HELP ME OUT

[bamboo_viper]

I'm an active duty U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman, Field Medical Technician serving with the Marine Corps. I have the option of learning Karate or KickBoxing. My question is: Which of these 2 arts will benefit me more in a hand to hand combat scenario? or should I seek out a different art? Thank you for your advice/opinions.

 

[ This Message was edited by: bamboo_viper on 2001-10-03 09:37 ]

[Karateka]

Check out either class, and find out what the classes do for you. That is all I can say. I could go into a big argument with other people and say which art is better but that doesn't help you. Just take both classes, try em out, and see which does better for you.

 

 

[Kickbutt]

Hi and welcome,

 

I'm a kickboxer and since we do alot of sparring, I would definately recommend either that or Muay Thai. You will also need to learn some ground/grappling techniques such as jiu-jitsu, so you know what to do when you're on the ground. Maybe Iron Arahat or Thaiboxerken could specify in greater detail....

 

Lori

 

 

[Prodigy-Child]

shouldnt the navy be training you in unarmed combat themselves?

[moobrack]

It depends what kind of karate!

 

Karate-Do = thw way of the empty hand

 

Karate-Jutsu = Empty handed combat!

 

 

[Angus]

I'm not sure what kind of style of karate you have there, but generally i'd go with kickboxing... A lot of the karate out there is unrealistic and only good if u are planning on going back in time to fight in 18th century Japan.

 

I'm a freestyle martial artist, but i prefer kickboxing.

 

Angus

 

 

[Iron Arahat]

I would go see both and determine what is better suited for you.

 

Kickboxing is good, but depending on the base style it is not generally suited for combat. You are better suited training without gloves for combat. Kickboxing will help with reflexes, and conditioning. I assume tho being a serviceman you are in good shape already tho.

 

Karate it really depends on style and instructor. Again if someone is too sport orientated it will do you no good. The is a big difference between what works in combat, and what works in sport.

 

Something that also includes ground work will also help, but don't think that a ground system has all the answers either. I imagine in combat the last thing you want to do is to wrestle around on the ground for too long.

 

If it's Shorin Ryu or Sabaki method I would go with that. I would also find out what "base" the kickboxing was in, and if they say its just "kickboxing" I'd go 100% with the karate.

 

 

[bamboo_viper]

Thanks for all the advice. The Karate style is Okinawan and the Kickboxing instructor was a former world champion. The new Marine Corps Martial Arts program that I will get into is a quick, basic course that teaches how to disarm an attacker and get out of some choke holds. I'm going to talk to the Karate Sensei later this week to find out if he's sporty or combat.

[Iron Arahat]

My advice is dig deep with the Kickboxing instructor. There are alot of "World Champions" out there, due to the number of sanctioning bodies. Also from experience how I fight in the ring is a different ball of wax when I have a physical confrontation in the line of duty.

 

Follow your instincts, best of luck.

 

 

[Joecooke007]

I would go with karate. The moves are more diverse.