8-step Preying Mantis ,WestPlains, Mo.

**Boyd** · Posted On: 6/26/2007 9:06pm

Originally Posted by seriousmantid

well placed 3rd in state for wresteling wyoming kids 2yrs in prison practicing wing chun

I don't know if I want to make a "went to prison for possession of child pornography" joke or a "placed third in state for wrestling with children" joke. LIFE IS FULL OF DIFFICULT CHOICES AND ONE OF THEM IS WHETHER OR NOT TO KIDDY FIDDLE SIR

**Boyd** · Posted On: 6/27/2007 12:56pm

This actually sounds pretty interesting. Do you have any articles or videos on any specific mantis takedowns? I'm always interested in supplementing my training and my takedowns need a lot of work.

**kwoww** · Posted On: 6/27/2007 1:08pm

Originally Posted by seriousmantid

If you read the other posts then you know that there is groundfighting and throws which woud be considered grappling. I placed third in state in grecko roman wresteling and the takedowns and joint locks in the mantis system are not only more applicable but also provide for more mat control.

I don't care what they're designed to do. The important thing is how effective they actually are as you train them. An 8 means that you'd fair nicely against a comparably experienced BJJer or Judoka from a reputable, high quality school.

If your Kung Fu looks like this, it probably doesn't deserve an 8.

**Hedgehogey** · Posted On: 6/29/2007 12:31am

On principle.

**BackFistMonkey** · Posted On: 7/23/2007 3:10am

Originally Posted by seriousmantid

I have would have to say 8step can hold its own hands down.

god I hope to see you in Kentucky ..hahaha

**It is Fake** · Posted On: 7/23/2007 9:16am

Originally Posted by seriousmantid

Like I said 8-step Preying Mantis can hold its own against any type of MA.

And I didnt say it was better but that it can hold its own.

That's exactly what you are saying, no deficiencies. A striking art not known for the clinch range or the ground can hold its own against ANY MA.

Leaving out the word better doesn't eliminate what you are implying.

**Ming Loyalist** · Posted On: 7/23/2007 10:30am

seriousmantid, you really need to read through some of the other reviews, so that you can understand where a lot of these criticisms are coming from.

reviewing one's own school requires a degree of humility and honesty, especially when it is being compared to places like ATT in florida (which has many "10" ratings, due to the fact that they put out a large number of highly competitive fighters into the disciplines that they are being ranked in.)

aliveness refers to a certain type of training that involves progressive resistance when learning a technique, eventually leading up to attempting the technique on a fully resisting opponent. there is an excellent article by matt thornton entitled "why aliveness" which would be a good start in terms of understanding what is being talked about: http://www.bullshido.net/modules.php...article&id=251

**Ming Loyalist** · Posted On: 7/24/2007 1:32pm

if those ratings are really what you feel, then i am surprised that you are staying at that school.

if you are just giving it low ratings to appease us, then you are missing the point.

8-step is primarily a striking style (with some takedowns and joint locks according to you) so the striking should have some sort of reasonable level (over 5 at least) if you think the school is teaching good striking.

obviously a 10 indicates that finding a better school in the world would be hard. an indication would be that students compete at the highest level of competition (international professional MMA, K1, pro boxing, etc.) a 9 would be a place that comes pretty close, and tends to do exceptionally well in regional amateur events with limited rules. an 8 would be a school with good solid performance in local tournaments, etc.

so, if your school has produced san shou or lei tai champions, then an 8 or 9 for striking wouldn't be bad, if you compete but have no champions, then a 7 would be fine.

do you understand what we're getting at, here?

**Ming Loyalist** · Posted On: 7/24/2007 3:27pm

you totally missed the point of my post.

we do NOT have a ranking system to put down schools that don't do BJJ or muay thai. you should be able to come up with a realistic ranking of your school based on the standards we have set.

for instance your school may rank very low with the "aliveness" scale (did you READ the link i gave you?) but that is only 1 part of the rating.

you should be able to rate the striking instruction at a 5 at the very least, as long as striking is taught there, just as an example.

have you checked out any of the other reviews? you can see the review i gave my school, if you click the red "house" icon at the top right corner of my posts. we are a traditional school that also does san shou and lei tai, but i gave the school a decent rating.

note that although we do some groundfighting and grappling, i gave us a modest rating, compared to the schools that specialize in that.

i'm not trying to bust your balls here, but you are simply NOT getting the point of the reviews on this site.

**seriousmantid** · Posted On: 7/25/2007 11:43am

Originally Posted by Ming Loyalist

you totally missed the point of my post.

we do NOT have a ranking system to put down schools that don't do BJJ or muay thai. you should be able to come up with a realistic ranking of your school based on the standards we have set.

for instance your school may rank very low with the "aliveness" scale (did you READ the link i gave you?) but that is only 1 part of the rating.

you should be able to rate the striking instruction at a 5 at the very least, as long as striking is taught there, just as an example.

have you checked out any of the other reviews? you can see the review i gave my school, if you click the red "house" icon at the top right corner of my posts. we are a traditional school that also does san shou and lei tai, but i gave the school a decent rating.

note that although we do some groundfighting and grappling, i gave us a modest rating, compared to the schools that specialize in that.

i'm not trying to bust your balls here, but you are simply NOT getting the point of the reviews on this site.

I thank you for your help I think I got It right now. I will give you a more educated rating when I see how it stacks up with other arts that is about the best I can do.