Martial Arts

[47MartialMan]

What is your definition of the term, Martial Arts?

 

I think Webster's has it wrong:

 

The version of Webster's I have state:

 

"Any several Oriental arts of combat. As Karate, Judo, Tae Kwon Do, usually practiced as a sport."

 

Looking for opinions/statements[/b]

[TangSooGuy]

the 'usually practiced as a sport' part would be completely wrong, and the 'oriental' part is misleading, as there ARE non-asian martial arts, just not ones that are as well-known.

 

I would venture to say that martial arts are 'usually' NOT practiced as a sport.....

[Ben_M]

I would say it was any form of combat that does not rely on you being stronger than your opponant.

 

But i don't know that much.

 

Ben M

[47MartialMan]

I have a definition one of my instructors gave....but I'll wait for others

[P.A.L]

ANY art of combat which is practiced not as a sport

[Shorinryu Sensei]

As I understand it, "martial" = "warring", or pertaining to war-like. So, we have "warring arts", or arts that refer to war/combat training or activities.

 

Technically, boxing, fencing, wrestling, equestrian events (horse jumping/racing) and track and field (javelin, discus, running, pole vault, etc) are also "martial/warring" arts, as they came from skills that were needed to make war, or to make combat against others back in "the good 'ol days". Not necessarily Army vs Army, but also on an individual, one on one, basis.

[SevenStar]

ANY art of combat which is practiced not as a sport

 

disagree.

 

Pronunciation: 'mär-sh&l

 

Function: adjective

 

1 : of, relating to, or suited for war or a warrior

 

2 : relating to an army or to military life

 

3 : experienced in or inclined to war : WARLIKE

 

Actually, IMO, most of the sport styles today fit this term more than traditional styles. Sure, back in the day, many used MA on the battlefields. How many do now? There really aren't any warriors anymore - other than those that are in war, and they are using guns, not MA. The closest to the ever-fighting warrior moniker these days are sport fighters who are training for a fight.

 

TMA today train for a possibility; sport fighters train for an inevitability.

[SevenStar]

As I understand it, "martial" = "warring", or pertaining to war-like. So, we have "warring arts", or arts that refer to war/combat training or activities.

 

Technically, boxing, fencing, wrestling, equestrian events (horse jumping/racing) and track and field (javelin, discus, running, pole vault, etc) are also "martial/warring" arts, as they came from skills that were needed to make war, or to make combat against others back in "the good 'ol days". Not necessarily Army vs Army, but also on an individual, one on one, basis.

 

right on.

[Oni]

My definition of Martial Arts is that it is a skill you learn to defend yourself.

[Shorinryu Sensei]

[Actually, IMO, most of the sport styles today fit this term more than traditional styles.

 

True, I'm not training for war through practice of my chosen art, but that doesn't mean that I'm still not practicing a warring art form. You never know when a Ninja will jump ouit of my closet trying to steal my prized Montana State sweater ya know!

 

I wish, when I was in the Army, that I had the training and knowledge that I have now. I wasn't in combat, but could have easily been sent to "Nam at any time ('72-74). The hand to hand training I recieved while in the Army was a joke, and basically emphasised pure aggression over any sort of effective technique.