differences between the martial arts?

[Alphathree33]

Can someone provide a high-level explanation of the differences between some of the popular fighting styles?

e.g. I know TKD largely focuses on fast kicks, whereas Karate uses more upper-body attacks, and I know other styles focus on weapons, throws, etc.

 

[Spineshank]

Generally Japanese styles are very basic, self defense, practical usage styles. Korean took all of this and made it flashier (TKD is Korean). Even after training for 10+ years i dont think i could provide high level of explanation without you naming specific styles you are interested in. There are many styles of martial arts but they all connect to each other in some way.

 

[Alphathree33]

Originally posted by: Gnrslash4life
Generally Japanese styles are very basic, self defense, practical usage styles. Korean took all of this and made it flashier (TKD is Korean). Even after training for 10+ years i dont think i could provide high level of explanation without you naming specific styles you are interested in. There are many styles of martial arts but they all connect to each other in some way.

Well, I'm more interested in a general ability to defend myself than any specialization.

 

[Wapp]

You should check out the israeli martial art. It's Brav Laga or something like that.

 

[mrrman]

Ive taken karate for about 5 years and it all depends on the style that your confortable with. Karate focuses on a solid stance technique and thats why I like it.

 

[suicidalpigeon]

From personal experience:

Muy Thai = extensive use of elbows, knee's, and low kicks. That all changed when Tony Jaa made Ong Bak and Tom Young Goon. There's >7 different styles of Muy Thai.
TKD = Mainly ranged attacks using the legs. It got kind of repetitive and boring when I was sparring.

 

[George P Burdell]

It doesn't matter which martial art you know, Jack Bauer will still kick your ass.

 

[sao123]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martial_arts

Martial arts may focus on one or more of these areas:

Striking

Punching - (e.g. Boxing, Karate, Shao-Lin Long Fist, Muay Thai, Wing Chun)
Kicking - (e.g. Capoeira, Savate, Sikaran, Taekwondo)
Grappling

Throwing - (e.g. Glima, Judo, Jujutsu, Sambo)
Pinning Techniques - (e.g. Wrestling, Kosen Judo)
Joint lock - (e.g. Aikido, Chin Na, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Malla-yuddha)
Weaponry

Traditional Weaponry - (e.g. Fencing, Gatka, Kendo, Kenjutsu)
Modern Weaponry - (e.g. Eskrima, Jukendo, Jogo do Pau)

Some martial arts, particularly the traditional Chinese martial arts, also teach side disciplines such as bone-setting, qigong, acupuncture, acupressure (tui na), and other aspects of traditional Chinese medicine


Ninjutsu (??, Ninjutsu?) started out as a set of survival skills that were used by groups of people who lived in mountainous regions of Japan. They were self-reliant, and had a strong affinity with nature.

These techniques used to hunt and fight eventually developed and became the strategic base of the Ninjutsu martial art. The ninja clans used their art to ensure their survival in a time of violent political turmoil. It also included methods of gathering information, non-detection, avoidance, and misdirection techniques. Ninjutsu can also involve training in disguise, escape, concealment, archery, medicine, and explosives.

 

[slimrhcp]

Originally posted by: Alphathree33

Originally posted by: Gnrslash4life
Generally Japanese styles are very basic, self defense, practical usage styles. Korean took all of this and made it flashier (TKD is Korean). Even after training for 10+ years i dont think i could provide high level of explanation without you naming specific styles you are interested in. There are many styles of martial arts but they all connect to each other in some way.

Well, I'm more interested in a general ability to defend myself than any specialization.

The most pragmatic form of actual self defence is probably going to be muay thai. It would allow you to strike and then back away. Throw in some judo and you'd be in good shape. The reason I recommend those two arts is because of the live sparring/randori aspect. They're two of the most practical arts out there. I've done a lot of styles including kung fu, aikido, and catch wrestling. Now I'm doing jiu-jitsu, judo, and kick boxing; I do them for the competitive aspect.

 

[slimrhcp]

Originally posted by: Wapp
You should check out the israeli martial art. It's Brav Laga or something like that.

Krav maga is way over rated and very irresponsible. It teaches lethal techniques very early on. The "art" also doesn't have any of its own moves, they're all taken from other styles. It doesn't have the practicality of other styles because it can't be practiced at anywhere near full intensity against a live opponent.

