Can you learn fighting from ebooks?
Can you learn to fight from an ebook?
Good question.
Apparently, one “unsubscriber” feels that you can’t.
He thought that my articles were “very interesting,” but that you can’t learn from silly, little pdfs. He felt that in-class learning is the only way. (Hey, I love my classes … but I certainly learn a lot from books, too.)
Silly pdf books?
From his remarks, I can tell a few things:
1. He comes from a fossilized style of martial arts. He doesn’t have teachers who encourage learning from many sources. Poor guy … he needs new martial-arts instructors who will encourage the reading of books. Wouldn’t you agree?
2. He has never bought a printed book or a full ebook from me. The fact that he called them silly, little pdfs means that he has only read my freebies. These do have useful information, but they are meant to be teasers. The paid books and ebooks have the “meat.”
3. My money-back guarantee must not mean anything to him. I guarantee everything I write 100%. (This means that this “dude” is unwilling to take risks.)
4. All of the above will limit his learning.
5. I have now read several of his emails. His rude nature probably causes him lots of conflict. He NEEDS good self-defense instruction. (I bet he picks it with a lot of people.)
The Bruce Lee Connection
In his second email, he chastised me, asking who I was to mention Bruce-Lee’s name. Obviously, he hasn’t read any of my mini-biography (bio) boxes all over the net — some interviews, too. They mention how I am a second-generation student; my teacher was an original. Some interviews even mention the other Bruce Lee original students who have taught me on occasion.
(This isn’t to brag — simply a reason why I turn to “the master” for learning ideas.)
And the reason I mentioned Bruce Lee to the unsubscriber? Because Bruce had a collection of over 2,000 martial-arts books (no ebooks back then). The Consummate Martial Artist obviously saw value in learning from martial books.
Oh, well.
Arm-Chair Martial Artists
It’s funny how when someone wants to attack another martial artist on the Internet, they call him or her an arm-chair martial artist.
I could claim that I am not sure what that is supposed to mean … but actually, I have a fair idea of the intent of the insult. 😉
Of course, these guys instantly give-up their “alpha-dog posturing,” as soon as they meet the person whom they have insulted, face to face.
In the spirit of good fun, and because I do write while sitting down, I thought I’d gift everyone a copy of two ebooklets … both on martial arts from a chair. (Humor intended.)
Download Your Copies Now
(FREE — donate, if you like them)
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Click on The Images, To Download …
If you have problems downloading, you may have to “Right Click, Save As …” (Control + Click, Save File As … on a Mac).
If you have difficulties with the download, email me. I’ll see if I can help.
Keith
Tags: bruce lee, bruce lee's book collection, complete wrist locks, deluxe wrist locks, in-class learning, joint locks, learn martial arts from books, learn to fight ebook?, unsubscriber, wrist locks
i half agree with the unsubscriber.
You can learn a lot from books about martial arts; Philosophy, Principles even some techniques.
but only really the basics. to improve your techniques you dont need a teacher either.
martial arts started with people fighting. you just need to find some whose willing to spar with you. Heck look at Keysi fighting method (JKD certified) they learnt to fight by fighting and thinking what they could of done better.
Half your training time should be spent sat in a chair.
Lee said even when you’re sitting waiting for a bus, you should visual a fight, train your mind to scenarios.
But really, no one can learn everything online, refinement comes with sparring, train for intent. if anyone is trying to learn to fight solely online, all i can say is “SIR YOU ARE A NUT”
I have never implied that people should only learn online. On the other hand, I am trying to bring actual, great supplemental information in the written form to whatever you already do.
I am writing for the people who are martial artists, but can’t seem to make their stuff work. Often, all they need is a tweak here and there.
BTW — Seasoned black belts love my stuff … especially my book on Wrist Locks, my book on Controlling Fear, and my ebooks on becoming a better and more effective martial arts teacher.
And calling me a nut is probably the quickest way to get your post deleted in the future. If you notice my first response … I was about ready to write an ebook for you (free, maybe) on some of the specific weaknesses of the current systems labeled under JKD.
I probably won’t do that for someone who thinks I am a nut case.
K
A good martial artist is he/she who knows how to “empty their cup”. When the cup is empty, then you can see a lot of resources to fill your cup, by reading e book if it is necessary. Bruce Lee was a good example of it. JKD born from his thirst of knowledge and self improvement. He was not good for nothing, so are those who know how to empty their cup.