Comparing styles

[Meguro]

Different styles of martial arts are intended to do different things. Comparing them is like comparing a baseball bat to a knife. Each of those has its own advantages over the other. Every martial art has advantages over another, however, they are intended to do different things.

Well, if you're comparing Aikido and Kyudo, or Muay Thai with Judo your analogy works. These arts are so dissimilar as to make an meaningful comparison fruitless. If you normalize a task and ask what is the best tool for slicing cheese, for example, then comparisons become useful. Now ask the question, "if one were unarmed, which of the striking arts would best knock-out a larger more powerful assailant not trained in martial arts?" The problem I see is coming up with enough volunteer assailants to conduct the test.

It would be possible to determine which martial art teaches the most powerful punch or kick by attaching accelerometers to heavy bags and taking samples. There are enough differences in stances and mechanics and training styles to make for an interesting comparison.

Regardless of what any of these test results might be, people will gravitate to the art which best suits their personality. Effectiveness on the street is a factor unlikely to be tested by most martial artists. Big heated debates about which is best are like Benz and BMW owners arguing over their cars respective top speeds when in reality the drivers rarely exceed the speed limit by 10 mph. MA is just a hobby unless you make a living teaching it. Professionals will of course want to have their art proclaimed best.

[cleung]

Also, some styles may work better for some people while other styles will work better for others.

[striking_cobra]

very true, some styles do seem to fit different body types better (of course there are always exceptions to any rule.)

[cleung]

Also, some styles might work better for people of varying ages and health conditions. For myself, after over 32 years in martial arts and two knee surgeries, I find that I don't do as much jumping and high kicks anymore. I tend to favor staying on the ground and enjoy weapons work more than ever these days.

[TheAnimal]

I still think they can be compared, in some ways. One huge problem I see is the variance withing so many "styles" and all that nonsense- TKD is a great example. Most of it (or so it seems) is dancey crap that won't teach you a thing worthwhile in a fight- but I know a couple TKD guys, most have turned Thai Boxers, that would blow your mind with their skill.

[ovine king]

I think the biggest problem with trying to compare styles is that the guy doing the style plays such a big part. There are some people, who no matter what style they go and learn and practice, just won't be a good fighter. They might learn to perform that art to a fair degree but it won't make them a fighter. By the same token, there are also those people who could learn pottery and figure out a way to er, potter you to death.... ok bad example but hopefully you get what I mean.

[Menjo]

I think the biggest problem with trying to compare styles is that the guy doing the style plays such a big part. There are some people, who no matter what style they go and learn and practice, just won't be a good fighter. They might learn to perform that art to a fair degree but it won't make them a fighter. By the same token, there are also those people who could learn pottery and figure out a way to er, potter you to death.... ok bad example but hopefully you get what I mean.

Good point,

[patusai]

I think the biggest problem with trying to compare styles is that the guy doing the style plays such a big part. There are some people, who no matter what style they go and learn and practice, just won't be a good fighter. They might learn to perform that art to a fair degree but it won't make them a fighter. By the same token, there are also those people who could learn pottery and figure out a way to er, potter you to death.... ok bad example but hopefully you get what I mean.

Agreed. It does not matter if a student ends up to be a good fighter. As Funakoski suggested the goal of karate is perfection of the character of the karateka.

[ovine king]

Well, you also have to point out that funakoshi said that of karate-DO, not karate-JUTSU.

Remember, funakoshi was another of those karate masters who was a well known thug way before he turned wise and "gentle" master.

[Menjo]

Well, you also have to point out that funakoshi said that of karate-DO, not karate-JUTSU.

Remember, funakoshi was another of those karate masters who was a well known thug way before he turned wise and "gentle" master.

Thug, really i didnt know that? Ive always read that he was very ill and feable before he practiced MA indepth.