Feb 2008 Video of the Month

[disgruntled]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVROZ_XWuWg

i chose this video because the popularity of tricking, or extreme martial arts is increasing. this creates the question of how do we define martial arts? are these more acrobatic displays still considered martial arts or is this a different sport all together? is it important to make a distinction between martial arts and more modern hollywood stun martial arts?

the video is cool looking, but i cannot help to notice that 'coolness' is sometimes at the expense of technique. and some of the moves are incredibly impractical and would not work as kicks.

[gman]

I agree that this is great showmanship,and also agree at the expense of technique! these acrobats tend to spin a lot and tend to have there backs to their opponent.If this was the case against an experienced martial artist or street fighter,they would get into trouble at some point.

[disgruntled]

Originally Posted by gman

I agree that this is great showmanship,and also agree at the expense of technique! these acrobats tend to spin a lot and tend to have there backs to their opponent.If this was the case against an experienced martial artist or street fighter,they would get into trouble at some point.

so do you still consider it MA, or just a neat trick?

where should we draw the line and how do we decide?

great input though, thanks

[sirdarksol]

I think that this kind of straddles the line between martial art and gymnastics. They have excellent form, and there were a few kicks in there that looked effective (other than the fact that they were aimed too high).
Perhaps Hong Kong cinema martial arts.

[disgruntled]

i kinda think that two forms will develop from this type of MA.... people who trick and move further and further away from MAs, and the cinema MAs that will strive to stay more traditional to distnguish themselves..... personally, i think that tony jaa has a good mix of tricks based in MA and real traditional MA techniques. and he blends them well together...... (i am giving Tony Jaa credit and not the chorographer because i has seen some other work that was fairly week, and another movie that got bad reviews... so the jury is still out on them)

[Shirindo]

Is it the case of because the camera was rolling, they showed off?
I wish I was capable of doing those sorta tricks as I'm sure I could also do very effective techniques too.

How many MA demo's have we been to that have showcased effective MA's but using more 'showy' stuff rather than the brass tacks of our styles.

Lets also think to styles like capoiera which you could call very showy but having sparred against a couple of guys who do it, let me assure you their kicks are coming from all different sorts of directions that I wasn't used to from traditional MA's.

Just had to put my devils advocate hat on and stir up some debate! lol

[disgruntled]

i think you are right that they might just be showing off for the video, but tricking MA or "extreme" MA is a new form/style that is emerging.

[Shirindo]

Oh absolutely, I just didn't want people to assume that because they can do the tricks that they weren't capable of doing realistic techniques too.

Personally I cant see the point to 'tricking', you'll rarely see me even attempt a kick above waist height!! (am getting old )

[disgruntled]

ido like tricking... unfortunately i suck at it.... but i see some styles that are based on MA fancier techniques, which i really like, and some that disgard techniques to make something look cooler..... and although sometimes it does look cooler, i don't consider it MA.

[hjhjh220]

it's amazing show thank you for sharing