Prejudging martial arts

Ryokossei

Okay, this has always bothered me, even since my very first white belt. Why do people judge martial arts when they have never tried them? There is a thread on here that bashes Krav Maga, though it's obvious many of the people have never tried the art, and know very little about it. Perhaps it's just me, but I do not feel as though it's wise to judge ANYTHING untill you know it. Don't judge people, don't judge martial arts. I have made it a point in my short life to never judge a martial art before trying it (though, I am proud to say I have tried many).


How do you feel? Is it okay to read up on an art and act like an expert, as people seem so fond of doing, or should you try to keep your oppinions to yourself untill you actually TRY said art?

pma-ire

Ryokossei wrote:

Okay, this has always bothered me, even since my very first white belt. Why do people judge martial arts when they have never tried them? There is a thread on here that bashes Krav Maga, though it's obvious many of the people have never tried the art, and know very little about it. Perhaps it's just me, but I do not feel as though it's wise to judge ANYTHING untill you know it. Don't judge people, don't judge martial arts. I have made it a point in my short life to never judge a martial art before trying it (though, I am proud to say I have tried many).


How do you feel? Is it okay to read up on an art and act like an expert, as people seem so fond of doing, or should you try to keep your oppinions to yourself untill you actually TRY said art?

As I said in the KM thread. Seem to be in a KM school of MA. Not a course that seems to be the norm in Ireland.

The main problem that folks have is with the quick promise of MA skill without the training. Any MA that promises this must be thought of as suspect. You cannot make such claims and not expect them to be taken at face value.

But due to the format that KM is taken in this country simply going along to a class is not as easy an option as it would be to go to other MA's.

vasch_ro

Ryokossei wrote:

Okay, this has always bothered me, even since my very first white belt. Why do people judge martial arts when they have never tried them? There is a thread on here that bashes Krav Maga, though it's obvious many of the people have never tried the art, and know very little about it. Perhaps it's just me, but I do not feel as though it's wise to judge ANYTHING untill you know it. Don't judge people, don't judge martial arts. I have made it a point in my short life to never judge a martial art before trying it (though, I am proud to say I have tried many).


How do you feel? Is it okay to read up on an art and act like an expert, as people seem so fond of doing, or should you try to keep your oppinions to yourself untill you actually TRY said art?

they are not bashing the art rather the weekend warrior transformation claims
as advertised here in Ireland. The Krav maga people stated their case and a discussion ensued. Its a view on the marketing aspect more than anything.
I think most people here have respect for each others arts/sports, how ever training methodolgy does come in for a lot of critique !

Coupe

Gentlemen, you have just proven Ryokossei's point!!! Again!!!!

I took the short course in KM which i found to be excellent and engaging and was so impressed I have signed up for the coming YEARS advanced training classes (not the now ledgendary weekend one which seems to be sooo upsetting to many on these boards). I have made this investment safe in the knowledge that the quality of training will be of the highest standard (I refer you to the KM thread for qualifications)this country has to offer!

It is quite clear from you're responses on this thread and the KM one that you haven't even taken the time to find out what level of training and type of courses in KM are available in Ireland before making comment. (know what I mean pma?)

Anyway. Ryokossei a very balanced, sensible and fair comment. One which if followed correctly can only lead to shared knowledge of and mutual respect for one anothers styles. Your maturity clearly exceeds your years.
I share your opinion.

pma-ire

Coupe wrote:

It is quite clear from you're responses on this thread and the KM one that you haven't even taken the time to find out what level of training and type of courses in KM are available in Ireland before making comment. (know what I mean pma?)

Please ! This extra course work you are talking about is not mentioned on the KM site?? So could you outline this extra course work that you have signed up for?

Anything that is sold as a "Get (insert what ever you want here) quick" answer has to set alarm bells off in your head

I cannot afford to go lashing out 375 euro just to see if they are going anything new that could change my whole out look on fighting. So I have to rely on what information is given to me. Which seems to be very little so I await your enlighting comments

Coupe

Paul,
By all means. I have signed up for the advanced training course which is a follow on from the weekend / 12 week course. Its focus is less on a crash course in self defense as before focusing instead on advanced combatives, third party protection etc.

This allows me to train up to 4 times per week and allows me to attend all of the weekend / 12 week classes which are run during the year. Added to this are a number of personal one to one classes. Essentially there is now a group of "regulars" who train together every week.

Basically I got a kick (excuse the pun!) out of it the first time and I want to learn much more.

With regard to the 375euro all I can say is I found it to be exceptional value. Indeed its no small sum. However Patrick does operates a no questions money back offer if it dosen't meet your expectations. I have found him to be honourable, generous and flexable with regards to tuition fees and as an individual in general so in my view anyone taking the course can't lose. If you don't find it useful you get your money back. Can't do better than that.

I appreciate the constructive nature of your questions and comments and recognise that your are one of the more balanced and less emotive critics on the KM thread. Anything else you need to know I'll try my best to answer.

