Originally Posted By: NGRhodes
Originally Posted By: buster
Originally Posted By: JC1
I'm sure they guys who are experts in Krav Maga would show us a thing or two.
Krav Maga is a great system. Unforunately, it's been watered down by "bad" Krav schools/instructors. I prefer Israeli Krav Maga. This place is near me and I'm going to be attending it late summer. One of the best in the country.
http://www.israelikrav.com/
What you find is unless you are training against a "resisting" opponent, you won't gain much no matter what system or style you are training in. MMA gyms are probably the best places to train to really learn how to fight and defend yourself. You're going to learn Brazilian Jui Jitsu, Muay Thai and actually spar. Sparring is crucial to really learning. I just finished up a 3 month program at an MMA gym. The guy at this school blended BJJ/Muay Thai and Karate.
The majority of martial arts places show you forms (katas) and they are practiced against someone who is just standing there. That's useless. Sparring is where you learn what works and what doesn't. You learn distance control, how to take a hit, build your stamina and gain confidence. In the most basis sense, you need to be somewhat proficient at striking and ground defense. Boxing is a great base art.
The same can be said with the classical arts like Wing Chun, TKD, JKD, Aikido etc. Unless you are sparring against a resisting opponent, you're not going to actually learn how to use it. That doesn't mean learning the art is a wasted effor though. It's still good for the mind and body. A martial artist is going to avoid a fight, not engage in one.
The best self defense is to avoid a fight at all costs.
True.
The style is fighting in Bourne Movies is based on Kali/Escrima/Arnis. They do stick fighting, I used train in this for a bit, we used to spar with Hockey Masks and gloves, we got bruised weekly on arms and legs (body shots were banned). The speed is insane with stick fighting and after 6 months with sticks my Muay Thai that I did in parallel felt like slow motion. I consider it a great compliment to BJJ/Muay Thai, but on its own lacks a bit on the empty hand resistance training.
Nice! I've been wanting to learn Kali/Arnis. There was a group around here that was teaching Balintawak but they didn't renew their rent and were apparently looking for a new place but it's been months. I think Kali/Esrima is a great art that compliments the arts you mentioned.