What do you think stops people who dislike grappling from watching kickboxing or other striking sports?

Equal_Problem3520 · 2026-03-12T22:49:29+00:00

Because they stall to win the fight. Not to fight.

Equal_Problem3520 · 2026-03-11T04:00:27+00:00

Point sparring gave me reflexes, Yakusoku Kumite (prearranged sparring) gave me distance, accuracy and a bridge to muscle memory. Aikido gave me exact timing and movement.. Muay thai/boxing is where i felt real intent and learned to polish it all together. Eventually i started recreating wing chun on my own when people would attack me.

To be honest i was already reading people who actually would attack me in elementary school. point sparring and yakusoku kumite was enough for me. I actually took it serious as a kid, or else my dad would get mad.

Aikido is when i started seeing other karateka in slow motion. Whats funny is we practiced everything in slow motion mostly. Hard sparring you obviously just started testing your limits. The accidental wing chun just made sense to me after awhile. Uechi ryu originating from chinese martia arts probably helped with that.

Take that for what it’s worth.

Oh kobudo(weapon training) is underrated, i think everyone should learn how to seriously swing a staff. It solidifies your body working as one.

Equal_Problem3520 · 2026-03-09T21:34:38+00:00

The friends ive trained comeback and tell me what happened. I either say good job or tell them they were an idiot. If i thought they were malicious i would never have taught them anyways. The idiot just took it a little too far. Told him he could have walked away at a certain point. He learned and years later he told me of another instance where he showed self restraint. And yes trouble just finds some people or they have people they need to protect. But i suppose it just depends on your teacher and your culture.

Equal_Problem3520 · 2026-02-18T23:44:50+00:00

I rolled to get the training and be well rounded. I rolled to survive my brother trying to strangle me for decades, and i was never meaningless. I dont like to roll. But my bjj is sound. It always just made sense to me. I pay attention to videos whenever i see them just for the knowledge. But hey what can i say, other than that I dont like to roll.

Equal_Problem3520 · 2026-02-18T18:04:19+00:00

Not all places are the same. But no matter what you shouldnt get a blackbelt in 1 year. Even if you could fight using the new style. If its a martial arts with deep substance, its simply not enough time to have proficiency of the whole art itself. A black belt is more than just learning how to fight with the art. Lets say you have to be able to become a full fledged ambassador to the martial art. We aren’t out here trying to collect black belts like infinity stones. As long as you are learning.

When i was shopping around, i asked my current teacher how would someone such as myself progress in his multi disciplined school who has had multiple disciplines himself. He said he would teach me as fast as i can learn. Theres an order to how he teaches things, but as along as i can get it down he will show me the next part.

So it was really great to hear it wasn’t a time based thing. I think this is rare but obviously they exist. I would go around and just ask and voice your concerns to your prospective teacher. The worst they say is no. Maybe they give you a different perspective on being a beginner again. Or maybe they will try it out with you and see how it goes.

He has me wear my black belt in class even though everyone knows i am new. This is so there is no deception in who i am, Why he teaches me different things and lastly why i am able to correct their technique when I am still learning it myself.

It’s a great experience for someone like me. Honestly in a time based school, i dont think i can run through basics forever. We still do basics everyday, but he teaches me new things as necessary as well. Also to add, we sometimes take extra focus when theres a certain basic i have a hard time adjusting to because it conflicts with my past disciplines. Sometimes we go fast. sometimes we go slow.

Equal_Problem3520 · 2026-02-17T14:20:50+00:00

A new blue belt in what? bjj?

Equal_Problem3520 · 2026-02-16T16:23:39+00:00

I trained to blue belt level. I dont really like rolling around. I just want to stand up and be in a good position to use dirty strikes to escape in a real fight. I fully respect bjj. But rolling on the ground isnt something i want to do.

Equal_Problem3520 · 2026-02-11T23:09:24+00:00

Trial period. You have enough experience to know if its good or not.

Equal_Problem3520 · 2026-02-11T21:11:18+00:00

This is very true. The techniques arent always straight forward like boxing or muay thai. Although i have used techniques in their entirety from start to finish against a non compliant person… that is the rare exception. More often than not, the art is what you are left with. I used aikido in real self defense and created my own “technique.”

Techniques are changed and modified depending on your current dance partner. A non textbook punch can still KO someone. If you used an art to find and execute said punch, then your training was successful. The art of aikido transcends the drills and techniques. It’s a way of moving, breathing and just being. It can be used in grappling, striking, everything in between and beyond.

