Martial arts discussion thread

[GoktimusPrime]

It's a shame we all live so far apart otherwise we could have an Ozformer fight club It's one thing to talk styles but I would really like to see others styles to compare plus I would love to get in some more sparring time.

if we were only all in the same area

+1. That would be an awesome idea if we lived in the same locale (or had teleportation devices ). It's so hard to discuss this kind of stuff in text, whereas when you talk about this stuff with people IRL it's much faster and more efficient! I find it's a case of "a move speaks a thousand words."

anytime your up Brisbane way your more than welcome to join me for a spar or swap techniques/ideas Gok

Thanks dude, and likewise.

Just be carefull starting up a 'fight club'... as in don't call it a fight club lol. That sort of name will attract unwanted attention and has negative connotations. Forming a training group can be great though, I have been part of one in the past and learnt some interesting concepts and techniques that I wouldn't have normally been exposed to. One thing to watch though is if people get hurt. I would hate to see you on the end of some nasty litigation if one of your training buddies get's injured and decides to sue (may never happen but in today's day and age you have to consider it). As the organiser you may be held responsible? Maybe someone here who has legal knowledge could advise??

I've organised and participated in informal training gatherings before too, and I did look into the legality of it. My understanding is that it falls under third party public liability - which means that whoever hurts someone else is legally liable. It's pretty much the same liability that happens for any other sport activity run by private individuals. For example, we could form say a cricket team and play/train in the park. If say Bartrim were to hit me with a cricket ball and I sustained injury, then he may be liable. This is why martial arts schools take out insurance which covers them in the event of injury.

But I think that within reason it would be possible. If anyone here is thinking about starting up such groups in your local area, here are some suggestions:
+ Agree that everyone participates at their own risk.
+ Only allow people who have a prior martial arts training/experience participate.
+ Agree to a set of rules for the sake of safety. If someone doesn't agree, then don't train with them. For example, the last group I was involved with was with MMA and MT fighters. After I badly hurt one of them in the groin, I purchased an external groin guard for my partners to used, but at the next training session, they refused to wear it -- more concerned about just not targetting the groin rather than wearing it for safety. So I refused to continue training with them and left the group.

...basically, you just use common sense. Train hard, but keep each other safe.

I would also consider purchasing training equipment too. I personally have chest protectors, head protectors, groin guard, shin guards, mitts, focus pads, kick shield, boxing bag, gym mat etc. -- so I'm equipped to practise with other like minded MA enthusiasts. I guess I just gotta build some contacts around my area. I know one guy near who lives near me that I used to train with. And I've started forming a rapport with some of the people I'm training with at GKR, so I might be able to get some of them on board (particularly one brown belt who seems promising and has expressed his frustration to me about his training).

Another thing I've enjoyed about these informal training groups is that you get to meet a variety of people of different MA backgrounds... you don't get that so much in MA school settings where most people are trained in the same style. So it's a good way to test your own training/style against others too... cos often you see people fight a certain way and think to yourself, "I wonder what I'd do against that?" You can theorise all you like, but you'll never know unless you try. The worst injury I've sustained from training outside a school was a bruise near my rib after trying out some European Broadsword! I totally suck at weapons.

[KalEl]

+1. That would be an awesome idea if we lived in the same locale (or had teleportation devices ). It's so hard to discuss this kind of stuff in text, whereas when you talk about this stuff with people IRL it's much faster and more efficient! I find it's a case of "a move speaks a thousand words."


Thanks dude, and likewise.


I've organised and participated in informal training gatherings before too, and I did look into the legality of it. My understanding is that it falls under third party public liability - which means that whoever hurts someone else is legally liable. It's pretty much the same liability that happens for any other sport activity run by private individuals. For example, we could form say a cricket team and play/train in the park. If say Bartrim were to hit me with a cricket ball and I sustained injury, then he may be liable. This is why martial arts schools take out insurance which covers them in the event of injury.

But I think that within reason it would be possible. If anyone here is thinking about starting up such groups in your local area, here are some suggestions:
+ Agree that everyone participates at their own risk.
+ Only allow people who have a prior martial arts training/experience participate.
+ Agree to a set of rules for the sake of safety. If someone doesn't agree, then don't train with them. For example, the last group I was involved with was with MMA and MT fighters. After I badly hurt one of them in the groin, I purchased an external groin guard for my partners to used, but at the next training session, they refused to wear it -- more concerned about just not targetting the groin rather than wearing it for safety. So I refused to continue training with them and left the group.

...basically, you just use common sense. Train hard, but keep each other safe.

I would also consider purchasing training equipment too. I personally have chest protectors, head protectors, groin guard, shin guards, mitts, focus pads, kick shield, boxing bag, gym mat etc. -- so I'm equipped to practise with other like minded MA enthusiasts. I guess I just gotta build some contacts around my area. I know one guy near who lives near me that I used to train with. And I've started forming a rapport with some of the people I'm training with at GKR, so I might be able to get some of them on board (particularly one brown belt who seems promising and has expressed his frustration to me about his training).

Another thing I've enjoyed about these informal training groups is that you get to meet a variety of people of different MA backgrounds... you don't get that so much in MA school settings where most people are trained in the same style. So it's a good way to test your own training/style against others too... cos often you see people fight a certain way and think to yourself, "I wonder what I'd do against that?" You can theorise all you like, but you'll never know unless you try. The worst injury I've sustained from training outside a school was a bruise near my rib after trying out some European Broadsword! I totally suck at weapons.

mutual training is awesome if organised and controlled well. some of my best experience come from this type of setting