Street Fighting Moves - Interviews Christopher "Bob" Roberts - The 4 Reasons Why Martial Arts Fail

Charles - In this article we have an ex-militarydishonorable as possible.
man, bouncer and street fighting instructor who isBut you know what. I'm still alive, still here today,
going to explain to us 4 reasons why traditionaland I haven't been seriously injured, and I haven't
martial arts, your karate, tae kwondo, hapkido...isbeen seriously been beaten in a fight on the
really ineffective. How are you doing today, Bob?street. So, forget about tradition. Forget about
Bob - I'm doing great, Charles. How are yourespect. Forget about honor. Concentrate on
doing?winning. And buy the guy some roses afterwards
Charles - Just great. Hey, well let's go right in to it.when he is in the hospital.
Give us the 4 reasons why traditional martial artsCharles - (Laughter.) And what's number 3?
is ineffective for the streets.Bob - And -
Bob - Well, okay, the biggest reason is that theyThe #3 Reason Why Traditional Martial Arts is
teach form over function.Ineffective Is Their Concept of Traditional Clothing
The # 1 Reason Why Traditional Martial Arts is- You're not going to be barefoot. You might not
Ineffective - Form Over Function. Let me explain.even be wearing tennis shoes when you're
When I talk about street based martial arts, Ifighting on the street. When I teach, for instance,
always tell people, yeah, I'll beat you up, if I havewomen, I have them wearing skirts or dresses. I
to go outside get in my car and run you over.have them wearing high heels, or high heel boots,
Charles - (Laughter.)just like they're actually going to wear. It's not
Bob - And with martial arts, it is not a matter ofjust a matter of learning how to fight in t-shirts
whether or not you win, it's a matter of how youand tennis shoes. And then, there will be a man
fight.wearing a suit and full dress shoes. That's what
Charles - Uh ah.you need to train in.
Bob - Winning is the biggest part of fighting - andSneakers, bare feet, kung fu uniforms, silk
surviving. So the first problem with traditionalpajamas have no place whatsoever when you
martial arts is form over function. It doesn'tare training to fight on the street.
matter how you do it in the street - just do it! InCharles - (Laughter.) And number 4?
martial arts, it's more important how you do thanBob - Okay -
if you win or not.The #4 Reason Why Traditional Martial Arts is
Charles - (Laughter.) Wow!Ineffective Is That They Resist Unorthodox
Bob - And another thing is -Situational Tactics - They resist teaching and
The #2 Reason Why Traditional Martial Arts issanctioning unorthodox techniques like biting and
Ineffective Is The Concept of Fairness, Respecteye-grabbing or anything in a street fight that
and Honor - Look, I am a very fair, honorable andbecomes obvious for you to do but you resist
respectful person, but if you go ahead and crossdoing because your sensei or teacher has not
me on the street, and for some reason I feelapproved of it.
threatened, for some reason I am attacked and ICharles - Bob, this has been a great interview.
have to fight, I will do anything and everythingThanks so much.
that I have to do to survive, and that usuallyBob - Thank you.
means being as unfair, disrespectful and