Newbie thoughts

Dr_Teeth

Hello there! Vasch_ro's thread got me thinking. Why AM I lurking here anyway?!

I guess I'll have to own up and say I've been attracted to the idea of Self Defence and Martial Arts for a while now, but never considered putting any time and effort into starting myself.

However, I've recently moved back to Dublin (I live near Shelbourne Park now, nice and central!), I have a new job, I'm starting to eat right and exercise too. So I think now would be a pretty good time to give MA a go. The trouble is after reading many the posts and articles made by you guys here I'm almost paralysed by all the choice out there.

I think if I just write down what my goals are perhaps you hardasses can tell me what to do.

1. I'd like to get fit, I'm really unfit at the moment from all the time I spend with computers. I'd say pretty much any MA should be able to help with this.

2. I'm not really interested in a 'sport' - i.e. a focus on lots of rules and tournaments etc.

3. I'm not really interested in weapons - I'll never carry them around with me so what's the point in getting good with them I wonder?

4. I want to learn 'real' self defence. The skills needed to deal with or escape muggings / late-nite brawls / random attacks etc.

5. I want to toughen up mentally - I guess this ties in with no. 4. Right now if someone hit me hard I'd most likely go into shock or be completely confused ('I can't believe he just hit me! OMG! Why? What'd I do?!?!') or panic. I haven't been in a fight since I was a child, and I can't remember how it turned out, not well probably.

6. I'd like to toughen up physically. I imagine there's no use practicing some uber punching technique or lifting weights to gain strength if you break your hand the first time you need to hit someone.. same goes for feet/shins/elbows/head or whatever else.. I guess hitting lots of pads or bags over time would build denser bones or stronger joints?

7. I'd like to train without getting beaten up badly! Sparring and all that is cool but I don't think it makes much sense to break your nose/jaw/hand etc. training for a real fight that will probably never happen! I have a respectable job in customer support so I can't really turn up to work in bits.

8. Although I said in point 3. that I'm not interested in weapons, I would like to learn how do deal with being attacked with one - i.e. how to cope with someone coming at you with a knife or a bottle.

9. I'd like to learn a decent variety of skills so that I have choices if I'm ever in a bad situation - like good striking if needed, or good grappling/throwing if needed or good choking/immobilising if needed. Or even good talking and running away skills.

Ok, so given all of what I've said, what Martial Art, or mix of Martial Arts would you guys recommend? Millionaire, if you've read this far, Hi! Your input would be appreciated especially.

Best regards,
Teeth.

Blackdragon

Dr_Teeth wrote:

Hello there! Vasch_ro's thread got me thinking. Why AM I lurking here anyway?!

I guess I'll have to own up and say I've been attracted to the idea of Self Defence and Martial Arts for a while now, but never considered putting any time and effort into starting myself.

However, I've recently moved back to Dublin (I live near Shelbourne Park now, nice and central!), I have a new job, I'm starting to eat right and exercise too. So I think now would be a pretty good time to give MA a go. The trouble is after reading many the posts and articles made by you guys here I'm almost paralysed by all the choice out there.

I think if I just write down what my goals are perhaps you hardasses can tell me what to do.

1. I'd like to get fit, I'm really unfit at the moment from all the time I spend with computers. I'd say pretty much any MA should be able to help with this.

2. I'm not really interested in a 'sport' - i.e. a focus on lots of rules and tournaments etc.

3. I'm not really interested in weapons - I'll never carry them around with me so what's the point in getting good with them I wonder?

4. I want to learn 'real' self defence. The skills needed to deal with or escape muggings / late-nite brawls / random attacks etc.

5. I want to toughen up mentally - I guess this ties in with no. 4. Right now if someone hit me hard I'd most likely go into shock or be completely confused ('I can't believe he just hit me! OMG! Why? What'd I do?!?!') or panic. I haven't been in a fight since I was a child, and I can't remember how it turned out, not well probably.

