ex con martial arts
In a recent article in Martial Arts Mastery, we talked about some of the reasons that I don’t trust the self-defense ebooks written by a variety of ex-cons. These too-short, online-promoted “kill the scumbag” ebooks have a lot of hype behind them, but they rarely deliver.
Can you guess the number #1 reason why I am dubious about these mma butt-kickers?
It has to do with the teaching ability of these “experts.” Look, you have guys who probably didn’t make it through high school, and certainly didn’t excel in their classes. Not only that, I am willing to bet that they haven’t taken classes in the best way to present a lesson, so that the students really learn.
(I bet they haven’t even read Secrets of Teaching Martial Arts More Effectively.)
Where are you going to compare someone who maybe had to use a move a few times, although granted in a violent setting, to someone who practices practical-application martial arts on a daily basis, try to get more and more precise … always keeping it as real “as possible” without hurting someone and going to prison.
I think that someday, I’ll show a photo of a big MMA fighter, possibly an ex-con, loaded with tattoos. Next to it, I’ll have a photo of my wife, Kate. She’s only 5′ 2″ and weighs 110 lbs.
Then the caption will read, which would you want as your self-defense instructor?
Personally, I’d want the more petite person who can demolish the Hulkian released convict, than a bodybuilder who has to rely on bodybuilding.
Remember, one of the main reasons to study martial arts is to learn to defend against the bad people of the world. In order to beat them, I can’t do the same thing that they can. Right?
How about you?
Tags: ex-con martial arts, kick butt ebooks, prison fighting problems, teaching martial arts
Ummm… I might be being a little sensitive here, but why is there an association of MMA with this?
“I think that someday, I’ll show a photo of a big MMA fighter, possibly an ex-con, loaded with tattoos. Next to it, I’ll have a photo of my wife, Kate. She’s only 5? 2? and weighs 110 lbs.”
Honestly, there are types like this. But there are also people who study other disciplines like kyokushin, muay thai, boxing etc who fit the same bill. Let’s not murky the waters shall we? Whilst I agree wholeheartedly that you should train a physically and mentally healthy environment, let’s not bring martial arts stereotyping into it.
Don’t take offense. I am not picking on any of the arts, including MMA …
I am criticizing these ex-cons who are promoting 30+ ebooks that will teach you
to kill, crush, and demolish all other MMA guys. And it just so happens that
some of these released-from-prison inmates use a lot of MMA references
in their pitches.
Once again, I am questioning the worth of these small, yet expensive
ebooks promoted.
Maybe it’s because I am tired, but it would have made more sense
for me to say that I’ll put the photo of an ex-con next to her,
who happens to be into MMA.
Sorry, if I seemed to offend.
Keith
I’ve seen a brawl outside in a bar parking lot. They used their approximation of MMA, only what they’ve seen on TV, but never actually learned. So, Kip’s right on. A real MMA-ist isn’t necessarily like that, they’re training for contests and have good jobs. But, I’ve seen a lot of thugs in a lot of places play boxing and play wrestling. That’s probably why there’s a stereotype.
Funny, Micayla … but, yes, indeed:
Once, when I was in Mexico, I saw two teens doing their imitation of MMA … they weren’t serious, but the hits were landing.
I offered to show them a few changes (tweaks) in what they were doing. They thought that was funny … because I don’t look like a rough-and-tumble martial artist.
One kid decided to play along … I got him every time. I took him aside, showed him how I was doing it, and then watched him apply it.
Very much fun … and they probably thought I was an MMA guru. Truth be told, I know next to nothing about the particular style. But I do understand practical application.
When you see people imitating MMA, you’ll see lots of holes in their armor … flaws in their techniques that can be taken advantage of.
For example, self taught practitioners rarely get their knee up high enough when kicking, and their low kicks are definitely broken into multi-part (telegraphed) motions.
And now, I am done rambling for a bit 😉
Keith