Benefits of training San Shou Do and WTF TKD

[Derekwl]

Hey guys,

I am brand new to this Korean martial arts forum, as I trained Muay Thai up until about 2 weeks ago, as I am now at University and can't find a decent gym. I've decided to utilize the options I have at UBC (University of British Columbia in Vancouver Canada), and to train San Shou Do (Chinese kickboxing + takedowns) and WTF TKD (they only offer WTF, no ITF) even though I have no idea what the difference is, but I can probably easily find out by using the search option on these forums.

My real question is, is if it is beneficial to be training in an art with forms, as well as training in one without forms (a more free fighting art)?

Thanks a lot,
D-Rokk

[Tom Yum]

What's your goal?

Sanshou is pretty versatile. Its muay thai minus the elbow strikes and Thai style clinch training plus the clinch work and takedowns of free-style wrestling. Takedowns are even scored based on the how high and hard you can slam your opponent, like free-style wrestling.

If you want to see two completely different and versatile sanshou fighters, who are at the top of their game, you should look at Cung Le who can kick from about any angle, really really quickly to Mike Altman who has a really tight boxing game and serious power punching.

[Sircnay]

If you train WTF, you will be very very very cardio focused and have a TON of endurance. I would get into the WTF if you want to just learn the techniques, it'll improve your MT game a little. But don't take most anything else seriously.

Personally, I'd take the San Shou to learn more variety. Most of the MT guys whom have come to the WTF school I train at (seperate from the one I normally train at) have learned some great stuff that has helped them along in their training.

[Derekwl]

Well the thing is, I'm a competitive National level swimmer as well, and I train in distance freestyle so endurance is not a problem. I really wish there was the option of Muay Thai here.

Good thing is, is that I know 2 guys that I will be sparring with (MT) as often as possible, and since San Shou is only once a week for 2 hours, I can practice both. The only thing I'm wondering is, is if anyone knows an art that could be very beneficial to my Muay Thai training.

Thanks for the replies already!!

PS: Here is the website showing martial arts offered at UBC

http://rec.ubc.ca/instructional/martialarts/index.cfm

[npk9]

I'm going to have to agree w/Tom here - San Shou is the way to go - especially if you want to keep up w/your MT. Damn - I wish I had that opportunity when I was in college to take those kind of classes

[Sircnay]

TKD is a great help to MT. Honestly, I would be a worse fighter if I hadn't been in TKD. It'll help a hell of a lot with speed, footwork and countering. Having a full range of kicks and versatility doesn't hurt either.

[Derekwl]

Thanks for the replies guys,

I think I will take TKD and San Shou, Daaamn I still wish they had Muay Thai here, but what can ya do :P

Thanks again