Martial Arts Discussion

[Yaish]

I was taking Krav Maga last year and I love it. I had to stop due to finances, but things are finally getting right and I hope to start back up again next month.

Its a very powerful style, focusing on simple practicality over everything else. No katas, no forms, just simple, easy to use, and effective techniques.
Within one class you already had a good set of basic skills and some choke breaks, and it just progresses from there. Everything is very linear too. All the advanced moves are really just combinations/elaborations of the simple basic moves you learned on day one.

Granted, I havent gotten that far into it yet but it definately is an effective form for self defense. After I advance in Krav, I wouldnt mind taking some MMA that focused on whatever I find Krav to lack, but against the vast majority of opponents Krav Maga seems very effective.

One thing that that really struck home when I started the classes was how tired punching and kicking can make you. Really, I think as much as the techniques themselves, simply building your stamina and endurance for punching and kicking will hold you in good stead in most street fights. If your opponent tires first, they will probably make the first mistake, and that should be all it takes...

[Archangel]

Not to defend against the people not bashing Karate, it all comes down to the instructor. If that person is not able/willing to break down all the potential application of the kata, then the student cannot learn them. If the instructor only teaches tournament style, then the student will not have street applications.
All MA styles lead to the mountain top where they become one. The student can only go a little further than the master before needing a new master.

One of my favourite glory moments was a young lady I taught some techniques to in a Saturday beginner noon class. (Street [real] applications of a traditional yellow belt kata sequence.) After the class she was to meet her friend downtown. Two guys tried to rape her in the parking lot. When they pinned her to the car, she went right to what she had learned less than an hour before. She knocked one out, and scarred the other and ran. The police went through the downtown bars and found scarface, then they got groggy buddy, and they're both still doing time.

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together.