Throwing away training to be a Ninja?

[Cold_Skin]

My friend and I trained in Traditional Goju Ryu Karate Do for years, although I had a few more years of training than him. And he was becoming an awesome fighter and actually won competitions and was able to hold his own, but then he started training in the Bujinkan Ninjutsu school somewhere around here. His ground game got better, but his striking went to complete novice status over a period of a week. He started using awkward looking stances that resembled a crab and stuff like that. I remember the last time I sparred him it was nothing special, but then he said he was planning on dropping the Karate training and going full ninjutsu in fighting.

He also started showing me Youtube videos of his "Ninja" stuff and he seemed to have gotten pissed cause I said the one literally looked like pushing tactics and the aliveness was non-existent. He learned way more practical techniques in Karate than he did in the Booj.

He's also a member of this sight and I really don't care if he see's this. I think it was time for something to be said anyway and I have no ways of getting in touch with the guy. I haven't seen his combat recently, but if it's still going down the path it was the last time it's gonna be pretty bad.

What would you say to a guy that's done this? His original idea was to cross train with the Karate and Ninjutsu, but then he's gonna throw away previous training? :IamDisappointed:

[Diesel_tke]

I wouldn't say anything to him. His path is his own, and yours is your own. Go, train, and be merry.

[Sri Hanuman]

Gotta agree with above. Anything you say right now will be taken with an extra dose of aggression and skepticism. Hopefully your friend comes around. If not, he is destined to gain ~40lbs, and die in his parent's basement a lonely balding virgin with an overly active youtube account.

Best thing you can do is stay on good terms, keep sparring, and do your best to introduce elements of cross training. Sparring in a friendly and open environment is probably the best way to see what will work, and what will not. Then again, ninjas are just as delusional as CMAers when it comes to rationalizing why they lost, so hey, you do what you can.

[Cold_Skin]

Thanks you two, the guy is my friend so I wish I was able to do more but you're right. I already got hit with some of that aggression when I told him about his "Ninja Pushing Tactics". I'll admit I sounded like a dick when I told him about it. And I have to admit I was thinking about learning Ninjutsu too along with him, but after I saw what is taught, I figured it wasn't for me. I decided I would have better luck going into Judo and Aikido than Ninjutsu for cross training.

[Moenstah]

(...) And he was becoming an awesome fighter and actually won competitions and was able to hold his own (...)

and

his striking went to complete novice status over a period of a week.

seems really awkward to me. How well trained was this friend actually?

anyone dispensing with good techniques and training from the past deserves booj.

[Prince Vlad]

Well if he likes the Buj club that he has found then what's the problem? It's not like he wants to be a prize fighter or anything plus he has already experienced sparring. Not all Buj clubs are the same, you may find it hard to believe but there are actually some good instructors out there. Sounds like he has found an interest in the mechanics of taijutsu. Once he understands the short comings then let him enjoy his training. You say he's a member of this site already, if that's the case then he has already seen the arguments against the BBT.

[Styygens]

He also started showing me Youtube videos of his "Ninja" stuff and he seemed to have gotten pissed cause I said the one literally looked like pushing tactics and the aliveness was non-existent. He learned way more practical techniques in Karate than he did in the Booj.

There are YouTube videos??? I could use some entertainment.

Is there a website?

EDIT: I'm being too snarky. I do agree with the other posters here that your friend's path is his path. He needs to learn his own lessons.

[Grey Owl]

You have no way of contacting him? So his ninjer training is working.

[Grey Owl]

Seriously though. A friend can only be honest. Tell him that you think the Booj sucks. Demonstrate it if he persists.

[maofas]

Let people make their own decisions in general, but friends don't let friends become ninjas.

[Sorekara]

I have a cousin that enrolled him and his son in TKD. IMHO, I don't believe there are many good schools for TKD. Given the price he is paying every month It's just a scam like most of them.

The reason the above is important is this.... I love my cousin and want the best for him. I would seriously like to tell him that he should try something else.

The reason I don't tell him is because I love him and think that it's better for him to do something he enjoys. It's much better to let someone you care about do something you view as useless. This is all considering they aren't doing something that's harmful.

It doesn't matter if you're the very best in your martial art. If you aren't happy you're wasting your time. The main reason most of us train is because we like what we train in. Those who train just to become teh d34dly are destined to become miserable anyway.

[doofaloofa]

Seriously though. A friend can only be honest. Tell him that you think the Booj sucks. Demonstrate it if he persists.

What, kick crap out of him? Harsh mate! ;)

[Styygens]

I still want vids!!!

[Grey Owl]

What, kick crap out of him? Harsh mate! ;)

Consider it a last resort. You don't have to hurt him. Just make him cry a little bit.

[MAGIC HATE BALL]

One of my lil brothers got my nephew into a TKD school. I bit my tongue and just asked questions without giving feedback. Eventually, the nephew revealed he's going there cuz some of his friends are. He's somewhat of a punk and I hope some MT or Sambo kids sorts him out a bit.