerve (e.g., on the inside of the leg or on the outside of the elbow) or strikes that ...
5
votes
2answers
156 views
What's the difference between Iaijutsu and Iaido?
For what I've been found, this two arts have some similarities, but I can't fully understand it, this is pretty much the definition of each.
Iaido: The art of sword drawing. All katas begin and end ...
5
votes
1answer
127 views
What is a good mat system for home MMA training?
I practice in WCMA and BJJ, which means I can spend a fair amount of time on the ground working on flows, take downs, clinches, locks, etc. I've been looking around for a decent mat system that I can ...
5
votes
1answer
86 views
Légion étrangère close combat system
What is the system of close combat taught in the Légion étrangère? How did it evolve during the history of the Légion?
5
votes
1answer
205 views
What books of Escrima patterns that detail each step are available?
I know Escrima generally has minimal emphasis on forms, but that there are nevertheless some patterns associated with certain Escrima variants.
Many more popular/formalized martial arts have books ...
