What in your opinion is the most realistic style?

[NPMantis]

Hello everyone,

I was thinking about this today, obviously I biased to Mantis but I was wondering what the most realistic style of fighting was. I thought a grappling art such a JJ with some Western Boxing would probably be very useful for the majority of street encounters, though I know of course it depends of situation, number of attackers, etc.

I know a lot of you have many more years of experience than me in such matters and I was wondering if I could have your take on it. I am not trying to say any arts are worthless because it just isn't true, it would just be interesting to see what other people think.

I started thinking about this after the video of Cheung vs Boztepe on McDojo.com and it got me thinking and haven't been able to find any similar threads previously posted.

Anyway, thanking anyone in advance for their opinions.

Regards,

NPM.

[Shaolindynasty]

The level of realism in a style has more to do with the training than the style itself. Some systems have movements that can be done with less training than others, that's all. If you train in a realistic way than you style would be more realistic than someone who doesn't.

[dnc101]

Personally, I'd love to take one of those reality based courses where they suit up some really well trained bad arse, then get your adrenalin going full stream, then attack you. Something like RMCAT. The idea is to reduce you to a state where you only have gross motor skills, the fancy stuff is gone, and you are in a pure (simulated) survival scenario. And you get to really wail the 'suit'. Maybe someday... .

[Kickmaster]

In my style of Shaolin gung-fu, it's a family style. My master learned it from his master which he was at the Shaolin temple until 1925 he left the temple to start a family. Long story short my master met his master in a California park. He trained my master for 20 years before his death. Now my master teaches what he learned from his master, and he also trains in JKD and Bjj and Muay thai so we have just about everything in our system.

And no my kwoon is not a McDojo!! It takes at least 5-6 years for a black sash. So a system that combines all aspects of fighting should be a good system. He said that he never stops learning and we should also never stop learning. I'm sure glad that I moved to Arkansas.........

[Former castleva]

Jujitsu/JJ is more than a grappling art,it also emphasizes lots of striking,kicking.
Or is it Brazilian JJ you mean?

Obviously all styles have their strengths and weaknesses.
Aikido as an example is good for multiple attackers,weapon defenses and such,while judo is good for one-to-one.
I´m just trying to find some logical examples here,not to make a bible.

[NPMantis]

Thanks for all your points, it's quite interesting to hear what everyone so far has to say.

Shaolindynasty - yeah, I hadn't thought of it like that, but you're probably right.

dnc101 - I'd love to try a reality class, we have plenty of them advertised in the UK in 'Combat' magazine - most of the reality guys are ex-bouncers with comments like 'get the first head butt in' and seem to be a little thuggish which is why I have stayed away. They also seem to say basically blocks don't work to be safe on the streets the only think you need to do is learn to punch very hard (Geoff Thompson).

Former castleva - I meant JJ as it has a lot of grappling but also strikes, though I believe it may be mainly orientated towards grappling (or am I wrong?) - or indeed any other of grappling I see as being very useful, maybe wrestling also?

[Shaolindynasty]

kickmaster- what are you talking about??????????

[KungFuGuy!]

I think he's joking.

[dnc101]

Originally posted by NPMantis

dnc101 - I'd love to try a reality class, we have plenty of them advertised in the UK in 'Combat' magazine - most of the reality guys are ex-bouncers with comments like 'get the first head butt in' and seem to be a little thuggish which is why I have stayed away. They also seem to say basically blocks don't work to be safe on the streets the only think you need to do is learn to punch very hard (Geoff Thompson).

NP, I'd stay away from those to. The ones I'm talking about are the ones like Mr Lauer alludes to in some of his posts. They reduce you to an adrenalin induced physiological state where your vision is narrowed (tunnel vision), hearing is non-existant, and fine motor skills are impossible. They teach you how to fight in this state, then they teach you how to control the adrenalin and use it to your advantage. Psycologists call this functioning in the reptilian brain, the most basic level of consciousness. I think some styles teach it as the mind of the snake.

As I understand it, these courses train with moves that use only gross motor skills. But that is ok, since most of us already know these types of strikes- knee thrusts, heel palms, elbows, and the like. As for blocks, they are pretty instinctive. I'd be wary of anyone who said never to use them.

I just think these mega reality based short courses would make a good suppliment to your base. And suggesting this avoids the style vs. style debate.

[Chang Style Novice]

Realistic isn't the word you're looking for. It describes a simulation of reality. All styles are REAL (well, except for nonsense like super saiyan and wu xia.) Shuai chiao, the many flavors of mantis, bjj, boxing, catch wrestling, savate, muay thai, taijiquan, are all REAL. Hell, even silliness like chung moo doe, temple kungfu, and any other mcdojo you can name are REAL. They exist in the world, not in the mind. They may suck, but they are REAL.

Realism is for movies, paintings, and videogames. Nothing wrong with that, but realism is pretty much the exact opposite of reality.

Anyway, I'd rather be a badass Combat Shuai Chiao practicioner than just about anything else. Those guys don't play around when it comes to doing harm to an opponent quickly and efficiently.

[SevenStar]

Originally posted by NPMantis

dnc101 - I'd love to try a reality class, we have plenty of them advertised in the UK in 'Combat' magazine - most of the reality guys are ex-bouncers with comments like 'get the first head butt in' and seem to be a little thuggish which is why I have stayed away. They also seem to say basically blocks don't work to be safe on the streets the only think you need to do is learn to punch very hard (Geoff Thompson).

When they say blocks are no good, they don't mean in a sense that they don't work. what they are saying is than an altercation should be over in seconds. if you have time to block, then you are taking to long. you want to hit hard and get out of there.

[rogue]

Warning!!! Lame @ss answer alert!!!

The one that works for you.

I've seen some very unrealistic stuff shown by realists, and some very practicle stuff used by hard training traditionalist.

[respectmankind]

I think what you suggested is actually very good. Infact, in my opinion, you suggested is probaly the best 'start'. Would need alot of refining and of coarse both styles lack in the area that specialise.

[respectmankind]

On another note I highly agree with the man who says the styles effectiveness depends on the ammount of training. I would add though, that many techniques are just for training although sadly the are used in actually fights.

[SevenStar]

Another potential problem in the traditional styles is lack of knowledge. There are too many people out there who don't know the applications, and make up nonsensical or less effecient ones.