Are martial arts useful?

[McNinja]

Yes. They are fully applicable in life, no matter the situation.

 

[Pigeon_Grenade]

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!

but i thought ninjutsu was a martial art meant for Assassinations not defense?

 

[ygetoff]

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.

There are quite a few. American Kenpo was designed with defenses to situations like that.
EDIT: I meant it has some techniques designed with that in mind.

 

[The_Prophet]

I do karate and have used it alot.

 

[Booze Zombie]

I think the real point of martial arts is it gives you some discipline and confidence, an arming of the populace with will, if you... uh, will.

Having a few clever tricks, some knowledge and a bit of discipline can do wonders for your self-image, basically.

 

[Seldon2639]

I've never had to use my training in actual combat, but I know people who have. One of the seniors in my old Tang Soo Do class was attacked by some guy on a city street once when he was walking home from his college classes. The guy pulled a knife on him, but before he got to attack, my senior had dropped his books and assumed a front stance. The would-be-mugger got scared and ran off. I suppose the idea of a "victim" who is willing and able to fight is not very appealing to most street thugs.

I wanted to respond to this for a moment. I don't know if Tang Soo Do does things differently from Aikido and Shotokan (the two things I've trained in), but I've been trained first not to fight back during a mugging, and second not to drop into a stance in that situation. If it was just for intimidation, that's fine, but it's bad strategically. If you put your opponent on his guard and he's anything other than an idiot, you've given him an advantage.

Perhaps "stance" means something different to you, being in a different style, but when I said that, I meant that he got his hands up to block, and positioned his feet so that he could retreat properly if he had to. The guy already had the knife out, so the logical conclusion would be that his guard was up already.

You're right about our policy on not fighting back during a mugging, though. Our policy is, "If you can take the other guy down, do it." Our master often told us that if an opponent pulls a knife, we should take that as a declaration of intent to kill, and respond with appropriate force.

Nope, that's pretty much a stance (albeit a impromptu one). Difference in philosophy, I suppose, but for us if someone is mugging me, he's not going to be on his guard to begin with. On guard means expecting someone to fight back. If I'm cooperating, he doesn't expect me to fight back. The best time to strike back (if you absolutely must) is when the person is already expecting movement on your part (when you reach for a wallet, when you take off a watch, when you put your hands up).

Our Sensei's teachings in Shotokan is that even if someone pulls a knife or gun, it's not necessarily an intent to kill. If I can avoid a fight by giving up my stuff, I do. The only time I know he's intent on killing me is if I've given up all I have and he hasn't left. Up to that point, even if given the opportunity, fighting isn't worth the risk.

 

[UsefulPlayer 1]

What I wonder is if martial arts are a substitute for physical advantages.

I mean I don't really see any real technique or skill in the UFC besides some nice wrestling moves.

 

[D3athBat]

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.

i would argue your point of it not being that likely for you to get mugged or attacked these days...i mean its happening more than ever,only problem is that these days a lot of weapons are involved in those sorts of incidents and because of that,despite how much martial arts you know,it isnt going to stop a bullet....

 

[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.

i would argue your point of it not being that likely for you to get mugged or attacked these days...i mean its happening more than ever,only problem is that these days a lot of weapons are involved in those sorts of incidents and because of that,despite how much martial arts you know,it isnt going to stop a bullet....

Sure, a lot of people get mugged or attacked, but statistically, the majority of people don't; that's what I was going for. You're more likely to not ever be attacked than you are to be attacked. What you said about weapons is very true; a knife or blunt object is one thing, but a gun... at that point I think you just cooperate.

 

[D3athBat]

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.

i would argue your point of it not being that likely for you to get mugged or attacked these days...i mean its happening more than ever,only problem is that these days a lot of weapons are involved in those sorts of incidents and because of that,despite how much martial arts you know,it isnt going to stop a bullet....

Sure, a lot of people get mugged or attacked, but statistically, the majority of people don't; that's what I was going for. You're more likely to not ever be attacked than you are to be attacked. What you said about weapons is very true; a knife or blunt object is one thing, but a gun... at that point I think you just cooperate.

Yeah you make a good point actually...i think i was concentrating too much on the stuff that we hear from the media...like all the stuff that happens in London,stabbings,shootings etc...we hear about it so frequently you cant help but think that its happening more than ever before...but yeah,statistically its less likely.

And yeah,gun = dont fucking argue xD

 

[zen5887]

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...

Okay, first thing first, I am very surprised you bring this question here, this should have been covered in the theoretical parts of your training years ago.

Lets begin...

A. Sports. Many martial arts have branches in professional sports. even Olympics for some. So if you want to use your martial art training in real life, go join some martial art league or switch to an Olympic version of martial arts and go for the gold.

B. Health. Your training is applied consistently to your health and general life style. Trust me, having a heart attack at forty is a very real life situation and living healthy threw martial arts fights that like nothing else.

C. Mental fortitude. Martial arts training at its core is about overcoming your own limitations, overcoming momentary pain for greater rewards. I've had a hard life, and many times the patience, courage, and fierceness taught to me by martial arts, served me to keep going. To get up in the morning and go to two jobs, come home, take care of my kid, and stay up into the night doing college assignments.

D. Self-defense. The idiots view of martial arts. And I use the word idiot deliberately, as in the uninformed. The chances of you having to defend yourself in life are slim, not counting people who work as cops or soldiers, different story there. However, most fights aren't against armed or skilled opponents, more like some fists thrown at a pub. A skilled fighter has a huge advantage in these situations.

E. Artistic expression. Now, I know not all martial arts are deep enough for this, but ninjutsu sure as hell is. It's called martial ARTS for a reason. At its finest the practice and perfection of your craft as a fighter achieves level of artistic creation. A very satisfying and rewarding experience.

