Which martial art is more effective for practical street self defence: kung fu or karate?

Answer 1

Neither. Both assume the opponent will be fighting in the same style. Learn some Judo or Ju Jitsu.

Answer 2

it depends on how much work the practitioner has put into their training and whether the instructor put sufficient time in teaching the practical applications of the techniques. Too amny instructors don't teach the self-defense applications of the techniques and focus on competition, erroneously portrayinf the idea that if you can win at tournament, you can win in the street. I have seen far to many people in both stryles that were champions in sparring in tournements that couldn't handle themselves in a real life confrontation. They had gotten so used to having rules, protective gear and a referee that they coudln't deal with a situation that didn't have those things.

One thing that people tend to forget is that not every technique is effective in every situation. If they were then there would only be 1 punch, 1 kick and 1 block. That's where the completeness of training comes into play. I have always stressed the practical self-defense applications when I teach with the understanding that most practical self defense techniques wouldn't be allowed in competition as they are too dangerous and outside the rules of most tournements, even the "so-called" full contact venues have rules and techniques that are not allowed.

I have, over the last 30 odd years used both Kung Fu and Karate effectively in street self-defense, as well as several other styles that I have studied and I can say that it came down to situation as to which styles I was using techniques from, and that all came down to how I was trained. If an instructor isn't putting the emphasis on practical self-defense application that is necessary for being able to use the style...then find a diferent teacher.

Answer 3

If your criteria is simple and direct, then I say take Judo. The techniques are practiced with a resisting opponent and are pretty simple enough to understand, thus making it easier to learn compared to the other arts mentioned in your list, some of which have a higher learning curve. Muay Thai is a good striking art though it's best described as a young man's art since it involves hard physical impact training and conditioning, so if you're getting on a bit in age, it might not be good for your hips and bones. Jeet Kune Do is a good system as well, especially if it incorporates Filipino Kali/Escrima in it's repertoire, just make sure the school is legitimate and not just a McDojo using Bruce Lee's image as a come on to get more students. Hapkido and Wing Chun are more complicated styles with higher learning curves best learned from a highly qualified instructor, so If you find a good one then you should decide which you prefer to learn, grappling and throws with striking(Hapkido) or close quarter striking(WIng Chun). If all else fails, you could always try boxing, the cardio training as well as the punching techniques are just as good for common self defense as any.

Answer 4

neither. don't depend on karate or tai kwon do or judo or fung fu in a street fight. they are too complicated to help you in a self defense situation. in a self defense situation, you need something that is simple, effective, fast and brutal. Martial arts like karate are for one thing: making the instructor money. they teach you all this fancy stuff that works in the movies but is not practical on the street. if you are like me, 6 foot, 3 inches tall, 135 pounds, you need a system that will be effective in any situation. imagine yourself on a train, a mugger to the right of you in his seat. he pulls a knife and says " give me all your cash or I'll stick you " what karate move would you use? huh? you cant use a karate move on him because it doesn't exist. what you should do is swing your elbow into his nose 3 times and then run away.

go to this website: http://www.bushidodvd.com/

it is like netflix but with self defense DVDs. the pressure point, self defense, police and military, krav maga, and jeet kune do sections are the best for self defense.

hope this helps, if not, then thanks for the points :)

Answer 5

as far as street style defense goes. I would say that a hard style karate would do better than Kung Fu. I have never found Kung Fu to be effective in a fight unless it was with another person who studies it. These are just what I have see, not necessarily true. Karate is more blunt force reaction, where as kung fu has a lot of fluid dance like movements.

Answer 6

Martial Arts in essence are all the same. Forms are not important as the understanding of the principles. Find a GOOD school not just some 5th degree black belt side job, and learn.

Answer 7

Karate is an excellent form of self defence but ju jitsu is better

Answer 8

It depends on the teacher.
As far as style questions you need to be more specific as you have not nammed any style, niether "kung fu" nor "karate" is a style of martial arts. They are generic descriptions.

"kung fu" is a generic term that means "hard work". Karate refers to a series of japanese okinawan fighting systems that is a gerneric term for those fighting systems.

Answer 9

if it's Kyokushin, Eshin, Shido, and other similar karate then those are better. If it's San Shou or San Da Kung Fu then those are better.

For rest of Karate and kung fu I wouldn't even bother with it.

I agree with those who say Muay Thai is better for self defense. Most grappling styles are good too.

Answer 10

Karate is good for attacking and less body contact, now, for self defence Jiu Jitsu is probably the best

Answer 11

i would say karate because I've been in a lot of street fights my self. who knows kung fu might help to.