Self defence techniques

Pat Mustard

First time posting here, I think. I'm looking for some advice, so I'm going to let people know what my (limited) experience is.

I did judo for a while in school. I liked it but I never took it too seriously. I guess that I realised that it wasn't for me. It didn't seem to come as naturally to me as it did to others. I was never as fast at throws as I would have liked, even though I thought I was effective at sweeps. I liked basic, fast armlocks. My strangles and chokes were pretty effective. I always thought I was a bit tall and lanky for judo when I was much younger, even though I don't have that issue anymore.

Then I took up TKD. I liked it and did it for a few years. I realised that I liked striking martial arts more than grappling. I'm reasonably fast with my hands when I have to be, and I can keep sparring partners at long range with kicks, which is what I like best.

I've been out of TKD for a while now, but I'm thinking of getting back to it. I might consider going to a different code though.

I took a look at another recent thread about TKD etc, and someone suggested that TKD wasn't necessarily great on self defence techniques. I always liked SD techniques. They just really grab my interest.

Also, there is one thing that I don't like - patterns. I have always kinda endured them at best. They just seem so impractical for a potential real-life situation. I would be prepared to accept that they might have their place for teaching/learning.

Any suggestions/advice welcome.

Baggio...

If you're in Dublin have a chat to Jon (one of the mods here). He's an Urban Combatives instructor, and knows a shed load about realistic self-defense.

B.

TKD SC

The Mustard wrote: »

I'm looking for some advice

I realised that I liked striking martial arts more than grappling.

I've been out of TKD for a while now, but I'm thinking of getting back to it. I might consider going to a different code though.


Also, there is one thing that I don't like - patterns.
Any suggestions/advice welcome.

HI,

Re: getting back into TKD, maybe state your location and you might get advise on various clubs near you...

I'm not mad on patterns either and avoid them nearly completely! I usually end up doing maybe one pattern class per month which is enough for me! Some clubs will focus more / less on patterns and hence might suit you better...Or maybe you'd be happier with a different MA completely that had zero patterns?!

On the SD side, again depends on the tkd instructor - some are good, some are not. As Baggio says above, I'd def recommend Urban Combatives though as a nice add-on to tkd training for some proper SD.

Pat Mustard

TKD SC wrote: »

HI,

Re: getting back into TKD, maybe state your location and you might get advise on various clubs near you...

I'm not mad on patterns either and avoid them nearly completely! I usually end up doing maybe one pattern class per month which is enough for me! Some clubs will focus more / less on patterns and hence might suit you better...Or maybe you'd be happier with a different MA completely that had zero patterns?!

On the SD side, again depends on the tkd instructor - some are good, some are not. As Baggio says above, I'd def recommend Urban Combatives though as a nice add-on to tkd training for some proper SD.

Cheers for that, I am in Cork City.

The club I was in had a certain amount of SD. I thought my old instructor was good. I might check out the combatives anyway, just out of curiousity.

About the patterns, I know I don't like them, but then again, there aren't too many people that I know who do. I don't totally hate them or anything. I am prepared to put up with them! I did like TKD though, I have to say, so I would be more likely to go back to it than change to a different MA. I'd still be interested as to what alternatives you might suggest though.

Charlie3dan

From what I get from your original post, I don't think you'll get what you want from combatives or something like kickboxing, which would have similar (well in a sense) sparring but no kata. So you probably are best to go back to TKD. Of course it would be no harm to experiment with others things as well and you do have alot of options in cork.

You don't sound like you've renounced patterns completely as yet but just a word of caution, if you pick and choose what parts of an art to practice, you aren't really learning that art.

Pat Mustard

Charlie3dan wrote: »

I don't think you'll get what you want from combatives or something like kickboxing, which would have similar (well in a sense) sparring but no kata.

Just wondering you why you think this?

Charlie3dan wrote: »

You don't sound like you've renounced patterns completely as yet but just a word of caution, if you pick and choose what parts of an art to practice, you aren't really learning that art.

Point taken.

Thank you.

Charlie3dan

Just going on what I took from your post, I could be wrong.
I don't think you'd get the same fun out of combatives and if you like most aspects of TKD I don't think kickboxing will offer you all you want either.

Best of luck with it.
I'm based in Cork so if you are looking for info on clubs I might be able to help. You'll find lots of info doing a search of old posts here as well.

TKD SC

The Mustard wrote: »

Cheers for that, I am in Cork City.

The club I was in had a certain amount of SD. I thought my old instructor was good. I might check out the combatives anyway, just out of curiousity.

About the patterns, I know I don't like them, but then again, there aren't too many people that I know who do. I don't totally hate them or anything. I am prepared to put up with them! I did like TKD though, I have to say, so I would be more likely to go back to it than change to a different MA. I'd still be interested as to what alternatives you might suggest though.

Just to follow on from Charlie3Dan's post below re the combatives side - I'd be more thinking it would be an add-on to tkd training, like just a once a month workshop / seminar. That's what I'm trying to do anyway!

Jon might point you in direction of good combatives in Cork...

If prepared to put up with patterns then I'd suggest trying to find a good tkd club that focuses more so on sparring side of things with not as much emphasis on patterns as maybe some other clubs...I don't know the Cork clubs so not much help to you. INTA and IUTF have a good few clubs in Cork...

Alternatives could be anything really: kickboxing (similar but no patterns), mma, bjj, sanda, thai - trying to list ones with no patterns!

Hope that helps somewhat!

Simon

Unpossible

If you really don't like patterns then I would go with what the previous poster said, something without patterns and suplimenting it with some combatives. We don't have patterns in HanMooDo, but we are not in Cork

cardav

Hi The mustard,

I like you used to do TKD but was USELESS at patterns (limited attention span I think ). Just to let you know that there are regular Krav Maga classes in the Glen Resource Centre in Cork on Tuesday nights at 8pm til 9.30pm.

As a general rule students are encouraged to do a beginners course as the regular Tuesday night classes are advanced classes. Regular beginners courses are held in the Oriel House Hotel. Have a look at www.kravmagacork.eu for details and info if your interested.

Cheers
Caroline

Pat Mustard

Cool. I've been kinda curious about Krav Maga for a while alright. What I've seen of it looks like a bit of craic alright. I might go along to the Oriel one evening so, and give it a look.

Thanks Caroline

pecker1992

maybe kenpo karate would be the choice for you little to none ground fighting all strikes and self defense techniques

dlofnep

Judo is something that takes years to master.. It's a great form of self-defense. If you liked locks/chokes - Then maybe brazilian jiu-jitsu might be your cup of tea. It's a practical form of self defense, a good way to keep fit and fun.