Night Ops

For martial arts.

I practice Karate, Tai-Chi and what would best be described as a self-defence class. It would be impossible to say that all of these don't help with learning to remain stealthy via means of transferring and controlling balance in movement, amongst other things. Also particularly useful for... well, combat.

What about you guys? I've seen martial arts frequently mentioned around here with respect to night ops, but never really elaborated upon.

I know a little of everything - well, not quite everything; I know a little Taekwando, Kung Fu, Ninjitsu, Silat, Muay Boran, Krav Maga and most recently Eskrima. However I've had no formal training in any discipline except a bit of Muay Thai now & then (modern sporting variant of Muay Boran) and am by no means an expert in any style. Since there's no 'One Fighting Style to rule them all', I like to familiarise myself with a number of disciplines to create my own hybrid system. Jack of all trades, master of none.

Martial arts isn't discussed as heavily on here as I would've hoped, since it does form an important part of an operative's skill repertoire. I include it alongside Parkour and the principles of stealth, these three preparing one for the fight, flight and stay-out-of-sight.

I was very heavily involved in Taekwondo for several years, but it became more about points and rules and flashy kicks after a while than self defense. That being said, the conditioning involved definitely served me well in many areas, not necessarily limited to martial arts. And the sport does develop powerful kicks. Taekwondo was the only martial art I had formal training in, but like Xanatos, I have picked up some principles of several martial arts along the way. While I probably wouldn't stand a chance against a veteran fighter, I think I know more about fighting than your average person.

I did Ninpo for about a year.

At the time I was annoyed about how we spent more time learning to bow in different ways than how to fight someone. Now when I think back on it, it was prety useful. I taught me how to roll properly in different directions, how to dodge a sword and generally increased my agility.

In my time studying the various forms of martial arts, I've come to realise something about weapons. Swords, daggers, staves, batons, spears, shields, nunchucks, shiruken, bows, pistols, rifles, chains, maces, warhammers, axes... these are not weapons. They are but tools and instruments.

Your arms, your legs, your body, your mind - these are your weapons.

I have a fairly similar outlook, although I do not consider the mind a weapon.

Your mind is your will, the driving intelligence behind the conflict that will ultimately determine success or failure. Your arms, legs, body: these are what you use when you must physically force your will upon another. A weapon is a force multiplier, something to be used when whomever you would force your will upon is able to meet that force with an equal or greater force of their own.

Psychological warfare and tactics are direct products of the mind, they can be learnt. Willpower lies a bit deeper and isn't something so easily taught.

This is true, but both psychological warfare and tactics cannot be executed by the mind alone, unless you can think people to death. Anything that starts in the mind needs to be carried out by the body, hence why I don't view the mind by itself as a weapon. Alone, it can't accomplish anything. By directing the body, it can accomplish everything.

Ghost wrote:This is true, but both psychological warfare and tactics cannot be executed by the mind alone, unless you can think people to death.

*concentrates* Hnnnnnng...!

Let me know if your arms fell off.

Xanatos wrote:

Ghost wrote:This is true, but both psychological warfare and tactics cannot be executed by the mind alone, unless you can think people to death.

*concentrates* Hnnnnnng...!

Let me know if your arms fell off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh-2b_VoG8U

Someone beat you both to it.

Video terminated due to some third party shite.

Reviving this thread, I'd like to continue the discussion.
Which martial art, or blend of, is best suited for rapid reaction and the production of maximum destructive force during the shortest amount of time?

I'd say the conditioning and philosophy of Kyokushin karate and the technique and hand speed of Wing Chun.

Quick, on-the-spot self defence? Basically anything; most self defence disciplines are designed to deal with surprise attacks. Just remember that in a self defence situation, you don't want to deal "as much damage as possible", you want to deal enough damage for you to run away.

Xanatos wrote:Quick, on-the-spot self defence? Basically anything; most self defence disciplines are designed to deal with surprise attacks. Just remember that in a self defence situation, you don't want to deal "as much damage as possible", you want to deal enough damage for you to run away.

Not self defense. For quick, on the spot defense we have a 9mm and some parkour.

In what context then do you need "rapid reaction and the production of maximum destructive force during the shortest amount of time", then? Barehanded assassination?

Xanatos wrote:In what context then do you need "rapid reaction and the production of maximum destructive force during the shortest amount of time", then? Barehanded assassination?

Making sure someone doesn't want to attack you again.

Right, self defence. To prevent someone attacking you again. You're not always going to be carrying a 9mm or be able to run away, which is what self defence martial arts prepare you for.