Kilts in martial arts

[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

[Nighthawk]

Now this is an interesting question! I just spent the whole weekend fighting kilted. I am in a living history group called the Renaissance Scots. We do a lot of sword fighting. Most of us do it kilted- myself included. Most of us study formal martial arts- myself included. Personally, I find moving in stance to be a lot- and mean a lot- easier in a kilt I study a form of Shotokan karate. My best friend is an 8th degree black belt in Shotokan and Jujitsu, and is a shiatsu... massage... person. He combines all three. We use the grappling and holding techniques of Jujitsu, the raw, nasty, brutal power of Shotokan, and the gentle pressure point applications of shiatsu massage. Those pressure points are the most interesting things! The same pressure point that can relax you to sleep one way can bring you to screaming agony with just the slightest twist of the wrist! My friend is a very formal, very old school instructor, though, so if you aren't in uniform (clean and pressed) you don't stay in class that night. So I practice at home kilted, with my broadsword. It's made me really fast with the bamboo swords that we duel with in my living history group- but not quite fast enough... I got nailed in the forehead this morning... I have a nice wee lump on my noggin. But if I didn't come home injured, then in wasn't a good weekend! This is the YouTube page of one of the guys I fight with.

***Funny Aside*** I was in my back yard practice kata a couple weeks ago when someone from ADT Security came to the house. I heard the doorbell ring, and I yelled that I was in the back yard- come on back. I finished my kata, and then went to talk to the guy. He asked me if I knew there had been a breakin in my neighborhood. I didn't. He asked me if my security system was active. I told him "Yes it is. I figure it's more for the good of anyone breaking in than it is for my own protection, though. The security system will get the paramedics here in time to keep you from bleeding to death on my carpet." I held up my sword and said "This my good friend Ragnar." The ADK guy got this horrified look on his face and said "Man, I feel sorry for any idiot breaking into this house! Thanks for your time!" And he went away. I would point out here that I was wearing my SWK Nightstalker kilt, black boots and an Iron Maiden t shirt, so I suspect I was a fairly terrifying sight. If you haven't seen me, I'm 290 lbs, with long redish brown hair and look lot Imish from Braveheart.

So- does this do anything to answer your question about me practicing kilted? By the way, I would love to learn Krav Maga. It sounds like a great form. Problem is, my classes are almost free. I just moderate the website to pay for my training. Good luck with yours!!

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

I loved watching those vids!!

[Nighthawk]

I think I've mentioned it here before, the Indonesian martial art of Silat is traditionaly practiced using a tube sarong, get the (incredibly expensive) video at http://www.coldsteel.com/vdfs.html
Silat would be very compatible with a kilt.

I did Tae Kwon Do all thru high school (early 1980's), up to brown belt, I thought it was the greatest until I checked out a Kali/JKD school, it was a rude awakening to say the least, I thank god I never got in a fight knowing just TKD, especially against someone with a boxing or wrestling background. It was fun learning the spinning kicks, I still practice them but would not try them on the street. I also dabbled in Kenpo and Aikido in the late 80's.

I currently have a black belt in Kosen Ju-Jitsu (been doing it for about 7 years) and I will probably do more Wing Chun and Kali as I get older (I'm pushing 40), and start doing Tai Chi or something once I retire.

I'm not sure I would want to be wearing a kilt if I got attacked, especially if we ended up rolling on the ground, where nearly every fight eventually ends up. Unlike Lazarus Long, I don't have a blaster strapped to my thigh under my kilt.

I love sparring Tae Kwon Do students. I get in close so they can't use their legs, and it's all over. Yeah, it wouldn't do you any good at all in a street fight. My friends style, on the other hand- he tailors particularly to be a useful form of self defense.

[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 !)

[thoth51]

I think I've mentioned it here before, the Indonesian martial art of Silat is traditionaly practiced using a tube sarong, get the (incredibly expensive) video at http://www.coldsteel.com/vdfs.html
Silat would be very compatible with a kilt.

I'm afraid I must disagree.



The sarong as you can see, is worn OVER pants, and even so the traditional wear is mostly reserved for performances. In training and tournaments, silat practitioners usually wear a black gi like garment, sans sarong:



In most forms of martial arts, it seems there's a bias towards pants.

[RobertStewart]

I must say I had to laugh a bit when I saw this thread...I've had similar thoughts myself, and was glad I was not the only one. I have not studied Krav Maga, but I have looked into it. It is quite interesting, originating in Israel after WWII. I have studied Soo Bahk Do for two years, and was very happy to earn my first Dan while stationed at Osan Air Base in the Republic of Korea. Practicing in a kilt there would not be acceptable, however I might be able to talk my instructor back in the US to let me

[Fit2BKilted]

...but in all other respects, kilts are ideal garments, given the freedom of movement and lack of potentially binding structures; however, I would be more concerned that a heavily laden sporran might be a hindrance. Still, I prefer to train in the nude, on my own; and conform while in class. Nonetheless, my style disdains high-kicks in favour of solid dynamic balance and efficient movement; so, employing it in combat while maintaining one's modesty, regimentally kilted, would perhaps be somewhat more probable than while employing other arts. I have already noted that sitting seiza and in other popular meditative postures is easy whilst kilted.

[morrison]

Wear a kilt that you are less concerned about catching blood on it. If this martial-arts course of training is as serious as it should be, an accidental nosebleed via your sparring partners inability to avoid your nose will occur and you will bleed. Maybe your sparring opponent will bleed on you also.
It WILL happen if you are serious in your training. You will also become a better defender of your nose afterward.
Good luck.
Kick ***!

Ahhh ten ........hut
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KILT . . . .
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. . . ON.