Are martial arts useful?

[Nycto]

has anyone that has practiced martial arts actually applied it to real life situations? i have been studying ninjutsu for a number of years now and not once have i had to test my skills in a real life situation...





(note: im looking for stories, it wasn't meant as a whinge.)

 

[ellimist337]

I don't think you learn martial arts looking or hoping to have to use it, though, at least not in this day and age. In the past, when more of an emphasis was put on hand-to-hand fighting, it definitely got used more. Now, I think it's more of a last resort. You're not really that likely to be mugged or attacked, so you haven't had to use it. I would think that if you did get attacked, however, you would still be glad to have learned and practiced it. Just because it doesn't have the same level of application that it used to doesn't mean it doesn't have any practical use at all.

 

[black lincon]

I have a few friends who practice martial arts and they claim they can use it in real situations at which point I explain the fatal flaw with martial arts, it has no natural defense against the tackle. Yes if you became buff you could stop it but in reality how many moves are there that are intended on stopping a large man from running into you knocking you on the ground and preceding to punch you in the face repeatedly.

 

[Lord Beautiful]

I have a few friends who practice martial arts and they claim they can use it in real situations at which point I explain the fatal flaw with martial arts, it has no natural defense against the tackle. Yes if you became buff you could stop it but in reality how many moves are there that are intended on stopping a large man from running into you knocking you on the ground and preceding to punch you in the face repeatedly.

The side-step.

 

[Dramatic Flare]

I have a few friends who practice martial arts and they claim they can use it in real situations at which point I explain the fatal flaw with martial arts, it has no natural defense against the tackle. Yes if you became buff you could stop it but in reality how many moves are there that are intended on stopping a large man from running into you knocking you on the ground and preceding to punch you in the face repeatedly.

Basically, stand tall, and when he's about a foot away, lean over him and drop. He's expecting resistance to the front, not the top. He'll get a hold of your legs, but you're still on top and can quickly disable him

 

[Flap Jack452]

I think one of the disciplines of Martial Arts to use only when absolutely necessary, I can't think of many times when the average learner would find martial arts absolutely necessary

 

[Nycto]

I have a few friends who practice martial arts and they claim they can use it in real situations at which point I explain the fatal flaw with martial arts, it has no natural defense against the tackle. Yes if you became buff you could stop it but in reality how many moves are there that are intended on stopping a large man from running into you knocking you on the ground and preceding to punch you in the face repeatedly.

The side-step.

kudos senior on the awesome two word obliteration technique

 

[Citrus]

Martial arts is practiced now more of a means to get in shape than as a real precaution for the day that some unarmed guy might decide to attack you.

 

[Frank_Sinatra_]

Its the self-discipline that you use.

 

[Glerken]

People learn martial arts nowadays just to get in shape. Also it's nice to have handy "Just in case."
And please, if you are going to make three threads in two minutes, at least use capital letters. And proper grammar. Please. I'm actually begging you.

 

[scotth266]

Zycto, you should be happy that you haven't had to test your abilities. Martial arts are meant to be used for defence, not attack. So if you haven't gotten attacked, that's a good thing, right? What else would you use your ninjutsu for?
I've studied some Tae Kwon Do, though I was only a yellow belt. I have yet to use my skills.

Edit: Agreed with the above. Use caps Nycto, lest my editor's inner spirit burn you with the heat of 10 suns!

 

[LewsTherin]

Martial arts is practiced now more of a means to get in shape than as a real precaution for the day that some unarmed guy might decide to attack you.

Most martial arts will teach you what to do if said fellow is armed as well.

 

[SilentHunter7]

I have a few friends who practice martial arts and they claim they can use it in real situations at which point I explain the fatal flaw with martial arts, it has no natural defense against the tackle. Yes if you became buff you could stop it but in reality how many moves are there that are intended on stopping a large man from running into you knocking you on the ground and preceding to punch you in the face repeatedly.

You could...you know...dodge.

Not all moves have to be blocked, stopped, and countered.

Simply side-stepping forces an attacker to change direction, which costs momentum, which leaves him open for a nice tap to the face, or if he whiffs, the back of the head.

 

[black lincon]

I have a few friends who practice martial arts and they claim they can use it in real situations at which point I explain the fatal flaw with martial arts, it has no natural defense against the tackle. Yes if you became buff you could stop it but in reality how many moves are there that are intended on stopping a large man from running into you knocking you on the ground and preceding to punch you in the face repeatedly.

You could...you know...dodge.

Not all moves have to be blocked, stopped, and countered.

I have a few friends who practice martial arts and they claim they can use it in real situations at which point I explain the fatal flaw with martial arts, it has no natural defense against the tackle. Yes if you became buff you could stop it but in reality how many moves are there that are intended on stopping a large man from running into you knocking you on the ground and preceding to punch you in the face repeatedly.

The side-step.

why do you assume I'm coming at them from the front?

 

[nepheleim]

The martial arts teaches discipline first. But there have been occasions where I was happy I learned, and dismayed that I was not as skilled as I could have been. It's not that I lost the fight (as I might not be here) but that I inflicted more damage than was probably necessary.

As for the tackle, there are many ways to get around one. My favorite is a technique from Aikido, wherein you essentially put your "center" into his jaw. I've made people significantly larger than me fly away (literally) because the body will always follow the jaw.

 

[SilentHunter7]

why do you assume I'm coming at them from the front?

You said 'punching you in the face', which would imply that you're facing him.

Though if you're taken down from behind, the best 'art' would be Amateur Wrestling. Or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which focuses more on grappling than most other arts.

 

[BIGpanda]

after 2 yrs of karate and boxing you'd think I'd feel at ease right?

not rly, you gotta be able to pull off the same drills in your training in a real life situation. saying otherwise feels similar to telling an army private to leave their weapons behind. it takes skill to pull of a round house kick but it takes smooth, quick thinking and execution round house kick a maniac with a knife....on reflex.

 

[Kais86]

Frankly speaking it is best that you don't have to use your skills in a real life situation, although you would be amazed at what a decent set of reflexes help with in everyday situations, like accidentally dropping something, with good enough reflexes you can potentially catch the item you dropped.

 

[SilentHunter7]

after 2 yrs of karate and boxing you'd think I'd feel at ease right?

not rly, you gotta be able to pull off the same drills in your training in a real life situation. saying otherwise feels similar to telling an army private to leave their weapons behind. it takes skill to pull of a round house kick but it takes smooth, quick thinking and execution round house kick a maniac with a knife....on reflex.

I've taken 4 years of Tang Soo Do, and I'm still not comfortable with using round and side kicks in sparring. I mostly try to stay with hand techniques, saving kicks for when I really see an opening.

 

[Duh]

krav maga, that jewish martial art, is used by the israelian army, and they are some though sons of bitches ill say