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Learning Martial Arts from Books/DVDs (Read 7080 times)
GreatWhiteWolf
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Learning Martial Arts from Books/DVDs
Mar 25th, 2011 at 9:17pm
 
Does anyone have any experience or opinions on learning martial arts from books or dvds? I would really like to study Krav Maga, but it's hard to find a gym close by that has a certified instructor and doesn't cost a lot (I know it's a lot to ask for to have both in one, but I would pay decent money for a good instructor). I know at Basic Combat Training, most of the drill sergeants were at least MAC Level 2 certified, and the ones who were actual instructors for us we Level 3 or 4, but most of the stuff was pretty simple and there were times we actually resorted to dvds. I've found a few decent books and a good looking DVD set online for decent prices, and I figured it would be ok for the basics, just moving to a gym to hone the basics and learn advanced stuff.
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Chuditch
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Re: Learning Martial Arts from Books/DVDs
Reply #1 - Mar 26th, 2011 at 12:40am
 
I use DvD's and books to help me develop and remember my Wing Chun forms and techniques, they don't take the place of an initial instructor though. I had a total of ten years all up in Wing Chun and Choy Lay Fut Kung fu and the western combative principles of Lacanne Vigny in the traditional learning environment of the Kwoon (school) and now use the DVD's (produced by my Sifu and other teachers) as a good backup now that I live out far away from any of these training styles. I still keep in touch with my old teachers and can discuss any issues I might have with them.

Krav Marga is a self defense/offense designed as a paramilitary system.  Having not trained in it I am no authority on it. I have not sparred against a Krav Marga exponent but the general drift is that basic training in it will give you very strong fundamentals for self defence. Much the same as the basic training for WW2 marines in unarmed combat. It is not cinematic or pretty but it is devastating and need not have a lengthy training time to be so effective.  

I can recommend the Guided Chaos Combatives books by Mr John Perkins 'Attack Proof 2' and 'How to fight for your life'. I have a pretty extensive Martial arts background and I regretfully liked to test my boundaries as a young man with a lot of 'real' fighting (streets, bars back alleys etc) and I can vouch for Mr Perkins books as something you can learn from by yourself or with a friend. Seriously lethal techniques though, Mr Perkins is a former NYC Detective and a seriously bad man. Have a google of his books and him and you can see for yourself.
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Dan
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Re: Learning Martial Arts from Books/DVDs
Reply #2 - Mar 26th, 2011 at 9:20am
 
I have been studying knife fighting for about 4 years now and the best guide I found was Cold Steel's Warriors Edge, though it is similar to an exercise tape in that just watching it won't make you fit you actually have to do it with them and excersize the drills Wink . Thats why a lot of people say watching a tape won't make you a better fighter, but actually practicing what it says will certainitly help.

Krav maga is a great art I hope your search is sucessful.
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Curious Aardvark
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Re: Learning Martial Arts from Books/DVDs
Reply #3 - Mar 26th, 2011 at 2:00pm
 
dvds I can see. But not books.
At least not until we get the harry potter moving picture style (not as far away as you might think with both flexible oled and the rapidly improving solidstate ebook displays).

Obviously the best way is to learn from someone else. There's no substitute for hands on experience. 

But dvd's are pretty good for learning the forms.
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Bikewer
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Re: Learning Martial Arts from Books/DVDs
Reply #4 - Mar 26th, 2011 at 7:56pm
 
Since I started fooling with martial arts as a young lad in the late 50s, there were no DVDs.  Or much else, for that matter.  Books were what I had, and books have been a source of information for many years.
(Some people are better than others at "book learning", for some reason I'm fairly good at it.)   At any rate, if you can glean technique from the printed page and illustrations, then by all means.   
However, this cannot be the only form of instruction.   When I got into the army at age 17 and started to spar with folks who had actually had some instruction, I found I had a good handle on the basics but almost none on the actual timing of blows, blocks, and the like.

If one is forced to work alone, there are a great many devices one can construct to make training more realistic.... But at some point you are going to have to enlist the aid of actual human opponents.

Compared to what I experienced as a youngster, the student today has comparatively vast resources available, even on the most obscure arts imaginable.
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snowcelt
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Re: Learning Martial Arts from Books/DVDs
Reply #5 - Mar 26th, 2011 at 9:20pm
 
I  agree with c-a. Books while an excellent resource for beginners and reference for more advanced will only take you so far. Intellectually understanding the finds details of a physical technique will not necessarily translate to actual physical skills directly. I may read a complete description about an orange: colour texture taste smell but unless i actually taste one i will never truly experience it. Ok a somewhat flowery metaphor but you get my point.
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Laimh laidir in uachtar- Family motto.&&Ni bheidh mo leitheid aris ann.&&Who said that basic means simple? Time spent training the basics is never wasted time.
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HurlinThom
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Re: Learning Martial Arts from Books/DVDs
Reply #6 - Mar 26th, 2011 at 9:26pm
 
A book may give you an idea of what a certain techinque entails, but can't correct you if you're doing it wrong. DVD may not be as bad, but it's still not the same as hands-on instruction.

