# Martial Arts McDojangs Need a Healthy Dose of Pitting **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 1, 2013, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-arts-mcdojangs-need-a-healthy-dose-of-pitting/649070 "2013-02-01T21:10:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Mgalindo13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea5d25/32.png) [@Mgalindo13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mgalindo13)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-arts-mcdojangs-need-a-healthy-dose-of-pitting/649070/201 "2013-02-07T02:33:55Z")
I didn’t think anyone took TKD this seriously. If you really wanted to learn self defense you should study boxing, muay thai, BJJ or MMA. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-arts-mcdojangs-need-a-healthy-dose-of-pitting/649070/202 "2013-02-07T02:45:44Z")
> [@Mgalindo13](#): > > I didn’t think anyone took TKD this seriously. If you really wanted to learn self defense you should study boxing, muay thai, BJJ or MMA. Shame I can’t post the Futurama/Fry ‘Not sure if’ meme here. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-arts-mcdojangs-need-a-healthy-dose-of-pitting/649070/203 "2013-02-07T04:40:39Z")
> [@Mgalindo13](#): > > I didn’t think anyone took TKD this seriously. If you really wanted to learn self defense you should study boxing, muay thai, BJJ or MMA. And why not? TKD is a serious martial art and has been since its inception. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-arts-mcdojangs-need-a-healthy-dose-of-pitting/649070/204 "2013-02-07T04:47:38Z")
I wish AU would come back to this thread. He needs to read what you all have said since he ran out. ---
**Author:** ![Mgalindo13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea5d25/32.png) [@Mgalindo13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mgalindo13)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-arts-mcdojangs-need-a-healthy-dose-of-pitting/649070/205 "2013-02-07T04:55:08Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > And why not? TKD is a serious martial art and has been since its inception. I don’t know what you mean by “serious martial art” - I gather from this thread that some people take it seriously. It’s just not practical for self defense. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-arts-mcdojangs-need-a-healthy-dose-of-pitting/649070/206 "2013-02-07T05:07:21Z")
> [@Anonymous User](#): > > And guess what, he halved my price! My monthly fee is only $39 per month (instead of the $69)! Congratulations, you’re only being scammed out of $39 instead of $69. ---
**Author:** ![Doughbag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Doughbag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doughbag)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-arts-mcdojangs-need-a-healthy-dose-of-pitting/649070/207 "2013-02-07T13:16:50Z")
> [@Mgalindo13](#): > > I don’t know what you mean by “serious martial art” - I gather from this thread that some people take it seriously. It’s just not practical for self defense. What? Sure, it is - or can be. For the most part it’s the fighter and not the style. TKD incorporates the same [technics](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Taekwondo_techniques#Self_defense) as MMA, it’s just not trained – since most of the training is for competitions, kids and soccer moms. ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-arts-mcdojangs-need-a-healthy-dose-of-pitting/649070/208 "2013-02-07T15:53:46Z")
Please, **MGalindo** , if you would like to start a “My MA is better than your MA” thread, or a “Why TKD isn’t a REAL Martial Art” thread, please feel free to do so. But this isn’t the discussion of this particular thread, and besides, that argument has been done to death. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-arts-mcdojangs-need-a-healthy-dose-of-pitting/649070/209 "2013-02-07T16:09:38Z")
Mgalindo13 is full of shit. TKD is the best MA for self defense there is outside of having a gun on you. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-arts-mcdojangs-need-a-healthy-dose-of-pitting/649070/210 "2013-02-07T17:50:00Z")
“[Bullshido.net](http://Bullshido.net) is what you get when you combine the age level of GameFAQs, the community of MySpace and the mentality of IMDb.” - _Encyclopedia Dramatica_ ---
