OT: Looking for a new thing...
 

like, OMG, Im posting a thread of my own!
I know this is a funny question, but what the heck
I'm a pretty big guy (6' 3" and 260 to 280 pounds) and I've been doing a lot of weightlifting lately. I've gotten pretty strong I guess, no earthshattering number or anything. Next, however, I want to learn a martial art, but there are too many. I want something I can actually beat the tar outta punks with (Im not really that violent, but it sounds cool), and something suited to my body type, which I think is more oriented to brute strength. Judo was recommended to me by an exercise trainer, but I'm not sure. Anyone here with experience?

Re: OT: Looking for a new thing...
 

Well I'm Ichi Kyu in Shotokan so naturally I'd suggest Karate. I had a friend who was about your height and size and he's a Blackbelt so I guess it fits, however I would have guessed Judo (not that size has ever stopped me throwing somebody). Being big would stop people throwing you a bit and it is suited to strength. oh and a true Karate-Ka does not want to "beat the tar outta punks" http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

Re: OT: Looking for a new thing...
 

About MArtial arts,.. I don't practice any, but I have learnt that avoiding a blow is better than blocking it, and if avoiding the blow is not possible, I can usually redirect it out of harms way. I have never had to throw a punch at anyone. But once this bully got an urge to smash my teeth in and I managed to avoid or deflect all of his attempts. Several times he found himself on the ground. When he would throw his punch in rage, I would grab his wrist and redirect the force to the side. I never took martial arts, but it always seemed logical to me that if someone pushes, pulling will always send them off balance. if I pushed in return, the bigger would prevail, and In my youth I was almost always the 'smaller' guy.

I once sat in on a Karate lesson that my friend was taking (with a group of about 20 other students. When I saw them doing the punch/block thing I made a comment that it was such a waste of energy to block, and winding up to make a punch was counter intuitive. the Teacher heard me and said that it was a fundimental instinct to block, and karate was about doing thing in a natural way. I told him that was stupid. He asked if I would like to learn to block, I said I didn't need to. He then told me to get up and try to block one of his punches. I was game, so I got up, stood in front of him, he was nice and showed me the moves and all, then when he said 'Ready' made strong punch towards me, I turned slightly to the side, gragged his wrist and pulled and redirected his momentum to the side of me. He took a tumble. and I stood there looking at him. He was not a happy Teacher. He told me to get out and never come back. LOL And I never had the intention to embarass him, I just thought that blocking a punch was wrong.

Anyway, enough reminissing.

Cheers! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: OT: Looking for a new thing...
 

I've taken Judo and Karate. Judo is much more practical IMHO; or it was 25 years ago when I took it.

Re: OT: Looking for a new thing...
 

If that is all you see in martial arts, that being acquiring the ability to beat people up to a pulp using fancy kicks and punches, I'd have to, frankly, say don't bother and would advise you to learn boxing instead. But should you want to learn how to practice self-defense rather than the ability to inflict bodily harm upon others, I would recommend Jujitsu or Aikido or Wushu.

Re: OT: Looking for a new thing...
 

Agreed.

Re: OT: Looking for a new thing...
 

David:
What you describe is Aikido. It's a passive form of fighting. You're not attempting to block, but to avoid a punch. And when your opponent is taking a tumble, you can land a punch of your own.

Great story btw. Must have been embarassing for you friend too. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

Re: OT: Looking for a new thing...
 

Yeah, what he said. Tell us more of the aftermath.

BTW, what's the name of the discipline Bruce Lee invented?

Re: OT: Looking for a new thing...
 

Jeet Kun Do

Re: OT: Looking for a new thing...
 

Nah, I was exaggerating. I would never start a fight, I'm seeking something I know I can use to defend myself and others.