6. I'd like to toughen up physically. I imagine there's no use practicing some uber punching technique or lifting weights to gain strength if you break your hand the first time you need to hit someone.. same goes for feet/shins/elbows/head or whatever else.. I guess hitting lots of pads or bags over time would build denser bones or stronger joints?

7. I'd like to train without getting beaten up badly! Sparring and all that is cool but I don't think it makes much sense to break your nose/jaw/hand etc. training for a real fight that will probably never happen! I have a respectable job in customer support so I can't really turn up to work in bits.

8. Although I said in point 3. that I'm not interested in weapons, I would like to learn how do deal with being attacked with one - i.e. how to cope with someone coming at you with a knife or a bottle.

9. I'd like to learn a decent variety of skills so that I have choices if I'm ever in a bad situation - like good striking if needed, or good grappling/throwing if needed or good choking/immobilising if needed. Or even good talking and running away skills.

Ok, so given all of what I've said, what Martial Art, or mix of Martial Arts would you guys recommend? Millionaire, if you've read this far, Hi! Your input would be appreciated especially.

Best regards,
Teeth.

Im on the same boat only im located in the cork city area.... Ill be watching this thread with interest

Unpossible

Krav Maga ? If you want something long term then check them out, train a few times a week if you can.

h if you break your hand the first time you need to hit someone..

I think thats down to technique, but I could be wrong.

I'd like to train without getting beaten up badly! Sparring and all that is cool but I don't think it makes much sense to break your nose/jaw/hand etc. training for a real fight that will probably never happen!

Personally I like sparring for this reason, it means Im used to being hit I hope if I ever was attacked that the sparring would help me keep a cool head and not panic*.

i.e. how to cope with someone coming at you with a knife or a bottle.

Personally I would take any knife defences with a pinch of salt, but other people have different views on that.


*edit: actually I wouldn't like sparring where I get knocked out/busted up badly everyweek, but I like the fact that my competitions are full contact (and yes I've felt the "downside" to that)

john kavanagh

Dr_Teeth wrote:

training for a real fight that will probably never happen!

very true

as that is the case, train in something you enjoy

try a couple of different classes before committing your time and money to any one program.

good luck with your training

Musashi

Try whatever is close to you.
Once your going well there try other styles/seminars that come up!

You'll either find a style you hate, one you prefer to your current one, or a few bits and pieces you like, to work in to what you do usually.

There really is no downside to being more active physically barring silly training that would result in injury. Given that instructors can be sued for unsafe practices, and most would like to see you turn up (and pay) on a regular basis, this is not such a concern as it used to be

Have fun and an open, questioning, mind.

Demetrius

Good thread Dr Teeth. 'Fraid alot of us are in the same boat. Look forward to more suggestions.

arybvtcw0eolkf

I'd have to echo what JK said.

In reality most of us will never fight on the street, and while MA will give you an edge it won't prepare you for the voilence of a real street fight. So check out some clubs, try different styles and do it for your own enjoyment and not in preparation for a street fight, because that will probably never happen.

For example, I've one door work for over 15 years and if I'm to be honest probably 90% of the time I controlled and finished an incident with a rear naked choke, or a swift kick up into the balls, lol.

Since your in Dublin, and using this forum, your spoilt for choice.

Best of luck, and please keep us posted here.

Nothingcompares

I think a RBSD or KravMaga course will suits your needs Dr. Teeth but I'll just like to give you my opinion on your attitude. You'll never achieve a practical level of skill in what ever you pursue in MA with that attitude, however, I think you'll change your mind as you start training.

pma-ire

Start with any clubs in your area!

Call in and have a look first!! This puts the instructor under a bit of pressure to try and impress you a bit without them getting there hands on you!!

If you like what you see talk to the instructor and members ask loads of questions and maybe go to the next session!!

After doing this with as many different styles and clubs as you can, then pick your fav one! Be it for whatever reason!

* You liked the look of the style.

* You liked the structure of the club.

* You liked the atmosphere.

* You liked one of the chicks!

