Martial Arts Advice Anyone?

[Guest Shoes Head]

I've been wanting to pursue martial arts of some sort for awhile. Hell, even BOXING would do. I'm interested in being able to defend myself as I've moved into what could be considered "the ghetto." I'd preferably not carry a firearm (even though in my neighborhood I would, no doubt, qualify for a permit) and I'm interested in getting an edge out here.

 

Problem is, most martial arts academies I've seen around are just feel good family fun get togethers and they don't teach you very much technique. I remember back in high school I saw two black belts, one second degree and one first degree, get their asses kicked on separate occasions because they didn't know shit. What are the indicators of a genuine martial arts school where I can LEARN? I realize it will be HARD but I'm in pretty good cardio shape and I'm dedicated. Being that this is a wrestling board I'm sure some of us here are some pretty badass shooters or know a few....let me know what to look for.

[Guest Brian]

I recommend Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, if possible. They usually teach you both self-defense and martial arts technique. Most of the teachers are very respectable, as they basically come out of a small camp.

 

Where are you?

[Guest Shoes Head]

North Philadelphia.

 

EDIT: In addition, what would I look for in a martial arts academy? You know, that would let me know that they're going to TEACH me something, not just a lame cliche family session.

[Highland 0]

American style kenpo. It works for me.

[Slayer 0]

I was always a fan of grappling arts like judo and BJJ, myself... I was never one for throwing kicks or breaking boards with my penis or things like that

 

I guess that doesn't help you though does it

[Nevermortal 0]

Definitely go with Gracie Jiu Jitsu. The Gracies are among the top tier of the toughest motherfuckers alive.

[Renegade 0]

Just take up boxing. You'll probably have easier access to boxing training.

[Red Hot Thumbtack In The Eye 0]

learn how to kick the other guy in the nuts.

[MrRant 0]

Learn to do battle in a manner similar to Amok Time.

[Guest Quik]

Dude, just buy a gun. If a couple of gangmembers have you surrounded, they're probly just gonna kick your ass ten times harder for busting out the Preying Mantis fighting stance.

[Guest Shoes Head]

^^ Yeah, but then *I'M* looking at manslaughter charges for "excessive force."

 

On a sidenote, the Gracie's have a school in philadelphia with 2 classes a day, for 60 bucks a month unlimited access...as many classes as you want to take as much advancement as you want to take. I'm going to check it out!

[Guest Nanks]

All of your training is going to go out the window when you get pistol-whipped.

[MrRant 0]

Or if a woman decides she is going to whoop your ass.

[Red Hot Thumbtack In The Eye 0]

This site has some decent info on training and shit.

 

http://mmaathlete.com/

[Nevermortal 0]

http://bjj.org/

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

There's actually a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school up the street from my house I've been interested in taking since it opened. It used to be the Franklin Kung-Fu Academy, but has since become Tae Kwan Do, Boxing, and BJJ.

[Nighthawk 0]

Jiu Jitsu looks like garbage even though it works, technically. It plays well in a tournament... don't trust it in the street. I recommend Aikido or Judo (or both), but whatever you do, mix it with street fighting, knees and elbows and so forth. Don't let the honor of martial arts slow you down. Learn to punch really hard. You will be amazed how far a single knock out punch can carry you.

[Guest Brian]

It works great in fighting, because a lot of it is idsengaging the other person. I've been training in different disciplines and I find that my wrestling/grappling does much better because often, if you get into a confrontation, you can avoid injuring a person. You still get the striking, you just often can work around it in most situations.

[Nighthawk 0]

Against one guy, yeah.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Nowadays you should be able to find a Mixed Martial Arts class. I'd say take that one as you'll learn more well rounded fighting techniques and don't have to follow the dogmatic bs that a lot of Martial Arts have. Rather than worrying about tying a gi, you'll get right into all levels of fighting. Of course, it's good to check out the reputation of the gym as is the case with going to any dojo.

[Hektik 0]

I would suggest taking up Muay Thai. I took it as a teenager at a dojo in my neighborhood. Eventually I switched over to Ken Shamrock's Lions Den, when he opened it up in San Diego. Try to look for a dojo with a good reputation.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

Learn to brawl and arm yourself to the teeth. Buy a good gun, too. I don't care how many blackbelts someone has, they're not stopping a bullet. You'll get in trouble for beating someone up as well as shooting them, so why are you letting the looming spectre of the law matter? The bottom line is staying alive and unharmed, with personal property in your posession.

[Guest DVD Spree]

Learn to brawl and arm yourself to the teeth. Buy a good gun, too. I don't care how many blackbelts someone has, they're not stopping a bullet.

Well, Keanu Reeves learned kung-fu and he could stop bullets so.. oh wait, that was a movie.

 

Well, I've been a karateka for 17 years now, and from the very beginning all my instructors had always preached the value of learning more than one discipline. Boxing is a good place to start for conditioning, fighting instincts, and how to throw solid blows using your fists (which, as aforementioned, which will get you a long way).

 

Season this with a discipline that revolves around striking with the feet as well if you so choose, but the truth is that in street combat, footwear and fashion severely limits your kicking ability. But definitely brush up on some trapping/grappling arts to back up your striking - fights with either be over in a couple of punches or, likely if you're brawling with a big fat guy or football player-type, will end up on the ground as a wrestling match. Learn how to throw a punch and apply a joint lock and you're as armed as you can be.

 

For good street-style martial arts, Filipino fighting systems such as Kali and Silat are largely overlooked.

[AboveAverage484 0]

DEFINITELY take Muay Thai or Thai Boxing. Gives you a great workout, and is great for self defense. Also, much easier to use in a street fight than BJJ.

 

For those who don't know, Muay Thai employs punches, kicks, knees, and elbows in training, making it the most versatile stand-up art in the world.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

Krav Maga is the most practical style I've seen. It's focused on incapacitating someone as quickly and efficiently as possible through striking vital areas, and places that inflict a lot of pain, or are disabling. There's a lot to do with disarming someone, too, which would be useful if you've got a crackhead waving a knife at you.

[Guest BDC]

I did an undergraduate thesis on this stuff:

 

1) Find something that you're suited for. I'm not strong enough to exercise the ability to grapple effectively. I know HOW, but I prefer not to simply because I'm not terribly good at it.

 

2) Find something that fits the way your body is put together, if you're looking at specific systems. Tae Kwon Do is great if you're a long legged-person, but it's punches are horrid. Muay Thai is a great style for knees and elbows, but it's really limited on kicks. Boxing is fantastic for hand work, but that's about it. Find something that fits, work on it, then cover other areas.

 

3) IF you're wanting practicality for self-protection, AoO is right. Krav Maga was designed for the Israeli military to deal with people that were armed when you were not. It inflicts incapacitating pain hard and fast. I would be practicing it IF I could find the school around here. Unfortunately, it's either shut down or very well hidden. The forum that's found here seems to have lots of locations.

 

The black belts you were dealing with, I believe, were probably victims of bad training. If you're never trained to fight in any format other than no contact or point sparring, you have a serious problem. Most traditional schools have this tendency of not allowing real training and thus, you never get used to hitting or being hit.

[Guest ramsdell]

http://www.mattfurey.com/streetgrappling.html

[Guest BDC]

Hit up this link for Krav Maga training schools:

 

http://kravmaga.com/Home/Training_Locator/...ng_locator.html

[Black Lushus 0]

anything involving grappling, considering most fights wind up on the ground anyway...

[Guest Shoes Head]

Hmm thanks all. This krav maga looks interesting and there's a school right in south philly too.