The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post

Para Bellum · January 8, 2005, 04:35 PM

Hi,

The martial arts can be divided into three fields: Self-Defence, Martial Sports and so-called "Soft" Martial Arts.

Self-Defence need not be graceful, fair or an appropriate subject of competition. It need only be effective and easy to recall. Focussing on real-life situations, self-defence systems need to provide for appropriate and reliable ways for a suprised defendant to protect him/herself without taking risks. Self-defence therefore rather be radical and simple. The best self-defence system I know is ATK.

Martial Sports have a totally different aim. Though they mostly originated from real-life combat techniques, they have changed in order to give a forum for fair competition. Sometimes they are as far away from self-defence as olympic fencing is from an ancient swordfight. They give rise to tremendous athletic and acrobatic performance. Such Martial Sports are e.g. TaeKwonDo, Judo, Karate, Wrestling and (Kick-) Boxing.

"Soft" Martial Arts should not be misunderstood. Although they focus on the art as such, they can be very tough. Usually they take very long to be learned and don't provide a forum for competition. E.g. Aikido and Chinese Kung-Fu Styles are usually neither practiced for athletic nor self-defence purposes. However, they can be extremly demanding and effective once one has reached master's skills.

To come to an end: Try to get some real self-defense training from military personnel. If you can't. Jiu-Jitsu is the most comprehensive system I know. Forget Kicks and Punches. You must do it as a sport 3x a week to get it right and effective. And there is nothing more pittyful than a grappled boxer. Judo is a good sport. It is the "soft-way (ju-do)" and basically jiu-jitsu with all the effective stuff left out (because it's no sport if you werck your sparring partner in a second).

Stay safe.

January 8, 2005, 04:35 PM	#8
Para Bellum Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2005 Location: right there Posts: 1,882	No Arts please. Close Quarter Combat, Military style Hi, The martial arts can be divided into three fields: Self-Defence, Martial Sports and so-called "Soft" Martial Arts. Self-Defence need not be graceful, fair or an appropriate subject of competition. It need only be effective and easy to recall. Focussing on real-life situations, self-defence systems need to provide for appropriate and reliable ways for a suprised defendant to protect him/herself without taking risks. Self-defence therefore rather be radical and simple. The best self-defence system I know is ATK. Martial Sports have a totally different aim. Though they mostly originated from real-life combat techniques, they have changed in order to give a forum for fair competition. Sometimes they are as far away from self-defence as olympic fencing is from an ancient swordfight. They give rise to tremendous athletic and acrobatic performance. Such Martial Sports are e.g. TaeKwonDo, Judo, Karate, Wrestling and (Kick-) Boxing. "Soft" Martial Arts should not be misunderstood. Although they focus on the art as such, they can be very tough. Usually they take very long to be learned and don't provide a forum for competition. E.g. Aikido and Chinese Kung-Fu Styles are usually neither practiced for athletic nor self-defence purposes. However, they can be extremly demanding and effective once one has reached master's skills. To come to an end: Try to get some real self-defense training from military personnel. If you can't. Jiu-Jitsu is the most comprehensive system I know. Forget Kicks and Punches. You must do it as a sport 3x a week to get it right and effective. And there is nothing more pittyful than a grappled boxer. Judo is a good sport. It is the "soft-way (ju-do)" and basically jiu-jitsu with all the effective stuff left out (because it's no sport if you werck your sparring partner in a second). Stay safe.