SparkyLT

So...this is the essay I have to write to get my blackbelt. Apart from the six-hour test etc., I need a three-page essay. Unfortunately, I only have onepage, and no idea what else to say. But I guess you-all can't really help with that - can I just have a good critique on what I do have?





Weapons are a crucial part of martial arts training. After all, some open-hand styles were begun for the sole purpose of defending against weapons.

Most people have a relatively narrow definition of the word weapon, because in this day and age, traditional weapons are not used. Guns and knives are the only ‘real’ weapons; swords, sai, kamas and other such things are exclusively for the movies. However, a martial artist who learns how to use these weapons begins to see them as the ‘real’ ones. Guns can only be fired one way, but to someone who knows how to kill a man ten different ways with a knife, the blade seems far more deadly. Even a seemingly harmless stick about sixteen inches long, in the hand of a skilled martial artist, becomes a deadly weapon.

The phrase ‘walk softly and carry a big stick’ takes on a slightly new meaning when training with a six-foot-long staff, especially when it’s ten inches taller than you. Weapons’ training is especially important for smaller or weaker individuals, because they are at a constant disadvantage. Sometimes, it doesn’t matter of many pressure points and joint locks you know; you just need an equalizer. Also, most people will think twice about attacking someone with a weapon.

Admittedly, the odds that you will happen to be carrying a four-foot katana or pair of sai when you need them are slim. But to a trained martial artist, that won’t matter. A new light falls on everyday objects that even open-minded people wouldn’t call weapons. After learning belt techniques, you realize that not only could you use a belt, but a scarf, a rope, or even the strap of a pocketbook could be substituted. Staffs are less plausible, but if a broom or mop is handy, they could be used for some techniques. Cane techniques translate from weapon to everyday object most easily, though not all ordinary canes have hooks. Most versatile is the short stick; even a spoon could be used for some techniques. For others, a comb or hairbrush could easily be in lieu of a stick, or a bottle.

Most importantly, a martial artist always thirsts for new knowledge. Weapons are an excellent way to slake that thirst, not just because of their obvious virtues, but because something about them appeals to the little kid in all of us.

JP Wagner

well, as a fellow martial artist here, I must point out you are missing another obvious point to weapons training; when you know how to use the weapons themselves, it is much easier to defend against SOMEONE ELSE using them against you.

If you know staff training, it will be much easier to counter against a thug using a metal pipe in an alleyway, even if you don't have a staff with you, knowledge of the bo katas will make you privy to the 9 angels of impact, and able to know how he will move, what weight he will shift to where on his body, and what his weak points are.

If you know sword training, it will help you against a baseball bat, so on and so forth. Practical application is a very important part of weapons training in the real world today, and knowing how to use them yourself, helps to take away the other person's advantage even if he has a weapon and you don't.

__________________
Quoth The Raven "Nevermore"

SparkyLT

Thank you very much, JP, I might be able to get another half-page from that.

SparkyLT

Next draft of my essay. I used a bigger font, which is a cheap trick, but I'm allowed, so... Anyway, any advice to offer, people?






Weapons are a crucial part of martial arts training. After all, some open-hand styles were begun for the sole purpose of defending against weapons.

Most people have a relatively narrow definition of the word weapon, because in this day and age, traditional weapons are not used. Guns are the only ‘real’ weapons; swords, sai, kamas and other such things are exclusively for the movies. However, a martial artist who learns how to use these weapons begins to see them as the ‘real’ ones. Guns can only be fired one way, but to someone who knows how to kill a man ten different ways with a knife, the blade seems far more deadly. Likewise, whirling nunchuks may have a shorter range, but hardwood or bamboo that is almost breaking the sound barrier shouldn’t be underestimated. Even a seemingly harmless stick sixteen inches long, in the hand of a skilled martial artist, can quickly become a deadly weapon.

The phrase ‘walk softly and carry a big stick’ takes on a slightly new meaning when training with a six-foot-long staff, especially when it’s ten inches taller than you. Weapons’ training is especially important for smaller or weaker individuals, because they are at a constant disadvantage. Sometimes, it doesn’t matter of many pressure points and joint locks you know; you just need an equalizer. Also, most people will think twice about attacking someone with a weapon.

