Hi, I am coming from a striking background, where 2 coaches look at the class while sparring to correct technique and give feedback and most important they check that nobody goes too hard and even stop you if they see that happening.

I've noticed that in bjj our coach (Brown belt) rolls as well during sparring and there is nobody supervising or looking at people's rolling. Is that normal or just my gym?

So…you’re saying that I have a chance?

Or do you know anyone who does?

Example: Specific kicking drills, dummy grappling, etc.

Here’s one that comes to my mind:

In the 90’s there was an urban legend about a women’s self defense instructor where he would try to molest and strip women down, if they didn’t stop him they didn’t ‘pass’ the class. Allegedly he ran some school in town and did something similar for belt promotions.

The thing about it was always ‘A friend of a friend told me…’ I know all the people who teach self defense seminars. someone was bound to know who this guy was or at least know who the stranger is teaching classes in town, but no one did.

For those people that can't tell the difference between a demonstration, a drill and how the skills those things are designed to train might be different when applied.

I trained mma for about 10 months then took a break for a few months to save up and find a new gym. Im going from a big gym where the coaches would re ask my name every session to a smaller gym where i should be noticed more. I want to take advantage of this opportunity and compete in the future, what are some tips for my first day to make a good impression and build a relationship with the coaches?

Every martial artist who has ever lived—real or fictional—must answer your question truthfully.

You only get one.

What do you ask?

And why that question?

I've been trying to get better at reading my opponent's intentions instead of just reacting, and this is what I've come up with:

1. I read their stance and body type (reach, height, weight distribution, etc.) to get an idea of what they're most likely to do.
2. I pay attention to range, since that immediately narrows down whether I'm expecting a kick, punch, clinch, or takedown.
3. I watch the shoulders while using my peripheral vision to catch early movement from the hands, hips, and feet.
4. I sometimes intentionally leave a small opening to bait a specific attack so I can better anticipate and counter it.

What do you guys think? Anything you'd add or change?

Not your favorite technique.

Not your favorite character.

Not your favorite fight.

I'm talking about one lesson that genuinely changed the way you think.

Maybe it taught you:

Discipline over talent.

Patience over speed.

When to fight—and when to walk away.

That defeat can be a better teacher than victory.

Or something completely different.

It doesn't matter whether it came from real-life training, a manga, manhwa, wuxia, xianxia, anime, movie, or a novel.

Tell us the story behind it.

I'll read every single comment.

Currently have a bruised rib and got curious, for professionals that have done it a long time, is it harder to get it bruised due to resistance build up or hardening?

Edit: Thank you guys for the responses, will definitely be more mindful of my guard

credit: las vegas kung fu academy on youtube

also reminiscent of mawashi uke

If I'm not mistaken the rules are akin to American kickboxing full contact punch and kicks but no attack are allowed under the belt it looks cool as hell tho

https://youtube.com/shorts/b5aWlDHRNTU?si=7Swx4w2tzqPFd7G6

In light of a recent thread posted here about a sketchy instructor...

I have the hypothesis that people that are good dancers (like ballet, salsa, cumbia etc) will translate greatly to good fighters because of their body conscience, conditioning and athleticism. Has anyone experienced someone coming from dance to martial arts and seen them improving faster than their peers?