Learning martial arts with poor distance vision

[merkur]

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[Matt]

hmm. That's an interesting one.

I am blind in one eye, which makes a huge mess of my depth perception, but that said, I still seem to do ok. But...I dont have any trouble watching an instructor from the other side of the room.

A couple of options...maybe try BJJ, since everything is ultra close quarters...otherwise, ya, get contacts.

 

[merkur]

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[Matt]

I'm far from an expert in matters-jits, but I tend to find it a style that requires vision less than all others, mostly because you spend so much time tangled up and unable to see what is happening anyhow, you just kinda feel his foot hook your ankle and know that a sweep is coming from last time - so dont rule it out til you try it.

BTW you could also consider judo...again, very close quarters stuff, and I know that there are blind judo teams, so I guess that means people figure it out somehow.

At "fighting range" - which varies greatly between styles, but let's just say for argument's sake within 2 meters - can you see ok?

 

[merkur]

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[Matt]

oh and one other thought since you are keen on BJJ - I've never actually seen anyone in them, but I would imagine you could pretty safely wear those Kareem Abdul Jabbar-style sport glasses things while rolling.

 

[Matt]

I can see ok at 2m but i can't make out details eg shirt patterns or french cuffs

would you trust your ~2m vision while boxing?

 

[merkur]

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[Eason]

I know a guy who is legally blind who is very decent in jiu-jitsu and has decent striking. For striking, just wear contacts, it's fine. Jiujitsu doesn't require vision, you can do it with your eyes shut.

 

[scarphe]

american kenpo could be possible. I have never done but some describe it as extremely close quarters, even thogh soem is taught for middle/long range.

you might want try asking on this forum martialtalk.com it is not the best forum for specific art but for general questions is good

 

[Eason]

If you have more specific questions I would like to recommend bullshido.net for straight up answers.

 

[Gradstudent78]

Originally Posted by merkur

Can someone with poor distance vision (ie very shortsighted) learn martial arts? I mean if you can't even see what the instructor is doing (without your glasses on), what's the point of spending money on lessons? (Apart from wearing contacts, is there any other alternative?)

Why do you want to learn a martial art?

 

[bmulford]

BJJ as mentioned but I'd seek a gi-less school, or start with catch wrestling. the Gi and its associative techniques are fine, but if you're looking to do this without sight, body to body will be easier and faster to learn. Just watch out for the dreaded butt drag move... For striking, get private training. You'll be within a 18 - 24 inches of the trainer almost the entire time.

 

[emptym]

I was very nearsighted and wore contacts while training. Worked well until one nationals when one kick (landed after the ref called break) knocked one contact out and another kick (also after break) folded the other into fourths w/in my eye. Wasn't good. I got lasik a few years later (now ten yrs ago) and love it.

 

[globetrotter]

Matt, isn't it dangerous riding a motorcycle one eyed?

Originally Posted by m@T

hmm. That's an interesting one.

I am blind in one eye, which makes a huge mess of my depth perception, but that said, I still seem to do ok. But...I dont have any trouble watching an instructor from the other side of the room.

A couple of options...maybe try BJJ, since everything is ultra close quarters...otherwise, ya, get contacts.