All Questions
39
votes
10answers
1k views
How do you prepare for the stress of a real self-defense situation?
How do you prepare for a real stress situation, in which you are forced to defend yourself or others? I'm not talking about avoiding conflict; assume that you have already tried all that is possible ...
30
votes
12answers
17k views
How dangerous is it to choke someone unconscious or to be choked unconscious?
A little background:
I was practicing with my instructor one morning. It was just him and me and we were doing free training of submission grappling. At one point I managed to get him in a choke ...
27
votes
17answers
826 views
Is practising techniques on both the left and right sides beneficial or detrimental to martial development?
Is there any evidence to suggest that practising techniques on the left and right side of the body produces more adept martial artists?
By "adept", I mean the learned ability to proficiently and ...
24
votes
17answers
3k views
Which martial arts focus on self defense?
I'm trying to make sure I ask this question in a manner that doesn't make it subjective or argumentative.
While all martial arts have merit, I believe those merits lie in various areas. Which ...
21
votes
6answers
431 views
What martial notation systems exist for describing techniques in writing?
What are some examples of clear ways to describe martial techniques in writing?
I often take notes during and after classes, and occasionally find that I haven't described a particular technique ...
20
votes
9answers
3k views
Is weight training useful in martial arts?
This may sound like a bit of a daft question, but I have heard and read different sides. On the one side, people say weight training will increase your strength and power and therefore will be ...
19
votes
6answers
802 views
Drills for reducing your natural “flinch” reaction
When going into a longsword bind, or getting hit as part of a Kata, I tend to flinch visibly and shut my eyes.
What are some exercises I can do, solo or with a partner, to help me keep my eyes open?
19
votes
5answers
305 views
How can I respectful​ly raise concerns about class difficulty level/teac​hing style at my club?
I practice Taekwondo regularly with the club at my university. There are three main instructors, one 3rd dan and two 1st dan (my belt level).
The club has a lot of black belts of varying degrees who ...
18
votes
11answers
1k views
Why do martial artists “shout” in the execution of a technique?
When I see people doing forms, participate in competitions, or break blocks of concrete or wood with their hands, they are always vocally expressive in what they are about to do. What names do this ...
18
votes
5answers
1k views
How do I practice judo throws on my own without a partner?
How do you practice your judo throws at home or any time that you're by yourself?
The leg movement is easy to do as long as you have the space, but proper arm movement and strength is hard to ...
17
votes
16answers
1k views
What are the purposes of martial arts forms?
A lot of martial arts use forms as a part of the training. They are taught and drilled. One benefit, of course, are the applications that you get from them. Small books of self-defense and movements ...
17
votes
7answers
2k views
Are there legal ramifications to being a trained martial artist?
One common urban legend that tends to be passed around from time to time is something along the lines of the following:
Black belts are considered lethal weapons by the law!
Which might also be ...
17
votes
6answers
547 views
Does ninjutsu qualify as a martial art?
I have often heard that yes it does, and no it does not. The fact is that densho (transmission scrolls) do exist detailing the skills used in war and defense, including hand to hand combat. Does this ...
16
votes
10answers
1k views
What martial art should I start with?
Young male, not looking for anything specific, but I am a huge fan of MMA in general. (not just the UFC/SF)
What would be a good beginner martial art for both fitness and relevancy to watching ...
15
votes
7answers
582 views
Why are firearms not part of the martial arts world?
Systems of martial arts utilize of variety of weapons that include polearms, blades, and blunt objects among others. While Systema and some branches of ninpo budo taijutsu include firearms as part of ...
14
votes
3answers
3k views
What does the closed fist covered by open hand signify?
This motion shows up in some styles of Karate (opening movement of several Shotokan kata - Bassai Dai, Jiin, Jion, Jitte) and some Kung-Fu styles. What does it represent?
14
votes
2answers
239 views
How can one maintain or rekindle discipline and passion in martial arts?
