this is how you hit someone with the top of your foot (skip to the end if you just want to see it) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJhMW...related&search = Ohhhh! A roundhouse! For some reason, when you said "flicky kick", I thought you meant a front kick. I don't know why I didn't think of roundhouse, since it's my 3rd most used move. I must need a nap. To point the conversation in a non-retarded direction, what defense do you usually employ against low kicks to the knee and ankle? I usually pull my weight to my back leg and lift my front leg (the one being kicked at) to keep the weight off it when I'm struck. Is there a more effective tactic? You can formilize what you are already doing using a good thai shield, basically blocking more aggressively with your legs. Here's a picture, although it's against a high kick. You can also jam the kick with your own frontside foot, or stop hit with a push kick at barely-legal height. RE height in judo, everyone thinks they are the wrong height for judo for the first year. Tall people, especially so because the early round of throws you learn emphasize the hips in a certain way that is easy for short, stout people to do - there are other throws in judo that are freind to the tall man. Uchimata, for example, is a throw were a tall guy will have an easier time throwing a stocky guy (weights being equal). Judo also has open divisions you may enter, where you won't want to wish away any size. This is pretty spot on. First thing to remember when starting a grappling art is you need to learn all the techniques. The from those you build your own game. Most high level judo players have a handful of techniques they use consistently in each position.

To point the conversation in a non-retarded direction, what defense do you usually employ against low kicks to the knee and ankle? I usually pull my weight to my back leg and lift my front leg (the one being kicked at) to keep the weight off it when I'm struck. Is there a more effective tactic? You can formilize what you are already doing using a good thai shield, basically blocking more aggressively with your legs. Here's a picture, although it's against a high kick. That's pretty much what I do now, if I have the reaction speed to pull it up that high. Although, instead of the Thai knee block, I often pull it into a flamingo stance to chamber for a side kick You can also jam the kick with your own frontside foot, Do you mean kick their leg away with your own front kick? I had heard some Japanese styles interrupt slower kicks with a front kick to the hip / groin, but I don't think my kicks are fast enough for that. Does it work for you? You just lift your front foot and check their leg with it when you think they're about to leg kick. RE the 'flamingo stance' man if you branch out into anything with legal takedowns or hard leg-kicking, you're going to have to break a habit there...

So, what's the consensus on JKD? I've read a lot of opinions concerning the fact that it's creator was basically the kind of person you would find in an infomercial, but is it just an elitist opinion or do we really think that? I've been aching to try a martial art, but I wanted something looser, targeting fitness, flexibility and movement, so i'm not sure what I should go for. Any opinions on that matter as well?

So, what's the consensus on JKD? I've read a lot of opinions concerning the fact that it's creator was basically the kind of person you would find in an infomercial, but is it just an elitist opinion or do we really think that? I've been aching to try a martial art, but I wanted something looser, targeting fitness, flexibility and movement, so i'm not sure what I should go for. Any opinions on that matter as well? JKD is a philosophy, not an art. Bruce Lee himself said that anyone that started a JKD dojo is missing the point. Basically, JKD is a complete lack of a style. If something works, do it. If it doesn't work, or there's a better way to do it, don't do it. I'd stay away from a "Jeet Kun Do" school, unless it's called an MMA academy.

So, I'm looking at martial arts for the purpose of fitness/hobby/self defense. I'm not expecting to ever do any sort of actual competiton or anything. There are a ton of really great looking BJJ places, but they are all about 40-50 minute from me. Conversely this place is about 5 minutes from me Any opinions on if it looks like a decent place worth checking out? The "We teach JKD" thing threw me off, but the "We also teach Muay Thai and Grappling" thing got me looking again.

So, I'm looking at martial arts for the purpose of fitness/hobby/self defense. I'm not expecting to ever do any sort of actual competiton or anything. There are a ton of really great looking BJJ places, but they are all about 40-50 minute from me. Conversely this place is about 5 minutes from me Any opinions on if it looks like a decent place worth checking out? The "We teach JKD" thing threw me off, but the "We also teach Muay Thai and Grappling" thing got me looking again. They are BS. 1st Degree BB MMA? Wtf is that? No one has any BJJ credentials to speak of according to their own instructor run down. Muay Thai background? That could mean anything. While I am sure they can teach you the filipino martial arts I wouldn't bother going their for Muay Thai, BJJ, or sub grappling. Ok, I just was looking through their photos their technique in pictures of Muay Thai and Jits are horrible. Go here www.onthemat.com. I know the guys who run this and under school finder they only list legit academies.

Yeah, I saw the "1st degree MMA" thing afterwards. I checked onthemat, thats where I found the 8 or so schools, most of them run by black belts who got them from guys who have the word 'Gracie' in their name. All of those schools are like, 50 minutes away though. Eh, I guess I can spend the money I would've spent on martial arts on ammunition instead.

