How many of you consider yourself a floating martial artist? Now for the last year I have been traveling to different MA schools to train with a variety of styles and people. Some people say I have a lack of dedication but others think its the best route to complete my training. After 13 years of karate, I have reverted back to my boxing for my hands and now Muay thai training and some ground game.

I believe a training facility that only stays with the same group of people will not grow and I know this through experience. Why is this so hard for people to understand? Have anyone here every tried to give a blackbelt or sash a tip in fighting and watch how his ego will shun you off? I have had it done so many times that I don't bother with them anymore. Tell me of your "floating" experiences and have you came across these "blackbelts or instructors" who are not willing to listen even if you can exploit them at times.

Brandon

I have been fortunate enough to be able to train here and there with a lot of different martial artists in different styles. I think that stretching your boundaries is one of the best things you can do - in martial arts, and life in general.

If you are still training in the arts (any art), then you do not suffer a lack of dedication.

As far as "tips" to other practitioners, I agree with you that it is best to keep your mouth shut unless they seem like they want to know something. Otherwise, I simply show people in sparring. To feel is to believe, LOL.

But of course some people don't want to see the truth, even if you can show it to them.

While I agree some floating is good I also think it's important to stick with a system for a long period of time. Any art or system worth learning takes years to become good.

On the other hand I also think you should move out of a system and train in something new from the ground up. For everyone it's different but if you studied Karate for 13 years why not take up BJJ for 5 years or so? Seems to me you are studying another striking art when I am guessing you haven't done much on the ground.

I don't mean to question your choices just offer an observation.

I think that in life, you have to learn to adapt... you need to walk a different path to get to a different destination. If the same old style in the same old school with the same old people is not doing it for you, then, why not leave? Sure earning a black belt shows dedication, but there is a difference between dedication and stubborness.

For me, I have left karate and ving tsun for the street practical, harder workout, ground and pound brazilian ju jitsu. I couldn't be happier.

The only kind of "floaters" that irritate me are the ones who quit a style because they don't get there black belt fast enough, or because they are simply are not progressing fast enough.

You need to either train harder or be super patient. Still, people have lives and other obligations, so it is unfair for me to think poorly of them because they quit.

Anyway, If somebody has floated to many schools, then you can consider them a true master, because they are "like water."

water can flow...