Kilts in martial arts

[Iolaus]

But martial arts often have their own traditions and garments that go with those traditions. When practicing, I wouldn't want to wear a kilt if there is another traditional garment associated instead.

I can't say for sure, but I don't think there is an "official" garment for this particular discipline. Krav Maga was developed fairly recently as a practical "street fighting" method of self defense against both hand-to-hand, and modern weapons (firearms). As such, like Yaish indicated, the focus is on end results, not on following strict rules and form. From what I recall, the idea is to tap your natural abilities and reactions into a defence/offence capability without having to learn a lot of extremely technical kata. Having a strict uniform policy would seem to be counter-productive to adapting the discipline to real world use.

[wlogwihlas]

I practice Aikido and while it wouldn't be a hinder; I wouldn't wear a kilt while bowed in. I do wear it to the Dojo though. Krav Maga is a awesome self defense to learn...if its good enough for the Israeli army, it should be good enough anywhere. I have wrestled and such in my kilt and it can be a little tough to be quite honest. I don't know how much of Krav Maga training is on the ground but armbars and such are hard to do in a kilt. p.s. if you get tired of Krav Maga and want to learn a kinder more gentle martial art...try Aikido.

[Eric Peterson]

Krav Maga should be practiced in whatever you would be wearing normally. I have been in TKD for about 7 years and get ribbed about wearing a kilt to class, O.K. Mr. Peterson will lead the class today and demonstrate jumping kicks....I would not necessarily use TKD on the street in a self defense situation, in that sense I would not practice TKD in a kilt. My wife takes TKD and has practiced Krav Maga and Krav Maga she practiced in street clothes.
There is my 2 cents, hope that helps...

[TheKiltedCoder]

Our Hapkido school is pretty formal (we're all in judo-style uniforms while on the mat). However, my being kilted now is a direct result of trying to find something that fit as loosely and as comfortably as my judo uniform.

Obviously, if I ever had to use any of this in real life, having something that I can move in will be a tremendous advantage. Yes, my opponent may get flashed for a split second, but he'd have other things to concern himself with shortly.

[Highlander31]

Krav Maga is an excellent fighting form. One of my team had trained in it (my own training over a twenty year period consists of Judo, Kenpo, and JKD.) Krav Maga was not known in the U.S. when I started my training in 1963. You should train in what you normally wear. I trained in business suits and street clothes. Though I did have a minor altercation while in a kilt. I came away from that experience with the realization that I had not thought about how the kilt would move during a "close personal negotiation."

[Mark E.]

New guy here...this may come a bit late, but there are a few points not brought to bear on this side of things...

#1-most instructors will require you to wear groin protection-whether a cup and strap or compression shorts with a cup, you don't get a choice. Beyond that, it's pretty much up to you what you wear.

#2-A lot of martial arts is balance. If you master that, nothing you wear will hinder you-whether it's shorts, bluejeans, or a space suit. You walk into a fight buck nek'd against a fellow wearing plate armor who knows how to move, you are done.

#3-Fighting is NOT a fashion show. Keeping your **** alive/concious is your top priority, modesty is second.

Mark

[DamnthePants]

Ive faught Kilted before, though arguably you could say it was part of the style. It does allow, for me at least, better vertical and horizontal movement:

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzmY_...e=channel_page

[mercop]

I have been thinking about this recently. I have not been in any fights as a civilian since I was say 17. As a police I was in hundreds without exaggeration. I patrolled on and around Rt 40 between Baltimore and Philadelphia. Kind of a rough area. I hated uniform pants and worked in BDUs whenever I could get away with it. Nothing like having full range of motion.

My core are is Yoshin Ryu Ju Jitsu and includes Kenjitsu and wearing the Hakama. If I had to wear civilian clothes to a street fight it would be a kilt. It would allow the flexibility and range of motion to do the most with my Ju Jitsu and Judo.

I teach combatives of all types for a living and would have no problem with a student turning up in a kilt. I am pretty new to kilts and plan on wearing them in class myself depending on the class base.- George

[Johnx14]

I think it should be fine if you Master/Sensei. I've never worn mine to the Dojo, take it that take Hapkido and because I'm not aloud too. very strict Master and very uniformed. ever body in Gi's but i do practice out of the Dojo in it. and I like it. it lets me have a-lot of movability make me wish i could ware it the class. so if you can by all mean do it.

[Lachlan09]

Two Scotsmen were looking at a man performing martial arts.

One Scotsman asked the other “Is that kung fu ?”

The other Scotsman replied “Naw – probably jist had a couple o’ pints !”

(followed by corny muted trumpets - wah wah wah waaaaahhh !)