need help picking a style

[bushido_man96]

I know that this isn't a Karate Style, but I think Tae Kwon Do uses that (not often) but sometimes... A friend of mine came to my school to do a Demo about it, and how he punched was in a circular movement... After all, Tae Kwon Doists mainly use their feet...

This may depend on the instructor, as well. I feel that most of my TKD training has been fairly linear, and it is said that it is rooted for the most part in Shotokan, and therefore this could be the reason.

There again, this is in my experience.

[DancingSteve]

Chinese Arts are generally circular, while Japanese (or most types of karate) are more linear. But yeah...just go check them out.

Remember when starting a style. If an instructor won't let you take a class or even a week for free, then he's not worth your time. A good instructor will know that he can keep you as a student if he gives you a sample for free. A bad one will want your money up front.

No offense intended to any 'bad' instructors out there. *snicker*

[Fairfax_Uechi]

I know that this isn't a Karate Style, but I think Tae Kwon Do uses that (not often) but sometimes... A friend of mine came to my school to do a Demo about it, and how he punched was in a circular movement... After all, Tae Kwon Doists mainly use their feet...

Just an FYI, but circular punches for the most part are not as effective as a linear punch. They are slower and take longer to get to the target. Now don't get me wrong, there are places for them, but as far as techniques go, they're not a primary weapon IMHO.

As for the circular vs linear, both have their usefullness. And likewise, a smaller person has to deal with power issues in a different way. For instance in Uechi, we teach our smaller students to close the gap quickly on a larger person. A 100lb woman is going to have little chance of taking a full strike from a 200lb man or woman. But if they close the gap and use good technique, they use their training as a huge advantage.

As said many times, the right style is the one that is suited best for you, taught by the best instructor for you. Finding this is often hard, but if you take the time, well worth it. To the originial poster, I'd suggest you keep this in mind, and talk to lots of people and look at lots of schools. We can offer suggestions, but unless someone is in your area and meets you, we can't give you all the information that you need. So please take everyones input and use it to form your own well informed decision as you find the right dojo.

[Jiffy]

^^ As you mentioned, each has their own advantage. I don't agree that rounded punches don't have the power of linier ones, because they leverage through the use of rotation, but definately they are slower and easier to see coming and therefore, we don't teach them.

[jaymac]

I do think you would probably enjoy kempo. It is a chinese based style with plenty of circular movements.