**Author:** ![Mgalindo13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea5d25/32.png) [@Mgalindo13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mgalindo13)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-arts-mcdojangs-need-a-healthy-dose-of-pitting/649070/211 "2013-02-07T18:53:21Z")
> [@Tristan](#): > > Please, **MGalindo** , if you would like to start a “My MA is better than your MA” thread, or a “Why TKD isn’t a REAL Martial Art” thread, please feel free to do so. > > But this isn’t the discussion of this particular thread, and besides, that argument has been done to death. My apologies, really wasn’t trying to derail the thread, I was just genuinely surprised that someone would make a pit thread complaining that TKD McDojos are “diminishing the value of what it means to be a black belt, and on top of that are ripping people off while endangering their lives.” I really didn’t know that people took TKD as a means to defend themselves in life threatening situations. My impression was always that TKD was a great way to teach discipline to younger students and older students got exercise and may compete for sport. Not trying to denigrate it, that was just my perception. I also knew a lot of people used it as a gateway to other martial arts. I myself went from a traditional karate, TKD, to wrestling, then muay thai and BJJ. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-arts-mcdojangs-need-a-healthy-dose-of-pitting/649070/212 "2013-02-07T19:28:47Z")
> [@Mgalindo13](#): > > I don’t know what you mean by “serious martial art” - I gather from this thread that some people take it seriously. It’s just not practical for self defense. Wooo. Tell that to Megan, one of my students, who was assaulted when she was 15 while walking down a street one day. Two guys pulled over in a car and tried to drag her into it. They both wound up in the hospital, one with a destroyed knee and a ruptured testicle, and the other with broken ribs and a punctured lung. Or to Joshua, a 12 year old from another school in the area, who was attacked on a baseball field by another kid with a bat. He disarmed the other kid, broke the kids arm doing it. But what the heck, TKD isn’t practical for self defense according to you. I guess they just got lucky.or were possessed by the ghost of Bruce Lee or something, right? Son, remember that the underlying foundation of martial arts study of any kind is…wait for it…self-defense. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-arts-mcdojangs-need-a-healthy-dose-of-pitting/649070/213 "2013-02-07T19:33:52Z")
Well, and the whole BJJ ground fighting thing. When you have several attackers, it’s oh so useful to take people to the ground and wrestle with them, right? Oh wait, no. It isn’t. It just leaves you open for the other five guys to kick the shit out of you. ---
**Author:** ![Mgalindo13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea5d25/32.png) [@Mgalindo13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mgalindo13)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-arts-mcdojangs-need-a-healthy-dose-of-pitting/649070/214 "2013-02-07T19:52:38Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Wooo. Tell that to Megan, one of my students, who was assaulted when she was 15 while walking down a street one day. Two guys pulled over in a car and tried to drag her into it. They both wound up in the hospital, one with a destroyed knee and a ruptured testicle, and the other with broken ribs and a punctured lung. > > Or to Joshua, a 12 year old from another school in the area, who was attacked on a baseball field by another kid with a bat. He disarmed the other kid, broke the kids arm doing it. > > But what the heck, TKD isn’t practical for self defense according to you. I guess they just got lucky.or were possessed by the ghost of Bruce Lee or something, right? > > Son, remember that the underlying foundation of martial arts study of any kind is…wait for it…self-defense. Please see my previous post. I wasn’t trying to insult your art, and I’m not trying to derail this thread so I’m going to continue this any further. ---
**Author:** ![Mgalindo13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea5d25/32.png) [@Mgalindo13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mgalindo13)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-arts-mcdojangs-need-a-healthy-dose-of-pitting/649070/215 "2013-02-07T20:02:49Z")
> [@Mgalindo13](#): > > Please see my previous post. I wasn’t trying to insult your art, and I’m not trying to derail this thread so I’m going to continue this any further. \*NOT going to continue this any further. Damn you edit window! ---
**Author:** ![SirGalahad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/71c47a/32.png) [@SirGalahad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirGalahad)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-arts-mcdojangs-need-a-healthy-dose-of-pitting/649070/216 "2013-02-07T21:24:57Z")
Silly argument about who’s style is better or worse aside, this site is full of really useful information regarding self defense. I highly recommend it. > **[No Nonsense Self Defense - Reliable information for dangerous situations](http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/)** > > Answers about crime, violence, crime prevention, personal safety, and self-defense ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-arts-mcdojangs-need-a-healthy-dose-of-pitting/649070/217 "2013-02-07T22:39:02Z")
