SOMEONE PLEASE DEFINE "REAL MARTIAL ARTS".... part 1

Alright, check this out...  Traditional Martial Arts are under attack again, I came across an internet site espousing the benefits of their “real techniques” over the traditional arts.  They claimed the traditional arts are “out-moded” and absolutely worthless in today’s street situations. 

            Before I continue, I want someone to please explain “real techniques” to me!  Define “real techniques”!  That phrase has been over-used so much, what the hell is it?  If I drop you with a punch to CV-15 (“conception vessel” an acupuncture/ pressure point location) or the “solar plexus”, it was real wasn't it?  If someone kicks you in the stomach and you bend over in pain, it was real wasn't it?  If a thug throws a haymaker at you, you deflect it, step in and throw them to the ground so hard their nose bubbles, it was real wasn't it?  C’mon, define “real techniques”!  If a Senior Grandmaster does a block - punch - kick combination directly from a form and not only does it hurt, it drops you to your knees; it was real wasn't it?  If a child throws a punch and hits you “someplace personal” causing you to drop to your knees in pain, it was real wasn't it?  Let’s cut it out with that phrase “real techniques”!  “Applicable techniques”, “effective techniques, these make more sense than saying something is “real” or not.

            Sorry, I digressed.
            Where was I…
            Oh yeah:

            This site went on to say that all traditional martial arts were ineffective in street or combat situations. They even lists the arts; Krav Maga, Systema, heaven forbid you are training in Tae Kwon Do or Hapkido!  The site illustrates the so-called in-effectiveness of these arts by showing a few seconds of a traditional class or form, and then having someone walk the streets and accosted by a group of NastyBadNasties.  Of course when the poor guy attempts to take a stance or use the techniques, he gets pummeled into oblivion.
             (Can you say "Bias" in these 'real scenes'!!)

            “Realistic”, “Reality based” and “real” are the catchwords for this site.  As I’m sure you guessed by now, it is a site promoting MMA, Mixed Martial Arts.  They, and some other sites, make the statement that MMA is the only valid and effective martial art for today’s society. Blah, blah, blah, yakety shmakety...

            Yeah, right.

            I’m willing to bet that the ones responsible for those sites have never taught a steady class, especially a class of beginners – people who have never fought or taken any kind of martial training beforehand.  If they did, they would see the value of the traditional martial arts curriculum.  It is difficult to teach 5 people a technique, let alone 15 or 20 people.  Not only must the student learn the technique, they must absorb it.  In order to do that you have to completely break it down so they can utilize it and make it theirs.  Very true, at the beginning or white belt level, the students are mostly imitating what they see.  But, we all know, the more they imitate the technique, the more comfortable they are with it.  Then, they understand the technique, “make it theirs” and will be able to utilize it when it is needed.

I have more to say on this next time....