Kung Fu effective?

[daproducor]

I'm 18 years old and was interested in learning kung fu, I had an interest in the mantis style. Anyways, I was just wondering if kung fu could really be applied to real life street fights? Do the techniques you learn really help you when the time comes? If so, how long would you say you have to be in Kung Fu before you learn how to defend yourself?

My friend was in karate his whole life and lost 5 teeth and got put in a hospital because the guy just tackled him and went for his face.

Just wondering if Kung Fu is really effective in real life situations and if i should invest my time in it.

Thanks, Nathan

[SifuAbel]

walls spinning........can't breath................a light............. I see a light...............

Oh god the agony........................make it stop.............make it stop.

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!! make it stop.

blacking.............................out.......... ...................

can't.......................


hold.............................................. .........


on................................................ .................................................. ............................

[Shadow Skill]

Of course kung fu works in a street fight. I wouldn't say any martial art worked 100% of the time, because the nature of a fight is so unpredictable. Someone could attack you while you're not looking, have a weapon, or jump you. The truth is the effectiveness of any martial art depends on the person training. If you only practice forms and no sparring or 2 man training exercises you don't develope a fighting instinct. and if you just go to class every once in a while you really can't expect to be a good fighter. Remember the only way to become a better fighter is to practice fighting.

So your friend that studied karate did he know he was going to get in a fight ( was there a arguent first or a preceeding confrontation) or was he sneak attacked.

[Chief Fox]

Yes, kung fu works. But no martial art teaches everything. Mantis is very effective but I would say the most important thing in any martial art is your instructor. How does the instructor approach kung fu? Do they concentrate on forms? Do they do two man drills? We he demonstrates a technique does he also demonstrate the appropriate amount of force and power to make the technique effective?

Just because a person studies a martial art doesn't mean they're a good fighter. I've seen several people that have studied an art for years but still wouldn't stand a chance in a real fight. Much of it depends on your willingness to mix it up and respond to violence with more violence. If you don't have the proper mindset then you're going to get your teeth knocked out evey time. It doesn't matter how many boards you can break or how high your flying kicks are.

[Shadow Skill]

. Much of it depends on your willingness to mix it up and respond to violence with more violence. If you don't have the proper mindset then you're going to get your teeth knocked out evey time. It doesn't matter how many boards you can break or how high your flying kicks are.

I agree with this statement I've been in class and Sifu taught us a tech. and I would hear some one say "that would hurt I could never do that to someone". people like that lack a fighting spirit and the mind set for combat.

[Emeraldphoenix]

Tough guys are tough guys and whimps are whimps, no matter what they study.

My old teacher used to tell us " all this training gives you a little extra edge against an average fighter."

[WOW]

I agree with this statement I've been in class and Sifu taught us a tech. and I would hear some one say "that would hurt I could never do that to someone". people like that lack a fighting spirit and the mind set for combat.

mind set and fighting spirit should also be taken care during your training.

SD is all dependent on the invidual and the situation. Awareness is also important.

[Shaolinlueb]

Yes, kung fu works. But no martial art teaches everything. Mantis is very effective but I would say the most important thing in any martial art is your instructor. How does the instructor approach kung fu? Do they concentrate on forms? Do they do two man drills? We he demonstrates a technique does he also demonstrate the appropriate amount of force and power to make the technique effective?

Just because a person studies a martial art doesn't mean they're a good fighter. I've seen several people that have studied an art for years but still wouldn't stand a chance in a real fight. Much of it depends on your willingness to mix it up and respond to violence with more violence. If you don't have the proper mindset then you're going to get your teeth knocked out evey time. It doesn't matter how many boards you can break or how high your flying kicks are.

pretty much sums most of it up.

[DoGcHoW108]

walls spinning........can't breath................a light............. I see a light...............

Oh god the agony........................make it stop.............make it stop.

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!! make it stop.

blacking.............................out.......... ...................

can't.......................


hold.............................................. .........


on................................................ .................................................. ............................

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....

wait for it......






waaait.........






AAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA




god****, that was ****ing perfect!!!

[BeiTangLang]

No matter what you learn, if a sucker punch/kick/tackle/whatever happens, you've been had. Those are things hard to recover from in time to save your @ss. So, what ever you learn, be aware that there is no art is 100%effective ...no matter what it is.

[blackmantis]

Xingyi, Mantis, Shaolin, Hung Gar, Eagle Claw, Tai Chi, Bagua and Wing Chun are all tried and tested street fighting arts.

I'm also 18, I've been in martial arts since I was 13 and I can say that Kung Fu has saved me on numerous occasions!

[neilhytholt]

The problem with kung fu in general is that they usually don't spar realistically.

IMHO sparring realistically is having a really good fighter really trying to really take your head off. It's just a level of intensity you don't find in the dojo where people are trying specifically NOT to hurt each other.

It's not that KF doesn't work, it's that their training is not usually realistic. I don't know any other way to run into this except get into a real fight on the street against a good fighter. The closest thing might be to spar with some boxers.

[SevenStar]

Xingyi, Mantis, Shaolin, Hung Gar, Eagle Claw, Tai Chi, Bagua and Wing Chun are all tried and tested street fighting arts.

I hate the "battle tested" theory people always use. Battle tested by whom? if not by the individual in question, then the statement is regardless. Just because my coach's coach used his thai boxing in several streetfights and won, that doesn't mean that I can make it work; He is not me. TKD has worked in fights for many people; It has also failed many people miserably. Why? It was battle tested, right?

[CaptinPickAxe]

Xingyi, Mantis, Shaolin, Hung Gar, Eagle Claw, Tai Chi, Bagua and Wing Chun are all tried and tested street fighting arts.

I'm also 18, I've been in martial arts since I was 13 and I can say that Kung Fu has saved me on numerous occasions!

Tai Chi? Wing Chun? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Almost ALL Tai Chi is the neo-yoga for the middle aged/geriatric population. If you're lucky enough to find a good Sifu who teaches it's applications, he'll tell you that it isn't really effective unless coupled with an external art. It's the Yin and Yang. And Wing Chun...don't get me started on wing chun. Center Line attacking is BS! The knocked-knee stance is a push over stance and begging to be thrown by a good player.

If you want to be a good fighter, train in something that based on applications and applying those applications in sparring. You have to have the snot beat out of you if you want to learn. I, personally, enjoy losing fights. I learn more when I get pounded than when I'm owning.

Sorry, for the bad attitude...
I've been surly as of late

[Cobra Commander]

No matter what you learn, if a sucker punch/kick/tackle/whatever happens, you've been had. Those are things hard to recover from in time to save your @ss. So, what ever you learn, be aware that there is no art is 100%effective ...no matter what it is.

Right but, if you are still able to fight and fend yourself after being hit, shouldn't you?
The only time i think you are unable to fight after being hit is if you face a guy like Mike Tyson who will probably leave you in a coma after one solid hit to the head. If Tyson hits you in the body, that would most likely stop you too. Of course there are those fighters who aim for your eyes, throat, balls who can stop you for a bit also.

Like one of the post above I agree that it often depends on your instructor/Sifu too. However, it also comes down to the student and his/her dedication, seriousness, determination, experience, and growth.

Good martial science/good Teacher/good student
=
Great progress.