Kilts in martial arts

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

... end 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.

Ahhh, but to HAVE a blaster to strap under my kilt! Still wonder where exactly it goes and how large a weapon it is!

But beyond that, ol' Buddy Boy would never end up wrestling/rolling on the ground unless it suited him to finish his opponent that way!

Oh Robert, where are you now that I have discovered kiltdom? And for those that might have known him, did he ever wear a kilt or have an opinion on the subject? Steve?

[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.

[Andrew Breecher]

Then I say go for it! If you're ever going to need to fight in a kilt, it will be good to learn how it feels.

Andrew.

[Yaish]

Iolaus said, but pretty much there is no formality to Krav Maga. It was actually created in the 40's as a means to quickly training the Israeli Defense Forces in some sort of hand to hand combat that did not require extensive, long term training.
Its all based on natural movements, practical conditions, and effective techniques. There is no formal belt system, though most places do 'belt testing' just as a means for students to measure their progress. Its really just a totally boiled down, no holds barred (literally) method of hand to hand combat.

There are no competitions, because there is no way to 'score' a move. A successful move against an opponent would leave them injured, so its not really something you can get too competitive in. The normal attire for the class is just T-shirt and track pants, but as I said some people will practice in their winter coats, dress pants, etc... to see how the different clothes affect their techniques.

Since I am always kilted, it only makes sense for me to practice kilted. As much as I might not like to get in a fight and have to roll around on the ground, since I am almost always in my kilt, if it is going to happen, thats how its going to happen.

[Archangel]

I would go with two philosophies which sound contradictory. The first is practice hot, compete cool and the second is to train for reality. The question really was answered by your instructor: this style is a "hard style" and experiential school. You will learn very quickly if you can train in a kilt, yourself.

I probably would not wear the kilt, for this I'd wear, I don't even know what they're called, I buy them at value village. They're the weight lifter showy things with velcro waist, and a heavy sweat shirt. (In the formal class, I wear a heavy gi.) The concept is to train in a more awkward setting than the anticipated challenge. At the same time, the second philophy comes in: if I'm training for self defence, how does my normal wear work in that situation. It's a very critical part of the preparation. So, once in a while, I'd wear the kilt but I already know the fighting attributes of the kilt from childhood.

I was judging "sparring" (full contact black belt isn't sparring anymore) and there was a competitor from this style who came to fight in his normal clothes. There was a formal protest over his (non-traditional) clothing but the official response over-ruled based on his instructor's confirmation that street clothes was their normal uniform. (I can't remember how well he did, at that level, all styles are basically the same.)

[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