 

[TwoMix]

If want to learn self defense check out Krav Maga (IDF) or Systema (Spetznaz).

 

[kaizersose]

Originally posted by: Alphathree33

Originally posted by: Gnrslash4life
Generally Japanese styles are very basic, self defense, practical usage styles. Korean took all of this and made it flashier (TKD is Korean). Even after training for 10+ years i dont think i could provide high level of explanation without you naming specific styles you are interested in. There are many styles of martial arts but they all connect to each other in some way.

Well, I'm more interested in a general ability to defend myself than any specialization.

Brazilian Jiu Jistu [/thread]

go watch the early Ultimate Fighting Championships (or if you can, Japanese Vale Tudo). BJJ showed itself to be capable of defeating larger, stronger highly skilled opponents. it is a highly effective grappling style of martial arts that uses leverage rather than power or strikes to choke/exert immense physical pain on opponents. all of the no-holds-barred fighters have now integrated the basics of BJJ into their skill sets.

further, in real life, statistics have shown that ~90% of fights end up on the ground where tai kwon do, muy thai, karate, etc become virtually useless. you may be more interested in the BJJ self defense class, which can be more pragmatic. try it, you will be amazed what it can do.

 

[slimrhcp]

Originally posted by: sao123
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martial_arts

Martial arts may focus on one or more of these areas:

Striking

Punching - (e.g. Boxing, Karate, Shao-Lin Long Fist, Muay Thai, Wing Chun)
Kicking - (e.g. Capoeira, Savate, Sikaran, Taekwondo)
Grappling

Throwing - (e.g. Glima, Judo, Jujutsu, Sambo)
Pinning Techniques - (e.g. Wrestling, Kosen Judo)
Joint lock - (e.g. Aikido, Chin Na, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Malla-yuddha)
Weaponry

Traditional Weaponry - (e.g. Fencing, Gatka, Kendo, Kenjutsu)
Modern Weaponry - (e.g. Eskrima, Jukendo, Jogo do Pau)

Some martial arts, particularly the traditional Chinese martial arts, also teach side disciplines such as bone-setting, qigong, acupuncture, acupressure (tui na), and other aspects of traditional Chinese medicine


Ninjutsu (??, Ninjutsu?) started out as a set of survival skills that were used by groups of people who lived in mountainous regions of Japan. They were self-reliant, and had a strong affinity with nature.

These techniques used to hunt and fight eventually developed and became the strategic base of the Ninjutsu martial art. The ninja clans used their art to ensure their survival in a time of violent political turmoil. It also included methods of gathering information, non-detection, avoidance, and misdirection techniques. Ninjutsu can also involve training in disguise, escape, concealment, archery, medicine, and explosives.

Nin-jitsu, aikido, judo, and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu all originate from the traditional art of japanese ju-jitsu.

There is not one technique in any of those arts that can't be found in traditional ju-jitsu; each of them merely focused on a smaller curriculum.

 

[slimrhcp]

Originally posted by: kaizersose

Originally posted by: Alphathree33

Originally posted by: Gnrslash4life
Generally Japanese styles are very basic, self defense, practical usage styles. Korean took all of this and made it flashier (TKD is Korean). Even after training for 10+ years i dont think i could provide high level of explanation without you naming specific styles you are interested in. There are many styles of martial arts but they all connect to each other in some way.

Well, I'm more interested in a general ability to defend myself than any specialization.

Brazilian Jiu Jistu [/thread]

go watch the early Ultimate Fighting Championships (or if you can, Japanese Vale Tudo). BJJ showed itself to be capable of defeating larger, stronger highly skilled opponents. it is a highly effective grappling style of martial arts that uses leverage rather than power or strikes to choke/exert immense physical pain on opponents. all of the no-holds-barred fighters have now integrated the basics of BJJ into their skill sets.

further, in real life, statistics have shown that ~90% of fights end up on the ground where tai kwon do, muy thai, karate, etc become virtually useless. you may be more interested in the BJJ self defense class, which can be more pragmatic. try it, you will be amazed what it can do.

I completely agree with you about BJJ. But people are so quick to jump on others for being BJJ fanboys. You're absolutely right that in the early days of UFC, in pure style vs pure style, BJJ owned everything. But with everybody cross training these days, it's absolutely necessary to have kickboxing skills in addition to being comfortable with ground work.