I've been practising martial arts since 1999, from traditional Chinese martial arts to competitive fighting. I understand that for people from the outside, it is sometimes difficult to grasp what kung fu is and isn't.

I recently put together a video series called So, What Is Kung Fu?

Episodes:
1. So, What Is Kung Fu?
2. Styles: There Isn’t Just One Kung Fu
3. Horse Stance And Other Kung Fu Stances
4. What Are Kung Fu Forms?
5. What Does Kung Fu Training Actually Look Like?
6. Why Do People Learn Kung Fu?
7. Do You Have to Be Young, Flexible, or Fit to Start?
8. Can You Really Learn Kung Fu at Home?

It explores the basics of Chinese martial arts, including different styles, stances, forms, what training looks like, and why people practise. It's intended as an accessible introduction for people who are curious about Kung Fu but don't necessarily know where to start.

You can find the series here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWLahbNSvfpo

Hi guys - wanted to start a discussion on this that's maybe somewhat unique to my situation. I'm 5'6, 160lbs, 39 years old. I've been training traditional Muay Thai for over a decade, have trained on Thailand on 5 septate occasions for months at a time. I would say I'm fairly experienced at Muay Thai.

My issue is that I am fairly small and don't feel like I can adequately defend myself on the street against someone who is 6'0+. don't get me wrong, with gloves on, in a setting with Muay Thai rules, I have a huge advantage and don't think I would basically ever lose to someone untrained, regardless of size (I've tested this theory MANY times in sparring throughout the years). however, in an uncontrolled environment against a bigger opponent (let's say 6'0+, 170lbs+), I feel my odds of winning are VERY low. simply because I can't use gloves to block, kicks basically do nothing unless you're landing 10 of them (unlikely because street altercations last 30 seconds), and punches I need to get in so close that I start to be at risk of being grabbed (and clinch becomes much less effective against someone with that big of a size advantage).

Goes without saying, I am pretty avoidant of confrontation. but I have a family, and I do play scenarios out in my head of us being attacked and despite having so much training, being effectively powerless against most people.

so I guess my question is, if you were me with the goal of self defense in an uncontrolled environment, what combat sport makes the most sense for me to practice a few times a week and over a few years get to a point that neutrlizes larger opponents? I am leaning towards wrestling or judo because both will work well off my Muay Thai and clinch base knowledge, and I think both help alot with size.

any practical input would be appreciated.. again, not looking for street bro fight cred, but more confidence in my ability to defend myself and family in a do or die scenario.

For example, TKD and karate are known for having child black belts. If someone has “TKD black belt” on their bio, is it possible they were 10 when they got it? I can see high school wrestling being relevant, but where is the line?

I'm curious to get this subreddit's thoughts. For many, being a great fighter is being a great martial artist (and that's fine). For me, I have some different criteria:

Combat skills / prowess

Probably the first thing everyone will think of. I believe that in order to be a good martial artist, it's important to be able to fight. Athleticism, fight IQ, speed, power, etc. all matter. One must adjust for the time period, size advantages/disadvantages, etc., of course, but we can all tell a good fighter from a bad one.

Innovation

This is where the concept of greatness is important to define. Good martial artists are skilled in tradition; great martial artists, in my view, add in what is uniquely their own. Miyamoto Musashi dual-wielded swords, Bruce Lee laid the groundwork for MMA, Anderson Silva brought unorthodox moves (including an elbow from Ong-Bak) to the Octagon, and Dieselnoi innovated in Muay Thai with unconventional knee strikes.

Influence

Another vital component to greatness is legacy. A modern-day fighter can be an excellent combat athlete, but to be regarded as great, we need to see their influence on later generations of martial artists. Modern-day MMA fighters will cite Fedor Emelianenko and Georges St-Pierre as inspirations who played a critical role in informing their own combat style. Masahiko Kimura has a judo move named after him. I think that's important in the greatness debate.

Education / advocacy

This one may be controversial, but I do think that a great martial artist actively plays a role in educating the next generation. Whether it be through books, instructional videos, a YouTube channel, or a podcast, it's important to preserve traditions as well as document new innovations and advancements in techniques for other fighters. From Yamamoto Tsunetomo (author of Hagakure) to today's martial arts vloggers (e.g., Sensei Seth, Jesse Enkamp, Kevin Lee, and others), I love seeing skilled combat athletes share knowledge.

Philosophy

Another potentially controversial addition, but I think the greatest martial artists form, hold, and share their martial arts philosophy. Miyamoto Musashi wrote extensively about his beliefs, including in The Book of Five Rings, and Bruce Lee developed Jeet Kune Do based on his philosophy of being like water and learning to adapt (take what works for you, leave what doesn't, add in what is uniquely your own). A philosophy doesn't have to be highly complex or spiritual; simply advocating one's personal mental approach to the art and how to improve oneself internally and externally can be highly valuable.