But can it be any [more](http://www.hormelfoods.com/Brands/BrandWall/Dinty-Moore-stew) [full of links](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kung_fu_(term)) so as to [fill the wall](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvPpAPIIZyo) of [text](http://ageofex.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/hidden-text-example-3.gif) with [different](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YHLyrNMvkwI/UJKJef6RoYI/AAAAAAAADco/eCZsELvmlX8/s1600/AnnikaHippy1-m.jpg) and [distracting](http://www.maniacworld.com/Distracting-Shoe-Shine-Prank.jpg) [colors](http://www.ledr.com/colours/black.jpg), [dulling the senses](http://www.anchorbrewing.com/) and your [brain](http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/Homer-Brain-X-Ray-the-simpsons-60337_1024_768.jpg) until you become a [hapless victim](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Sarah_Palin_by_Gage_Skidmore_2.jpg/220px-Sarah_Palin_by_Gage_Skidmore_2.jpg) of [mind control](http://www.kraftbrands.com/jello/products/pudding/) and [coersion](http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1232469.1357246254!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_635/shutterstock-baby-crying.jpg) ready to part ways with every last dollar that you have ever earned in a [vain](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_IGy-aiiHsw/Ta4_aS8QCCI/AAAAAAAABhk/y8zH1GAPMgU/s1600/WeatherVane.jpg) attempt to learn how to defend yourself from [trolls](http://cloudfront.mediamatters.org/static/images/item/20121128-maccallumpost.jpg), [ninja](http://images.starpulse.com/Photos/Previews/Beverly-Hills-Ninja-ps04.jpg), muggers, [teahaddists](http://www.pleasantonteaparty.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/teaparty1.png), terrorists, Beduin kidnappers, thieves and [random cokeheads](http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2012/11/lindsay-lohan-liz-and-dick-lifetime-breach-of-contract/_jcr_content/par/cn_contentwell/par-main/cn_blogpost/cn_float_container/cn_image.size.lindsay-lohan-liz-and-dick-lawsuit.jpg)? Or will you resist the urge to click on [every last link](http://content6.flixster.com/rtactor/40/42/40420_pro.jpg) trying to sort out the connection between them like some vast [=lizard%20people%20congressman&filters[primary]=images#/user/cartwrightdale/media/james\_carville.jpg.html?filters%5Bterm%5D=lizard%20people%20congressman&filters%5Bprimary%5D=images&\_suid=13602766051830048916652512846326"]lizard people]([http://media.beta.photobucket.com/user/cartwrightdale/media/james\_carville.jpg.html?filters](http://media.beta.photobucket.com/user/cartwrightdale/media/james_carville.jpg.html?filters)[term) [conspiracy](http://www.travelandleisure.com/images/amexpub/0017/7409/201010-w-pies-aroma.jpg?1286384534) theory? ---
**Author:** ![SirGalahad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/71c47a/32.png) [@SirGalahad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirGalahad)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-arts-mcdojangs-need-a-healthy-dose-of-pitting/649070/218 "2013-02-07T23:18:44Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > But can it be any [more](http://www.hormelfoods.com/Brands/BrandWall/Dinty-Moore-stew) [full of links](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kung_fu_(term)) so as to [fill the wall](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvPpAPIIZyo) of [text](http://ageofex.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/hidden-text-example-3.gif) with [different](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YHLyrNMvkwI/UJKJef6RoYI/AAAAAAAADco/eCZsELvmlX8/s1600/AnnikaHippy1-m.jpg) and [distracting](http://www.maniacworld.com/Distracting-Shoe-Shine-Prank.jpg) [colors](http://www.ledr.com/colours/black.jpg), [dulling the senses](http://www.anchorbrewing.com/) and your [brain](http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/Homer-Brain-X-Ray-the-simpsons-60337_1024_768.jpg) until you become a [hapless victim](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Sarah_Palin_by_Gage_Skidmore_2.jpg/220px-Sarah_Palin_by_Gage_Skidmore_2.jpg) of [mind control](http://www.kraftbrands.com/jello/products/pudding/) and [coersion](http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1232469.1357246254!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_635/shutterstock-baby-crying.jpg) ready to part ways with every last dollar that you have ever earned in a [vain](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_IGy-aiiHsw/Ta4_aS8QCCI/AAAAAAAABhk/y8zH1GAPMgU/s1600/WeatherVane.jpg) attempt to learn how to defend yourself from [trolls](http://cloudfront.mediamatters.org/static/images/item/20121128-maccallumpost.jpg), [ninja](http://images.starpulse.com/Photos/Previews/Beverly-Hills-Ninja-ps04.jpg), muggers, [teahaddists](http://www.pleasantonteaparty.