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

Charles - In this article we have an ex-military man,and dishonorable as possible.
bouncer and street fighting instructor who is going toBut you know what. I'm still alive, still here today, and I
explain to us 4 reasons why traditional martial arts,haven't been seriously injured, and I haven't been
your karate, tae kwondo, hapkido...is really ineffective.seriously been beaten in a fight on the street. So,
How are you doing today, Bob?forget about tradition. Forget about respect. Forget
Bob - I'm doing great, Charles. How are you doing?about honor. Concentrate on winning. And buy the guy
Charles - Just great. Hey, well let's go right in to it. Givesome roses afterwards when he is in the hospital.
us the 4 reasons why traditional martial arts isCharles - (Laughter.) And what's number 3?
ineffective for the streets.Bob - And -
Bob - Well, okay, the biggest reason is that they teachThe #3 Reason Why Traditional Martial Arts is
form over function.Ineffective Is Their Concept of Traditional Clothing -
The # 1 Reason Why Traditional Martial Arts isYou're not going to be barefoot. You might not even
Ineffective - Form Over Function. Let me explain.be wearing tennis shoes when you're fighting on the
When I talk about street based martial arts, I alwaysstreet. When I teach, for instance, women, I have them
tell people, yeah, I'll beat you up, if I have to go outsidewearing skirts or dresses. I have them wearing high
get in my car and run you over.heels, or high heel boots, just like they're actually going
Charles - (Laughter.)to wear. It's not just a matter of learning how to fight in
Bob - And with martial arts, it is not a matter oft-shirts and tennis shoes. And then, there will be a man
whether or not you win, it's a matter of how you fight.wearing a suit and full dress shoes. That's what you
Charles - Uh ah.need to train in.
Bob - Winning is the biggest part of fighting - andSneakers, bare feet, kung fu uniforms, silk pajamas
surviving. So the first problem with traditional martialhave no place whatsoever when you are training to
arts is form over function. It doesn't matter how youfight on the street.
do it in the street - just do it! In martial arts, it's moreCharles - (Laughter.) And number 4?
important how you do than if you win or not.Bob - Okay -
Charles - (Laughter.) Wow!The #4 Reason Why Traditional Martial Arts is
Bob - And another thing is -Ineffective Is That They Resist Unorthodox Situational
The #2 Reason Why Traditional Martial Arts isTactics - They resist teaching and sanctioning
Ineffective Is The Concept of Fairness, Respect andunorthodox techniques like biting and eye-grabbing or
Honor - Look, I am a very fair, honorable andanything in a street fight that becomes obvious for you
respectful person, but if you go ahead and cross meto do but you resist doing because your sensei or
on the street, and for some reason I feel threatened,teacher has not approved of it.
for some reason I am attacked and I have to fight, I willCharles - Bob, this has been a great interview. Thanks
do anything and everything that I have to do to survive,so much.
and that usually means being as unfair, disrespectfulBob - Thank you.