The Way I see Things ( Opinions & back ground info)

Kido Ryu

Reverand Member
Hello, it has been many years since I have contributed to this forum.
Like many others I was a member of S.S. official site until it was closed and Craig Robertson created this place for us. I have viewed the content here on and off over the years and noticed that people more or less discuss the same issues as they did when I stopped posting. The reason I stopped posting has nothing to do with the members or the content but more to do with the complexity of my life. I was unattached and I roamed for many years all over the USA seeking fun and adventure. I’m now married and have a little girl (medium girl ….. If she was listening ) that is going on 14. I felt that giving her the foundation to succeed in life was my priority. Now days she does not need as much attention as before so I have some free time on my hands.

I started this thread so we could openly discuss opinions on unrelated martial arts topics with out feeling like it's one persons thread. This thread is open to all. I've included some back ground info to validate my personal opinion while giving insight to the development of that opinion. An individuals opinions are based on ones experience I'm open to an alternate point of view but sometimes it's best to agree to disagree

My back ground
Shihan Dean Watts,
6th Dan Black belt Kido Ryu jujitsu
3rd Dan Black belt Chang Moo Kwan
2nd Dan Black belt Kwan Ki Do
1st Dan black belt Yoshin Ryu jujitsu
Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor

I started Tae Kwon Do and Karate training in 1976.
After years of studying, I attended a martial arts seminar where I met a jujitsu master named John Wells (the retired California State Judo champion). At the time Master Wells was the Korean Tae Kwon Do Assoc. Kukkikwon World Tae Kwon Do Regional Director.
I then attended his school and excelled beyond the class. Master Wells invited me into his home for advanced training in the fall of 1985. To accent my Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido training, Master Wells instructed me in the martial art style he developed Kwan Ki Do, akin to Hapkido but more of a combat curriculum. (Low kicks, strait to the point, quickly dispatch the assailant)
Finally, in October 1990, I was awarded a Black Belt in Master Wells devastating Kwan Ki Do style and a 3rd. Dan Black Belt in Chang Moo Kwan from the Kukkikwon Korean Tae Kwon Do Assoc.
I then continued advanced black belt training with Master Wells through 1992, earning a 2nd. Dan in Kwan Ki Do.
I worked as a body guard for Air Tight Security, I taught security seminars as well as self defense classes to female entertainers and celebrities.
I have since studied various martial arts and, in 2002, received world recognition as a Jujitsu master from the American Federation of Jujitsu.

I previously posted this in another thread. I moved it hear so that it would not distract from the content of that thread

Aikido in a cage/ring competition?

This is difficult to answer, it’s like asking “would a tennis player do well in a gulf match or who would win between Tiger Woods to Andy Rod*ick.?” I would say they are evenly matched. (In a archery contest that is).

In my opinion Aikido training is not geared toward the all out aggression exhibited in a MMA match . (Based on the training I have witnessed) However all aikido practitioners/instructors are not equal. There are accounts of Morihei Ueshiba defeating multiple attackers, armed with live katanas, with a stick. This indicates to me that the techniques are sound. ( I can’t say how well a MMA would do under the same circumstances as they don‘t train for this scenario)

If one understands blending with the angle of attack, feeling a path of least resistance and the ability to instinctively find the technique to exploits that path coupled with a will to inflict damage they would fair well in the above mentioned contest.

The simple truth, the odds favor the participant that trains under the rules of the engagement. Changing the rules will change the possible out come. Let us imagine the same competitors in a no rules match and arm them with stun guns (we wouldn’t want to advocate a death match) A match like this would make everything a little more even.

Personally I would like to see the cage match between Tiger Woods to Andy Rod*ick. :D

I'm out of time for now, I'll pick up where I left off when I return.

Respectfully,
Rev.Dean
 

reno77

Member
Hello: I enjoyed reading your bio and I think this separate thread is a nice way to expound on a lot of non related martial art topics. Very nice contribution on this site Mr Watts! Now lets see what we can do on the other thread to arange the Rod**** vs Woods "no holds barred fight" :)
 

reno77

Member
Constitution Day

Hello: An acquaintance of my brought to my attention an article that he read regarding our Constitution. Apparently, there is stipulation that was passed by Congress a few years which stated that any grade schools and colleges that recieve money from the Federal Government must set aside a certain period of time, on Sept 17 (Constitution Day) to teach about the US Constitution.

