Someone once made the statement:

[norther practitioner]

He's been around since the 80s.. I think he was in breakin' but he's been around forever...

Have you guys ever fought someone good at changing tempo and rhythem...

[Judge Pen]

Originally posted by norther practitioner

Have you guys ever fought someone good at changing tempo and rhythem...

Yeah, I have. It's humbling because right when you think you have their timing figured out they switch and leave you reeling.

good rhythm is a talent in fighting, but not being able to "dance" doesn't mean that you don't have good rhythm when you "fight" Dancing means your rhythm follows a musical beat. I suggest that once can have fighting rhythm and still not be able to "dance."

[Chang Style Novice]

Is this the same Mr. Wiggles who does a contortionist routine at P-Funk shows?

[norther practitioner]

contortionist

I don't think so...
Mr. Wiggles

[Chang Style Novice]

No, that's not him. The guy dances, too, as my question implies, but he's also amazingly limber, in that "sit on your own head" way, and he hangs out near the front of the stage and does his thing the full duration of the concert. He's considerably darker skinned than the guy in your link, too.

[joedoe]

Maybe the quote also refers to the requirement for a dancer to be able to read their partner's movement and match it appropriately, rather than a requirement for rhythm.

[Mr Punch]

Originally posted by Judge Pen


Yeah, I have. It's humbling because right when you think you have their timing figured out they switch and leave you reeling.

good rhythm is a talent in fighting, but not being able to "dance" doesn't mean that you don't have good rhythm when you "fight" Dancing means your rhythm follows a musical beat. I suggest that once can have fighting rhythm and still not be able to "dance."

Sorry, but I disagree. I don't see it as having to have rhythm in fighting; I still think good fighters are arrhythmic. I think the problem with what you just mentioned, is that as humans it is natural for us to seek pattern or order even when sometimes there is none... so,

sometimes your opponent does settle into a rhythm for a second or two by some kind of mistake or through over-repetitive drill training and then you can nail him... BUT

as often than as that, especially with less trained fighters, you are subconciously watching for their rhythm, then you think you have found it (when in fact they have none) which is when you get caught off-guard and nailed.

The only time you really see good rhythm in a fight is for quick combos when the guy gets through with a couple or three shots or when finishing someone off so there is no response. This brings me to another point: on the street, and preferably (but rarely) in the ring, the only time I want to hit any kind of rhythm is when I can 'finish' someone and dance on their broken bodies! So the only way I want my fighting to be like dancing is if it's tap dancing (drum roll; groan... sorry boys!)



I still think there is little truth in the statement. If there is, it's in what joedoe says above. Certainly applies to aiki, wingchun, pushing hands, kendo, jujutsu... wait: that's it! I've seen the light! It's ballet for me!!!