I did a quick run down though of the legit places. They are all worth the money and time to travel too. Good instructors.

I did Choy Lay Fut Buk Sing for about 2 1/2 years in Perth, Western Australia. If you can find Choy Lay Fut (sometimes called choy lee fut) anywhere near you, I would definitely recommend it. It was very practically minded. Not many high kicks, and the high kicks they did teach were not recommended for fighting, more for sport and limbering up the legs. Lots of practical striking techniques, anti-grab techniques and an emphasis on developing a flow when fighting, so that moving from one move to the next becomes natural, from defending to attacking, etc. It's not defensive at all however. The philosophy is basically not to fight until you have to, but if you have to, don't stop attacking until its over. Most blocks are the start of an attack, and are based around smashing aside or redirecting the attacking limb in such a way that it leaves the opponent completely open and also increases the force of your own strike in that moment of vulnerability. At the higher levels, you have to hold your own against 2-3 experienced black belts in other styles in a sparring match and not get the shit kicked out of you, its not enough to just demonstrate you know the techniques, you have to show you can use them in a fight before they'll teach you any more. The belts are an arbitrary system so that the instructors can see what techniques you know, and not something you really need to work for. Being a black "belt" really doesn't mean a lot to most practicioners of the style, its just the beginning. Naturally, it has a heavy emphasis on sparring. Perhaps the best thing about the style is amongst all this highly practical stuff is a lot of quite beautiful and enjoyable movements. Oh and Bruce Lee is quoted as saying "Choy Lay Fut is one of the hardest styles to defend and attack against I have encountered." That's not exact, because I can't remember the quote exactly. It's definitely something I think is full of easily ported and practical techniques, and can easily accomodate other styles too. Pick it up if you want some extra striking ability. A lot of it is based on maximum range strikes where possible, but it teaches strikes at all distances. Really good for long armed people. It's in melbourne and perth, australia, but there is at least one in japan, and I think about 3 in america. The Lacey brothers who founded the school in australia moved to america. I don't know the cities. But have a look about.

You just lift your front foot and check their leg with it when you think they're about to leg kick. So, basically, just blocking with your foot? RE the 'flamingo stance' man if you branch out into anything with legal takedowns or hard leg-kicking, you're going to have to break a habit there... I know what you mean, but I don't use it in the way you're probably used to. A lot of TKD practitioners use it as their default stance, but I use it as a modified leg guard and a set up to side kicks. For anything other than that, I consider it too showy. I have been in mixed striking / grappling matches, and I tend to use much fewer high kicks there. Although, my proudest move was actually a fight in high school with one of the not-so-bright gangsta types. He tried to block a low kick to the knee, so I just cranked back and clobbered him in the side of the head. I wouldn't actually use it on anyone smarter than a box of rocks, however.

You just lift your front foot and check their leg with it when you think they're about to leg kick. So, basically, just blocking with your foot? RE the 'flamingo stance' man if you branch out into anything with legal takedowns or hard leg-kicking, you're going to have to break a habit there... I know what you mean, but I don't use it in the way you're probably used to. A lot of TKD practitioners use it as their default stance, but I use it as a modified leg guard and a set up to side kicks. For anything other than that, I consider it too showy. I have been in mixed striking / grappling matches, and I tend to use much fewer high kicks there. Although, my proudest move was actually a fight in high school with one of the not-so-bright gangsta types. He tried to block a low kick to the knee, so I just cranked back and clobbered him in the side of the head. I wouldn't actually use it on anyone smarter than a box of rocks, however. I think the stance is discouraged because of how easily you could be taken down by a grappler or rocked by a well placed blow. It makes gaining leverage over your body too easy

I have been in mixed striking / grappling matches, and I tend to use much fewer high kicks there. Although, my proudest move was actually a fight in high school with one of the not-so-bright gangsta types. He tried to block a low kick to the knee, so I just cranked back and clobbered him in the side of the head. I wouldn't actually use it on anyone smarter than a box of rocks, however. I think the stance is discouraged because of how easily you could be taken down by a grappler or rocked by a well placed blow. It makes gaining leverage over your body too easy How is a high knee guard, as in Muay Thai, any different? EDIT: Not to mention, I wouldn't put any weight on my front leg when defending from knee kicks anyway.

I have been in mixed striking / grappling matches, and I tend to use much fewer high kicks there. Although, my proudest move was actually a fight in high school with one of the not-so-bright gangsta types. He tried to block a low kick to the knee, so I just cranked back and clobbered him in the side of the head. I wouldn't actually use it on anyone smarter than a box of rocks, however. I think the stance is discouraged because of how easily you could be taken down by a grappler or rocked by a well placed blow. It makes gaining leverage over your body too easy How is a high knee guard, as in Muay Thai, any different? EDIT: Not to mention, I wouldn't put any weight on my front leg when defending from knee kicks anyway. I may be wrong on this but isn't the angle of your planted foot different in TKD than in MT?