With the mid term elections coming soon, the topic of our government came up frequently at work. The abysmal lack of knowledge about our history proved extraordinary! It reminded me of how little I was taught in school, even college, about our history and Constitution, prior to late 1800's.

What are your thoughts on the subject?
 

Kido Ryu

Reverand Member

Quote: from another thread Originally Posted by reno77

There are some interesting observations in your post regarding the understanding and exploitation of the attack. The training under different rules of engagement is an excellent point. I believe that a practitioner, regardless of his style, will react the same way in a street fight as he had been trained in the dojo or gym. If someone does notengage in realistic fight training in class, one can not expect to perform any differently when being attacked outside the classroom environment. I have seen this with Renzo Gracie's NYC Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes, Yamada's NYC Aikido School, Emin Boeztep's NY Wing Chun class, etc... Whatever comprises their training in class, I have seen the students replicate by rote when confronted outside the school.

The various rules and regulations that govern MMA, boxing matches, and so forth, limit the methods one can utilize to "defend" ones self in the ring, A soldier who was trained in Special Ops will have learned different techniques to fight or defend himself than would be allowed in a tournament.

However I do believe that certain attacks that would be directed against an Akidoka in a MMA fight would be very basic punches , kicks and takedowns that he would encounter in a street fight. If, as LD suggests, Aikido is all about "self defense", shouldn't the Aikidoka not be able to use his "self defense" techniques successfully against such an attack. A basic right cross, uppercut, straight leg kick, a takedown etc... would most likely be the same attacks that would be leveled against the Aikido practitioner in or outside of the ring. Either his Akido techniques work, or they do not.

Now a cage match between Rod**** and Woods would be interesting, hmmmm
Kido Ryu: would such a proposed fight include weapons ( golf club vs tennis racquet) or unarmed combat?


Reno77, Hello.
I agree with some points and have doubts on others.
I agree, how one trains directly effects ones spontaneous reaction. Spontaneous reaction makes all the difference in a street confrontation. In that kind of conflict reaction is all we have. One does not have time to think, plan a defense or attack strategy. The assault will be some kind of blitz attack, or escalated confrontation. That’s to say that the conflict progresses into the physical confrontation from a verbal attack or insult. With the latter the best one can hope to plan is one melee attack, after that it’s all free forming.

The point being: the way one trains creates muscle memory that take charge in an unexpected conflict. Training at half speed is good for beginning students to learn the proper mechanics of any give technique. To master said technique one has to perform it 1000 time, slowly at first progressing to an unbridled onslaught. If one trains in that manor their spontaneous reaction will be in like fashion.

I have doubts about the MMA statements. The rules do favor the participant that is shooting in for a take down. I can only assume those rule are in place for safety reasons and to allow excitement with in the sport. After all it is a sport, it relies on sponsorship, if the sport was a no rules blood bath it would not be as successful as it is.
It has been my experience that Aikido relies on a more committed attack. Watching a MMA event I see that there is a lot of hesitation, feinting and surprise attacks such as the superman punch that Aikido does not train for. Further more MMA do not grab wrists/clothing or execute judo throws and when they tie up they try to keep a center of balance.

The reason behind this type of strategy:
respect for the opponents abilities after all they’re in it to win it and one well placed elbow or knee can make all the difference.

I reflect on my own training. I trained with my brother for many years and he is a good martial artist. When we were children, before we had any training, we fought like brothers do unskilled and afraid to get hit. After years of training I could effortlessly dispatch an assailant unknown to me with little thought of any other out come. However if an outsider was to watch my brother and I free style spare it would look similar to the days when we were unskilled and afraid to get hurt. Of course that was not the case, we had respect for each others abilities. This is the reason why MMA do not commit whole heartedly. In the back of there mind they want to have an escape plan.

Andy Rod*ick vs. Tiger Woods no hold bared match unamed would be a mess after all what do we do with their arms :eek: If we armed them with tools they are accustom to the match could get out of hand. I suggest a fly-swatter and a plastic spatula.:D

Respectfully,
Rev.Dean
 
Top