Knock out or takedown and then knock out, which one is easier?

[Kung Fu Wang147 177]

If you

- hold on a matchbox and strike it, that matchbox will fly away.
- put that matchbox on the ground, even a kid can smash it.

IMO, it's much easier to take your opponent down and then knock him out (if needed, at least you have an option there) than trying to knock him out while standing.

What's your opinion on this?

 

[skribs146 166]

Are you trained in striking or grappling?

If your training is in managing range and timing in a stand-up fight, you're going to have an easier time just KOing on the feet. If your training is in managing people on the ground and winning those positional battles, it's going to be easier to take them down first.

 

[isshinryuronin36 36]

The purpose of self-defense is to remove a threat to your (or another's) safety. I see two main categories to achieve this:

1. Disabling the opponent
a. Killing him
b. Knockout/Choke to unconsciousness
c. Injuring him physically so the opponent can't continue/weapons or structure no longer functional

2. Making him surrender
a. He sees he is outclassed (physically or spiritually) with little chance to win and is demoralized
b. He is physically exhausted (cardio or muscularly) and unable to continue
c. Submission via pain or fear of serious injury (the problem here is he may not be honorable and re-engage)

The preferred method depends on the threat level and overall situation. Whether this is achieved standing or on the ground largely depends on skrib's logical response above.

The true goal in TMA is 2a. "Win without fighting."

 

[drop bear146 21]

Basically yes.

 

[HighKick]

The purpose of self-defense is to remove a threat to your (or another's) safety. I see two main categories to achieve this:

1. Disabling the opponent
a. Killing him
b. Knockout/Choke to unconsciousness
c. Injuring him physically so the opponent can't continue/weapons or structure no longer functional

2. Making him surrender
a. He sees he is outclassed (physically or spiritually) with little chance to win and is demoralized
b. He is physically exhausted (cardio or muscularly) and unable to continue
c. Submission via pain or fear of serious injury (the problem here is he may not be honorable and re-engage)

The preferred method depends on the threat level and overall situation. Whether this is achieved standing or on the ground largely depends on skrib's logical response above.

The true goal in TMA is 2a. "Win without fighting."

WAY back in the day I often said I had three choices. I could play with you, embarrass you, or hurt you (or worse). Choice one and two are long gone and I am not certain I could just hurt someone without doing serious damage anymore. Still better than no options at all.

 

[isshinryuronin36 36]

WAY back in the day I often said I had three choices. I could play with you, embarrass you, or hurt you (or worse). Choice one and two are long gone and I am not certain I could just hurt someone without doing serious damage anymore. Still better than no options at all.

Getting old removes options - one is not as fast, is less able to withstand injury, has reduced stamina and some techniques are no longer possible. While more limited physically, this is partly mitigated by experience and a more developed spiritual bearing. Still, one's chances to win are reduced and it's necessary to approach combat more seriously and for us seniors it's no time to hotdog or play around with an able opponent. We don't have the luxury of options in our response. Best to err on the side of more damage to the opponent than less - it serves them right for picking on a "helpless" senior citizen .

In the old days there were few "casual" blackbelts. Those that were drawn into the art were of a particular type and not in it just to be cool or for just exercise. Those early competitions were more intense due to this fact as well as the looser rule set and that old time Spartan training. It definitely was not show off or play time. Maybe a bit in the dojo, but not outside.

 

[Kung Fu Wang147 177]

Getting old removes options - one is not as fast, is less able to withstand injury, has reduced stamina and some techniques are no longer possible.

It's still possible to modify the sparring game and have fun during old age.

Just met a guy on the beach who trains MT. He is less than half of my age. I asked him to attack me and I just play defense. The only 2 moves I use are to

- get arm wrap and head lock on him to stop his punch.
- catch his kicking leg to stop his kick.

Since I don't have to throw punches/kicks, my age is not an issue. I have a good time to deal with his kicks/punches.