Good luck and let us know how you get on!!??

arybvtcw0eolkf

Nothingcompares wrote:

I think a RBSD or KravMaga course will suits your needs Dr. Teeth but I'll just like to give you my opinion on your attitude. You'll never achieve a practical level of skill in what ever you pursue in MA with that attitude, however, I think you'll change your mind as you start training.

Excellent reply.

I was actually thinking about this thread while out walking on the beach an hour ago and thinking, I wonder just how many people here thought they'd get into MA with street fighting/self defence on their agenda and then found after many year's that they've never had to face that situation!.

Other than working the doors I've never been in a fight in my entire adult life.

challengemaster

most sparring isint full on contact bare knuckle anyway, you pretty much use some sort of protection whilst sparring(mits etc)

or atleast in my style >_>

Blackdragon

challengemaster wrote:

most sparring isint full on contact bare knuckle anyway, you pretty much use some sort of protection whilst sparring(mits etc)

or atleast in my style >_>

What is your Style?

dlofnep

Blackdragon wrote:

What is your Style?

you can call eet, the art of fighting, without fighting.

Dr_Teeth

Hi again, thanks for the responses guys.. I've been doing more reading for the last few days and I'm thinking of checking out a few different MAs. My goals are initially to have fun, get fit, toughen up, and “Learn to hit f***ing hard!” as I read in one of Geoff Thompson's articles. With that in mind I'd like to try out:

Muay Thai (I believe there are a few clubs that train this in Dublin?)

Kyokushin (thanks to kenpo_dave for letting me know about this one)

Krav Maga (I read a thread about two different schools in Dublin that don't like each other! which to choose?)

I live in Dublin 4 (near Shelbourne Park), work in Donnybrook, and don't drive. So ideally I'd be looking for a club that's in the city centre, or somewhere close enough. Any suggestions?

Also, my eyesight isn't very good - I have to wear glasses. How do near-sighted people handle sparring etc.? Do you just take them off and deal with the fact that your opponent is a big blur, or are there goggles or something that can be worn?

Best regards,
Teeth.

Nothingcompares

Bridgestone Muay Thai is on blessington lane off dorset street.

pma-ire

Dr_Teeth wrote:

Also, my eyesight isn't very good - I have to wear glasses. How do near-sighted people handle sparring etc.? Do you just take them off and deal with the fact that your opponent is a big blur, or are there goggles or something that can be worn?

It depends on how bad your eye sight is? But I've found it OK to spar without my specs on!!

Most of the action happens within a range that I can see pretty fine, though I did use contacts for a while but the sweat pouring from my head when sparring made them sting too much

Have a go without them, you'd be suprised!!

CerebralCortex

I was practicing Aikido there for about ten weeks on and off and my experience of it seems to fit what you are looking for. Can be painfull at first no bloody noses or anything but if you aren't that flexible it takes a while to get into.

challengemaster

Blackdragon wrote:

What is your Style?

Wado-Kai

Roper

Hey fella,
One of the lads in my place has contacts and the only thing that happens is that once a month or so we all have to crawl around looking for one that just got knocked out!

I saw a lad with goggles on before but he looked a bit odd, they weren't quite Edgar Davids style, more like St.Pauls swimming pool circa 1985. I'd go with contacts!

Nothingcompares

i wear contacts for boxing, bjj and judo no problems.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Nothingcompares wrote:

i wear contacts for boxing, bjj and judo no problems.

Are they full contacts?.....








Bad joke time!.

Nothingcompares

ha!

Unpossible

I never wore contacts for Judo, but now I wear them for competitions (its stand up at my level), and sometimes I might wear them for a sparring session. It means I can see their feet and small movements better.

smacl

I also have pretty terrible eyesight, and tried out squash goggles for competition, again stand-up wrestling format. My advice is don't bother with them; if you're not wearing them regularly they are just an unncessary and annoying distraction when you hit the mats.

To the OP, if you have bad eyesight, closer range fighting / wrestling / grappling etc... might suit you better. We train this type of thing in Renelagh, PM me if you are interested (shameless plug ). I'd guess many of the BJJ, Judo and other schools around town would also suit your needs.