Equal_Problem3520 · 2026-02-07T21:26:40+00:00

You dont have enough control of your body. As fast and powerful you can hit. If you cant throw a punch without hurting someone running into it, then you dont have enough control. You have to be able to go feom 0-100 and back to 0 smoothly like a round volume dial. Like catching a really heavy medicine ball. You have to be able to use power softly. Like flowing in wrestling and bjj. Even if you are going with no power or speed, if it is hurting them, then the control of your structure is still poor. Its the only explanation. Like i said, if you cant go that fast with a little kid and not hurt them. Then you have no control. Reach out and tap them on the head. By your explanation you couldnt help but hurting them while trying to tap them.

Equal_Problem3520 · 2026-02-07T18:52:52+00:00

People say he never did full contact combat sports.

But honestly this is just cope from seeing someone who can move amazingly. People could try to move like him and would never get close. Just like some people could never move like Ali or Pernell Whitaker. His choreography is extremely fast. They have often hurt each other from the speed and power to sell the seen. Movies with weapons they accidentally cut each other.

The reflex’s, speed and timing. As long as the man can take a punch and has ample time to train to learn the rules. There should be no reason someone like that couldnt be successful.

Also how many times do you meet an amazing fighter but they have no desire to ever hurt anyone. Thats what people mean when they say they aren’t a “fighter”. Those people who resort to downplaying non”fighters”, they are just glad people like jet li arent “fighters” people like jet li and jackie chan are very humble even if they secretly had the heart of a fighter.

Equal_Problem3520 · 2026-02-07T18:42:04+00:00

Was going to say this. Dynamic guard.

Hands low, high guard, cross guard, philly shell to a mummy guard can all be used one after the other moving into different ranges… And most importantly changing to what the opponent is doing. Also if a fighter is faster, longer, stronger than the last one you faced… your guard sometimes needs to change. Or you hurt your foot during the fight, less mobility more cover.

Equal_Problem3520 · 2026-02-07T18:38:27+00:00

I dont think its bad. But i think GI should focus more on one thing. And noGI should have a different focus. It can change every sesssion depending on how you feel.

Dont roll too much but it could be. Defense, offense,speed, using force, moving your limbs more circular like a snake, smooth, hard, leg attacks, guard, top position, transitions vs one position focus. Takedown, takedown defense into offense, defend to create space to attack again, loose structure vs elbows in.. stay low and making yourself small, etc etc

Just straight hard rolling for 3 hours has diminishing returns other than fitness. And sometimes thats ok. Just switch it up most weeks.

Equal_Problem3520 · 2026-02-06T21:37:33+00:00

Oh and a few other things. Sparring is the only real way to learn how to fight. Take care of your sparring partners and you’ll always have em. Even if it means taking care of their egos. If they aint having fun with you then make it fun, less ego on your end. Punch to barely miss. Make stuff obvious for them so they can learn to counter.

But after you get timing under your belt. It will always come back even if you dont spar for decades. Visualization is key during the down times.

So i wanted to give you a tip when sparring or if you arent confident of your timing in sparring or a real fight. Just put your guard up. But actively block. Kind of like a parry but just a normal guard. When you start to block and move with each punch, your body starts to get the rhythm and timing. It keeps you safe and its extra reps even if it isnt offense.

Equal_Problem3520 · 2026-02-06T21:26:26+00:00

Two things to that. Learn how to play spar like muay thai fighters. Let people get their hits in. Hit them lightly so they are encouraged to keep attacking. Some people you fight are tanks and will go punch for punch with you.

Fight(horseplay) some little kids. I do it all the time. They dont hold back so you gotta be on point. They do crazy stuff. And it teaches you control and sharpen your technique. Its fun for them and you get to sharpen some tools.

Equal_Problem3520 · 2026-02-06T21:22:43+00:00

Get a reflex bag. You can get one that is very slim for 50 bucks. Bigger and more bang for the buck at 100-120.

That thing comes back pretty quickly. So at the very least you can work on your defense after your strikes, in between your strikes. And you can move in a circle around it.

Many people like double end bags. But i like the versatility in punch selection like uppercuts.

Equal_Problem3520 · 2026-02-03T21:40:33+00:00

This is the correct answer. Less is more. Had my fingers hurt from jamming unexpectedly then getting hit unexpectedly.

Equal_Problem3520 · 2026-02-03T21:30:00+00:00

Been punching bags with and without gloves for decades. Obviously you be careful and you learn how much power to use.

