All Questions
2,306
questions
75
votes
16
answers
7k
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, but a scenario where resolving the situation without ...
69
votes
11
answers
188k
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 ...
56
votes
20
answers
12k
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 ...
55
votes
19
answers
52k
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 ...
46
votes
19
answers
4k
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 ...
41
votes
15
answers
45k
views
Why do martial artists "shout" in the execution of a technique?
When I see people doing forms, competing, or breaking blocks of concrete or wood with their hands, they are always vocally expressive in what they are about to do. What names does this "shouting" have ...
37
votes
25
answers
19k
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 ...
36
votes
8
answers
12k
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 ...
33
votes
13
answers
20k
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 MMA/...
32
votes
10
answers
74k
views
Are there legal ramifications to being a trained martial artist? [closed]
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 ...
30
votes
12
answers
31k
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?
29
votes
6
answers
15k
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 ...
29
votes
8
answers
2k
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 ...
28
votes
24
answers
52k
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 ...
26
votes
5
answers
86k
views
Are there any effective Kung Fu fighters in MMA?
In my opinion, Kung Fu fighters seem to be stuck into their own environment/technique. I say this because I've never seen any Kung Fu guys fighting (for real/professionally) in a fight with MMA rules.
...
26
votes
16
answers
10k
views
Self-defense against chainsaw attack
Is there any "style" or self-defence that teaches techniques against chainsaw attack.
E.g. if somebody attacks you like this video
I don't now how to defend myself. Either I could run away or attack ...
26
votes
7
answers
6k
views
To what extent do (should) judo and BJJ overlap?
I'm fairly well acquainted with the history, concepts, goals, and methodology of judo and BJJ. I realize that BJJ evolved from judo, and that both involve takedowns/throws and chokes and joint ...
25
votes
5
answers
908
views
How can I respectfully raise concerns about class difficulty level/teaching 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 ...
24
votes
8
answers
3k
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 ...
24
votes
9
answers
7k
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 ...
24
votes
8
answers
17k
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 ...
23
votes
14
answers
89k
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?
22
votes
7
answers
51k
views
Is hitting hard objects really effective in making bones harder?
In several martial arts (e.g. karate, muay thai), there are methods for toughening body parts (such as the fists or shins) by hitting them against hard objects. I am an amateur martial arts fan and ...
22
votes
7
answers
6k
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 ...
22
votes
7
answers
73k
views
How do I increase hip flexibility for round kicks?
In the process of doing a round kick, or roundhouse kick, you need to turn your kicking leg over, to be perpendicular with your body. When I do this I loose significant height on my kick and can ...
22
votes
8
answers
41k
views
How can one practice well alone?
I started learning a martial art about 5 years ago, and I did it for 2 years. I very liked it, however I had to stop.
I didn't want to lose what I've already learned, so I kept practicing. Alone.
...
22
votes
3
answers
49k
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 ...
21
votes
23
answers
7k
views
Is it possible to learn Martial Arts (Kung Fu in my case) effectively without sparring?
I want to enroll in a martial arts school in my neighbourhood. The lessons are given by a shaolin monk and the few lessons I followed were really intense and interesting. When I asked if we were going ...
21
votes
5
answers
12k
views
Ju-jutsu vs Jiu-jitsu?
What's the difference between Ju-jutsu and Jiu-jitsu? In Sweden we only have Ju-jutsu and I have noticed that in the USA they have both Ju-jutsu and Jiu-jitsu and they look like the same thing.
21
votes
7
answers
1k
views
How can I become a good training partner
So after an enforced retirement from football (the Australian kind) due to being knocked unconscious in two consecutive games I demanded my parents let me take up martial arts instead. Several ...
21
votes
5
answers
6k
views
How should a novice train if unable to join a dojo yet?
I have wanted to start learning a type of martial art for a long time, but my lifestyle didn't help (I have lived in 5 countries in the last 10 years, changed location at least once in each of those ...
20
votes
9
answers
39k
views
Is it good to practise punching a wall? No place for punching bag
I don't have a place for a punching bag in my home. I wrap my hand in a cloth or a bandage and practice my kick boxing punches on the wall, along with knuckle push ups. My master told it isn't good ...
20
votes
14
answers
31k
views
Self-defense against a bigger charging opponent
What options do you have against a bigger opponent charging like a lineman? (not just punching or kicking, but using his body-weight to overthrow you).
20
votes
6
answers
16k
views
Getting more comfortable sitting in 正座 (seiza)
We often end up sitting in 正座 (seiza) for some time during class. This is much longer during demonstrations and gradings. In addition, a whole corpus of techniques (suwari waza, ghosin no kata) do ...
20
votes
2
answers
973
views
How can one maintain or rekindle discipline and passion in martial arts?
As I understand it, you have to have a passion for the path you choose when learning martial arts, and it is a life long process.
But I have met people who's passion dwindled and they no longer had ...
19
votes
8
answers
3k
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 ...
19
votes
13
answers
14k
views
What are the advantages of using a vertical fist for punching?
There is vertical fist punch in Hapkido as well as some Chinese martial arts and in older styles of boxing, but I see it a lot less in modern fighting and sparring.
What are the advantages and ...
19
votes
14
answers
10k
views
What's the difference between Internal and External martial arts?
What is the difference between External martial arts and Internal martial arts?
19
votes
6
answers
2k
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 ...
19
votes
5
answers
12k
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 ...
19
votes
1
answer
889
views
Has Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu been recognized as a form of Jiu-Jitsu in Japan?
In North America, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practice and instruction is quite different from what is found in schools of Jiu-Jitsu that describe themselves as Japanese.
Are the two martial arts still ...
19
votes
7
answers
4k
views
Is Static Stretching Before Practice Beneficial, Harmful, or Something In-between?
Among runners there are a fair number of studies out there right now that static stretching before exercising, at least if you aren't doing it now, doesn't reduce your risk of injury and in other ...
18
votes
5
answers
7k
views
Is being angry a prerequisite for sparring?
My sensei says while sparring you should express your inner tiger. My understanding is that I should be savage and angry. But I don't like being angry! Is it possible to be good at sparring without ...
18
votes
13
answers
3k
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 it?...
18
votes
5
answers
2k
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 ...
18
votes
10
answers
2k
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 ...
18
votes
16
answers
11k
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 ...
18
votes
6
answers
2k
views
How to improve my skills when I'm highest ranked
Recently I moved to a new city. I have been training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for more than 14 years.
In my old academy, I used to have partners of all ranks and sizes; this is very important in BJJ. ...
18
votes
7
answers
2k
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 ...
18
votes
7
answers
4k
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 behaviour,...