Tuesday, November 20, 2007

TDA Reader Poll: Core Style

Poll closing date: Friday, 11/23/07

Poll subject: The core style of TDA Training readers

Welcome to the first TDA Training reader poll. I'd like to ask all readers to participate. The poll will be located on the sidebar at the top until Friday. Please vote only once. You may need to allow cookies, and will have the opportunity to change your vote up to the closing date.

Instructions: Please indicate your primary training, or core style. I define a core style as one upon which you build all other skills. For example a martial artist may start and train as a competitive boxer until his thirties, then take up Bando. He may learn Bando, but will build his new skills upon his dominant style, which may begin as boxing. Over time, he may begin to modify his reflexes to utilize Bando primarily, with boxing as a synergistic or complementary skill set. This is not meant to define the only thing you know, just what you view as your primary style at this time.

Definitions:

Striking All styles that are primarily striking without a strong sport emphasis. Examples: Isshin-Ryu, Shotokan, Tang Soo Do, ITF TaeKwon-Do, Wing Chun, et al.
Grappling/Throwing All styles that are primarily throwing or grappling, without a strong sport emphasis.
Examples: Jiu-Jitsu (not BJJ), Hapkido, Aikido, Shuai jiao, et al.
Sport Styles with a competitive or sport emphasis
Examples: MMA, Vale Tudo, Sambo, Western boxing, Tae Kwon Do, Savate, Muay Thai, Judo, BJJ, Tomiki Aikido, Wrestling, et al.
Eclectic Modern mixed styles with a self-defense emphasis.
Examples: Jeet June Do, et al.
Weapons All weapons styles, including firearms, stick, knives, bow and arrow, etc.

NOTE: I tried to include about eight answers, including defensive tactics, internal arts, and combatives, but the Blogger widget seems to cut off anything over five answers so I had to pare it down to those listed. Sorry.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

I have made my vote count. Guess what I picked?

Anonymous said...

I would have chosen "none" if there was such an option. None of the definitions really fit.

I just punch the guys that need punching, throw the ones that need throwing, etc ;)

Unknown said...

George, I'm guessing weapons? Nope. Either striking or sport. I know many would disagree with characterizing Savate or MT as sports, but, as all of those listed in the definitions, they do have both personal combat and sport components. Thanks!

Chris - I'm with you. The frustrating thing about this was I'd set up all eight choices and then when I published the poll, it only showed the five listed now! I had to take it down, test it again, then republish in it's abbreviated form. It's not ready for prime-time, but it is what it is. I would think, however, that most of us, if we're honest with ourselves, can say that we have a tendency toward one range or style of fighting. I love grappling, but know I'm stronger on my feet. I'd have to say MT is my core, but I've got so many striking syles and don't compete, so i chose striking. I feel your pain, though. I like how you put that, "I just punch the guys that need punching, throw the ones that need throwing..."

Steve said...

I'm glad there's an option to change my vote. I initially selected grappling, but after reading more carefully, changed my vote to sport.

Dojo Rat said...

The poll is closed, I assume. I would say ecclectic...
D.R.

Unknown said...

The poll is open until next Friday:
Votes so far: 14
Days left to vote: 6

Please try again and select eclectic.

Scott said...

Chinese internal martial arts have a requirement that every technique has a throwing, a grappling and a striking function. I voted for striking because why not hit first then throw or grapple afterwards?

Kicksboxes Rick said...

Yikes!

Like everyone else, I had a really hard time with this. (Mostly I think I agree with Martial Development's comment)

Since Isshin Ryu is my first and primary style, I chose 'striking,' but I really, REALLY, feel uncomfortable being locked in that box.

The poll is a really good idea, but you need a better question for next time.

Respectfully,

Rick

Mathieu said...

going for : striking.

cheers

Unknown said...

Thanks to everyone so far. I agree with your frustrations in choosing. Internal MA, mixed non-sport, etc. were on there.
I think though, that it's still valid due to most of our tendencies to incline toward a specific range and or type of technique.
Rick's right, though, it can and should be better.
I'm going to look for other free polling tools, unless any of you have a good suggestion for one. Thanks- Nathan

BBat50 said...

I think the biggest question these days is whether you train at a pure dojo or one that teaches MMA of some sort. It's my impression that alot of schools are providing mixed training. I train at Lavallees which is a mix of kickboxing, kempo, and some grappling. Also, our mix and the curriculum are constantly evolving.