JKD, MMA, the webs access to global martial arts systems have challenged yesterday’s purist attitude that believed in the absolute superiority of their system. Today’s martial artists – traditionalists as well as modern – are accustomed to examining other styles in the quest to create or discover the ultimate kick ass techniques. You can bet that the young warrior monks at the Shaolin watch MMA. Gotta keep the edge with the latest info.
What is more powerful a boxer’s right cross, a JKD straight or a karate reverse punch? How does the grappling of systema, krav maga or jujitsu compare? Whether your style is aikido, wing chun, capoeira, or JKD, there are inherent strengths and weaknesses.
Comparative combat is vital for today’s martial artist. Though sentiment may lead us to feel otherwise, there is no ultimate system. Despite the infinite variety of techniques – kicks, punches, throws and joint locks – there are universal principles underlying them all. A kick between the legs is the same whatever the style. Right?
Unfortunately the indiscriminate adaptation of “absorb what is useful” or “use it if it works attitude,” often creates superficial understanding of movements. Worse, it diminishes the depth of much traditional knowledge. In the name of universal principles there is a simplistic reduction of the techniques as it’s “all the same.” We simply cannot appreciate the ingenuity of methods that require decades of training to realize. At the same time, we must recognize the aspects of traditional teachings that are antiquated for today’s lifestyle. Finding this balance is challenging.
Comparative combat is more than believing that there are universal principles behind all systems. Do you know the differences between a Thai, Tae kwon do, Goju or JKD round kick? They are similar – but different. They employ different biomechanics. For students this may be confusing. So we must learn to ask critical questions on technique, tactics and strategy. What are the differences? How do they generate power? Why are they different? What are the strength’s and weaknesses? And, so what?
We must study the differences between the variety of techniques and styles before we can discover universal principles. For Evolving Martial Artist seeking the Way of Movement, comparative analysis leads to seeing the same technique with new eyes. Gives you the edge.
Keep practicing, exploring and adapting,
Lawrence Tan
Tags: combat, comparative cobat, evolvingmartialartist, JKD, kung fu, lawrencetan, mma, shaolin, tandao
Thanks for all your videos and wisdom, Sifu Tan.
I wanted to add a somewhat tangential or off the point comment, and have been thinking this since first finding your videos. It is a thought on production, as I am a filmmaker/videographer sort, in addition to a martial artist. It is that you would benefit from using a lav (lavalier) mic in your videos. It would bring your speaking voice closer to the listener, and avoid that “talking in a room six feet from the mic” sound that is sort of tinny, low-volume, and thin. You clip these on your shirt collar or near your mouth as possible, usually on clothing. it would run down to a unit on your belt. the rest could be wireless, with the base hooked into the camera. Granted, it impedes your movement slightly, but it would step up the production value of your vids a lot, bringing them further from a YouTube level and closer to a professionally produced feel. These things might seem small compared to what you are imparting in the content of your video, but you know how humans are. We tune into things like that (tone, volume, bass) without realizing and it stands for values in our mind, like competence, strength, reliability.
By the way, love how they are put together as it is. Otherwise. The bare, rough walls behind you here, the one on the beach recently, the montages of the techniques in use, with your assistants, the “powerpoint” style underlining of certain points using text and text effects. Hope my advice is received as intended. Not a slight, but me wanting to help in any way I can, what you are about and doing out here. If it is unwanted, forgive me for presuming.
Thanks again, keep on.
Nezua
Hi Nezua,
We recognize you from tumblr and from youtube. Thanks for the feedback and kind words — and yes, the mic is a very good suggestion.
We were aware of the issue and do have one now. Hope it makes for a better experience.
Regards, Toni