time in martial arts? does it make you good?

[lmgrahamdc]

Another question - been looking at some interesting posts out there... Someone says they have been in martial arts 27 years....sounds good huh? well what if 2 were in jiujitsu, 1 in judo, 3 in shotokan, 1 1/2 in ninjitsu, 2 in hsing i, 3 in shaolin gung fu, etc..... does that automatically make them good? or should it be a minimum in one specific martial art and then time in another?  what do you think?  Leslie (surely you think?) 8)

[Jogun]

People can do anything for 27 years but it doesn't necessarily make them good at it.  One perspective though is that I wouldn't want to have brain surgery performed on me by someone who has done many different types for a few years each.  I would prefer the guy with 27 years experience in brain surgery.

[JAponte]

"A jack of all trades and a master of none"

I can definitely relate. 10 years practicing and have been in 7 martials arts and tested for rank 7 times. The only thing I can see that I got out of it was:

1. I can memorize very well
2. I can recognize different styles
3. feels someone's energy but that was only because I stayed the longest in Aikido. And that is only when someone is giving me their energy.
4. Humbled my pride and like truley like being a student

I don't find any benifit coming from doing this. Wouldn't suggest it at all. Nothing can really develope this way. I will say this though, I know what I want now it's just a matter of me giving it the time it needs.

This a good question not only for martial arts but for other things in life. For me that was sequential art and computer programs.

Just my two cents.
Jenn

[viciouspickles]

I could stay in college for 8 years and switch majors 4 times without ever earning a degree.  Chances are I'll have wasted a lot of time (and money).  
In the end I'll find right "path" for me...or at least earn a degree to get people off my back.

--Glenn

[jvaran]

I agree that time spent in one art is much more valuable than the time spend hopping across many arts. However, another factor to consider is "time in hours" vs. "time in years". For example, let's say there are two people who begin training at the same time, but one person trains for 1 hour per week and the other one does 10 hours per week. After 3 years of this, both could legitimately say "I've been doing martial arts for 3 years", and all else being equal, most people might think they would be roughly equal in skill. But the reality would be that one of them has put in a total of 156 hours of training, while the other one has put in 1560 hours. Ten times the practice equals a lot more skill!

So when somebody says "I've been doing martial arts for 20 years", the first thing I wonder is how many breaks have there been in that time? It doesn't mean nearly as much if they took a 5-10 year break right in the middle of it.

[cjperk]

Wow tough question. I would have to say no, time alone can not automatically make someone a good martial artist.  Quantity is good but you also need quality don’t you. So now let’s say someone has been practicing a poor quality  martial art for 27 years and is now an 8th. Degree black belt does that mean they are automatically a good martial artist? Now that brings me to another question what does define a good martial artist?  Is it their skill? Is it quantity or quality of time in an art? Or perhaps a good martial artist is someone who strives for the spirt of an art combining their experance, fighting skills, training, knowledge and willingness to learn and teach others what they have learned. Like I said tough question.
Jim

[JAponte]

Jvaran you have a point with how time was spent.

You know...Sometimes I wonder if a good martial artist is just someone who controls a situation how they see fit.

Stuff like...Mercy, death, victory, lose, maybe not have a situation occur at all but all of these controled...all paths purposely chosen with success.

Jenn

[jvaran]

I think from the point of view of the general public, "good martial artist" means someone that can fight really well. From a martial artist's point of view, it may also mean such things as being a good teacher or having improved oneself. But however you look at it, I don't think time alone will one better at it. I don't think it's really how long you train, but how consistently and intensely you train, as well as who you train under.

[musashis5rings]

I have to say that i have jumped around a bit with different styles, but always keeping my mother system pure.
everytime i have tried other systems, it always seems to re-enforce my original one.
Hohan Sokan said that to only train in one system creates narrow mindedness, but you should take the best from all.
i think he might have meant all the others and not his own,,,,,lol

i believe if you aren't in a system for a long time, to venture out would be more destructive than good, because you wouldn't be able to tell the good from the bad.


steve

[T'ang Yin]

There are many types of houses in the world built of stone, brick, sticks or even earth.  Depending on the region, some must withstand wind storms, earthquakes, rain, cold, and heat.  You have looks which are extravagant, practical, or plain ugly.  Some are built quicker than others, some complicated and some simple.  But one thing is common amongst all: without a sturdy foundation, the roof and walls would all surely fall.  What does it take to build a sturdy foundation?  I believe the proper tools and raw materials, the desire to do it right, the attention to necessary details, and the due diligence to get it done.  I believe this attitude is what makes a good martial artist and not time.  Time is irrelevant unless you have a deadline to meet.

[JAponte]

you know with the way society is here in America (I can't speak for any others) fast paced, instant gradification, self induced will of never wanting to "step up to plate"...its a surprise that there are any "good" martial artists left...blows...also makes me wonder if systems and styles will survive the test of time with western culture soaking and saturating other cultures, almost sticking like tar.

Jenn (et ic kreshtin)

[musashis5rings]

everyone wants to be a master in the usa,......certificates are printed and displayed in larger numbers than our national deficite.

i was once told by sensei James Coffman and Master Kise, to learn as much as you can and display the lowest rank you can get away with......this is to teach humility and to make potential opponents overconfident.

in other words,.......as they think they've got you, your strike will not only surprize them, but will cause fear.
therefore, he's the one one who will be picking his a#s up of the floor when he wakes up.



steve

[David]

wakes up? HA!