My friend Mo Teague (World Combat Arts in the UK) posted the following on his blog “There has always been an unwritten code among Martial Artists that they don’t ‘badmouth’ other Martial Artists. instructors, styles etc, but there are so many frauds out there now, some of them big name personalities that if you substitute ‘badmouth’ for ‘expose’ then it becomes a different context. I may hint from time to time upon such people but you may have to read between the lines as i shall not name directly. Conversely however there are many more legitimate instructors, Martial Artists who seek no publicity or ego stroking despite their high skill levels and knowledge. Be astute, don’t be fooled and seduced by bullshit marketing. Systems don’t fight, people do.”.

I think his statement perfectly summarizes the overall state of the Martial Arts industry, and my own personal philosophy and feelings that you often see in the articles I have written and/or posted on our website. I make every effort to clearly articulate my opinions and I am willing to put them in writting subject to the scrutiny of others, and back them up. Often my opinions are very strong but they are always based on experience, logic and example. Of course, this does not preclude me from changing my mind should I be proved wrong.

The following is an email I received a couple of months ago from a 14 year old. I have to give this guy credit for his willingness to take the time to write an email expressing his viewpoint in a constructive way.

“Hello, I have been training in Traditional Goju Ryu Karate for 8 years and am a Brown Belt. While reading the article “The Shortcomings of Traditional Martial Arts Training” I began to disagree with many things.
1st: Katas are PROVEN to create “Muscle Memory”
2nd: Katas have deeper applications then just the motions. I am constantly learning different ways to use one sequence of techniques in different situations.
3rd: We also use basic techniques in semi-complicated and complicated sequences.
4th: We use partner conditioning drills to strengthen our bodies as well as to feel how a proper kick or punch will feel on a body.
5th: We also spar with LIGHT body contact so we don’t have to wear full safety equipment.
I aslo read your article ” Black Belt in 1 Week”. As I said earlier I am Brown Belt training for 8 years. I am 14 years old. I must wait to be minimum 16 to even be able to try for a Black Belt. NO EXCEPTIONS! This will bring my total training time to at least 10 years before I get my Black Belt.
Anyways, the point of this e-mail is that I think you are completely under-mining Traditional Martial Arts. I have nothing against MMA, but I think you should give a little more credit to those clubs that stick true to Traditon.
Your fellow Martial Artist,
—- -.”

My reply:

“Hi —-,,

Thanks for the email. First let me clarify a common misconception people get when reading some of my articles. I have a great respect for traditional martial arts that are very clear about what they are… A great form of exercise which provide focus, and can increase ones over flexibility and fitness. I too have trained in traditional martial arts such as Karate and Kung Fu. Where my respect ends is when a traditional club tells their students that the forms and katas and other traditional training techniques they use have a functional application in combat or self-defense. Having had experience in both coaching combat sports and working in environments where there was real risk of physical harm every night, I can say with absolute certainty that traditional martial arts do not hold up well outside of the environment in which they train. I feel it is irresponsible and dangerous for an instructor to delude someone into thinking otherwise. I would encourage you to research a gentlemen, in the UK, by the name of Geoff Thompson, hands down one of the worlds leading authorities on the subject on self-defense.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoff_Thompson_(writer)

http://www.geoffthompson.com

Addressing some of the points of your email:

Neuromuscular facilitation, commonly know as ‘Muscle Memory’, is method of repeatedly performing a movement in an effort to provide a stimulus to the mind and induce physiological changes which attain increased levels of accuracy through repetition (Source: Wikipedia.org). So ‘any’ repetition of movement will make our brains (muscles) familiar with the movement. Essentially, “Practice makes perfect”. This applies to ‘any’ repetitive movement including walking, writing, riding a bicycle, or even hoping on foot, not just Katas. However the article “The Shortcomings of Traditional Martial Arts Training’ does not argue the point of repetitive movements not breeding muscle memory, but rather the absence of timing (and distance) in katas and forms. Katas and forms in no way provide for the understanding of timing, or ‘Aliveness’ that is required in any functional form or combat or self defense.

Light contact sparring, or touch sparring which is the more accurate name, is almost as far removed from true combat as learning to swim without water. This is definitely true when the only contact is allowed to the body. Seldom is the body the primary target of an opponent or aggressor, so why make it the primary focus of training? You need to spar in a way that provide an honest test to any techniques and training that you are learning. Of course, rules dictate training and that one must recognize that even training in functional martial arts such as Boxing, Muay Thai, and MMA will require adaptations outside of the constraint on rules applied in ring/cage. But the type of sparring done in combat sports is much closer to what one would encounter outside the ring; than that of touch sparring. Unfortunately, no conditioning or strengthening drills can adequately prepare you for how a kick or punch will truly feel when hit under the stresses of combat sports or a situation in which you are required to defend yourself.

On the issue of safety equipment I am a big proponent of using properly approved quality equipment when doing any training (Hand wraps, 16oz Boxing Gloves, Shin Pads, AIBA approves headgear). Many new students come and feel that they since they won’t be using gloves or protection in ‘the street’ they should be training without hand wraps or gloves and equipment because it will toughen up their knuckles and get them use to the feeling. My answer to them is “Bollocks!”. You wouldn’t slam your head against a brick wall thinking that it will strengthen you head? There is absolutely no reason to cause or subject yourself to unnecessary/potential injury in hopes that it will make tough or “Hard”. Save your body for the battle!

Without getting into a long discussion about the functional use for traditional techniques, I can only say that complicated sequences do not work. When the physiological (Adrenal Dump, fatigue, etc.), and psychological (Fear. nervousness) influences to our bodies under streets the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) principle rules the day in both sport and self-defense.

With respect to ‘Black Belt in a Week’ I think you may have missed the central point of the article. The article is a tongue in cheek commentary of the insanity of what I believe to be a questionable business practice which has become common in the martial arts industry.

I think it is great that you have dedicated yourself for so long in a martial arts which you so enjoy, I wish you luck in attaining your Black Belt, I encourage you to continue to look beyond your core training and expend you knowledge. If ever you are in the area would like to come by our club and join in with one of our classes you are always welcome.

Regards,

Paul Oddi
Point Blank Martial Arts”

I later received a second email from the young man thanking me for my reply and asking how he might be able to make his training more ‘alive’. This is a rare example of someone taking the time to questions something they read, heard or were told.

I am always willing to state my opinions and am always prepared to explain, defend and back them up with facts. Over the years I have learned that I am in the minority compared to other instructors and clubs in the area who don’t like to be publicly questioned about what they say, and prefer to remain anonymous and only express their viewpoints indirectly through their students.