Martial Arts & Fighting Forms | Asian American Poll

MARTIAL ARTS & FIGHTING FORMS
(Updated Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025, 06:39:09 AM to reflect the 100 most recent valid responses.)

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WHAT YOU SAY

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I have a 4 year old son who shows extraordinary balance, strength and physical abilities. He likes to do "make believe" martial arts, and actually seems to have a certain grasp of some of the moves.
Can someone recommend to me what would be a good beginning into martial arts for him? Judo? Jeet Kune Do? Tae Kwondo? It may not be offered in my area, but hopefully...
I am seeking a form that can instill in him some discipline as well, some inner harmony. He likes doing Tai Chi with daddy, so if that attitude could be strengthened, it would really help in the development of his maturity and self esteem.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions...
Happy Clan Wednesday, March 06, 2002 at 08:01:58 (PST)

"UFC being the ultimate form of martial skills, Monks doing demonstrations of strength....all fine and good. But toss them in an alley in NYC or LA and they'll just end up as crime stats for the month."

I trust the ability of a trained athlete in Judo, boxing, wrestling, muay thai or a UFC competitor than your ass.

NHB Tuesday, March 05, 2002 at 17:10:11 (PST)

"I don't see what's the point in Hapkido or TKD if all you want to do is learn about street fighting. To do that you just get involved in a lot of street fights."

A lot of people do martial arts for self defense. They want an controlled environment to practice something effective. And you are telling people to get into street fighting to learn? If that is the case, the military should not bother train its soliders, instead just send them into battles.

"I don't see why people translate the competive martial art environment into the streets and vise versa."

There is a difference. But certain arts are more realistic to street fighting than other.

"No martial system trains an individual to take on 8 armed opponent simultaneously in confined quarters. And no street fight awards 1 point for clean body hits and 2 points for clean head hits with three 3 min rounds."

Ture, so as you suggested, we should all get into street brawls to learn street fighting?

"I really think it is the inexperience of posters on this board in street and tournament fighting that is causing all this BS to fly around on this board."

Stop acting like a tough guy. I really doubt you know that much if all your learnings were done on the street.
Jay Tuesday, March 05, 2002 at 17:06:38 (PST)

"If TSJ handle is really a representation of the CA base youth gang, you should really know what I'm already talking about."

TSJ used to be a youth gang, but now they are working with the Triads. They just kind of slipped in when Wah Ching, the established Triad for many years, was suddenly attacked by Wo Hop To, an invading Triad from HK. They literally knocked each other off one by one. There were two smaller gangs called Jackson Street Boys and Toi San Jai. They ended up just filling the void. However, once again, I'm not a member of any gang. I just use the moniker because my very first post was about gangs. haha

Here's another thing to ponder. Most kung fu schools here are aligned with the Triads/Tongs. So, in essence, they are training you for gang warfare.

"But toss them in an alley in NYC or LA and they'll just end up as crime stats for the month."

If it was a fair one on one, or even two on one, I have no doubt the UFC guy will handle it just fine. Just pure intimidation factor alone will fend people off. Even a dude with a gun will crap his pants when he sees some super huge guy like Kevin Randleman standing right in front of him. When it because a mob jump, like ten guys attacking one, then obviously, no man will survive. Furthermore, UFC may not be the ultimate test of street survival, but it is the best practical showcase of it currently available.
TSJ Eric@KristinKreuk.net Tuesday, March 05, 2002 at 12:26:42 (PST)

Kung fu or karate whatever you wanna call it. Its very ineffective. Dont practice the dumb katas or forms, they are so lame. You gotta adapt and quickly using fast, powerful and unrelenting series of blows to end the fight. Try learning strikes of different martial arts then practice them on a bag for a while. Use what works, finally fight with a friend using pads. You will learn a lot and very quickly on what works and what doesnt. JKD is a very good reference. Jeet kune do, bruce lees, very efficient and powerful. Practice like you are really in a fight. What are you going to do in a form or kata??? thats queer. I saw my 5th dan karate teacher who has 25 years fight like a sissy. Sure he has muscles but he had a hard time even taking down a little brown belt. Lame I left the school soon afterwards. I challanged 5 guys same size as me or bigger to fight me at the same time. They all had higher belts than me. They turned down the offer. Cause they are so inefficient with there fancy katas. I Think the gi is totally gay. You are not going to fight in a gi. dont trian in one. train using what you were every day so when you get in a fight you know the feeling. Also use the heavy bag. 75+pd. I saw some higher leval guys, they had good form but they never hit the bag. Then when they do, they bounce off like a little 2 yr old girl. If you dont hit the bag and bleed your knuckles you will get wooped in a real street fight. Some guys cant hit hard becuae it hurts their hands. Lame. Bottom line. Practice like in a real fight, find what works use it, skip the tradional BS and katas, weight lift, and you will be a formidable fighter.

Soldier of God Tuesday, March 05, 2002 at 11:28:17 (PST)

AC Dropout

Sure there are differnt views on this board. We can agree to disagree. I happen to feel UFC type of training is the most effective training one can have for street fighting. It is not street figthing, but it is the closest to it. Not everyone has the inclination to test their skills on the street just for fun.
While you may diagree with this view, it does not mean you are better versed in fighting than I am. Your statements made it sound like you are the tough guy and everyone else are just idiots.
NHB Tuesday, March 05, 2002 at 11:19:09 (PST)

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