I was reading some other threads of similar subject matter, and decided to pose this question. Do you feel that the training you have received in your chosen art will protect you in a real confrontation?
My own answer is yes. We spar hard w/contact. It’s not full speed and contact, but it’s real real close. We also spar two on one. We condition heavily too. Do I think I’m a bad azz? Absolutely not. I can’t stand up straight, much less open big ole cans of whoop azz on people. lol I am confident however that the techniques I’ve learned, coupled with the hours of training & conditioning I’ve put in will be adequate enough for me to survive a confrontation w/the average would-be attacker. If there’s a gun involved; REALITY CHECK: NO KUNG FU CAN STOP A BULLET. lol Anyway, just a question to get some conversation going. Peace, Love & Happy Training.
I would never presume to know all the variables in a given confrontation. So, I can only do my best to defend myself.
Boxing, Karate and Kungfu training has refined my understanding of fighting, but ultimately it is “me” who will be defending myself and not my style.
the style is a tool that helps the student/practitioner learn principles of motion, striking,breathing,evasion etc etc. The style is not going to be what saves you, it will be your wits, and your ability to keep them.
a “style” has never won a fight. It’s about the individual and the ability they have to do, or fail.
Well said KL. I hope I didn’t come off as arrogant. I don’t assume to know all the variables either. Still, I know what it feels like to take a punch, a kick, and get swept really hard. It may not be 100% full contact (healing from that takes away from training time) but it’s better than getting hit for the first time ever in the street, imho that is. I also agree that it is how the individual responds to the situation as opposed to what style MA they study. I’ve been a victim of violent crime, that was part of my motivation for studying MA. I was just curious how others felt about the martial side of their art. I’m not even close to being a bad azz. Even if I were, somebody badder’s coming down the walk as we type. Peace
“The style is not going to be what saves you, it will be your wits, and your ability to keep them.”
I think of a carpenter who builds a frame. They use tools to build the frame. They use their wits and ability in doing so. Without the purpose of the frame/form they cannot show their ability nor wit~. Purpose is required to show.
The arrow penetrates but not without drive. It is said guns kill, yet they do not penetrate.
The arrow and bullet penetrate with devestating~ results. The results are achieved by the Individual. But the individual who through the Framework of an intention or style.
Everyone breathes. It sounds insignificant and all do it much the same. The breath passing through differing forms becomes significant With that form/styling.
Breath through a flute. That insignificantly sounding breath through this styling has greater significance…That same breathing~through a tuba sounds different, yet still has significance. As with through the stylings of harmonica or trumpet or didjeridoo greaterly significant. The breath formed or styled more than merely breating without purpose, being formed/styled. We are more noticablly significant perhaps when we have style~ through which to be.
Kung Lek, an Individual using Tiger/Crane Style Might Win a fight.
My Kung Fu has already protected me from three drunks at a party…
There was this older guy at the party, about 24-25, About 200lbs. He was obviously drunk, because he talked sht to my friend when he complemented the girls of that city. Anyhow, I had to pee, so I went out back to relive myself. It was cold, the first snow I’ve seen in Texas since 1985. I was enjoying making yellow snow when a snow ball struck me in the back of the head. I shaked the snow off and continued my new favorite past time. Another one hit me this time in the ear, so i look behind me only to see the older Fck and two of his buddys preparing snow balls. I think nothing off it again, as a matter of fact I was considering throwing a yellow snow ball at them. About the time I finished my business, something hard hits me in the small of the back. So I turn around only to have a snowball with a rock in it hit me in the forehead. I start throwing snowballs back. As I reach down to pick up another hand full of snow the oldest one grabs me from behind. Instantly my training kicks in and I hip toss the fatman into his two chronies. I began walking inside, when I hear behind me “GRAB HIM!” Chronie #1 jumps up onto the deck and grabs both of my arms from behind. Chronie #2 makes his way up to the deck to take his postition to the right of me. Then here comes the big-bad drunkard I just tossed. As he makes his way up the deck, He says “You never throw me,” and reaches back as if to lower the fist of the gods right on my face. Again, My training kicks in, I snake my right arm out and Pheonix-eye fist him in the bridge of the nose. I was aiming for the upper lip, but I had a few drinks and my aim was off…Anyhow about that time Chronie #2 hits me knockin’ my glasses off. As I fall I elbow Chronie #1 in the face knockin’ him down with me. Chronie #2 trys to kick me while I’m down, but alas too many drinks messed up his aim. About this time a really good guy, whose name I never caught , comes out side pushes Chronie #2 down and picks me up. About the time the fight was broken up, I look over to the edge of the deck to see the man I struck just getting up…his nose was obviously broken seeing how he was kneeling over a mound of red snow…
I think if I didn’t know Kung Fu, I would of had my ass handed to me and wouldn’t of made the old f*ck look as stupid as he does today…
CPA - Sounds like me and you’ve been to some of the same parties. lol The reflexive response you spoke of is just what I was asking about w/this thread. I know you’ve studied a few different MA’s. Do you feel that one taught you more than the other in terms of real fighting? Or are you in agreement w/KL in saying that it is not the style, but the individuals response to the confrontation? Glad to see there were no legal rammifications for you CPA, or were there?
Almost a legal rammification, ol’ buddy tried to get 6 of his friends to kick my @ss on the way to the car, and I was considering calling the cops. But then I would of been arrested for mutual combat. Luckly a lot of people didn’t like the guy before the party so I had a posse too, but I’m glad there were no more fights the rest of the night…
I think its a combination of the different MA’s I’ve studied. And the fact that before I was in MA I boxed a lot. I think no martial art can prepare you entirely for a real fight. Its a lot of mental stress , so in a since KL is right. It takes a person who can remain calm and examine the situation to be a good fighter. Many people either panic or get angry. This causes the opponent to get sloppy.
I also feel that too many think I spar hardore and therefor I am ready for the fight.
IME, this is from seeing a few friends in confrontation.
A fight ensued and they froze and started to hesitate to fight.
Why??
Because all of a sudden they realised this is not sparring or training, there is NO protective gear, mats, etc on either of them, there is nobody to stop them if it gets too far.
Sparring alone won’t prepare you for the real deal., you also need to be mentally prepared to cause injury and be injured in return.
Lots of what I see online about guys saying we are soo hardcore and tough, IMO, is a lot of mental masturbation.
Sparring, competition and ring fighting are not the real deal, they can help towards preparing you for the real fight.
LC - You make good points. Having been in the “real deal” both before and after my MA training I can say you are correct. Sparring has no resemblance to the real thing. All it can do is help you put “what ifs” into 3D. I also think it’s a lot of fun.
That must be the charms associated with the “know how”,patience,culture,wisdoom,experience,tranquil force…bank account and “control” of the fully mature man.
All of this makes good Kung Fu for a lady!
Wait until she starts trying to dress you unattractively!!! :eek:
And if any attractive older woman smiles or says hello she’ll ask in that droll awfull deadpan voice, “Who’s THAT!”
And if any attractive older woman smiles or says hello she’ll ask in that droll awfull deadpan voice, “Who’s THAT!”
To which, the only appropriate answer is, “My Girlfriend, why?”
Old at 25? You must think I’m ancient at 28. 
