I prefer a defensive approach. Wear your' opponent down, don't waste time looking for and opening, wait until a non-lethal one presents itself, then take it. Preemptive strikes are to leave yourself' open. Always do your' best not to lose your' presence of mind. Don't harm the attacker, don't let him harm you, and restrain them as non-violently as possible ie; no hard-core submission moves that you've been dying to try on somebody. Just the basics

Cool. I'm more of a defensive player. I know moves to break you, but I'd rather just avoid the fight altogether.

Atavistik, that is all good in theory, but there will be a time where you have to pull off a die-hard move simply because it's either your life and someone else's or his. But I know what you're talking about, which is why I said that up there ^ . I support your claim to non-violence, but perform non-non-violence when the non-violence becomes non-non-violent.

1. non-non-violence? Ima leave that one alone.

2. The best offense is a good defense.

3. It's not a claim.. you use your' opponents' violence against them.

4. okay... I lied, as to 1. don't talk in circles

He's just having fun with double negatives

non-non surprisingly

When it comes to true marital arts, all styles, both modern and traditional have their merits as it pertains to real combat. Though certain styles are considered to be defensive or offensive are actually neither. It is in their usage that they become defensive or offensive. A wrist lock can become a very "offensive" technique when used to break bones. Likewise a punch or strike doesn't necessarily have to be considered offensive. It can be utilized as a defensive maneuver when aim to other targets. For example, a punch can be thrown at an arm to counter a punch. I know a marital arts who taught me to use not so much throw a punch, as to simply put it in the way, allowing the opponent to, through his own motion, run into the fist. So when choosing a martial art to train in for real world applications, the only real category is preparedness. Which marital art will best prepare you for real combat. The answer is whichever martial art will cover all of the "ranges of combat". This includes the weapons range (distance) Sticks blades bats and any other weapon that puts you at a distance from your opponent. Now I in no way condone using weapons to harm people, even bad people, but knowing how to use a weapon is often knowing how to defend against a weapon. Next is the Kicking and punching range (striking). This is the effective use of punches and kicks at different distances. Then comes the trapping and grappling range. This is using immobilizing techniques as well as locks and throws. This can often include falling maneuvers and ways to minimize damage from falls or being thrown. Also knowledge of anatomy and the weaknesses of the human body are learned when training this range. Finally there is the close in range or the 6 inch range. This is extreme close in fighting, either standing up or on the ground. The use of elbow strikes, finger jabs ,pinching of nerves and attacking "soft" targets on the body are learned when training in this range. To summarize the best Martial art to train in is the one that gets you the most prepared in all the ranges. I have trained in the martial arts for many years and in those years I have only come across one art that is so all encompassing, and that is the art of Ninjutsu in which I currently train. The only problem with Ninjutsu is find a good school with legit credentials. Unfortunately after the Ninja boom of the 80's many of unscrupulous martial artist simply started calling themselves ninja. Some even claimed to have been students of the late Fujita Seiko, the last Koga ninja. These claims were of course unfounded. So what Ninjutsu styles are legit? Bujinkan, which I am a student of, and Genbukan are both legitimate heirs to the Ninja of Iga. So in closing, Ninjutsu will prepare you for real combat, which is combat in which anything can happen, and your use of the art determines whether it is defense or offensive.

These are my humble opinions and are said simply to state what I have learn and not to disprove anyone or what anyone else has said.

Peace be with you all

"how you use it".


apt phrasing. a clear mind is the greatest weapon of all.

knowing what is or is not appropriate action to take when in the heat of conflict. not utilizing whatever force you feel like at the moment. first defeat yourself, your' anger. then you will be prepared to face an opponent. a lot of the time, if one is conditioned and decently trained, it becomes obvious when force is unnecessary. and it usually is, in day to day life.

in my opinion.

While this has become quit an interesting conversation
The guy (Or gal) who started this thread seems to have closed their account
odd but anyway carry on

I started out in JKD with a heavy escrima influence, then moved to kickboxing based in TKD, instructor passed so I then went to wresling, boxing, King Fu San Soo, MAC and whatever I can learn. Study what ya want as long as it works. In Escrima, we learned sticks and knives before working with hands, so I can handle a night stick well enough to handle most. If they are armed, well then I must resort to my mastery of dial 911 lol, oh and throwing sand at them