How to deal with martial arts tossers?

***JohnnyCache*** · Posted On: 2/08/2006 5:43am

He cares becaus they are getting attention! It's not FAIR that someone is getting attention! That's not FAIR! It isn't FAIR, dude!

**Invictus** · Posted On: 2/08/2006 7:03am

How much training have you honestly had, Jez, if you're 16? A couple years? That doesn't exactly qualify you to be t3h d34dl1, either. My advice is to shut up and train. I mean that in the nicest way possible.

However, you're at the age where feeling invincible is the cool thing to do. As such, if it really bothers you that some folks brag about their martial experience, you can subtly trash-talk when they do:

Moron: "Oh, fear me! I'm taking Muay Thai and am a badass fighter!"
Girls: *swoon*
You: "So, how long have you been studying it? And how often do you train?"
Moron: "Six months, two hours a week."
You: "Dude, that's not very long. You can't be that good at it after such a short time."

At this point the local moron with either (a) shut up, (b) challenge you, or ask how long you've been training as a prelude to (a) or (b).

Never outright challenge anyone. Let them come to you (psychological advantage). Ask questions, don't make statements. Use discretion.

If a more peaceful approach is required, why not get yourself some of the attention through the same methods? "Hey guys, I do Muay Thai. Unlike most people here, though, I'm not just some six-month faddish wimp. I've been doing it for *years.* I'm a lean mean fighting machine."

Of course, since your peers are just as young and stupid, you can expect occasional challenges by those too dumb to know better. If you don't want to be challenged, though, don't poke your nose into other other peoples' MA. The nail that sticks up gets pounded down and all that.

All above statements are predicated on the premise that you've been doing Muay Thai, boxing, and Pankration for an appreciable length of time (i.e., on the premise that you're not a hypocrite) and won't get your arse handed to you in a fight.

But honestly, who cares? If you're in the art to get respect by high schoolers, you're studying for the wrong reasons. It's their own loss if they don't partake of the richness of martial tradition.

EDIT: Oh, and if you plan on doing challenges, invest in some BJJ or other submission grappling training so you can take people out without unduly busting them up. Injuring somebody over something as trivial as being arrogant about their experience is just poor sportsmanship.

**Cormoran** · Posted On: 2/08/2006 7:14am

most girls i knew in highschool found martial arts to be hilarious, so ask them to show you some moves during lunch time then just wait for the girls to giggle at them for looking like a tool. basically let them pwn themselves.

***Plasma*** · Posted On: 2/08/2006 8:09am

Suck it up bitch.

Develop some thicker skin and laugh at the wannabes. That I am doing right now, when I read your post.

**Toby Christensen** · Posted On: 2/08/2006 8:09am

Originally Posted by Raynor

You deal with them the same way you deal with Americans.

I love you Raynor.

:love5:

**PirateJon** · Posted On: 2/08/2006 10:00am

Originally Posted by Raynor

You deal with them the same way you deal with Americans.

Distract them with a cheeseburger that looks like jesus?

**Ryno** · Posted On: 2/08/2006 10:16am

Ignore them. They won't be training a year from now most likely. If they are training, they'll have been humbled by then.

Oh, and start competing when you get a chance. Nothing shuts up a wannabe who's trying to look like a badass like having an actual professional or competitive record.

And finally, make sure that when you spar them, you knock the hell out of them, and/or tap them out repeatedly. Don't ego trip. Just quietly whip their asses. They'll shut up.

**Roidie McDouchebag** · Posted On: 2/08/2006 10:19am

Worst thread ever.

**OZZ** · Posted On: 2/08/2006 10:21am

I agree with the argument that ignoring these chumps is the best course of action. But, if you do get the chance to spar with them, make them pay.
There is an old saying: "An empty teacup make the most noise."
Who gives ashit what people say, it is what you can DO that matters.

**JKDChick** · Posted On: 2/08/2006 1:13pm

The best way to deal with them?

Be better than they are. Do your research, and when they say the stupid things like "Well, I can't spar because my techniques are too deadly" and "If you harnass your internal energy, you can like knock a guy out without touching him" respond with withering logic and intelligence.

Respectively: "Really? How do you know that? Have you killed someone with them? You realise unless you can deliver a strike at full speed against a reisisting opponent who dosen't know what's going to happen, you can't ever be sure that it works? Well, do you think boxing works? Have you every heard of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? Both of those arts are proven and very effective and they train full speed as a regular part of training. How about Philipino weapons arts? Some schools train with live weapons -- can't get deadlier than that -- and you aren't hearing about deaths every day in Escrima class. Maybe you need to think about your training methods, they seem a little weak."

and

"How? By what mechanic? Do you have proof of this? Has it been tested? DOes it work at full speed, against a reisisting opponent who isn't your buddy and knows what's supposed to happen? Here, do it to me, right now. Or we can set up a time after you've prepared. That way you'll know it works."

Or, better yet, just be better than them, know it and laugh at them quietly, rooting for them to pick a fight with someone bettre than they are.