Why do some martial artists claim their art is better?
953216
they are trying to sell their "training" as better...of course they will say "theirs" is better.\n\nYou answered your own question, the art doesn't make the fighter.  Someone with zero ability is not going to become a "fighter" because they learned someones "art".
733514
Considering Jackie Chan only learned movie martial arts, he is not a martial artist first, he would be quickly removed. Then lets see, Jet Li in his younger days could move so fast that conventional cameras could not capture movement. and Bruce Lee was the master of the one inch punch. so It'd be hard tio say between the two, but I like Jet better so jet
1064033
Wushu is more acrobatic, traditional kung fu is more for fighting.\nBoth are going to have their share of fanatics, so learn to shut down conversations with these fanatics gently.
1103333
Kung fu's not a martial art. It's the generic Chinese term for martial arts in general. So no, I don't think that martial arts are overrated. Some styles are, some aren't.\n\nUnless you had a specific one in mind?
783744
Well, there just so happens to be something called self betterment. Self betterment, can be attained through many ways, mainly, winning, but not necessarily winning against another opponent, you could be winning against yourself. Also, what do you define as winning? Does a soccer player win any less than you when he scores a point because he doesn't beat anybody up? Nah, he won against himself and he won against the other team trying to stop him, that is his sport, his realm, his personal domain where he fits. My niche is judo, i love fighting, but not for the simple fact of hurting people, which is why i love judo, i am fighting yet i can fight as hard as i want, and the better i do actually the less people get hurt. I love the competition, so does the soccer player, and maybe when you get right down to it, so do you, but your definition of winning might be a little harsher than the champion ping pong player's. I know people that do karate, and most of them know that karate is the next best thing to trying to defend yourself with a wet sponge, but in many pure forms of karate out of japan, there is amazing technique and skill involved in everything they do. Much like dancing, a karate kid is trying to make his kata be perfect, same as a ballarena is trying to get that pirouet timing flawless, it's just that ballarenas train harder. I'm sure that if a karate kid wanted to learn how to hurt someone, he could very easily go and learn, it's stupidly simple to hurt or kill someone, which is why i like it where i can fight and everybody can go home and still be in one piece and there be no hate towards me because i removed someones jaw. So yeah, we are all training to win, it is just the definition of winning that you are having trouble comprehending.
132382
Practice improves perfomance.\nThe more you practice the more you get near towards perfection.\nIts just that nobody practices enough to achieve perfection.
1014731
yes I agree...\nKarate and TKD forms are self explanitory and you dont need to be a master to understand how to use them.\nKung fu, is designed to be deceptive and are really hard to figure out how to use by just sight alone unless you practice kungfu with masters. Kung fu people usually being more secretive and select and traditional would LOATH at the idea of anything more than basics being put online. Its respectful to the tradtion of the kung fu you are learning to find a teacher that has lineage. \nthat brings everything full circle.\nyou can learn from a book,dvd, online but unless you are already a master and good already, you wont be contributing to the real spirit of wholeness that kung fu is built upon.\nEthic values persay... for lack of words...\n\ndo a "bit-torrent" search for \nkarate, tkd, kung fu.. ect...\nI found lots of whole dvds to pirate. \nthose fools uploaded a map of their defenses to me for free!\n\n\nyes fun fact is right - kung fu means Hard work translated.\nIts an unbrella term used in anything you bust ass at and do it good. You have good kung fu if you work hard and do good. \nIts full circle. the systems have different names,... those martial systems are geared towards self enlightenment or understanding usually. Not always, but usually... and if they dont know kung fu means work hard at anything and never give up, bounce from the ground back up higher than before,.... avoid them... I cant see a chinese system that calls itself kung fu not knowing this...  even wushu players can have good kung fu,... but a good kung fu artist might not be the best wushu player at first... kinda weird... \nyou can pour tea with good kung fu...\nyou can clean and have kung fu that is connected directly with that. Its mental.. its philosophy.. not religion or spirituality... although some view it as such.. but i wouldnt dare tell them that.. \nand you should find out what it means to you... dont take my word that its just philosophy.. I dont wanna give you the wrong idea... so.. remember that...  \nI can help you learn some forms across the internet...\nI have dvd's and stuff...\nbut I wont share them with general public...\n\nNever settle with a half ass teacher...\nnever... its better to have no teacher than one that teaches you wrong... I can say from personal experience... \nif you get hurt from the wrong teachings, it can harm you and ail you for life... something like a knee injury can happen quick.\nThen again, you can hurt yourself by yourself alot quicker...\nso... lesson is...  practice, practice, practice...\nI didnt get to where I can do a 720 cresent by not trying, but I didnt rush and twist my leg horribly..\nTeachers provide a pace, and to see you from the outside... and to make sure you get it right.... \nIve seen people without teachers... They tend to rush themselves in the fact they wont accept they cant do something,... cut a flip, and they just couldnt do it...\nthey got hurt... some landed and did ok...\nSince you will have no qualified instruction, or person to watch and make sure the fine points are correct,... you will have to practice and train twice as many hours... \n\nIm willing to help you if you send some video files on the computer... I wont train you forever... but I'll be willing to get your boat afloat, sails hoisted, chart plotted, and help you find a Master, but, if your really serious,... its a life long practice, and you will travel great distances for a good master. \nYou just cant not practice and still do a 720...\nif I stop for a month... I run risk of not having control... \nJust cause I know how to do it, doesnt mean I can actually do it..\nIf your just looking for fighting techniques alone...  few in any martial art will work... it makes no sense not to be fit and be into martial arts... You just have to be strong to get the technique to work... even jiujitsu... I got a black belt in it.. you cant be lolly gaggin and not have a firm grip on the person.
