There is usually more than 1 application per move. My question is does it ever go too far?? i.e. a block and strike (basic application) but the block can also be used as a throw or the block and the strike can be used as a joint lock…etc. Are we going off course of what the move was actually designed for? Are we making up new techiniques for an existing move? If so, there is techniques in everything such as brushing our teeth (elbows to the right, elbows down and spit at your apponent) or opening a car door. Am I looking too deep into kung fu?? Any input??
Sometimes, a cigar is just a cigar.
Well the method and the power help to define the shape… but even then there’s still a bit of room for interpretation…
This is what happens when you’re fighting an imaginary opponent.
“This is what happens when you’re fighting an imaginary opponent.”
WORD!
i suppose almost any bodily movement can be used to hurt someone if they’re in the wrong place at the wrong time. (or is it right place at the right time ?)
Like if i go to open my car door, and some guy’s face is in the way I might accidentally poke one of his eyes out right ?
Or if I were to kneel down to tie my shoe, I might unknowlingly evade a ninja’s kick toward my head! Which would be totally sweet. From that point on I could name the technique as a "deadly ninja evading / shoe-tying multi-purpose technique!.
I think part of being a martial artist is looking for and discovering adaptability.
For instance if you train a particulr punch, but find it also works wel in some instances as a lock or a block, then why not use it as such as well?
Not only that, but as you train all of these things, when you get into a situation where your using it, whether sparring, competition or real life, those little nuances may come out in that moment of decision.
Here’s my opinion on simple vs complex and why most people really fail to get most TMA.
Sport fighting arts are designed to be used in a time constraint. They are also designed to train a person as quickly as possible to begin competing. Sports fighters also acknoweldge across the board that you’re limited to the time you will be in your prime and able to compete at the best of you ability. This isn’t a flaw, it’s just what they do.
Most TMA, in theory are designed to be ways of fighting for life or death. Not only that but most TMA back in the day, whatever that is, were designed for people who pretty much dedicated their lives to it. Of course you didn’t have TV, Radio, Movies and so on to distract you, so filling your space with martial training, even if you had a job that occupied long hours of your day, wasn’t hard.
Many TMA are designed to eventually train you to adapt to any number of situations you may come across. This requires a serious amount of time and repetition to do effectively. this also requires the ability to adapt and to use a technique anyway you can find a use for it. Fighting is extremely dynamic, especially when you’re in genuine conflict, and so you have to be prepared for anything.
I think red just pretty much summed it up with that last one. Could not have said it better myself.
Actually I would agree with ST00 over Red
other then a shot at traditional training I’m not sure I get ST00’s point.
it doesnt matter how you apply the technique… as long as u can get super p-- off and FLIP OUT (all the time). Is that what you’re getting at web ?
Actually, I’ve had a theory for awhile related to this issue I’ve wanted to try out.
What would be funny and interesting to do is learn some type of dance and try to interpret the “self defense” applications inherit in it. I really believe this is possible. Alot of martial artists seem to be masters of pulling something from nothing. This would be good if they made that something from nothing into something, but it always seems to end up to be nothing, or something close to it. Whew!
If you could use these applications, however, does this mean that good dancing = good self defense? This is a question I’ll leave for the reader to decide. 
Well… I sometimes find myself looking for the most abstract application for a specific move. Then I think to myself that I’m veering off to what I should be concentrating on - the opvious application.
Slightly OT
I noticed somthing interesting last night while watching some of our guys do a lion dance. I was thinking about how similar the lion dance is to capoeira - the drumming/music, the stylised fight/dance. Even some of the moves are similar.
Anyway, I will now return you to normal programming.
Because every move doesn’t have a million applications against a resisting, moving opponent who is trying to hit you back. If you hit your opponent that’s good. However you end up hitting him is what you meant to do. A motion from a form does not have 10 different applications in a real fight because you’ll never be in that position against an opponent who stays still long enough for you to do that.
Originally posted by IronFist
Because every move doesn’t have a million applications against a resisting, moving opponent who is trying to hit you back. If you hit your opponent that’s good. However you end up hitting him is what you meant to do. A motion from a form does not have 10 different applications in a real fight because you’ll never be in that position against an opponent who stays still long enough for you to do that.
But if you learn to understand how a punch can become a block and vice versa, then you can transition from attack to defence and back to attack very quickly and easily.
a lot of this sounds great in theory, but i wouldnt be willing to try out all these different applications in a real life situation.
i believe i would be happy if i was lucky enough to apply a technique for its original intention against another skilled fighter in a fight…without wondering if i can transition my punch into a block at the last minute and maybe turn that block into some type of offensive attack at the same time.
Originally posted by morbicid
[B]a lot of this sounds great in theory, but i wouldnt be willing to try out all these different applications in a real life situation.
i believe i would be happy if i was lucky enough to apply a technique for its original intention against another skilled fighter in a fight…without wondering if i can transition my punch into a block at the last minute and maybe turn that block into some type of offensive attack at the same time. [/B]
True. However what I am getting at is that if you can train that into your reactions (and I have found I do this to a certain degree in sparring at least), then isn’t that better?
Don’t get me wrong, I agree with the less-is-more philosophy in this case, but the principle of it is not bad.
i hear u, but is it really necessary to quote me … right below my post ? 
I do that because numerous times I have replied to someone, only to have someone else reply to something else in the thread, so my reply looks out of place. It just makes it clear who I am replying to, that’s all