Martial Arts in Star Trek...

[dswynne1]

Hi.

Okay, we know that in TOS, there was some sort of martial arts and combative skills course in Starfleet. This was evident in the TOS episode "Charlie X", when Kirk was trying to teach Charlie Evans a basic Judo throw. And, we've seen the characters display obvious technique, most notably Kirk's "Kirk-Fu". Later, in season 1 in TNG's "Conspiracy", we've seen Riker perform some sort of axe kick move. Later, we get to the Klingon martial arts "Mok'bara", which looks like Klingon Tai Chi. Of course, Sisko in the DS9's episode "For the Uniform" was obviously practicing boxing.

What I want to know is this: would knowing martial arts specific to Starfleet be a prerequisite, or would a basic self-defense course be sufficient? I would gather that since there are a few alien species that are stronger and meaner than humans would be a prime example for why Starfleet personnel would know self-defense in general, and department specific personnel, like command and security, would take an advanced course.

Thoughts?

 

[Shawnster]

Starfleet probably teaches a variety of combat and self-defense tactics and classes. It's up to the individual to choose which course best suits them.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Kirk Fu is required to graduate. That was the course Mitchell said where you would either think or sink.

 

[Melakon]

Starfleet probably has a course in the Famous Spock Nerve Pinch, but few humans seem to have learned to use it or resist it. Not sure if we've ever seen Vulcans resist it, but they must have learned it in order to use against each other at some point.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

All Starfleet personnel would need to be proficient at unarmed combat, regardless of their department or duties, as much for fitness than for defense.

 

[Disco]

Kirk Fu is required to graduate. That was the course Mitchell said where you would either think or sink.

Kirk Fu? Is that part judo chop part seduction?

 

[137th Gebirg]

There was that absurdly ridiculous Anbo-jyutsu with the glowing q-tips between Riker & his dad in "The Icarus Factor".

The ultimate form of Human martial arts

Just

 

[Cyke101]

There was that absurdly ridiculous Anbo-jyutsu with the glowing q-tips between Riker & his dad in "The Icarus Factor".

The ultimate form of Human martial arts

Just

So ultimate and so dangerous that it was never seen in live-action Trek ever again

 

[Chronos]

Judging from the fact that no two Starfleet officers seem to share the same fighting style, it would seem that there is no specific style requirement so long as you know some method of self-defense.

 

[Kor]

I would think it's similar to training in today's navies.

Kor

 

[JRoss]

Anbo-jytsu was just the worst. It came out right about when American Gladiators debuted...

Riker's pronunciation was so bad, I didn't even recognized it as Japanese! "Day-su"! Nobody at Decipher even noticed it. In their Star Trek RPG they call it a Centauri martial art.

 

[xvicente]

I find the JJ movies badly represent Star Trek because their lack of Kirk-fu.

 

[T'Girl]

I would think it's similar to training in today's navies

The majority of people in the US Navy receive no training in hand to hand martial arts, only certain specialties do.

Or is that what you meant?

 

[Kor]

I would think it's similar to training in today's navies

The majority of people in the US Navy receive no training in hand to hand martial arts, only certain specialties do.

Or is that what you meant?

Yup.

Kor