Unsure and unhappy

[GIJOE]

Hey all!

I am a new member and a very novice martial artist. I need some advice from you all. I have learned most of the USMC LINE close combat system, and I had recently joined an informal JKD class. I really like the JKD, but I work nights and my sleeping patterns are not the best. I have missed several classes (7-9 pm) because of fatigue. My Sifu, seems to have become displeased with me.

I have given 100% to every class that I have attended, but I do not believe that I am wanted in the class any longer. There are no other JKD instructors within hundreds of miles of where I live. I also want to continue the study of military style close combat. The other styles offered in my area are Brazilian Ju-jitsu, Mauy Thai kickboxing, Shootfighting, and various stlyes of Karate. What do you all suggest? I have read some of the posts about learning to "fight" period. I agree with this concept too!

However, I have a shattered right wrist (limited mobility, and striking very hard makes r/wrist sore), so I have some concerns about the grappling arts (I know I need to utilize these also), but I have always like the idea of stop the fight very quickly with the most effective and brutal stikes, and kicks. I also have limited hip flexibilty from years of heavy squatting. The JKD seemed just right because of the way the kicks are performed.

What advice can you all give me? What style? Should I try to find another school? Can I learn effectively from videos? What styles are the most effective (brutal) for absolute annihilation of ones opponent? I would greatly appreciate any and all advice.

Thank you-Semper Fi

[pfsjkd]

Where were you training? I would say, based on your post, that the instructor's 'displeasure' is not very relevant. If you're paying to attend class then he has an obligation to teach you so long as you aren't disruptive. If he's pissed because you missed a couple classes, then you may be better off training somewhere else.

It doesn't matter what other style you study so much as how that particular school trains. If they train realistically and do a lot of sparring (as opposed to doing a bunch of kata or forms), then you'll benefit from it, whether it's karate, TKD, boxing, etc. But you're correct in that you also need to study groundfighting, but other than a JKD school, many of which have incorporated BJJ, it may be tough to find a school that does standup AND ground.

[GIJOE]

pfsjkd,

Thanks for the reply. I was training at my instructor's house-in his basement. He has a studio/dojo there. I was never disruptive and always super nice and respectful. I also don't believe that any sparring was ever going to occur. This is because it is not allowed under the auspices of this particular JKD program.

I have another question for you also. I saw a particularly impressive young man who came by several times to visit our class. He has a black belt in some form of karate, and he is very good. He fights in tournaments around the area and routinely places first and second in these full contact type events. I noticed from watching videos of him fight that nothing fancy was occurring. The combats looked as if they were using western boxing with a backfist or two thrown in and low line front and side kicks to accomplish their goals.

Question: Don't most of you think that the simplest and most "non-fancy" arsenals are the ones that will get the job done in real all-out life or death combat? I have a job that takes me into very secluded areas in the middle of the night, and besides being armed (legally of course), I want to find a system (like the LINE system I studied), that will help bring me home every night. I have had serveral incidents by the way, that were about to blow into full fledged life or death combat (this is for real all!).

Are there any videos that can help me in this area? Would any of the schools teach me their forms of down and deadly fighting, or will I have to study for years before I can claim some proficiency in the traditional arts? I am not a spring chicken anymore, and I need to continue on the path of the simple down and dirty? Any more tips, and or advice?

Thank you all,

Semper Fi

[BIG Sean Madigan]

Hi GIJOE,

"This is because it is not allowed under the auspices of this particular JKD program.

Jeez,I've been around JKD for while now, and I've never heard of a JKD Program that didn't allow sparring.

Dude, get away from this guy.

BIG Sean Madigan

http://www.bigjkd.com

[GIJOE]

Already gone!

Big Sean,

I am already gone! I have been reading some more of the posts here and I think that I am going to order some videos.
What do you think of C.J. Carucci's (I hope I spelled that right) stuff? Everyone says that Paul Vunak, Matt Thorton, Hock Hockhiem, and Tom Cruse's material are great.

Do you all think I can learn from these tapes, while trying to decide which traditional school, if any, that I decide to attend?

Thank you all,

GIJoe

[BIG Sean Madigan]

Hi GIJOE,

I never heard of C.J. Carucci, but the Paul Vunak Tapes are a good place to start. They cover a wide range of topics and the information is very "Street Effective".

If you are interested in OJKD, I suggest you look at Jerry Poteet's tapes. They contain some great information. To order Jerry's tapes, give him a call at: 818-981-1786.

All the best,

BIG Sean Madigan

[GIJOE]

Thanks!

Big Sean Madigan,

Thanks for the information Big Sean Madigan! I will definitely give Jerry a call. Off to bed now, I must go to work tonight. Just finished watching Gladiator too-my kids rented it for me. What a great flick!

Take care,

GIJoe

[pfsjkd]

GIJOE,

I agree completely with Big Sean. That guy was NOT about JKD. I think it would be safe to say that Bruce would be turning over in his grave if he knew that someone out there was 'teaching' JKD with NO sparring. I would also suggest Tony Blauer videos to address the mental aspect of combat. I don't have any, but I plan on getting a couple based on the comments I've heard from others.

Regarding your comment on the 'non-fancy' tools; My JKD instructor had studied many different standup arts over his 20 years of experience, but he will be the first to say that in a real fight he will most likely default to 4 tools:

1. Jab
2. Cross
3. Thai kick to the leg
4. Shuffle hook kick to the groin

He suggests taking a small group of tools that work for YOU and training them until they are very strong/second nature. Of course you also need to develop and maintain your attirbutes.

However long it takes you to become 'proficient' (whatever that means) is up to you and how much time you put into it. Even if you train down and dirty stuff instead of an entire traditional style. The problem a lot of people have is that they think they can go to one seminar and learn some techniques and they're all of a sudden a great fighter. You have to put those techniques into action against an uncooperative opponent on a regular basis or you're wasting your time.

Where are you located?

[Tony10]

GI Joe

Hey, Joe, listen to these guys, Sean & PFSJKD.

That "no sparring" thing immediately set off everybody's BS detector!

These two will give you more than enough good advice.

[4 Ranges]

also...

Be very aware of your own strengths and weaknesses. I highly emphasize this because we, as students of the martial arts, often look for easy answers by asking easy questions. "what style should I study?" "what's the best style?" "who's the best fighter in such & such a style?"

Bruce Lee's whole emphasis behind JKD is that it is a personal process. What most people often forget about this process is that it is painful, frustrating, depressing, discouraging, and confusing. But this is the true road to fighting proficiency. No fighter can attest to that more than Bruce Lee himself.

My point? Please don't forget that, in the middle of searching for the "correct" school, instructor, styles, books, videos, etc., you include your own abilities to discern for yourself what is true for you in combat.

[GIJOE]

Many Thanks!

I would like to sincerely thank all of you that have replied to my posts. Your advice will spur me on to continue training-even in the face of uncertainty. I will continue to seek those combat and martial skills that relate to my body structure and ability.

I promise all of you that my efforts will be sincere and truthful in the quest to become a better martial artist. I have focus mitts, thai kicking pads, wooden dummy wall board, and kicking sheild, plus a 16 year old son to help me with the bag work. I will eventually try to find another school to join (for the sparring), but until then I will try to utilize every scrap of martial information that is pertinent to my abilities--slowly and hopefully with a full understanding of the principles behind each bit of information.

Thank you all,

GIJOE

Semper Fi