There are many more levels, but I got to go now, hope I gave you some answers.

Bravo!

Pretty much the order of why I did martial arts.

I did Taekwon do for 5 years and got Cho Dan Bo (in between red belt 3 and 1st dan). I never intended to use it in real life, if I got into a street fight the last thing I would do would be a spinning roundhouse or an axe kick. I did it because it was fun, it kept me fit and it got me out of the house. I entered in two comps and got a gold and silver medal.

the biggest things, self defense wise, I got from Taekwon do is a pretty good reaction time and a lot more confidence.

 

[Bulletinmybrain]

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

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.

i would argue your point of it not being that likely for you to get mugged or attacked these days...i mean its happening more than ever,only problem is that these days a lot of weapons are involved in those sorts of incidents and because of that,despite how much martial arts you know,it isnt going to stop a bullet....

Sure, a lot of people get mugged or attacked, but statistically, the majority of people don't; that's what I was going for. You're more likely to not ever be attacked than you are to be attacked. What you said about weapons is very true; a knife or blunt object is one thing, but a gun... at that point I think you just cooperate.

Yeah you make a good point actually...i think i was concentrating too much on the stuff that we hear from the media...like all the stuff that happens in London,stabbings,shootings etc...we hear about it so frequently you cant help but think that its happening more than ever before...but yeah,statistically its less likely.

And yeah,gun = dont fucking argue xD

Or just the obvious drop down to the knees and then jump up when he is right over you.

2.) I would point out, if they don't have the safety off.. If you had decent training you could disarm him before he even knows what is what.

 

[742]

i hear the rolls and falls come in quite useful, and the other stuff only if you tend to hang out in places where people drink a lot. also, aiming a gun is WAY harder than it looks.

 

[outseeker]

I like the tackle comment, tho a reverse heelkick to the jaw works ok

 

[Beowulf DW]

I've never had to use my training in actual combat, but I know people who have. One of the seniors in my old Tang Soo Do class was attacked by some guy on a city street once when he was walking home from his college classes. The guy pulled a knife on him, but before he got to attack, my senior had dropped his books and assumed a front stance. The would-be-mugger got scared and ran off. I suppose the idea of a "victim" who is willing and able to fight is not very appealing to most street thugs.

I wanted to respond to this for a moment. I don't know if Tang Soo Do does things differently from Aikido and Shotokan (the two things I've trained in), but I've been trained first not to fight back during a mugging, and second not to drop into a stance in that situation. If it was just for intimidation, that's fine, but it's bad strategically. If you put your opponent on his guard and he's anything other than an idiot, you've given him an advantage.

Perhaps "stance" means something different to you, being in a different style, but when I said that, I meant that he got his hands up to block, and positioned his feet so that he could retreat properly if he had to. The guy already had the knife out, so the logical conclusion would be that his guard was up already.

You're right about our policy on not fighting back during a mugging, though. Our policy is, "If you can take the other guy down, do it." Our master often told us that if an opponent pulls a knife, we should take that as a declaration of intent to kill, and respond with appropriate force.

Nope, that's pretty much a stance (albeit a impromptu one). Difference in philosophy, I suppose, but for us if someone is mugging me, he's not going to be on his guard to begin with. On guard means expecting someone to fight back. If I'm cooperating, he doesn't expect me to fight back. The best time to strike back (if you absolutely must) is when the person is already expecting movement on your part (when you reach for a wallet, when you take off a watch, when you put your hands up).

Our Sensei's teachings in Shotokan is that even if someone pulls a knife or gun, it's not necessarily an intent to kill. If I can avoid a fight by giving up my stuff, I do. The only time I know he's intent on killing me is if I've given up all I have and he hasn't left. Up to that point, even if given the opportunity, fighting isn't worth the risk.

Yeah, it's definitely a difference in philosophy.

 

[Lukirre]

I always considered martial arts as a physical tune-up as well as a mental one. It's all about being able to react quickly and appropriately to a situation. The finer things you learn (like pressure points and nerve bundles) are implemented only if you can actually learn how to move, or how to accept getting hit.

I like how people seem to think that since you have achieved something in martial arts studies, that means you have an automatic "kick ass" button somewhere on you. Obviously it isn't the case, as the only noticable advantages you have are: A) You knowing how not to break your knuckles/wrist on impact, and B) How to move out of the way (a lot of people don't do this, oddly enough).

 

[Xanadu84]

Physical Fitness, hobby enthusiast, and discipline are the first practical application. As for useing it to defend yourself, well, chances are very, very good it will never come up. But if it does, you will be very, very happy you learned it. It's like learning most survival skills.

 

[The Kind Cannibal]

I've been an avid practitioner of Capoeira for round 4 years now, and I've only ever used it in self defence twice. Once when a prick tried to bully me repeatedly, enough so that he was actually physically antagonizing me, so I dealt him a swift and simple frontal kick to the solar plexus. The other was me and my nephew were attacked by a gang of hoodlums, where I managed to counter the amateur boxer and get me and the little one the hell outta dodge, AKA duck, dodge and run the fuck away.

Like many people have said, it should and is best effective as a last resort in a physical confrontation.

 

[bjj hero]

What I wonder is if martial arts are a substitute for physical advantages.

I mean I don't really see any real technique or skill in the UFC besides some nice wrestling moves.

Then you dont know what youre looking for, fighters throw their combinations thousands of times, all submissions are technique. Clinch work is techchnique. Improving your position (move to clinch, take down, passing to side control is all technique. Thats why I can submit bigger, stronger, guys or control them on the floor or pepper them with strikes kick boxing.

Being bigger helps but generally when someone gets the better of me its because their technique is better. At least on that day.

 

[Chibz]

Martial arts: It has no defense against a tank, or being shot in the head.