As I understand you have to have passion for path you choose when learning martial art. And it is life long process.
BUT I have met people who's passion dwindled and they no longer had heart in ...
13
votes
7answers
745 views
Are martial arts suitable for a busy, IT professional?
I am a 22-year-old IT professional with 5 days work a week (8 hours daily). My office being far from my place I remain out for nearly 12 hours.
I get stressed sometimes because of this schedule, and ...
13
votes
7answers
673 views
What do I need to keep in mind when picking a martial art as a bouncer?
For a bouncer, who is already larger, fitter and stronger than average, which martial arts training would you recommend?
Which skills training, or other properties of the martial art, dojo and ...
13
votes
4answers
401 views
What are the signs *not* to train at a specific school?
What are things to look for in a school to indicate that one should absolutely NOT study there?
You know, things like having the name Cobra Kai or making you do donut runs because you're the new ...
13
votes
2answers
791 views
Do shock knives make a good 'training' alternative to real knives for knife fighting sparring?
Often when doing in knife fighting sparring, people tend to ignore that they've got cut. I've seen shock knives on the net, and they seem kind of interesting as they at least give feedback that ...
13
votes
5answers
545 views
What is the oldest documented Eastern Martial Art that is still practiced?
Probably the oldest overall is something like wrestling, but of the eastern arts, what would be the oldest that people still practice?
12
votes
12answers
575 views
When should I run away?
What are the criteria I need to evaluate in order to conclude that I should run away?
Sometimes the right answer is to walk away, sometimes it is to give them your wallet... When is it time to leg ...
12
votes
6answers
286 views
What is a good age to introduce children to a martial art?
I have seen different recommendations for different styles as to what age to introduce a martial art to a child, sometimes as young as 4 years old. Factors such as attention span and interest of the ...
12
votes
5answers
407 views
What's the most effective way to discipline students (particularly juniors)?
When teaching martial arts, particularly to juniors we sometimes run into problems with discipline. Most people assume that you can hand out physical exercise as a good disincentive to poor ...
12
votes
7answers
331 views
What characteristics should I look for in a sensei?
Finding the right teacher is important.
While personal achievement has it merits just because someone is good at something doesn't make them good at teaching that same thing. Are there core ...
12
votes
6answers
662 views
Is it true that most fights end on the ground? What is the evidence?
I have often heard people make the claim that most of the time, two people who are fighting each other will naturally clinch and wrestle, and then shortly fall over. That is to say that there is a ...
12
votes
3answers
2k views
Good exercises for higher side kicks?
I've been training martial arts for several years but still aren't impressed by the height of my side kicks. I think its a combination of strength and stretching since I can use my hands to lift my ...
12
votes
2answers
159 views
Have any Kung Fu styles established a formal connection to the Shaolin Temple?
I often see martial arts schools claiming to be "Shaolin" in some way or another. As far as I know, though, that claim doesn't necessarily mean they are connected to the temple.
Where can I find a ...
12
votes
2answers
778 views
What kind of damage can your hand get from holding the barrel of a fired gun when disarming it?
I have a background mostly in Krav Maga and ICS (Israeli Combat System), and one of the techniques taught for disarming a gun, involves grabbing the barrel of the gun and pushing it to the side before ...
11
votes
7answers
1k views
What is a good push-up routine to build punch strength?
I've been told that I don't have much power behind my punches and that push-ups are a good way to improve this. Is there a good push-up route that could be done at the beginning or the end of the day ...
11
votes
8answers
1k views
Why doesn't aikido have kicking techniques?
Aikido training does not have kicks. They have of course one-two techniques to avoid and lock kicks, but do not have any. They have strike techniques called "atemi", but did not use kicks in general, ...
11
votes
11answers
1k views
What are good martial arts for aging bodies?
I'm not getting younger, and my weight will always be at least 200lbs. The martial art I'm studying is not kind to my joints. A particular problem is the flying kicks, one of which is featured in my ...
