Good point sstefan, personally i also want to do judo, but more for the throwing techniques, but an overall familiarity with standing, ground and throwing techniques is never a bad idea.

@mastafighta, like high school literature, there are many ways to interpret the word "art", art of war, is indeed correct, I had more the idea of Tai Chi in mind when i was typing out that post.

Eventually what it boils down to I believe, is to find a martial art/fighting style, which you find most applicable to yourself, some people really like grappling and taking a person down, some are good at beating someone standing up :), so to each his own ^^

Ninpopo,

If you ever have the chance to meet Gavin King, you will seriously consider taking away the word 'ART' from MA when you refer to Taichi Quan. He's a mod on this forum so hit him up if you have a chance.


As for grappling this is my opinion;

Good ol' collegiate/free style wrestling is mandatory for cross-training. Without it you will be broken and 'incomplete' as a fighter. It doesn't matter if you can do 50 different judo throws, if you can't 'control' your opponent in an 'alive' environment, then you're pretty much useless.

When I say wrestling, most people instantly think about using strength and brute force to slam your opponent. No, it's not. It is far from that (not sure about Greco-Roman though.. looks weird)

Wrestling is about gaining dominant position, and getting in control of your opponent's movement/position.

It's the science of body mechanics.


Judo is also a required assest to cross-training.
You can get into dominant positions, and get in control. Now what? You don't have fight 'finishers'. That's where Judo comes in.

-Donnie out

sstefan

"what if.....you are attacked by a thug by surprise"

I would (gently ) suggest no matter what martial art you study, if your taken "by surprise", your in serious trouble.

Your point about the benefits of being well rounded is accurate and important. But playing "what if" has some limitiations....mainly because there is always another "what if?" to each and every situation.

I presume that Wing Chuan might just have at least "some" training about what to do if someone tries to take you down and what to do if they get you there......in my experience most arts do.......If they are being properly taught....always a big "if" of course.

Taichi looks all nice when people are practicing and doing forms, but it doesnt make it any less brutal when you break someone's arm or poke their eyes out.

haha that video is epic