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/teaparty1.png), terrorists, Beduin kidnappers, thieves and [random cokeheads](http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2012/11/lindsay-lohan-liz-and-dick-lifetime-breach-of-contract/_jcr_content/par/cn_contentwell/par-main/cn_blogpost/cn_float_container/cn_image.size.lindsay-lohan-liz-and-dick-lawsuit.jpg)? Or will you resist the urge to click on [every last link](http://content6.flixster.com/rtactor/40/42/40420_pro.jpg) trying to sort out the connection between them like some vast [=lizard%20people%20congressman&filters[primary]=images#/user/cartwrightdale/media/james\_carville.jpg.html?filters%5Bterm%5D=lizard%20people%20congressman&filters%5Bprimary%5D=images&\_suid=13602766051830048916652512846326"]lizard people]([http://media.beta.photobucket.com/user/cartwrightdale/media/james\_carville.jpg.html?filters](http://media.beta.photobucket.com/user/cartwrightdale/media/james_carville.jpg.html?filters)[term) [conspiracy](http://www.travelandleisure.com/images/amexpub/0017/7409/201010-w-pies-aroma.jpg?1286384534) theory? The answers are: Yes, and No. Marc MacYoung is a legend in places I’ve frequented back in the day, and a really smart, interesting guy. I find his insight invaluable and significantly superior to yours, so far. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2013, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-arts-mcdojangs-need-a-healthy-dose-of-pitting/649070/219 "2013-02-07T23:42:53Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > But can it be any [more](http://www.hormelfoods.com/Brands/BrandWall/Dinty-Moore-stew) [full of links](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kung_fu_(term)) so as to [fill the wall](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvPpAPIIZyo) of [text](http://ageofex.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/hidden-text-example-3.gif) with [different](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YHLyrNMvkwI/UJKJef6RoYI/AAAAAAAADco/eCZsELvmlX8/s1600/AnnikaHippy1-m.jpg) and [distracting](http://www.maniacworld.com/Distracting-Shoe-Shine-Prank.jpg) [colors](http://www.ledr.com/colours/black.jpg), [dulling the senses](http://www.anchorbrewing.com/) and your [brain](http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/Homer-Brain-X-Ray-the-simpsons-60337_1024_768.jpg) until you become a [hapless victim](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Sarah_Palin_by_Gage_Skidmore_2.jpg/220px-Sarah_Palin_by_Gage_Skidmore_2.jpg) of [mind control](http://www.kraftbrands.com/jello/products/pudding/) and [coersion](http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1232469.1357246254!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_635/shutterstock-baby-crying.jpg) ready to part ways with every last dollar that you have ever earned in a [vain](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_IGy-aiiHsw/Ta4_aS8QCCI/AAAAAAAABhk/y8zH1GAPMgU/s1600/WeatherVane.jpg) attempt to learn how to defend yourself from [trolls](http://cloudfront.mediamatters.org/static/images/item/20121128-maccallumpost.jpg), [ninja](http://images.starpulse.com/Photos/Previews/Beverly-Hills-Ninja-ps04.jpg), muggers, [teahaddists](http://www.pleasantonteaparty.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/teaparty1.png), terrorists, Beduin kidnappers, thieves and [random cokeheads](http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2012/11/lindsay-lohan-liz-and-dick-lifetime-breach-of-contract/_jcr_content/par/cn_contentwell/par-main/cn_blogpost/cn_float_container/cn_image.size.lindsay-lohan-liz-and-dick-lawsuit.jpg)? Or will you resist the urge to click on [every last link](http://content6.flixster.com/rtactor/40/42/40420_pro.jpg) trying to sort out the connection between them like some vast [=lizard%20people%20congressman&filters[primary]=images#/user/cartwrightdale/media/james\_carville.jpg.html?filters%5Bterm%5D=lizard%20people%20congressman&filters%5Bprimary%5D=images&\_suid=13602766051830048916652512846326"]lizard people]([http://media.beta.photobucket.com/user/cartwrightdale/media/james\_carville.jpg.html?filters](http://media.beta.photobucket.com/user/cartwrightdale/media/james_carville.jpg.html?filters)[term) [conspiracy](http://www.travelandleisure.com/images/amexpub/0017/7409/201010-w-pies-aroma.jpg?1286384534) theory? Wonderful post, truly wonderful. I’ve never seen that Wall video before. I have only one question, and here it is: I didn’t get the bill murray reference. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2013, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-arts-mcdojangs-need-a-healthy-dose-of-pitting/649070/220 "2013-02-08T00:01:17Z")
Some things don’t have to make sense. When I started composing it\*, I knew it had to have a Bill Murray reference somewhere\*\*. I added that one last. - At work, with 20 minutes left in the day, otherwise I’d have spent more time on it. \*\* Don’t ask why. I honestly don’t know. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-arts-mcdojangs-need-a-healthy-dose-of-pitting/649070.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/martial-arts-mcdojangs-need-a-healthy-dose-of-pitting/649070.md?page=12)