Why Are We Wasting Our Time with Martial Arts? No Way Net magazine

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Why Are We Wasting Our Time with Martial Arts?
by Java Bomani

A few months back, I read an article in MEN'S JOURNAL
that addressed 4 reality-based martial arts. They spoke
on what they perceived as the most ready to battle at
the drop of a dime systems. It was a great article and
it's always good to see martial arts articles in
mainstream magazines because it raises awareness of the
martial arts among people who don't frequent the popular
MA magazines. A lot of people sit on the fence of
adopting MA training into their daily lives, but are
held back by doubt or lack of information. Those of us
that buy BLACK BELT MAGAZINE, INSIDE KUNG FU or any of
the other big time MA magazines are for the most part
hard-liners, they don't need to convince us of anything.
An article in any of the mainstream press publications
may have the required information that will lift the
veil of uncertainty from the eyes of someone who has
always thought about taking it up, but was unsure about
the next step. This month we provided a few websites
that can help with this. Check the online page.

Thai Boxing-
A form of fighting from Thailand, where not only punches
and kicks are utilized, knees and elbows are also used
as primary weapons.

Krava Maga-
battle tested by Israeli soldiers on the front lines,
where their lives are truly in their own hands. No time
for playing around or style points, just real, effective
technique with the purpose of FINISHING the conflict
quickly.

Brazilian Jui-jitsu-
I've said it many times; all you need to do is tune in
to any of the many reality fighting events going on at
anytime to see how effective these stylist are at ground
fighting. The article pointed out that most fights go to
the ground at some point; that's where these fighters
excel.

Jeet Kune Do-
An eclectic form of fighting created by Bruce Lee, where
reality based training is emphasized. Any fighting
technique form is absorbed if it is effective in real
combat.

They spoke well of Tai Boxing as a legit and lethal
stand up fighting style, Krava Maga as a great street
style, good against the weapons one are more likely to
face on the street today. (Most people don’t carry
Samurai swords or Nunchuku down the street). Jeet Kune
Do they praised as a complete system—but the thing that
bothered me is their comments about Brazilian Jui Jitsu.
They spoke of the great record of BJJ fighters in no
hold barred fights and extolled many of the tremendous
ground fighting techniques most martial artist know this
style has. If you’re a martial artist and you don’t have
some ground fighting in your arsenal, if you are taken
down by an experienced ground fighter, you’ll find that
you’re shooting blanks. But let’s be real. No hold
barred fighting, isn’t real fighting. It’s close, but it
has rules. It’s true, most fights do go to the ground,
but being a great ground fighter, that can’t stand up
and throw down against multiple opponents is like goin
at a Samurai with a butter knife. They gave BJJ all the
praise it deserved but when they spoke of facing
multiple opponents they said something like, “If you’re
going against more than one opponent, you’re pretty much
screwed anyway”. Really!!! Why didn’t someone tell me
this before I started learning, before I started wasting
my time? Let’s close all the martial arts schools in the
world, because even if you become a Grand Master you can
be shut down by two crack heads. I’m not saying BJJ isn’
t great, no one can make that claim, but if you’re
rolling around on the floor against one guy and two of
his buddies show up, get to your feet—even if it’s to
run.

From the June 04 Issue of

James Tien

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