Comments on: Why Learn Martal Arts? Hint… Fighting?

By: Zara

Zara — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 13:00:56 +0000

I fully agree with Marc G.: in my old dojo we didn’t even practice striking pads and mitts, obviously this will not lead to effective striking and so for years I walked around doubting if I could ever really defend myself (regardless what system or style you practice: it’s always a good idea to hit hard, hit fast and hit often) if the shit hit the fan. The statement about the lack of competence in a lot of teachers is true imo: it’s pretty sad when you go to seminars and see higher belts that basically can’t defend themselves (obviously the result of poor teaching) or training with black belts only to reach the conclusion you’re much better than them. I still remember the time I had to tell a Nidan when attacking he shouldn’t leave his fist hanging… Clearly his belt wasn’t worth much more than the price you’d pay at a convenience store.

The outlook of martial arts schools (whatever the style) should be pacifistic (meaning violence is only to be used as a last resort) but combined with a professional mindset: train hard (develop yourself both mentally and physically), respect your training partners and your sensei and never forget the ultimate goal of the techniques. A well trained martial artist should be a credit to his teacher, himself and his art and should be able to give a good account of himself regardless of the reasons he started training in the beginning. To me this is the least you can expect, I think we can all agree on that.

The observation in the last paragraph is paradoxical but true: ultimately you learn to fight so as to never have to use it. Those who are fundamental pacifists and abhor violence even in self defense will be clueless when fists start flying (or worse) and ironically expect others to use force to defend them and their homes. Some would call this hypocrisy… If we lived in a perfect world there’d be no need for fighting but unfortunately the world’s less than perfect and there are a lot of bad and stupid people out there. Reminds me of an old samurai saying that still holds true today: ‘the sword that cuts down evil is the sword that gives life’.

By: Marc G.

Marc G. — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 14:06:47 +0000

Great Post John. I think most of the problem with martial training is that fighting itself has become so frowned upon socially that noone wants to even think about it…even if it is at the core of the art they are practicing. Don’t misunderstand me, fighting was never a good thing. But, to be so apprehensive about the concept that people start inventing other reasons (almost like excuses) to train cuts the most valuable assets out of the art from the outset. Couple this mentality with the fact that so many “instructors” today are themselves barely competent in the arts the are meaning to teach and/or willing to sell belt rankings, and you end up with a great deal of confusion about the value and original intention of the martial arts themselves.

Essentially, the more you are able to defend yourself, then (for the most part) the more confidence and stability you project to others out in the world…therefore, greatly reducing the chances that you will need to actually fight. Don’t look/act like a victim and most likely noone will try to make you one.

By: Ryan C

Ryan C — Wed, 11 May 2011 16:14:31 +0000

John and Ryan I agree with both of you. I practice kyokushin karate and we definitely believe in contact at our dojo. Knowing Kata and practicing Kihon help get improve your overall all technique but it is important that any practicing martial art know what it feels like to hit and be hit.

By: John W. Zimmer

John W. Zimmer — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 14:12:11 +0000

Thanks for weighing in on this Ryan. I’m conflicted on the non-contact schools because on the one hand they teach all of the moves but on the other kids don’t get a chance to feel what it is like to punch and get punched.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 23:50:18 +0000

Interesting article! I totally agree with you on the subject of black belts needing to be able to fight. I also agree that it is hard to believe that someone who is younger than 16 would have the body frame to hold their own against an adult. Lastly, I think that non-contact schools don’t really teach their kids martial arts and how to defend themselves. If you get in a fight and you’ve never actually punched or kicked someone for real before, I’m not sure that you’ll do too well.
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By: John W. Zimmer

John W. Zimmer — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 05:07:14 +0000

Hi Randombloke,

Sounds like a wise sensei you had. I’m surprised by how young some black belts are too. I would be hard to imagine that they could truly be an expert at fighting.

Thanks for you comment.

By: randombloke

randombloke — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 02:24:35 +0000

I agree with you here, doing martial arts for way over half my life, and will continue most likely till I can’t move around on my own no more.
My first sensei told me something when I was 9 years old which I didn’t understand till much later.
“We learn and practice how to fight in order not to fight”
I’m still young just under 30, and today it makes sense. I got my Shodan YAY doesn’t mean anything. It’s the training in it self, it’s clarity with which I can approach people because I know I can defend my self that counts. When I see some of the martial art schools around the world when I travel I’m again again genuinely shocked to see 10-12 year olds run around with black belts in a Dojo. Shodan is a sign of coming ‘age’ in my book the color of the belt doesn’t matter, once you’re a good proof of ‘age’ skills and wisdom then you may call your self Shodan