Admittedly, the odds that you will happen to be carrying a four-foot katana or pair of sai when you need them are slim. But to a trained martial artist, that won’t matter. A new light falls on everyday objects that even open-minded people wouldn’t call weapons. After learning belt techniques, you realize that not only could you use a belt, but a scarf, a rope, or even the strap of a pocketbook could be substituted. Staffs are less plausible, but if a broom or mop is handy, they could be used for some techniques. Cane techniques translate from weapon to everyday object most easily, though not all ordinary canes have hooks. Most versatile is the short stick; even a spoon could be used for some techniques. For others, a comb or hairbrush could easily be in lieu of a stick, or a bottle.

Training with weapons is also significant in defending against weapons. A mugger on the street may not have the weapons you learn to defend against, but instinct will take over. For instance, if someone with a ball bat attacks a martial artist who knows weapon defense techniques, they will likely instinctively react as though a sword or staff is coming at them.

Most importantly, a good martial artist is always eager for new knowledge. Weapons training is an excellent direction in which to channel that eagerness, and not only because of the obvious benefits. Something about them appeals to the little kid inside all of us who is infatuated with kung fu movies. It is incredibly difficult to not enjoy swinging around nunchuks or carving up invisible enemies with a knife. At the same time, using such ancient weapons reminds one, more than open-hand training, that they are the latest generation in a long, long line of martial artists. It helps make one realize that passing on their knowledge it both a duty and an honor.

Few things can be enjoyable, practical, and a privilege, but weapon training is easily all three.

Sensei2006

I'm also a martial artist (hence the user name), and I found weapons training to be as important if not more so than hand to hand training.

Unless you carry a baton with you, chances are that in a combat situation you will be unarmed. Mugging, jumped at school etc etc. However, if you know how to use a baton, you have a working knowledge of how to avoid and disarm your opponent.

This applies to gun wielding opponents as well. I'm remembering one lesson in particular that I gave.

"What if they have a gun?"

"Depends on how close they are. If they act like 50 Cent and put the barrel within 2 inches of you, grab the gun and direct it away from you. When it's pointing safely somewhere behind you, fall down on their arm. At the very least you've pinned them with the gun either on the ground or out of their hand. At best you just broke their arm in 6 places in the fall."

"However, if they are smart, they will be 4-6 feet away, whereupon you toss them your keys and wallet and hope they leave."

SparkyLT

Well, yes...smart people realize that guns were invented so the attacker could stay out of arm's reach. Most muggers will get close and press the gun against your ribs, though. Even if they don't, you react as they act, not after; you see him squinting right before he pulls the trigger, you move, not when you hear the shot.

Self-preservation is what you're after, one way or another. The preferable way, however, is to get the weapon away from him of at least be able to run away.

Sensei2006

If you hear the shot, it's already too late hehe.

I gave this lesson on campus when we had a guy that was assaulting people in the parking lot, and he would walk up to the victim with the gun held at arms length......

Yeah, sounds stupid, but that's what the victims reported.

*edit*

Also, I react as soon as the gun gets in reach. No sense in waiting!

SparkyLT

Most people are a little afraid of guns, even when they're holding them. If at all possible, you'd try to talk him down...but it's very reassuring to know that if you can't, you need not lose all your pocket money or die.

I would like to discuss more gun defenses in my essay, but I don't know any specific gun defense techniques - I don't think they exist, or at least not in my art. You just have to adapt.

Sensei2006

You are right, unless you are Superman there really is no defense against a bullet.

In my classes, I teach my students to not even consider attacking such an opponent unless they are close and leave themselves wide open. As for techniques, I only teach a few, and only to people whom I have confidence in.

For the "gun in face" scenario that I described, snatch his/her hand with your strong hand and direct the barrel away from you and down as quickly as you can. Grab their hand/gun with your other hand now and drop down to the ground, landing on your shoulder. Congratulations, you just shattered his elbow (maybe) and got yourself a new gun.

I usually don't teach how to respond to an attack from behind, because resisting such an attack is just asking for it. You have to weigh the dangers of what could happen to you for resisting, and what you'll lose by giving in. Credit cards can be voided, IDs and licenses can be reprinted. If they take your car, you have all of the information on it and have a good idea of where it is going when you call the cops.

In the end, combat training is all well and good, but the best fights are the ones that never happen.

SparkyLT

That's true. I would prefer to just not fight (though my teacher does have some killer fight stories.) A combatative person taking martial arts would be dangerous; they would probably end up dead, though, because of a situation like this.

Sensei2006

Right. Just because you CAN fight, doesn't mean that you should fight.

But there will always be times when it's called for. Like that one time I saw a guy slap his GF at a party. I think my reaction was very appropriate

SparkyLT

That's what we're for - protecting ourselves and the people who can't. Er...and the people who can, but are slower than us