?

50+ years in martial arts; Working CMS (Combined Martial Systems) for the singular goal of street applicable self-defense and combative training. Japanese, combat (WW2) JiuJujutsu, Shotokan Karate; Western Boxing; Military hand-to-hand combat; free-style wrestling and grappling; backgrounds in Kempo Karate; Muay Thai; and Wing Chun. 27 years independent personal instructor in CMS defense/combat training. 12 years active training in Krav Maga, 10 years active and current instructor in Krav Maga

What have you found works best in your area for growing and developing your training/teaching programs?

Most often when we train in self-defense we train for the direct one-on-one confrontation. The personal, up front, in your face situation that leaves no doubt as to the intent and purpose of the assailant. But in other instances it is not so clear and open. It can start a lot farther away than we would suspect, but often it's very close. So, when considering how a conflict develops, and how it is handled, where does conflict REALLY start?

These are simple questions, aren't they? Most people like to respond with "As far as I need to." and "Whatever it takes.". Often not having any idea of what their words may actually mean.

The reason I am asking is because what we are training in as Martial Artists is based on the real answers to these exact questions. How far ARE you willing to go to protect yourself, your family, or even a stranger who needs help? What ARE you willing to do to protect yourself and those around you? To what level are you willing to take your training to accomplish these goals?

Multiple questions on one subject to provoke intellectual and philosophical considerations... (sorry it's so long, but I am genuinely intrigued to know what people think.)

Premise:

Seems that a lot of people here (not trying to point anyone out because it seems a general consensus) who on one hand call any school with a multi-style training set up a "Mcdojo", and then on the other hand say it's all about the quality of the instruction and the instructor regardless of what system they teach.

So which is it?

1) Are you saying an instructor with an extensive background in multiple styles can only open a "McDojo" because he/she chooses to teach more than one of the styles he/she has been trained in?

2) If he/she chooses to teach an independent system that is a combination of those styles (systems) can it then only be considered a "McDojo"?

3) Is it still considered a "McDojo" if this instructor has an extensive foundation in multiple systems and is grounded and determinedly focused on only the "real world" practical application of training for the purpose of self-preservation, and he's/she's genuinely qualified (what they teach works)?

4) Does it make it a "McDojo" if the only thing he/she cares about is teaching people to be able to protect themselves using ANY technique from any system available to them, without the focus on the traditional structure of any particular system?

5) If teaching multiple systems (no matter how effectively) makes a school a "McDojo, does that make every instructor that trains someone in more than one system (example: a combined MA system) a "McTeacher"?

Or would I be correct in thinking that if a person is legitimate in their training and motivation, and provide quality effective instruction, they and their school would be considered a legitimate martial training center?

[ If teaching more than one system in one location makes a school a "McDojo" then there are really effective trainers that I have known, and do know, personally that have really good "McDojos" where you can learn multi-system self-defense really well. ]

I am asking because I guess I am lucky enough to have found a really good one, and so far the other instructors and affiliates I have had contact with take their responsibility to their system and their students totally seriously.

I know there are many of you out there that have had some very negative experiences with KM at some point and I am trying to figure out which organizations they are with within the KM family, and which affiliates are denigrating the KM system by being weak/false in their representation. I am asking for assistance in trying to correct what I feel to be a very dangerous prospect of KM "McDojos". KM is supposed to be about survival at all costs, not about pure marketing and money at the cost of KM's integrity and possibly the actual safety of students who are not aware they are in an environment that is not looking out for their best interest regarding their physical welfare and safety.

I am serious about trying to follow up, and getting these issues corrected. It is something I can not do alone, and only those of you who have direct knowledge of where and when it has happened, and is happening can provide me with the information I need. Please, I am asking this of you because until just a day ago I had the idea that the instructorship of KM as a whole maintained the same level of integrity that I have experienced over the last nine years (wishful thinking I guess). I have met dozens of instructors, and hundreds of students, through National training seminars over the years. And I was genuinely shocked to find the opinions I have seen here about KM. At first I thought it to be the standard "my system is better, yours sucks." But I have discovered it to be a lack of integrity in the manner in which some instructors are teaching and representing KM, and for that I apologize to all of you who have had the misfortune to have dealt with that type of situation.

Please let me know what you experienced, here on the boards, or feel free to email me to convey your messages. Thank you all in advance.

If you truly understand MA you recognize MMA for what it really is, a blend of styles and systems for the purpose of being adaptive to the situation. Even that is askew from it's original use which was to indicate that the competitions taking place were not limited to specific styles (Karate, Jiu-Jitsu, etc.) but were open to anyone qualified, regardless of their background training.

I think my question also would include the inquiry...

With all the exposure it has received, why are people so uninformed about the effectiveness and limitations of competative MMA?

It IS a system that can be used effectively for self defense, but lacks the more critical and lethal techniques that may be needed to survive a life threat situation, ie; unarmed defense versus armed attackers.

My MA Bio.: 46+ years in martial arts; working CMS (Combined Martial Systems) for the singular goal of street applicable self-defense and combative training. Traditional Japanese (combat) Jiu-Jitsu and Karate, Western Boxing, free-style wrestling and grappeling. Backgrounds in Kempo Karate, Muay Tai, and Wing Chun. 22 years independent personal instructor in CMS defense/combat training. 9 years active training in Krav Maga, 7 years active and current instructor in Krav Maga

Alexander George "Alex" Karras (July 15, 1935 – October 10, 2012), nicknamed "The Mad Duck", was an American football player, professional wrestler, and actor. He played football with the Detroit Lions in the National Football League from 1958–1962 and 1964–1970. As an actor, Karras is noted for his role as Mongo in the 1974 comedy film Blazing Saddles.

Seems to be a control issue rather than anything else. Can anyone give me a valid justification for this restriction?

Some answers come up with a message stating it "failed to post". However, the majority of my answer attempts process through just fine. The system does not offer any possible reasoning for the failure, but even rewriting the answer does not solve the problem. Anyone out there know what is happening regarding this?