Martial Arts

[Pax]

Another here for Thai Boxing and BJJ.

There are MMA gyms in just about every city in America, OP. Find one in yours, they'll teach you the essential techniques. The plum, knees, elbows, blood chokes and common joint locks are just about all you need.

[pmarc]

Every style by definition has limitations otherwise it is no longer "that style" and even "concept arts" like JKD still have some defining parameters otherwise every person in the world could rightfully call themselves a JKD practitioner.

And as a result of those definitions and limitations, each one can fail under the right circumstances.

I thought that was a given.

I mean, since I started training Kombato (and FMA a bit before), my master made us aware of that fact. Then, it starts seeming obvious.

But, when there are egos attached, or people are so devoted to their particular style, they stop seeing the whole picture and start thinking that their particular system is end-all be-all.

==
Kombato is a reality based seld defense system, created in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil in 1989. Since then, numerous LE and mil units have trained in some form or another. Many regular civilians (like me) have trained too. Most of our techniques were adapted from traditional MA and a few were designed to fill in the gaps.

For instance, the basic curriculum of Kombato consists in BJJ, Muay Thai, Boxing, along with several security concepts taken from mil/LE units. It is a two-way street.

However, without those "theoretical" concepts, the physical part is just that. The theory is the "secret spice".

[NCPatrolAR]

To me; martial arts are comprised of "systems" such as Brazilian JiuJitsu, TaeKwonDo, Escrima, etc. Practioners of those systems take the material and make it their own "style". As an example, my BJJ game isnt the same as others that started training at the same time and at the same place as me.

When it comes to the Atlanta area; you have a million options. Here are just two options:

Jacare/Alliance BJJ - http://www.alliancebjj.com/

Francis Fong - http://www.francisfongacademy.com/

[Mac1]

Agree with the Boxing. Great foundation! Spontaneity, non-telegraphic motion, zone awareness and fear management are all gained.

[SteyrAUG]

I thought that was a given.

It should be, sadly it isn't.

It's almost as sad/comical as the guys who form a simple eclectic system and honestly believe they have created a new style. Every 10 years or so I have had the privileged of watching the new batch of experts "discover" an entirely new martial art system.

My personal favorites are "life and death" techniques proven in the arena of a "sporting contest" with rules.

The only sad part of the whole situation is all the the valid information that has been lost in favor of these various absurdities.

[sniperfrog]

I think the hard part about training martial arts is finding a good school that really knows what they're doing. I would recommend Muay Thai, BJJ, boxing and the Filipino martial arts as well.

Muay Thai is probably the best for stand up. Savate is also some really good stuff.

Boxing is also great especially for the defense work.

Some guys are against learning groundfighting and say "I don't want to go to the ground in a street fight". I agree, which is why I train BJJ. You may get taken to the ground or trip and fall. Boxers and MMA fighters will often times slip in the ring/cage and end up on the ground and that is with no obsticles in there way. With BJJ, you learn how to gain a dominant position so if you want to stand back up, you can, or you can finish it on the ground. BJJ is not just about the guard position. We stress in our school to always work for the top position.

That said, there are alot of really good BJJ schools that are very sport oriented and therefore, not always the best for learning self defense. BJJ is kinda going the way of TKD and getting "softer". If you're going to train in a groundfighting style, it's good to have a school where they put the gloves on and do some light striking while on the ground. It's an eye opener even for experienced grapplers.

Filipino Martial Arts like Kali/ Escrima/Arnis and Indonisian Silat have alot of weapons (stick/knife and improvised) training. Alot of real violent encounters involve some type of weapon. FMA has alot of good footwork drills to help avoid getting tagged. There is alot of good empty hand stuff as well.

Do some research because alot of schools just jump on the "flavor of the month" with no real training in it. The instructor might watch some videos or attend a one day seminar and then start teaching something they really no very little about.

[MerQ]

+1 for Muay Thai or Brasilian Jiu-Jitsu.

While both are regarded as "dirtier" styles by some other "experts" of other martial arts style they are infinitely more useable in a real fight than most other styles. That's what you would want or need as fights can turn ugly or "dirty" fast. It is what it is though the end goal is to make it back home in as close to the same manner in which you left it.

Krav Maga is another good one but many not in the know or, ignorantly at best, associate it or feel it's synonymous with women's self-defense. I've done Shotokan and Shorin-Ryu in the past for about 6 years total. Great styles in the right situation but not the most effective in a modern fight.

[DiabhailGadhar]

OP,

I have quite literally spent a lifetime dabbling in martial arts, there is no correct single martial art out there that is "hands down better" then the others it is best to do what the military has done and take what is most useful for a given situation from a multitude of Martial Arts and use them in combination. Then follow that up with moves/strikes/throws that you are most comfortable with and employ them correctly! I hate to coin a frase but there truly is no replacement for " Speed, Stealth and Violence of Action" prepare your body to apply those things with strength and speed and all the ninja training in the world wont be a match. Always remember everyone has a punchers chance but the quicker you take away their initiative the better you'll stand in the end.

That being said I will go +1 on kick boxing/Muay Thai and BJJ/Gracie JJ, even the Gracies will teach you to having a few moves that you can execute almost without fail, is better then knowing every move in the book. Those are excellent, not perfect, for standing and ground work, but to get them there I would recommend Judo. The way Judo was explained to me was like "get on a porch roughly 4ft high and then jump in the air and land without being able to catch yourself thats what its gonna feel like til you figure out how to fall.

Finally once you have the fundamentals down....SPAR, SPAR, SPAR!!!! You cannot, like the guy said earlier, replace live real world training period ever.. However that doesnt mean roll up and sock dudes at a bar...thats only fun when there is you and four of your Marines with you...lol. Now I've rambled for eight pages.....

[Axcelea]

All ready good styles have been mentioned like Systema, Brazilian Jujitsu, Krav Maga, and such although they are not the only good ones including no names.

Mostly you have to find a proper school, teacher, training partners, or combination of them as you will run into schools, teachers, etc that teach a bastardized version of a fighting art which turns it into glorified exercise.

It won't likely be that pretty, seems down right dirty, not flashy, etc but those are ussually the work horses of hand to hand. Grappling with someone for a knife, try and poke their brain with your thumb through their eye socket although its frowned upon as cowardly, can be disgusting in the minds eye, etc but its hellishly effective and easy.

[elephantrider]

I have been training in BJJ and Muay Thai for several months now. Several other have hit many important points, but I thought I would share my thoughts and experiences on starting in martial arts.

- Select discipline(s) that cover both standup/striking and groundfighting. It is tought to beat BJJ for building confidence on the ground. If you have to go to two diffent schools to get these, then do so.
- Shop around and make sure of the quality of the training that each school is offering. Find out about the quality of the instruction and instructors. Have the instructors had any professional or amateur fights. How did they do? How well do the students do in amatuer fights and competition?
- Most schools should offer a first lesson for free. Take them up on this and shop around for a school that has what you are looking for.