AboutAndy Fossett Expertise I can answer most questions relating to the martial arts in general. My special interests relate not only to martial theory, but to pugilism, training methodology, teaching, sports science, and personal growth through martial arts training.
If you are thinking about beginning a martial arts practice or have questions about how to optimize you current training to meet you goals, just let me know.
Experience I have been involved with martial arts for most of my life. Since 1984, I have practiced and taught a martial art called Taido in America and Japan, and have participated in events all over the world. I began assistant teaching as a teenager and founded the Georgia Tech Taido Club in 1996. In addition to Taido, I currently train in Judo and have previously studied Brazilian Jiu Jutsu, Shotokan Karate, Kaikudo, and a few other things.
Organizations Japan Taido Association
Publications Taido/Blog, the Finnish Taido Association's "Kamae" magazine
Education/Credentials BA in sociology, minor English. Additional studies in education, Japanese, and information design.
Question I am looking for a martial art that will use my physical attributes to the best. I am 6 foot 1, 180 lbs and trim. I am an endurance runner and for 2 years practiced karate, 1 year of hapkido and 1 year of ninjistsu. I enjoy holds and trapping moves and hate standing around for 30 minutes exchanging blows. I want fights to be over in 30 seconds. I am in excellent cardio shape and am in very good muscular health. I lift weights and cross train every day. I am used to being sneaky and enjoy suprise moves; practical but not flashy. What is a well fit martial art for this?
Answer Bryan:
Though fighting style is more of an individual strategy than something that is necessarily determined by the art you practice, it's true that some arts specialize more than others. For example, Brazilian Jiu Jutsu tends to work slowly and methodically to set up positional dominance before applying submissions.
It sounds like you're looking for a more integrated approach that offers a variety of tactics and strategies. You also seem interested in competition. I would look for a San Shou school. San Shou incorporates elements of kickboxing, Judo, and wrestling into a fast-paced competitive art.
Barring San Shou, as schools may be hard to find, look into Kyokushin karate or any other art that offers contact sparring. You'll find that schools training for contact fights tend to have less of what you may consider superfluous. They are more direct and to-the-point.
I'd also check out Systema or ROSS - Russian styles of fighting. Each school differs from the next, but you may like what you find if there is a group practicing near you. Or you may hate it.
