Whew! There is trouble in paradise. The martial arts world is confused.
I am bouncing around a concern that I'd like to share with you:
I know that the Bruce-Lee Philosophy emphasizes eliminating the unessential, the inefficient. In other words, those who are faithful to the Bruce Lee way of thought, are brutally honest with themselves -- they eliminate what doesn't work, even if it looks like a "cool move."
So, what's wrong with that?
Well, over the last couple of years (and the last couple of days), I have talked with people who eliminated:
And the list goes on...
The Why and How of Martial Arts Moves
I asked "why" each eliminated those particular techniques or strategies.
In each case, they eliminated them, because they said that they don't work either in real life or in competition.
The above examples were all presented to me by other martial artists. In a couple of cases, the way they were executing the technique needed adjustment -- but in every other "challenge" of the ineffectiveness of the move, it was a problem of "how" the move was being used.
For example, some of the people tried to grab full-speed punches into a lop sao (grab-hit). That's a no-no in my book.
Do You See The Martial-Arts Problem?
Do you see the problem in the world of martial arts?
1. We need to eliminate what doesn't really work.
2. So, we eliminate some very useful techniques, strategies, and tactics, because they haven't worked for us.
3. How do we decide whom to follow? Even the "big players" make boo-boos. For example, trapping is effective in the martial arts, if you know how to use the principle. The fact that some guru decided that it doesn't work, well ... I have some pretty strong arguments on this subject maybe for another article, sometime.
4. I am not suggesting that you follow me blindly, either. For example, I can find faults in just about any style -- including Krav Maga, Muay Thai, and The Filipino Arts.
Stay tuned.
Keith Pascal is the author of Control Your Fear: A Guide For Martial Artists: Eliminate Fear!.I am bouncing around a concern that I'd like to share with you:
I know that the Bruce-Lee Philosophy emphasizes eliminating the unessential, the inefficient. In other words, those who are faithful to the Bruce Lee way of thought, are brutally honest with themselves -- they eliminate what doesn't work, even if it looks like a "cool move."So, what's wrong with that?
Well, over the last couple of years (and the last couple of days), I have talked with people who eliminated:
- all tan-sao and bong-sao checks (wing chun 'blocks')
- all wrist locks and arm bars
- all lop saos (grab-hit combinations)
- all Attack By Trapping
- all Slash and Thrust knife tactics
And the list goes on...
The Why and How of Martial Arts Moves
I asked "why" each eliminated those particular techniques or strategies.
In each case, they eliminated them, because they said that they don't work either in real life or in competition.
The above examples were all presented to me by other martial artists. In a couple of cases, the way they were executing the technique needed adjustment -- but in every other "challenge" of the ineffectiveness of the move, it was a problem of "how" the move was being used.
For example, some of the people tried to grab full-speed punches into a lop sao (grab-hit). That's a no-no in my book.
Do You See The Martial-Arts Problem?
Do you see the problem in the world of martial arts?
1. We need to eliminate what doesn't really work.
2. So, we eliminate some very useful techniques, strategies, and tactics, because they haven't worked for us.
3. How do we decide whom to follow? Even the "big players" make boo-boos. For example, trapping is effective in the martial arts, if you know how to use the principle. The fact that some guru decided that it doesn't work, well ... I have some pretty strong arguments on this subject maybe for another article, sometime.
4. I am not suggesting that you follow me blindly, either. For example, I can find faults in just about any style -- including Krav Maga, Muay Thai, and The Filipino Arts.
Note: Recently, subscribers have written telling me how their style is the perfect style ... not just for them, but "the ultimate style." The styles mentioned by the three practitioners who wrote in were the ones listed in point #4. And while I find lots and lots of value in each style, all have some noticeable faults.5. So, how do you determine if it's a valid decision to eliminate something, or if you are limiting your martial effectiveness?
Stay tuned.
Keith is the editor and author of several martial-arts ezines, including:
AdvantageMartialArts.com. (Free practical self defense ebook when you join.)
Pascal has taught martial arts for over 25 years. He left his job as a high school teacher in 2000, to become a full-time writer.
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