San Do Kuen Martial Arts

Most modern martial arts systems are called “Mixed Martial Arts” or MMA.  These systems are focused on UFC type, 1 on 1, ring or cage sport fighting competition.  MMA training includes only those fighting techniques used and accepted in competition and they are frequently oriented towards the goal of submission.  Traditional (or classical) martial arts are usually focused on forms (kata).  These forms are structured routines practiced without a partner to develop coordination and “style.”  Traditional martial arts systems often emphasize using martial arts for self-defense rather than for competition.

Mixed Martial Arts

MMA has caught on in a big way in America, and has now become a very popular, highly publicized sport.  The greatest value of MMA style training is its physicality.  Many classical stylists lack the fitness required for fighting.  MMA is a rigorous sport that requires a great degree of conditioning.  There are however, four issues with MMA training from a martial arts perspective:

1. All MMA technique is based on single combat. There is no consideration of multiple attacker situations.  In many street fights, law enforcement situations and military operations there are several opponents.  A limited focus on one opponent or the other is not always practical.
2. MMA fights are matched according to weight. On the street the bad guy can be anyone, and he might be twice our size or half our size.  The techniques in a martial arts system should be effective on different kinds of opponents, not just those that are similar to us in size and experience.
3. MMA does not include stick and knife defense. Many “bad guys” carry blades or use stick like weapons (bats, pipes, batons).  Not to mention that from a military or law enforcement point of view, MMA style fighting has almost no tactical application.
4. Sport fighting is simply not as realistic as people believe it to be. Because sport fighters can only strike certain targets, their techniques cannot be as devastating as they would be in a tactical situation.  For example, a punch to the face, no matter how hard, will never have the same effect as a groin kick or a finger lock.

Classical or Traditional Martial Arts

The traditional martial arts, when practiced for long enough with the right intent, are beautiful and effective.  The strength of classical training is that people of all ages, genders and levels of athletic ability can benefit from training.  Young children, women and older adults can all benefit tremendously from classical training programs.  For this same reason, traditional training can be sustained for a student’s entire lifetime and therefore has lasting value and inherent adaptability.

The downfall of classical training is the over-abundance of technique and the excessive organizational restrictions of movement. In the course of classical training, a student is simply asked to learn too many techniques or series of techniques.  A single form can contain as little as 50 movements, and some forms exceed 200.  In an entire classical system a student may be expected to master between 15 to 30 such forms!  This is not a realistic goal for most people.  Even if a person succeeds in memorizing this many routines, how do these neat and tidy patterns translate into fighting skill without decades of study and practice?  If these patterns become too ingrained or internalized, how can the student continue to develop and adapt his or her art over time?

San Do Kuen

• The Three Way Fist system understands and respects the need for physical conditioning (like in MMA).
• San Do Kuen also recognizes the value of forms training (when in the appropriate quantity and progression).
  

  

• SDK training focuses on self-defense. Our program includes knife, stick and multiple attacker scenarios.
• The Three Way Fist system also teaches technique progressions based on the individual characteristics of students.  Our training is not constrained by the abstract goals of a particular style, or by the rules of sport fighting.