361091
I've seen your other questions about martial arts. As a martial artists (specifically I am in American Kenpo Karate), the best fight is one where you can walk away without even fighting. If you know nothing about fighting, it is best to talk your way out. Even experienced martial artist are taught to walk away. You never ever let an opponent know that you know how to fight, and you don't underestimate. So, in any fight, always think that they are better than you.\n\nIf you can't avoid fighting, one of the best things to keep in mind is to not get yourself cornered. You have to keep moving, and do the cornering. If you don't know any self defense, the best thing is to go for the man's groin. And don't forget the eyes and neck. Extend all your fingers and start gouging away. Teeth will also work for you.
1138612
I'm not aware that folks actually 'compare' them - folks simply have an opinion of which they prefer.\n\nTo say one is better than the other is pointless as they are very different sports with different athletic requirements no more no less.
1083758
Not sure what you mean by "real fighting."  The martial arts you mention as well as others can teach you a lot about technique as well as very useful moves and combinations all while conditioning your body and mind.  There are also hapkido or aikido for grappling and joint locks.  So, there is nothing "fake" about any of those.  An individual who is proficient in any of those arts would be a very good fighter.  You could also take the route of someone like Bruce Lee who found those arts limiting and developed his own style by transforming what he learned into something he found more useful.  In any event, there is no "most effective" style of fighting in my opinion.  It depends on the individual's skill in whatever style he knows.
451643
this depends entirely on your targets and goals there is no ultimate or best martial art it is important to visit many dojos or clubs and view what is on offer by just vissiting these places not necceserly training with them you will get a look at the different styles and then you will see which is better for you good luck in your training
1039011
Some schools do go a little overboard i don't think it has much to do with the art you are learning you will find that the Chinese Japanese and Korean are the most disciplined if it is turning you of i recommend you look for a kickboxing school even Muay Thai  they are allot more relaxed than the other traditional arts.
914510
I studied karate for many years, and then studied tai ji for a while. I am not specifically familiar with the Wu style, but in general I can say that Karate goes directly to the martial application. In other words, a given technique has obvious application as a punch or a block, etc. With tai ji, the martial application is more concealed within the technique. It takes a longer period of training to develop tai ji into an effective martial art, as well as a knowledgeable instructor to explain how a technique is applied. I found tai ji to be worthwhile, and enjoy the daoist philosophy behind it. But if my goal were to become proficient in self defense, for example, it would not be my first choice.
618556
This is definitely an interesting question. Jet Li is an actor but has trained in martial arts for a long time. Matt Hughes is a competitor in full contact fight organizations. Although I believe a UFC fighter is definitely a good fighter and could hold his own on the street, I don't believe that a UFC fighter is necessarily the best street fighter in the world. So is this question based upon a fight in the street or within the confines of UFC? If UFC, then I would say Hughes. Hughes would probably out-grapple Jet Li and win, although none of us know for sure what Jet Li is like on the ground. I do know from personal experience that some Kung Fu fighters train in ground fighting within their own style. So I wouldn't be surprised if he was great on the ground. If we are talking about a street fight, I think Jet Li could do some serious damage unless Matt Hughes has some finishing moves that he could execute before Jet Li makes his move. Jet Li acts in movies and has choreographed fight sequences. So what? He is still trained in a fighting art and he has built responses to agressive actions in his muscle memory. Bruce Lee was also an actor with Choreographed fight sequences. If he were alive today, I doubt any of you would challenge him to a fight because he would still take you to school.
920710
Simply, every one perceives and processes information differently. Some people are better at using one area of their brain compared to others.\n\nPeople learn differently, some people learn best by experiencing something first hand. Some learn best by hearing someone talk about it and some by seeing it.\n\nMost artists would be the third type of learner, they best process information by seeing the object/subject in question.
500981
I take two styles Wing Chung Kune and the Chin Na grappling system. Wing Chung is great for fighing it is mean to maim or kill the attacker. Chin Na is not a martial art it is a system. Both Chin Na and Wing Chung Kune are taught at both the nothern and souther Shaolin temples. I also like the older styles such as from the Hung Gar family (Tiger Crain is an example). I agree with what you said about the circular motion in Kung Fu i belive that Karate is far to ridged and do not belive it would hold up well against an experience Kung Fu practioner.
743283
I have to answer this because it is one of the few sincere questions I have read. \n   Fighting skills are actually several pegs down on the ladder of benefits in my opinion. I've been studying and teaching Shotokan Karate for over 20 years and I can tell ya that the "side benefits" are way more important than just being able to fight. \n   In my personal opinion, it is the self confidence I have gained through training that is the greatest thing to me. By this, I don't mean that I'm arrogant. I don't go around bragging about my ability, I don't go looking for fights, and I can't catch bullets with my teeth. What I mean is that if a situation does arise, I KNOW I can handle it. \n   You take on a different viewpoint when you know that you can really hurt someone...when you know that you could break bones, cripple or kill someone if you really had to. The question becomes "Was what this guy did REALLY worth hurting him that badly? Does he REALLY deserve that?"\n   So, when some loudmouth ticks you off and insults you or your siginficant other, you have the self confidence to walk away. You know you could go hand him his butt on a silver platter, but you don't HAVE to just to prove a point to yourself. When some immature clown says, "Hey, you take Karate...show me something!" you know you don't have to get into a sparring match just to prove to them that you are good. \nYou get to that point when you don't feel you have anything else to prove to yourself, and you certainly don't have to prove anything to anyone else. A sort of serenity sets in when you realize that life is not a competition where you win when you are the absolute best and everyone knows it. You're good.....you're good enough that you can deal with something BAD if it should happen. That's all that matters.