I’ve been thinking about martial arts and how really it is useful these days since a lot of places will have criminals hiding firearms or in the U.S. some states have conceal carry.

Whilst it contains discipline and it is enjoyable to train in a club for, say Karate, I just think it might not be that useful in places where firearms are commonly held, all it really takes is for someone to take safety off, aim, pew pew and that’s it.

I suppose I probably get this thinking from kung fu where it’s seen more of an art form then actually being a serious bone breaking form of combat

  • LordCrom@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    Getting to black sash in northern Shaolin is a personal challenge. It’s great excercise, good community, gets me out of the house.

    6 years in and 2 forms away from black. I’m almost there

  • madcaesar@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    Fighting seems cool in movies.

    In real life, it’s police, lawyers and prison.

    There are few stupider life choices one could make other than fighting in public.

  • linearchaos@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    The board breaking is just a small grift to increase your confidence. When you start out the person holding the board does most of the work to break the board. It’s several belts before the board start getting thick enough to put up a fight. All those boards are cut across the grain leaving short fibers that are able to snap.

    You are training to dodge and block, Even redirect your opponent and use their actions against them. That’s not nothing. A lot of places will tack on a little disarmament and self-defense or run a class with that is the primary goal, But honestly you don’t want to use martial arts to try to take on someone with a gun or a knife unless it is absolutely necessary because there’s a high chance you’re going to get got.

    Combat training is extremely useful, even play combat training, It puts you in a situation and has you react a certain way taking out some of the uncertainty and worry out of the situation. You start planning instead of reacting. But for the most part if somebody is threatening you with a gun or a knife you’re better off not trying to take it off of them and beat them up.

  • Tramort@programming.dev
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    3 months ago

    The groin strike rule was repealed for a time. BJJ still dominated.

    I’m not a martial arts person. I couldn’t care less. But it’s weird how vigorously people will argue against what seems self evident in the closest things we have to a no holds barred setting.

  • ALoafOfBread@lemmy.ml
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    3 months ago

    Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has been very useful to me. My cardio has improved dramatically, I am much stronger than I used to be, and I’ve gotten a lot of enjoyment out of going from absolute trash to slightly less trash over 2 years.

    But I don’t expect it to really help me in a fight. If I did get into a fight, I certainly would do better than if I hadn’t trained; but one thing I’ve learned from fighting people for like 8hrs a week is that it is REALLY easy to fuck up and get hurt in ways you wouldn’t expect. The outcome of a fight is unpredictable - especially when the other person could have a weapon. The best martial art for self defense would be running.

  • funkless_eck@sh.itjust.works
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    3 months ago

    I feel like I read somewhere that if you can’t run away the best thing to do if in arms’ reach is run into them as fast as possible. Fuck trying to hit anyone in the jaw with a punch, just run into them, knock them over and keep running. Third best thing (eg they have a knife) is to continually evade without even trying to retaliate as it’s a lot easier to keep dodging out the way than it is to attack and they’ll tire quicker.

    • dreugeworst@lemmy.ml
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      3 months ago

      definitely don’t run towards them if they have a knife though. although I wouldnt know what to do against a knife wielding attacker if I couldnt run away in general

      • RedAggroBest@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        The old addage is “nobody wins a knife fight”. Only solution is to disarm them and you are 99% going to get cut. Just gotta believe you won’t get cut bad enough to stop you from stopping them

        • Revan343@lemmy.ca
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          3 months ago

          The old addage is “nobody wins a knife fight”

          One guy loses on the pavement, the other guy loses in the ambulance

  • meowington1@sh.itjust.works
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    3 months ago

    Yes, it is useful because it make your body better.

    Let’s give an example: Assume you are in the shootout. You have the gun, so they are. You are quick reflect because you are trained, which make you moving and shoting better than those weeb on high.

    Another example: You hear a gun shot. You run for 2km without breaking the sweat. Because you are training to enduring and stamia daily, you can run for a while without tired.

    But I think, reflexing, enduring and stamia are most useful when you are in danger. Just act fast, and run the hell out of danger.

  • golden_zealot@lemmy.ml
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    3 months ago

    When faced with a firearm or a knife, any self respecting martial artist will tell you the one technique that will save your life.

    Running the fuck away and or taking cover.

    When it comes to hand to hand combat, understanding the dynamics of how to protect yourself and control the opposer like in Jiu Jitsu is very useful and can also potentially save your life.

    But no, if they have a weapon of any kind, get the fuck out of there.

    • OCATMBBL@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      Agreed. Good instructors tell you to run if you can, and teach you to fight if you have to.

  • DudeImMacGyver@sh.itjust.works
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    3 months ago

    Yes, absolutely! Mostly for exercise and mental health though.

    For more practical styles, look at jiu jitsu, Muay Thai, MMA, and/or krav maga. Look for a teacher who has fought professionally or otherwise has practical experience. There are a lot of bullshitters out there who will happily take your money.

    Also, keep in mind you get out of it what you put into it effort wise.

  • HipsterTenZero@dormi.zone
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    3 months ago

    no, if you want to hurt someone, a gun is better. If you don’t want to hurt anyone, running away is better.

  • thedirtyknapkin@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    all of the “real” Martial arts from back before guns were about using weapons. those aren’t really practiced as much anymore because they’re all useless in the face of firearms anyway. why spend years training with a knife when the same time could be spent training with a gun. if combat effectiveness is your goal then you need to learn modern combat techniques.

    that said, there’s plenty to be learned from it, and it’s not like it can’t help you in a fight. but as another commenter said, the real way to win every fight is by avoiding them. so really the best thing to learn is de-escalation and recognizing danger.

  • Cadenza@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    I’m not certain, given your use case. As someone with a deep passion for martial arts (judo > Jiu Jitsu > Aikido > Tai Chi), I would say while they can be useful in certain situations (even tai chi chuan, which is certainly the most inner one). Self defense classes with actual teaching about fighting a guy with a knife/gun would be more suited, maybe.