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Is martial arts really that useful?

I've been thinking about martial arts and how really it is useful these days since a lot of places will have criminals hiding firearms or in the U.S. some states have conceal carry.

Whilst it contains discipline and it is enjoyable to train in a club for, say Karate, I just think it might not be that useful in places where firearms are commonly held, all it really takes is for someone to take safety off, aim, pew pew and that's it.

I suppose I probably get this thinking from kung fu where it's seen more of an art form then actually being a serious bone breaking form of combat

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  • Military, police, security and intelligence operatives train in it for a reason. You're right that it's not very practical or necessary for the average person. And for those who do need it, it's an option of absolute last resort and desperation. Running away, if possible, is the wiser choice. But, it can make the difference in a life or death situation. Someone who knows how to fight and has practice doing it has a big advantage over someone who doesn't.

    Exercise: And if you find martial arts fun and a really good workout, more power to you. I think for many people, however, there are less injury-prone ways to get a good workout.

    • incorrect. we train in combatives.

      Similar. but different. the differences are subtle and yet also very important. Like don't-fucking-die important.

      • Settle down, Dwight. Combatives are based on martial arts. You're being pedantic over semantics. I also already mentioned how important they are for some folks.

        • Actually, what you call Martial Arts came from what would be called today “Combatives”.

          Martial was another way of saying “Military”. We call it “combatives” so nobody confuses what we’re teaching you to do with “Sport” or “competition” Martial arts- where the goal isn’t to kill your opponent in the most efficient means possible.

          While there are only so many ways to move the human body, that distinction is rather important. Because you fight like you train.

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