for the white belt example!
you should start at minimal contact untill confadence is built and the student is ready to progress.

People who have no formal martial arts or self-defense training defend themselves successfully every day.

90% of it is will. 10% is tools and technique.

Training gives you better tools, the rest is what you have inside.

quote:
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Originally posted by TwoGun:
I would also point out that some people have ten years of experince, while others have one year of experince ten times.
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I love this one! So true.

I think that many "black belts" are fooled into believing that they are learning to fight, when in reality they are learning to spar, play tag, do one step, or pay the rent for the facility. Fact is, many people get caught up in getting the fast rank which in turn is meaningless, "a de-fanged wolf." it really gives the true MAist a bad rep.

Learning how to fight well can be taught/learned....and the martial arts are the BEST place to learn this!!!

BEING a fighter is a matter of the heart and can only be called forth by the individual... it can't be taught, cultivated = yes....but not taught.

Papa
John

I believe fighting can be taught but as you stated there are people who "are gifted". There are many great MA that I know who are not good fighters but they can show you any technique, kata, weapons, self defense etc. Does this mean they can't defend themself in a real fight, I don't know until that situation arrives. That is debated question that we can talk about forever. What is the use of training for years and not knowing how to fight Vs. being a great martial artist??????????????????????????????

We all have a "survival" instinct that will kick in, whether we survive or not is awhole other ball of worms.

In my opinion a person could train for many years and be very good at defending themselves in a real life situation. But just because they can do this does not mean that they "WILL" survive. It basically depends on the situation of the circumstances.

Whenever I get into a real fight outside the gym i get angry. Even if the other guy starts it i'll be the one chasing him away as my friends try to hold me back. I think this is the attitude a fighter needs. The attitude of "come get some" if the fight is definitely going to happen.

Absolutely. Everyone wants a peice of the champ. I say, serve it up.