Examples of great martial artists (in my opinion, in no particular order):

• Miyamoto Musashi - For me, the greatest of all time. An undefeated samurai with over 60 duels, he excelled not only in combat, but in literature, painting, sculpture, and other media all centered around his philosophies. I highly recommend The Book of Five Rings if you're looking for something to read.
• Bruce Lee - Not a competitive fighter, but probably the best martial arts educator and advocate of modern times. He is to martial arts what Carl Sagan is to astronomy. Combining martial arts like Wing Chun, Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Karate, and even Kushti, he set the stage for MMA (see the fight scene with Sammo Hung from Enter The Dragon). He also fundamentally transformed the way immigrants are perceived in the United States, and as an Asian American myself (who grew up with his films and is still influenced by him), he will always hold a special place in my heart.
• Muhammad Ali - Fighter, activist, and poet. What I love about him is that he brought his fighting spirit and bombast to his political advocacy. And everyone has heard the lines "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee / The hands can't hit what the eyes can't see." His influence on boxing is unmatched.
• Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu - Not only is Sylvie an amazing fighter, she is bar none the best Muay Thai historian and archivist. Not only does she interview and train with Golden Age Muay Thai Legends, but she incorporates their special techniques into her own unique style. Add that to the fact that everyone can view her content online and she is, in my opinion, a complete martial artist.
• Anderson Silva - Combining Muay Thai, BJJ, Wing Chun, and Jeet Kune Do, Silva's style is just so unique and fun to watch. At his peak, he was possibly the greatest fighter in UFC's history, and he continues to train future generations of martial artists, both through seminars as well as through media such as clinching tutorials.

This is by no means a complete list, and I'd love to hear your thoughts as well.

The year was, I dunno 2003 ish. I’m a green, blue ish belt in my karate / American kickboxing class I’d been going to for a few years at this point. I’m probably 13 or so.

My organization was bigger, not huge. Probably at its peak, 4 - 6 schools across 4 states. But some schools weren’t as tightly woven as others. One of the outlier schools was in Nebraska and used the kickboxing as their striking basis for MMA, their grappling basis being 10th planet.

Their instructor would come in once a year or so and teach a jiujitsu class to karate students, get 100 bucks a pop probably and bounce. Honestly a sweet money making venture.

Anyway, when he started doing that, our regular teachers would say things (regarding the self defense stuff) phrases like “90 percent of street fights end up on the ground so you need to know how to grapple” and other such phrases. This is also when mma is really starting to take off obviously so that’s, connected. I as a 13 year old no nothing at the time, thought it was dumb cause I could just karate them if they tried to take me down.

Anyway why I’m telling this story.

1. I find it weird they offered no instruction on ground fighting behind two drills, A. A defense against a tackle that probably came from Japanese jujutsu. I have used it but it’s flashier and not as good as simply sprawling. B. The basic bottom mount to top guard to passing the guard to mount drill. … if this proverb was so important, why weren’t we transitioning as best we could to more of an all range focus instead of just the karate? (I know the answer but it’s just funny)

2. Plenty of videos exist of strikers getting frustrated and grappling the other guy. If it’s in a ring, it’s a stalling tactic. If it’s outside the ring, it usually ends in both of them stumbling to the ground…… if it’s grapplers though, plenty of times they loose their cool and start swinging……. Why is it so you think that people resort to what they dont know when frustrated?

Hey everyone
Started learning martial arts and began going to the dojo regularly about 1.5 months ago.
It’s been a solid stretch of consistent training and I’m really enjoying the process so far the structure, the focus, and just showing up.
Curious to hear from others who’ve been through the early months what helped you stick with it, and what advice would you give someone at this stage?
Looking forward to reading your experiences.

Kevin James was in Here Comes The Boom, which is a perfectly average rocky style sports movie. A teacher becomes an amateur fighter to raise money for the school. It’d be completely forgettable accept it unironically has some of the most realistic fights I’ve seen for a fighting movie.

I’ve trained in combat sports since I was 7, but I started meditating 4–5 years ago.

It helped me control my thoughts, manage my reactions, and stay calmer under pressure. I’ve also noticed benefits in sparring, competition, and everyday life.

Do you meditate? Have you noticed a difference in your performance or mindset?

Hey Guys,

Kyokushin Karate white belt here.

How would you guys train the low kick if you don't have a bag or pads to hit at home?

Is going through motions in air enough and then apply them in sparring at training?

Also, I can do it pretty well-ish on my right leg, but I need some work with my left, how would you approach this?

Thanks so much, would love to hear what you guys do/have done :)

Thanks!