Sorry if this has gone way off topic

David

dudara

they are not bashing the art rather the weekend warrior transformation claims

Spot on!!

pma-ire

Coupe wrote:

I appreciate the constructive nature of your questions and comments and recognise that your are one of the more balanced and less emotive critics on the KM thread.

Thanks I think this is down to my "Laughing Budda Shape"

Coupe wrote:

Anything else you need to know I'll try my best to answer.

Sorry if this has gone way off topic

I think this make much more sense. It would be understandable that there are not enough KM instructors spread around the country. So I'm sure that this will sort itself out over time.

You hav'int gone off topic at all man You have just answered my question which lead to us understanding where KM is coming from.:D

It seems that the promotion text and wording is a bit out there. But thats up to Patrick, if he is willing to take the good with the bad comments. From what I can see he seems to have a calm outlook on all of this. Although I do wish that he could have taken a direct part of the threads so that this could have been cleared up faster.

If you do see this Patrick, thank you also for your comments through Musashi's emails.

dent

Ryokossei wrote:

Okay, this has always bothered me, even since my very first white belt. Why do people judge martial arts when they have never tried them? There is a thread on here that bashes Krav Maga, though it's obvious many of the people have never tried the art, and know very little about it. Perhaps it's just me, but I do not feel as though it's wise to judge ANYTHING untill you know it. Don't judge people, don't judge martial arts. I have made it a point in my short life to never judge a martial art before trying it (though, I am proud to say I have tried many).


How do you feel? Is it okay to read up on an art and act like an expert, as people seem so fond of doing, or should you try to keep your oppinions to yourself untill you actually TRY said art?

I have to agree with Ryokossei here. In fact I'd almost take it a step further and add that you should not prejudge a martial art unless you have trained in
two different clubs. A poor coach can really sour your view of a martial art.

pma-ire

dent wrote:

A poor coach can really sour your view of a martial art.

I agree with this comment Dent. I have trained with many instructors from different arts. Because of the fact Patrick is the only one doing these classes then it would not be possible to train in two clubs.

Anyway, I was not disputing the fundementals of KM, because as you say I have not trained in it. But we can all see the way it is advertised and that was the main problem.

After the comment from Coupe, I think this has been put to rest though

dent

pma-ire wrote:

I agree with this comment Dent. I have trained with many instructors from different arts. Because of the fact Patrick is the only one doing these classes then it would not be possible to train in two clubs.

Anyway, I was not disputing the fundementals of KM, because as you say I have not trained in it. But we can all see the way it is advertised and that was the main problem.

After the comment from Coupe, I think this has been put to rest though

To be honest I'm really not up todate on the KM discussion. I think I posted near the beginning of the post. I was just replying to the main post in this discussion.

dabhal

Coupe wrote:

Paul,
By all means. I have signed up for the advanced training course which is a follow on from the weekend / 12 week course. Its focus is less on a crash course in self defense as before focusing instead on advanced combatives, third party protection etc.

This allows me to train up to 4 times per week and allows me to attend all of the weekend / 12 week classes which are run during the year. Added to this are a number of personal one to one classes. Essentially there is now a group of "regulars" who train together every week.

Basically I got a kick (excuse the pun!) out of it the first time and I want to learn much more.

With regard to the 375euro all I can say is I found it to be exceptional value. Indeed its no small sum. However Patrick does operates a no questions money back offer if it dosen't meet your expectations. I have found him to be honourable, generous and flexable with regards to tuition fees and as an individual in general so in my view anyone taking the course can't lose. If you don't find it useful you get your money back. Can't do better than that.

I appreciate the constructive nature of your questions and comments and recognise that your are one of the more balanced and less emotive critics on the KM thread. Anything else you need to know I'll try my best to answer.

Sorry if this has gone way off topic

David

Coupe,

I think it would be really interesting if you went along to John Kavanaghs free class to get a comparsion on both approaches. I have been tring to get someone I know to try both and then post up here, but time and money seem to restrict him greatly. But he did promise to look into it.

Dabhal

Colm_OReilly

I think it would be really interesting if you went along to John Kavanaghs free class to get a comparsion on both approaches. I have been tring to get someone I know to try both and then post up here, but time and money seem to restrict him greatly. But he did promise to look into it.

Interesting Idea there.

Peace Out,
Colm

Coupe

Dabhal,

Thats a fair comment and in the interests of balance in both this thread and the KM one (not to mention my own education!!) I will contact John and see if its ok for me to attend. I'll let you know how I get on....

David

brenlong

Ryokossei wrote:

Okay, this has always bothered me, even since my very first white belt. Why do people judge martial arts when they have never tried them?

How do you feel? Is it okay to read up on an art and act like an expert, as people seem so fond of doing, or should you try to keep your oppinions to yourself untill you actually TRY said art?

Having seen this sort of thing many a time before, I see that students who show a dislike or prejudice towards another art, are usually influenced by the opinions of their instructor or senior students.
There are many instructors who will dismiss other systems, mostly in order to massage their own ego, to 'big up' the impression of their own style, or maybe to discourage their students from doing their own research into the other system.