Most Popular
1500 questions
6
votes
2 answers
Is there a risk of brain trauma in light sparring Muay Thai?
I'm really interested in training Muay Thai, but I really want to avoid any brain trauma. If I spar only lightly (to the head) once a week, will I be able to train for years while staying healthy as I age?
Stephon Kim
- 61
- 2
6
votes
3 answers
Does blade flex have any function beyond durability?
It's well understood that you need some carbon to get well tempered steel, and put flex into the blade for durability. (Brittle swords break easily.)
But is there any use of the flexibility inherent in swords?
Does blade flex have any function…
DukeZhou
- 3,149
- 10
- 23
6
votes
5 answers
Do people self-promote?
Is it ever known to happen that someone will promote themselves to a higher rank?
e.g. if there is an exceptional student, but a stubborn/arrogant teacher who doesn't want to promote them, they can just decide that they are a master and put on a…
Stack Tracer
- 160
- 4
6
votes
2 answers
When were modern mats introduced into Judo, and did it change the way the art could be taught?
I've read that the original mats were tatami on hard floor, and I have to wonder if people also trained outdoors on dirt. There's obviously a greater chance of injury, compared to modern mats. Do modern mats facilitate the teaching, and, if so,…
DukeZhou
- 3,149
- 10
- 23
6
votes
2 answers
Contemporary Kodokan curriculum?
I'm quite interested in the conversation between Judo & Jujutsu, and Judo and BJJ, and was inspired by this question to inquire about the contemporary Kodokan curriculum.
What is the scope of the contemporary Kodokan curriculum?
Is it purely…
DukeZhou
- 3,149
- 10
- 23
6
votes
2 answers
How much would MMA change if gloves and wraps were banned?
It seems obvious that punches would be far riskier without hand protection designed specifically to cushion the knuckles and stabilize the hand, but I don't have any idea how much it would change the sport. To be clear, I am talking about a change…
BatWannaBe
- 581
- 2
- 9
6
votes
4 answers
Is the predominance of grappling in MMA prizefighting primarily a function of the small ring and cage?
This is how it was explained to me years ago by a practitioner of the various arts emphasized in MMA.
Essentially, in Judo competitions, it’s not as easy to take the opponent to the ground b/c there is more room to back up and circle, and judoka can…
DukeZhou
- 3,149
- 10
- 23
6
votes
2 answers
In Olympic fencing, why is the Piste so narrow?
I used to learn Olympic Fencing. In this sport the Piste was very narrow compared with it's length. (2 metres by 10 metres). Because the swords are over half a metre long this eliminates any possibility of circling or using footwork in any…
Huw Evans
- 3,340
- 14
- 25
6
votes
2 answers
Why aren't forbidden moves in grappling sports like Judo and BJJ also a problem in MMA?
Bear in mind I only very recently started watching combat sports, so I'm still unfamiliar with many techniques and the history of the various sports. Explain it like I'm 5 if you must.
In Judo and BJJ, there are specific techniques that are banned…
BatWannaBe
- 581
- 2
- 9
5
votes
0 answers
Why are Judo's Seiryoku Zen'yo Kokumin Taiiku exercises seldomly practiced?
In Kodokan Judo by Jigoro Kano (the founder of judo), chapter 19 Seiryoku Zen'yo Kokumin Taiiku contains a catalogue of individual striking exercises called Tandoku Renshu and partner exercises called Sotai Renshu. This is Kano's description:
a…
mattm
- 14,241
- 3
- 32
- 63
5
votes
1 answer
Why is judo's Katame-no-Kata so free-form relative to Nage-no-Kata?
The first two kata taught in judo are Nage no Kata (throwing forms) and Katame no Kata (grappling forms). Here is also a second Katame no Kata video with different escapes for the first pin kuzure kesa gatame.
These are excerpts describing Katame no…
mattm
- 14,241
- 3
- 32
- 63
5
votes
3 answers
Are there any positions where you can finish multiple submissions at once?
Most people that have been practicing BJJ or most other grappling arts for a while know that it can be hard to maintain position while finishing a submission. This is why BJJ often has "backup" submissions or techniques in case the first one fails.…
LemmyX
- 1,533
- 2
- 9
- 37
5
votes
2 answers
The name of a throw where the tori starts from a headlock
I saw this throw demonstrated earlier today in a children's judo class. The tori starts in a headlock (or perhaps puts their own head into one), pushes their inside arm through to grab at the back of the uke, and then steps through to catch their…
John O
- 639
- 4
- 13
5
votes
3 answers
Why is BJJ sold as a "self-defense" art when it does not allow slams?
BJJ is a great martial arts for MMA, but unlike other arts, BJJ often sells itself as being particularly focused on "self-defense".
If that is the case, why does the art not allow slams?
I know that the founders of BJJ sold it as a "weak man's…
anum
- 113
- 1
- 2
5
votes
2 answers
Do spinning kicks present a risk of getting your back taken?
Seeing that I am a newbie when it comes to kicks, and I have a BJJ mindset, this question should be relatively easy to answer.
I see people doing these spinning roundhouse kicks, and me, thinking like a BJJ practitioner, am concerned about giving up…
LemmyX
- 1,533
- 2
- 9
- 37