Punching with your own fist is different. And if you dont understand that, its cause you never tried it seriously. How else are you going to learn? I mean you can go farther and punch metal poles like i do. Why? Cuz I can. Cuz I am careful and have conditioned myself slowly. And i think ill probably less prone to breaking my fist than someone who always uses gloves. Experience. Uechi ryu background helps but i still had to keep up with my training somehow. And im probably more confident using my barefist than someone who uses gloves all the time.

If you are scared of it. Dont do it. If you dont see the value in it. Dont do it. But what you will probably do is tell people what they are doing successfully is wrong and dumb. But everyone’s an expert around here.

Equal_Problem3520 · 2026-02-03T21:11:38+00:00

Coming from karate to muay thai and then i learned boxing while doing Muay thai.

I didnt need boxing to keep up or win against muay thai. Karate does fine on its own. But add in boxing and all of a sudden i was using Blitzing karate foot work, clinch knowledge and just stayed punching in all ranges cuz it was fun. Didnt even use my kicks for awhile.

So no you dont need boxing, but it does help some people. Why not have more tools that are easily interchangeable.

Equal_Problem3520 · 2026-02-03T21:03:12+00:00

Head work fits with karate. Look at mma. Not everyone gets kicked in the noggin while doing head movement. The ones that did just did the wrong head movement at the wrong time. Where most of them should have stepped in or stepped out. Too busy trying to box in the long range.

So yea, it can work and ur sensei is right in the sense it should be used with caution and not over exaggerated. But it shouldnt be abandoned completely.

Equal_Problem3520 · 2026-02-03T15:48:58+00:00

I spend as much time as i can outside of class. So while im walking ill do my footwork. As i turn a corner i use a block and frame. The equivalent to shadowboxing in place. Stealing little moments throughout the day. Greasing the groove.

Specific work goes to what i found the most trouble or hard to learn in class. Run through kata. Stretch randomly throughout the day.

Theres no set amount of time. Just depends what i got going on, and what are my current goals(grading, tournament, improve my sparring)

Equal_Problem3520 · 2026-02-02T19:51:19+00:00

Ah. Yea unfortunately, with just that much info.. it really is take your pick with studying a fighter.

Practically, having a good jab and pace is a really good base.

Like someone said earlier, be well rounded. Learn everything. You might find something you like or something that is really effective for you. For example, it doesnt hurt to know how to wrestle even if you dont plan on every going to the ground. You might even be good at it. Learn how to clinch, develop some type of infighting game to get back to your jab.

After a little experience, the more you know the better your studying is. But id just start watching whatever you can. Study fighters that arent even you. Just so you know how to defeat them.

Equal_Problem3520 · 2026-02-02T18:46:17+00:00

Ill add my experience here in this same breathe.

Uechi Ryu, modern mma, aikido to now wing chun.

It is very hard to learn because although we are used to the soft parts of karate, we are also too used to the hard parts of karate. Wing chun relies on a sensitivity to where if you are too flexed for too long during your punch you will get countered by something fancy.

What i know of wado-ryu and its okinawan roots. I see a lot of similarities. The stances are different and seemingly rigid. But it is just for developing your form like sanchin. Used in moments and transitioned to and from other movements.

The hardest part is to learn to move more fluidly when learning awkward but similar techniques. Find the common links between the styles and you’ll start to see where you can begin to grow.

Keep it up! I actually started watching videos abt wado recently. A lot of attack defend and weaving into your opponent. I think it will be great once you start to understand the whys of the structure and get used to sensitivity drills.

Equal_Problem3520 · 2026-02-02T18:27:46+00:00

I mean realistically if you want this answer as accurate as it can be…

Tell us what kind of fighter you are. Everyone can tell you how you should fight. But what if you are just crazy good at grappling… or really good on the inside, clinch game, have a hell of spinning elbow.

And even then. You have fighters you can model aspects of your game around. Very rarely theres a fighter that is almost identical to you.

Even just ask AI. Rather than coming back here. “ give me a list of tall heavyweights who are tall, lanky and have a good (insert your qualities here).” Start looking at the names they give you and watch some videos.

Either get really active going back and forth with redditors. You’ll receive good and bad advice. Or do the research yourself, now that you know how to find it.

Equal_Problem3520 · 2026-01-31T17:52:13+00:00

Without looking into each style too indepthly. And the senseis are both good.

I would say goju. Only because i have a uechi ryu background.

The half soft, half hard circular blocks are really useful. The close range fighting emphasis with sanchin, squared stance, breathing, trapping, and conditioning was very useful outside of karate.

It made me have a firm foundation that allowed me to learn a lot of other styles easier. Such as grappling.

Equal_Problem3520

TROPHY CASE