11
votes
3answers
170 views
When moving to a new city, what considerations need to be taken into account finding a new teacher?
I took Shidokan for several years, and was very happy with my dojo and my sensei. I recently had to move for work, and I know from experience that these are two of the most important parts of your ...
11
votes
3answers
320 views
Training Body Reading Without Sparring
When I did rapier, with some emphasis on sparring as well as structured drills, one of the things you got very good at was reading the other person's tells. Some of which were things that could be ...
11
votes
2answers
641 views
How did the colour belt ranking system originate?
Many martial arts (karate, judo, jiujutsu, taekwondo, kung-fu, etc.) use some form of coloured belts to denote rank and level. How did this come about? Did the concept have common origin or did ...
11
votes
7answers
907 views
How do I improve my attack speed?
This question is a little different than a previous question on speed and footwork. Recently my sensei critiqued my sparring, saying my block and counter techniques are pretty strong, but I'm lacking ...
10
votes
9answers
539 views
What material should be covered in a rape-defense course?
Many martial arts schools have outreach programs either open to the public or at local colleges, high schools, or youth programs that are of a limited duration (one day or a handful of sessions) and ...
10
votes
5answers
5k views
Mouth guard / gum shields - tips?
I've recently starting light sparring (Muay Thai and Boxing) and use one of those single boil+bite style gum shields.
How often should I need to re-mould it as it seems to have lost it's fit after ...
10
votes
6answers
338 views
What exercises are safe (or not) for total beginners?
I am kind of a total beginner. I did some Tae Kwon Do when I was little, but I don't take that much into account, considering everything; I always liked Martial Arts and everything that revolves ...
10
votes
9answers
300 views
Start attacking instead of blocking while sparring
I have been practicing kung fu for the past one and a half years. I can do head level basic kicks like roundhouse, side and front kicks but when I spar I don't feel like attacking the opponent. I seem ...
10
votes
4answers
175 views
Avoiding breath lockups
I am beginner at aikido and when I train, for some reason I tend to hold my breath when I should be exhaling. Mostly during falls and techniques where I'm nage.
Is there a way to get rid of this bad ...
10
votes
8answers
2k views
What are good exercises for building grip strength for judo and BJJ?
I'm looking for exercises to help maintain a grip on an opponent's gi while pulling them around. There are two elements to this: strength and endurance. Meaning, I want my grip to be hard to break but ...
10
votes
5answers
1k views
Exercises to improve balance when kicking
When performing kicks, I quite often lose my balance, which results in me being positioned in a stance where I'm more exposed to attacks. This is normally due to me trying to raise my leg for the ...
10
votes
6answers
573 views
What are the ways to get sweat stains out of a Gi?
I find even with things like Napisan etc my Gi ends up with stains around the neck and Sleeves. Are there any ways to keep it pure white?
10
votes
2answers
243 views
“Aikido is first and foremost BUDO”
The above sentence has been attributed to O'Sensei and I'd like to use it as a motto for my dojo's website.
Problem: I can't find a reliable source about when/where he said this. Or a proper Japanese ...
10
votes
3answers
164 views
Are students with disabilities tested differently?
I don't use testing when I teach; I observe and promote when students are ready (hopefully avoiding various observer effects). That said, I judge individuals based on their individual capabilities and ...
10
votes
6answers
639 views
What is a good defense against a rear naked choke?
Within the context of Brazilian Ju-Jitsu and its rules:
Assuming you are on the ground and someone has your back and hooks in, is there a defense to a rear naked choke? Or is the only defense to ...
10
votes
2answers
524 views
Should I train differently to spar guys who are bigger than me?
I am a 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. I have a few tournaments coming up and I am training in my sparring techniques. I am 12 years old with 2 national sparring championships (and on the ...
10
votes
7answers
713 views
What's the difference between Internal and External martial arts?
What is the difference between External martial arts and Internal martial arts?
