Martial arts discussion thread

[SharkyMcShark]

I'd say the best defence against five opponents AC is learning to, what is referred to in this neck of the woods, "pissbolt".

[Bartrim]

The best thing to do is the first rule we are taught at karate. Avoid the Situation. If there is somewhere you go/hang where people are harrassing you then I would suggest changing where you hang out or contacting the police.

From a technical point I've found the style I learn to be very practical. I study Kumiai-Ryu. We actually had one session last year about being attacked by multiple opponents and how life isn't like a cheesy 80's action flick where they attack one at a time.

http://www.krmas.com.au/mainpage.html

[GoktimusPrime]

I'd say the best defence against five opponents AC is learning to, what is referred to in this neck of the woods, "pissbolt".

Avoid the Situation.

All excellent advice. The best way to survive a fight is to not get into them. Self-defence techniques are useful in the unlikely event that avoidance is not an immediate option - i.e. if your attacker is obstructing your nearest exit. Even then, your self-defence should primarily be about making said exit available again then running for it at top speed. Staying around to fight when you don't have to is just stupid.

[GoktimusPrime]

Took some photos yesterday of Animated Rodimus doing various kicks. The names of kicks may vary from other styles/schools, but I'm just gonna use the names I'm familiar with.

Heel Stomp Kick
Similar to the Front Kick or Forward Kick, only that it impacts with the heel of the foot, not the ball.

Side Kick:
The kicking foot should be rolled over so that the side of the foot is in contact, but the limited articulation of the toy's foot doesn't allow me to do that.

Shin Kick:


Lift Kick:
My favourite.

Door Shutting Kick:
aka Roundhouse Kick

Backward/Reverse Whipping Kick:

[Autocon]

whats the best way to gather strength in your kicks and punches? building muscles or repeated action? both?

the whipping kick looks hard to produce strength behind it to do any damage

[GoktimusPrime]

whats the best way to gather strength in your kicks and punches? building muscles or repeated action? both?

Both. Buy yourself some velcro strap on wrist/ankle weights and wear them during training.

the whipping kick looks hard to produce strength behind it to do any damage

Not all kicks are necessarily used for striking. The whipping kick is used as a 'dumping' move - typically preceded by hooking your foot behind an opponent's whilst simultaneously placing your hand on their shoulder, then simultaneously sweeping the leg back while tilting forward and pushing forward hard on the shoulder (hence why Rodimus' left arm is pointing forward)... you're then pushing the opponent through their centre of gravity (what some martial artists refer to as the Dan'tian).

[GoktimusPrime]

Just a recommendation: Tai Chi's Silk Reeling (more instructional video here).

Regardless of what style you do, I find this exercise to be beneficial for both fighting form and conditioning. Firstly, the movements are said to summarise what the arms do in every single fighting style. Some styles may do it in a more contracted way*, others may do it in a more expanded way**, but it's still fundamentally the same movement. Secondly, by moving the arms (and body) in multiple directions like this - and you can hold hand weights or strap on wrist weights while doing this exercise - it targets all the muscles in your arms and shoulders, and not just one isolated muscle or group of muscles as you would if you were doing say arm curls (which primarily focuses on the biceps).

But either way, I find it useful to practice forms with weights. Usually with strap on wrist and ankle weights, but I sometimes practice holding onto hand weights. There's nothing wrong with doing regular weights, but this just saves time - you get to practice your martial arts form and do weights at the same time. Also, practising your form slowly with weights on helps IMO. Slow form practice is good because it allows you to focus on your techniques (which you can often miss by moving quickly) and of course, with weights on you feel the burn more as your muscles have to carry the weights as you move through different positions slowly (whereas when you move quickly, momentum does half the work for you). It also helps your posture and balance too (especially when you're slowly extending and retracting your kicks and holding them with ankle weights strapped on)

------------------------
*Note that the movement in 0:18 of this Shotokan Karate video is essentially the same as in 0:18 of the first Silk Reeling video link posted above, only more contracted.
**The movements seen in this Aikido demonstration are basically the same as silk reeling, but more expanded - particularly obvious/visible in 1:09

[GoktimusPrime]

Took some photos of Darkmount doing various punches (hand attacks)... as best as the toy's articulation would allow of course.

Uppercut


Roundhouse Punch


Straight Punch - knuckles vertical


Straight Punch - knuckles horizontal


Knife hand strike to lower ribs


Wrist strike to jaw


Wrist strike to groin


Palm heel strike to groin (usually followed by grab, twist and tear)

[Bartrim]

Had my first lesson back from injury last night and I was allowed to take it easy. We got to do a bit of grappling which was fun and I managed fine. The sensei was kind enough to partner me with a senior student who took it easy on me.

Then there was a problem...

I got partnered with a teenager who started around the same time as me. Not a bad kid but a bit wild and very sloppy. We started to do self defence take downs. The first thing we are taught when taking a partner down in sparring is to control them so they don't hurt themselves. We are also taught break-falls. So anywayI'm the agressor first and while sorting out this kid's technique, he just comes forward and takes me down. Doesn't guide me, no chance to break fall and BANG I pop my shoulder. I've complained to sensei numerous times about this kids lack of control. One the Sempai's who is a qualified physio got it sorted for me but it's really sore today but it really annoyed me.

[Bartrim]

For anyone thinking about taking up martial arts it's not that hard