Hi all, I currently train in traditional and atemi jujitsu and want something to cross train in to round my style a bit. I did kickboxing when I was younger and was thinking about starting again, I have also looked at tae kwon do. Would someone be able to suggest something that would fit nicely with my jujitsu? I know I've done kickboxing before but I'm open minded and would like to try something new. Thanks in advance, joe
I've found Wado Ryu karate fits quite well with the traditional JJ that I do, with similar body mechanics, but I'm lucky enough to have the same instructor. Depends what you mean by rounding it I suppose? Are you looking to compete in anything?
Several of my TKD Instructors have had JJJ experience, it blended well and informed their training, so could well be a good fit for you. Kick boxing similarly. The main thing is to find what's in your area that fits with your schedule, then go along and try the class. The nature of the Instructor and how well you get on with them is very important, in some ways more important than the style.
This^- also I have to say for me muay thai blended quite well- but it would depend obviously on what's available.
I would recommend doing some ordinary boxing. Boxers are very good at hitting people. You can't outbox a boxer, (unless you are a better boxer) but you can stop them from boxing. if you want to learn how to stop a boxer from hitting you the best way is to learn boxing. Learn what a boxer does, particularly using range and footwork and timing. then you learn to apply your jutsu to upsetting thier range footwork and timing. The hardest thing about cross training is to go with a truly open mind. leave your previous art outside the door of the gym. Learn the new art in an open unbiased and non judgmental way. then when you are outside of the gym practice how to synthesize your new learning with your old. this may be integrating Technics from the new art into your original . it may be using a different perspective from the new art to inform a deeper understanding of the techniques and applications in your original art. or it may be a greater awareness of how your original art could be used to counter the techniques and applications in the new art.
This is an important point. Developing your use of footwork, timing and distancing is the underlying difference between being able to use your tools or not. Being able to slip, cover and roll beneath shots and to work your way inside to implement your Jujitsu would be probably the largest conpliment to your existing techniques but beyond that the comfort and awareness whilewhile under fire is invaluable to any stylist. Obviously any striking art that spars with reasonably good contact and ruleset (boxing, k1, must Thai, sanda, savate etc) will provide this. Judo is probably the most direct amplifier of your existing abilities depending on how much randori you already do and to what standard your coaches and fellow students can perform. In my experience of jjj, judoka are usually light years ahead in actually grappling ability and technical understanding.
