Art or Sport

[ckdstudent]

There is more than one style of karate, see if you can guess the reason why...

 

...no luck? Perhaps its because it means that people *don't* have to wear out their knees in low stances, or kill the nerves in their forearms and shins (that's basically what conditioning is, training yourself to ignore pain response, and killing your nerves in thr process).

 

 

[--]

I realize that, but the point I'm trying to make is that there are other martial arts that might better suit some people. If you have someone who is relatively small in Shotokan, there's not much they can do against someone much bigger. Their punches, although still strong, will not be able to match their opponent's in power, and they could simply get hammered and worn down by the bigger guy until they give way. Their best tactic is to deflect and counter. Now if they're going to do that, wouldn't Aikido be better for them, seeing as how it focuses on that aspect? That's what I'm trying to say. Almost any martial art will work for almost anyone, but some people, depending on body type, personality, convinience, and motive, would be better off in one art or another. And compared to most, Karate, in all its forms, is generally a lot rougher and more physical than most styles. It might not seem like it during training, maybe not even in sparring, but it is in application.

 

I see what you're saying. Vice versa...?

 

 

[Shoto Tiger]

On 2002-06-24 14:22, -: wrote:

 

Yes, I did generalize a bit too much. Let m rephrase: Karate, in general, is a rough martial art, in which you can expect to get hurt at least a little.

 

#

 

There is no safe martial art that I am aware of? Any physical action may or may not have repercussions. I used to do Javelin. A very punishing sport unless you were physically fit. But injuries still occurred, like with every physical activity. If you want to be safe - I suggest you take up using play dough (without the baking)

 

Although th individual disciplines vary greatly, all Karate shares the theme of solid, physical power-based fighting.

 

#

 

(Same as Ninjitsu, Wado, ****o, etc) Very generalised again. Martial arts is the art of fighting, defence, war, right fighting wrong and all that. Karate states empty hand martial arts - what about the weapons arts?

 

I didn't mean to imply that there is not a mental/spiritual aspect. In fact, I believe this to be the most important part of Karate. I just believe that many people would find other arts more appropriate for their physique.

 

#

 

That I completely agree with! I would never do kickboxing or Choi Kwang Do - they just don't suit me physically or my ultimate goals. Doesn't make them bad though - just not for me.

 

Not everyone can afford to wear out their knees standing in low stances, or toughen their shins, forearms, and knuckles.

 

#

 

Ahh...my young apprentice! Still so generalised! Many people are either taught incorrectly (some even say traditionally!) This meaning that the research on the type of training previously done over the years did not account for the growth and physical development of the student and we did not have the scientific data we have today on the general physique of the human body. Thus repetitive incorrect training and students following their Instructors through thick and thin did result in many of these injuries. However, you ask any Instructor over 50 years of age and they will be able to tell you the huge differences in training that is around today. Students in many reputable places are encouraged to listen to their bodies and not just the Instructor.

 

[--]

I know, I know, I'm generalizing, but I'm trying to get a point across. Let's be very broad. What would you consider to be a better martial art for a skinny 12 y/o girl to be involved in, Shotokan or Tai Chi?

 

 

[Shoto Tiger]

On 2002-06-24 16:48, -: wrote:

 

I know, I know, I'm generalizing, but I'm trying to get a point across. Let's be very broad. What would you consider to be a better martial art for a skinny 12 y/o girl to be involved in, Shotokan or Tai Chi?

 

Hmmm - Eeek! Either really...its down to the invidual what they want out of the martial art and a discerning Instructor will teach the student of whatever age at the correct pace for them. Defence of any sort from any martial art can never be applied early enough to either gender. Being general

 

 

[ckdstudent]

Easy. Shotokan karate. Tai Chi has become more a meditation than an art, and much more suited to those with the patience, diligence and attention to detail and technique to make it effective. Shotokan however is fairly easy to learn at a basic level, and when you have mastered the techniques power will come, besides which a twelve year old girl is most likely to be fighting twelve year olds or adults. I don't know if you've seen a young kid who's been studying say, judo, for a few years trying to throw a reasonably heavy (not trained, just heavy and instinctively rooted) adult its a fairly sad sight. However I have been hit by a ten year old girl at her full power, and been floored (not knocked out, but physically knocked over from the force, and I don't have bad balance), until that point I had never appreciated how much power young kids can generate, but there's a lot in there, easily enough to defend themselves.

 

_________________

 

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Pil Sung

 

Jimmy B

 

[ This Message was edited by: ckdstudent on 2002-06-24 17:05 ]

[--]

Blah...you know what I'm trying to say!

 

Okay, let's put it this way. You have two Shotokan guys. One is 250 lbs, large body frame, heavily muscled. The other is 120 lbs, small body frame, frail. Assuming they are of equal skill, and both use Shotokan, who has the advantage?

 

 

[ckdstudent]

Depends, you cannot say simply because someone is stronger they will win. Speed, luck, reflex, flexibility all come into it.

 

However, with all other things being equal the stronger fighter will win. Of course, all other things being equal the faster fighter would win a fight as well.

 

Moral of the story: all things are never equal, judging from incomplete information is impossible and you can never have complete information.

 

 

[Shoto Tiger]

Why do you want to pidgeon hole an entire martial art anyway? Have you done Shotokan out of interest?

 

I have to agree with ckd on both of his last posts by the way

 

Using your own example - imagine Bruce Lee and Arnold Schwarzenegger...who do you think would win out of those two? (Or people or similar height, weight, training and strength)

 

 

[spinninggumby]

When I think 'sport' or when a potentially lethal activity becomes a 'sport', to me it usually means that there are rules or regulations added so that the people involved do not get injured, and advertisers and sponsors are recruited to spread the name of the activity to appeal to a mass audience.

 

However, often times the physical demands of the activity seem to increase, and competitors and/or practitioners are forced to supplement their traditional or regular training with specific conditioning exercises such as aerobics, plyometrics, weight-training, wind sprints, and set aside special time for flexibility or stretching regimens so that they can compete at the elite or higher level(s). So just because it's 'sport' doesn't necessarily make it any harder or easier, just different (albeit not as dangerous or practical).