How is a high knee guard, as in Muay Thai, any different? Because it's not there for long enough to call a "stance." You move your leg up to block, then put it right back on the ground.

So what are the differences between BJJ and judo? I'm talking VERY general here, as in, grapples vs strikes, etc. From very limited resources, they both look like a grappling martial art, but I can't really find out the key differences between the two.

So what are the differences between BJJ and judo? I'm talking VERY general here, as in, grapples vs strikes, etc. From very limited resources, they both look like a grappling martial art, but I can't really find out the key differences between the two. Judo focuses on standing -> ground transitions, BJJ focuses on what happens after that. Generally speaking.

So what are the differences between BJJ and judo? I'm talking VERY general here, as in, grapples vs strikes, etc. From very limited resources, they both look like a grappling martial art, but I can't really find out the key differences between the two. Judo focuses on standing -> ground transitions, BJJ focuses on what happens after that. Generally speaking. This is basically it. Judo has all the newaza that BJJ has but they focus more on standing techniques. BJJ is almost primarily newaza with limited standing techniques(they just don't have the time to spend on them).

Also, to add to the posts above me, BJJ allows some locks that Judo doesn't. Like leg locks and such.

Also, to add to the posts above me, BJJ allows some locks that Judo doesn't. Like leg locks and such. Depends on the competitions. Some places will allow only straight leg submission. Heel hooks, etc are banned. Also leg locks are taught in Judo just not used in competition.

I have been in mixed striking / grappling matches, and I tend to use much fewer high kicks there. Although, my proudest move was actually a fight in high school with one of the not-so-bright gangsta types. He tried to block a low kick to the knee, so I just cranked back and clobbered him in the side of the head. I wouldn't actually use it on anyone smarter than a box of rocks, however. I think the stance is discouraged because of how easily you could be taken down by a grappler or rocked by a well placed blow. It makes gaining leverage over your body too easy How is a high knee guard, as in Muay Thai, any different? EDIT: Not to mention, I wouldn't put any weight on my front leg when defending from knee kicks anyway. Well, the HIGH thai guard can get you taken down as well, but it's quicker, and you're lifting your leg without pivoting to angle for the side kick, so you can put the leg down hard. Your weight in that 'flamingo stance' is very tippy - in the thai guard you are briefly lifting your foot and most of your weight dynamic is still in front of your hips. In the flamingo stance, as you angle for the side kick, your weight is steadily tipping back, the longer you're in it - making you less stable. Outside of a TKD environment, you run the risk of someone closing with you and letting you hit them short so they can pop you in the face or get ahold of you, whereas in the thai guard, your hand guard is still there.

I have been in mixed striking / grappling matches, and I tend to use much fewer high kicks there. Although, my proudest move was actually a fight in high school with one of the not-so-bright gangsta types. He tried to block a low kick to the knee, so I just cranked back and clobbered him in the side of the head. I wouldn't actually use it on anyone smarter than a box of rocks, however. I think the stance is discouraged because of how easily you could be taken down by a grappler or rocked by a well placed blow. It makes gaining leverage over your body too easy How is a high knee guard, as in Muay Thai, any different? EDIT: Not to mention, I wouldn't put any weight on my front leg when defending from knee kicks anyway. Well, the HIGH thai guard can get you taken down as well, but it's quicker, and you're lifting your leg without pivoting to angle for the side kick, so you can put the leg down hard. Your weight in that 'flamingo stance' is very tippy - in the thai guard you are briefly lifting your foot and most of your weight dynamic is still in front of your hips. In the flamingo stance, as you angle for the side kick, your weight is steadily tipping back, the longer you're in it - making you less stable. Outside of a TKD environment, you run the risk of someone closing with you and letting you hit them short so they can pop you in the face or get ahold of you, whereas in the thai guard, your hand guard is still there. That's exactly what I wanted to say but I was too hung over to articulate it properly. Thank you.

now that we have a round selection of respondents, I'm wondering: What were you all looking to get out of martial arts when you started, and have you revised that goal along the way?

I started to compete. Work has horrible slowed my pace the last 1 and 1/2 but it is still the main goal. 1 amature fight so far.

So, I may have found a place nearby called Walkers Mixed Martial arts. Just a name/address/number in the phonebook, an online listing had a website URL that didnt work. Some Googling told me they are having a Sean Sherk seminar in June. If I call this place, anything I should specifically ask? Was planning on seeing what their hours were/what they taught, and if I could come in and observe a class to see how they do things. Anything else I should throw in?

I'm trying to become well rounded in MMA to compete.