Practicing something wrong makes it twice as hard to learn doing it the right way later.
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Thearos
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Re: Learning Martial Arts from Books/DVDs
Reply #7 - Mar 27th, 2011 at 8:23am
 
"No text, no matter how well illustrated or clearly explained can, alone, teach a man how to fight. It can only serve as an instructional guide. Closely supervised intenstive practice is the only path to practical knowledge. There are no easy methods or short cuts. Practice must be intenstive enough to render the mechanics of each technique automatic. There is seldom enough time to stop and think when the pressure of combat is on. *Being able to throw a man is much different from *knowing how".

(R. Applegate, "Kill or be killed !")

Miyagi
Karate ? you ?

Daniel
Yeah

Miyagi
Oh, very good. Learn from book ?

Daniel
Yeah, and a few months at the YMCA at Newark where we live.

(Karate Kid)
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GreatWhiteWolf
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Re: Learning Martial Arts from Books/DVDs
Reply #8 - Mar 27th, 2011 at 7:00pm
 
Thearos wrote on Mar 27th, 2011 at 8:23am:
"No text, no matter how well illustrated or clearly explained can, alone, teach a man how to fight. It can only serve as an instructional guide. Closely supervised intenstive practice is the only path to practical knowledge. There are no easy methods or short cuts. Practice must be intenstive enough to render the mechanics of each technique automatic. There is seldom enough time to stop and think when the pressure of combat is on. *Being able to throw a man is much different from *knowing how".

(R. Applegate, "Kill or be killed !")

Miyagi
Karate ? you ?

Daniel
Yeah

Miyagi
Oh, very good. Learn from book ?

Daniel
Yeah, and a few months at the YMCA at Newark where we live.

(Karate Kid)


That's a pretty good point. Getting technique down to muscle memory and reflex takes tons of repetitions in practice and sparring, and an instructor is always the best correctional tool a beginner can hope for. It just kind of sucks trying to learn an eclectic martial arts. I would have a partner, as I've already talked to my brother about it and he is very interested, and my step brother has trained in wrestling, muay thai, and brazilian juijitsu, so I'm sure he'd be down for learning with us.
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"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."&&-2nd Amendment, U.S. Constitution
 
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Thearos
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Re: Learning Martial Arts from Books/DVDs
Reply #9 - Mar 27th, 2011 at 8:11pm
 
Are you trained in modern Army Combatives ? (escape the mount, passing the guard, shrimping and all that groundfighting stuff) If so, how did you find it ?
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Camo-sling
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Re: Learning Martial Arts from Books/DVDs
Reply #10 - Mar 28th, 2011 at 3:42am
 
If you're starting out, anything such as a DVD or book somewhat works if you have a partner whom you can practice techniques with as opposed to beatin' up the air  Wink
Even so, you have to keep in mind safety, fun times, fun times.
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GreatWhiteWolf
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Re: Learning Martial Arts from Books/DVDs
Reply #11 - Mar 28th, 2011 at 8:30pm
 
Thearos wrote on Mar 27th, 2011 at 8:11pm:
Are you trained in modern Army Combatives ? (escape the mount, passing the guard, shrimping and all that groundfighting stuff) If so, how did you find it ?


Yeah, we covered everything in MAC Level 1 at Basic Combat Training
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"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."&&-2nd Amendment, U.S. Constitution
 
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Thearos
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Re: Learning Martial Arts from Books/DVDs
Reply #12 - Mar 29th, 2011 at 4:08am
 
How did you find it ? Some people feel that it's got too much insistance on ground fighting. Did you feel that way ?
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snowcelt
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Re: Learning Martial Arts from Books/DVDs
Reply #13 - Mar 29th, 2011 at 7:12am
 
Thearos wrote on Mar 29th, 2011 at 4:08am:
How did you find it ? Some people feel that it's got too much insistance on ground fighting. Did you feel that way ?


Interesting! I wonder if this reflects the advent of the Gracie's and bjj and the surge in interest in mma? No doubt it is very effective, but surely stand-up fighting also has its merits? I always wonder why there has to be the approach that there can only be ONE BEST way to do everything, a sort of fundamentalism if you will. I'm pretty sure if you talked to mma champions they'll say that you need to be equally good at both disciplines.

Just my 2 sents.
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Laimh laidir in uachtar- Family motto.&&Ni bheidh mo leitheid aris ann.&&Who said that basic means simple? Time spent training the basics is never wasted time.
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Chuditch
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Re: Learning Martial Arts from Books/DVDs
Reply #14 - Mar 29th, 2011 at 10:29am
 
You don't intentionally want to go to ground in a fight for your life. However if you do, it's good to know how to counter takedowns and even fight on the ground. Best stay on your feet as much as  possible I reckon...
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