Kilts and Martial Arts...

[GTRMAN]

Being a martial artist, myself. I was wondering if any of you have martial arts experience and whether or not you've ever trained or worked out in a kilt? What was your experience like?


I found that kicking is MUCH easier in a kilt as there is almost NO resistance or binding on the legs. You may give your opponent a little surprise, though, as you're kicking him in the head.
As far as punching goes, I've found that a kilt can actually be a good training tool.. Any boxer or martial artist worth his(or her) salt knows that the power from a punch or kick should come from the hips(not the arms or shoulders). If your punching technique is correct, your kilt should actually swing quite a bit.

[Alan]

I am also a student and part time instructor of martial arts. I have not yet tried it in a kilt but the freedom of the kilt would certainly make kicking easier.

[GTRMAN]

I am also a student and part time instructor of martial arts. I have not yet tried it in a kilt but the freedom of the kilt would certainly make kicking easier.

Which art or arts?

[Caradoc]

Being a martial artist, myself. I was wondering if any of you have martial arts experience and whether or not you've ever trained or worked out in a kilt? What was your experience like?

I've studied judo, jujitsu, aikido, some savate, and lately Krav Maga.

I'm no black belt in any of them.

Jo no kata in a great kilt is interesting, trying to keep the ends of the staff from tangling in the folds. Bo no kata is easier than jo because the longer staff puts the ends farther away, and the staff tends to sweep hanging cloth out of the way instead of tangling.

The sporran gets in the way in close quarters throwing repeated knee strikes (I've never tried throwing kicks above the waist in a kilt other than the close-quarters knee strikes).

Standing grapples aren't any different, and most throws have no difference, but groundwork is VERY different.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Not a student myself, but I am pretty MacGregor in WI is into the arts and has worked out in his kilts. Sure he will chime in when he sees this thread.

[JayFilomena]

I have only gone to the Black Belt tea ceremony in the kilt, but never trained in it.

[Sciuropterus]

My background is mainly Kosen Ju-Jitsu (black belt), Tae Kwon Do (brown belt when I was in high school-20 years ago!) and Kali (Inosanto style, some Pekiti-Tirsia) With a bit of Silat, Wing Chun, Kenpo & Aikido. I have never done martial arts wearing a kilt, but Silat is traditionally done wearing a knee-length sarong. I would not want to end up rolling around on the ground in a kilt, otherwise I would not see a problem.


I am scheduled to be helping teach a state-recognized law-enforcement ground fighting class in May.

[Big Dave]

I found that training in a cilt works quite well. I've been doing Martial Arts since I could walk (my Dad insisted on it). I started with GoJu Ryu Karate (my Dad was one of the founding members for the GoJu Ryu Karate Club in Steveston), than went to Kendo, Judo, Aikido, Street Style and have been practicing Yang style Tai Chi Ch'uan (very martial style) for a number of years. So yes, practicing in a cilt dossn't have the restriction that pants have. (Although Kendo pants, which are like Aikido pants, are really nice to practice in).

[GTRMAN]

I found that training in a cilt works quite well. I've been doing Martial Arts since I could walk (my Dad insisted on it). I started with GoJu Ryu Karate (my Dad was one of the founding members for the GoJu Ryu Karate Club in Steveston), than went to Kendo, Judo, Aikido, Street Style and have been practicing Yang style Tai Chi Ch'uan (very martial style) for a number of years. So yes, practicing in a cilt dossn't have the restriction that pants have. (Although Kendo pants, which are like Aikido pants, are really nice to practice in).

I could see how training in Hakama would be very comfortable and "free"..

[GTRMAN]

My background is mainly Kosen Ju-Jitsu (black belt), Tae Kwon Do (brown belt when I was in high school-20 years ago!) and Kali (Inosanto style, some Pekiti-Tirsia) With a bit of Silat, Wing Chun, Kenpo & Aikido. I have never done martial arts wearing a kilt, but Silat is traditionally done wearing a knee-length sarong. I would not want to end up rolling around on the ground in a kilt, otherwise I would not see a problem.


I am scheduled to be helping teach a state-recognized law-enforcement ground fighting class in May.

Along with TKD I also mix in Sayoc Kali as my TKD instructor is also a master in that system.