Fight Science on National Geographic

[Nick1974]

Just saw this on Devany's site, perhaps some people here saw the programme:


National Geographic Channel has a show this evening on Fight Science. They compare the force of strikes made by a boxer, a karate expert, a Thai boxer, and a Ninja. The strikes are modeled physiologically through a 3D model of the body and force sensors are used to record force.

It is a pretty amazing show. I saw only part of it one evening. It is a taxonomy of blows that the body can take and not survive and the way the blows are delivered.

This is not to my taste but for the dynamics of force production and the spectacular modeling. I don't do any of these sports. I don't even like to think how I might kill someone


What interests me most about Devany's quote is his attitude to martial art, and how that attitude is the antithesis of Coach Sonnon's. No big surprise then that their respective training doctrines differ considerably - despite both putting health at the top of the agenda. Very interesting.

[Scott Sonnon]

Only non-martial artists think martial art is about killing (not their fault, but the movies, and the popular "thug-jitsu" so common with kids today). Martial Art is about learning how not to kill... how to live.

[wadem]

Only non-martial artists think martial art is about killing (not their fault, but the movies, and the popular "thug-jitsu" so common with kids today). Martial Art is about learning how not to kill... how to live.

Very well stated! :)

[Nick1974]

Only non-martial artists think martial art is about killing (not their fault, but the movies, and the popular "thug-jitsu" so common with kids today). Martial Art is about learning how not to kill... how to live.

I'm with you, Coach. Just to clarify, I wasn't suggesting that your attitude was one of thinking about killing people - I meant your attitude that martial art is NOT about killing people is antithetical to Devany's (he thinks it is).

[Scott Sonnon]

I didn't think that, amigo. I realized what you were saying. I was only stating my empathy for the misunderstanding that the quote apparently expressed.

[Coach Jones]

It's an interesting show for sure, but unfortunately their are limits to the ability to test those types of things. In fact, theirs really only one test and that is to apply it.

Since we can't go running around killing folks, or beating them senseless, we have to test our abilities in the only way we can....sparring. Real, quality competitive sparring is the best way we have to "test" our respective skills.

There have been a few shows with the same flavor as the one mentioned. They're fun to watch, but when it comes to testing the blows there's a problem. They just don't seem work that way in real life.

Back in the day I could break stacks of concrete (no spacers), bust a coconut and do about 20 more littel tricks to "show my power":rolleyes: . Contrast that with the fact that i've hit a lot of people and never once broken anyones skull. Never happened.

When looking at the power of strikes in a vacuum the potential power and that which can actually be delivered are, in my experience, very different things.

[Coach Flanagan]

Brandon, you'll have to show me how to bust a coconut. I'm sick of having to use tools to open them up.:D

[Scott Sonnon]

Careful what you ask Brandon to show you.:help:

[myk hendrix]

Only non-martial artists think martial art is about killing (not their fault, but the movies, and the popular "thug-jitsu" so common with kids today). Martial Art is about learning how not to kill... how to live.

Timeless wisdom Coach.

like "Rikiai Funi" and "Fusatsu Katsujin"

http://www.shorinjikempo.or.jp/en/about/impress.html

and Shorinji Kempo as "Budo"

http://www.shorinjikempo.or.jp/en/about/training.html

[Scott Sonnon]

Truth is truth.

[SteveB]

Most of the time when breaking tiles or coconuts, the objects are braced on a table, or held firm. The striker takes lots of time to prepare mentally and physically, takes wind-up practise swings...and then breaks the object. I submit to you that a human head would break if subjected to sufficient force in a similar constrained fashion. A good test might be the ability to break a suspended coconut, with say 1 second of preparation. Good luck!

[Coach Jones]

I have actually broken a suspended cocunut as well. I think you're spot on about the bracing though. When an object is lifeless and braced it becomes a much more fragile thing.

Personally, I like how the Olympic training center has Dynonometers on some of their heavy bags. That's a pretty good assesment of striking power on the fly.;)

[Jarlo Ilano]

I have actually broken a suspended cocunut as well. I think you're spot on about the bracing though. When an object is lifeless and braced it becomes a much more fragile thing.

Personally, I like how the Olympic training center has Dynonometers on some of their heavy bags. That's a pretty good assesment of striking power on the fly.;)

This reminds me of when my brother and I were goofing around many years ago. We were hanging out with these guys and were breaking stuff. We eventually suspended pine boards up with some string, I punched one and broke it and my brother broke one with a jump spinning kick. I was super impressed and we were laughing and high fiving each other. Then one of the guys said "Wouldn't it be easier if you just held it steady?" :confused:

I remember we both looked at him like he was an alien from outer space. "Umm that's the whole point man.....":omg:

Btw, I'd love a dynamometer on a heavy bag!

[SenseiThom]

I saw the National Geographic show twice already. Watched it with a physics professor. It was "ok." She saw so many leaks in their testing and variables. But all in all, it was entertaining. The physics concepts they covered were interesting and pretty well explained. Holy moly! the balance of the Ninjitsu practitioner! that was impressive....

[migo]

I suppose it's late to be asking for specific details on the leaks 1 year later from a member with 9 posts, but it's worth a shot. I'm really curious what they are.

[vvvooo]

I was curious about Fight Science too. I found it on google video, check it our yourself :).

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8149847751338552772