Tae Kwon Do vs Karate.

[Coco]

You said that the karate instructor is old and weak and the TKD one is stronger and stuff... That dosnt have anything to do with the way they teach, the old karate teacher can be weak, but he may be very wise and he might know much more about the art than your strong TKD teacher, who may happen to work out more than practice his art.

[DeadCell]

If your in it for self defense then try "practical" MA's Krav Maga, Defendo, as Ive heard JKD. At these places you learn the mental as well as physical aspects of street fights. And they teach you quick so you well remember everything you learned. Ive heard of many Black Belts getting beaten by ordinary thugs. Krav Maga doesnt do any katas or forms. Each day our instructor attacks us and sees how we react in certain situations. Another thing Krav Maga does is teach you are not super man and to fight smart and only when needed. Many of my black belt friends are really cocky and Ive seen at least one of them get into a fight he couldnt win because of it.

 

On the other side Karate, TKD, etc is more sporting, and envolves more katas and things like that.

[Jerome]

Haven't been here for awhile. Thanks for all the replies again I've considered all your opinions.

 

So now I have 3 choices either the TKD the Shotokan or another style I checked out just a few hours ago. a style named Goju Budo. Its one of those 3 I'll be choseing within the week to come. The recent posts have got me thinking hard as to which style is best for self defence. I'll continue to review these 3 styles and after a week's class I'll tell y'all how it went in the one I chose.

 

So far the TKD teacher has a great presonality and is from the same country I'm from coinidently, he teaches some Kick Boxing and Street Fighting along the TKD.

 

The Shotokan master teaches Jiujitsu along with his.

 

And the Goju Budo teaches Aikido and Jiujitsu along side.

 

They all seem very nice, the TKD and Goju Budo still compete where the Shotokan teacher doesn't unfortunately. I will be attending atleast one class of each to see who their students perform.

 

More input from everyone is welcomed, thanks again for your help.

[aefibird]

Yes, going to each of their classes is a good idea. Try and take at least a couple of classes with each instructor if possible - that will give you a better idea of what each club is like.

 

Also, find out who would be teaching you on a regular basis. Would it be the instructor or an assistant?

 

Well, even thought the Shotokan instructor doesn't compete any more doesn't necessarily mean that's a bad thing. My instructor no longer competes, but he has still managed to coach several people to levels where they've won World and European championship trophies. It all depends on how interested you think you'd be in competing. If it isn't much of a priority, then you'd be better off going with the school that is less sports orientated.

[supacoopatroopa]

If you are really looking to learn how to fight, pick a full-contact style of karate, like Enshin or World Oyama Karate. I have fought a lot of TKD guys in the ring at full-contact tournuments and they crumble the first time they get hit, i don't know if they have ever trained in a full-contact setting, but in my dojo we train bare-handed and bare-foot. So go some where like that.

[manuelito]

General Choi the founder of takwondo was asked this same question and his answer was as follows:

 

"taekwondo and karate are not related and are two entirely different martial arts. Thai boxing and karate are different martial arts as well as chinese kung fu. don't be confused playing with a ball does not mean that it is soccer, basketball, or baseball. each has its own purpose, method, and thorn."

 

interview can be found on the legacy cd-rom.

 

i hope this helps a little.

[Shorin Ryuu]

General Cho would say that...its more of a Korean pride thing, really. He trained in Shotokan before he founded TKD in the 1950s...

 

Not that I'm a big fan of either Shotokan or TKD, as their approaches both tend to emphasize muscle over technique and proper body mechanics.

[aefibird]

Not that I'm a big fan of either Shotokan or TKD, as their approaches both tend to emphasize muscle over technique and proper body mechanics.

 

In all my Shotokan training it has always been techniques and proper body mechanics that have been emphasised, rather than muscle.

 

It just depends on the instructor as to what emphasis is placed on particular things - that goes for most martial arts.

[Shorin Ryuu]

What in the extremely deep front stance is proper body mechanics?

 

EDIT: This question is meant to be direct, rather than rude, by the way.

[aefibird]

Well, firstly, as I've said before, stances aren't stationary (yes, even in Shotokan! ); they're a momentary placing of the feet and a transition tool.

 

Deep stances can help a student learn how to use their body correctly to move between the stances.

 

Secondly, Shotokan isn't just about deep stances.

 

Thirdly, not all of the stances within Shotokan are deep.

 

There are good and bad instructors of Shotokan, just as there are good and bad instructors in all styles. Please don't tar them all with the same brush...