what is better- a comapct form of matial arts or one which requires more space?

Question

For example wing-sun or karate?

Answer 1

You should learn both. I teach Tae Kwon Do, which is known for kicks at long range but we also learn a variety of hand techniques includung elbows for close in.

Answer 2

Tae Kwon Do is excellent from a workout perspective, but if part of your aim is to learn a solid self defense method as well, TKD is useless. (Too much high kicking and off-balance attacks--even the Koreans will admit that it's more of a sport than a fighting style.) The best fighting arts usually tell you to do things that would be considered "dirty" in a street fight, such as eye gouges and groin kicks, but these require little conditioning. There are some excellent Gong Fu (Kung Fu) styles out there that focus on conditioning, but be warned, unless you are really interested in learning martial arts, some of these conditioning techniques can be a bit boring. The best thing to do, in my opinion, is to watch a whole class at a variety of schools near your home/place of business. This way, you know what you are getting into, and it is convenient enough that you don't skip a day because once you skip one, its easier and easier to skip, and before long you're paying for something your not even using.

Answer 3

a compact form - because a compact form can be used both in a tight, confined space AND in an open space, a spaceous form requiring lots of movement cannot be used in , say, the close quarters of an elevator or a flight of stairs.

Wing Chun kung fu is very practical in this way as attacks tend not to stray too far from the center line. It is a very practical style whose techniques "get the job done" rather than looking flashy.

Various styles of karate are also very effective but i would say they are both able to be used in a confined space and at close quarters (eg. elbows, knees, short punches etc.) but also can be used effectively in open spaces (eg. side kicks, crescents kicks, various other karate techniques)

being a karate practitioner myself i would personally opt for wing chun (which i am hoping to do as soon as i find somewhere that teaches it)
karate is very doctrinated, its is very much "sensei says you do" and doesnt really allow your own use of techniques, this does develop good techniques and produces a very capable fighter, it is an excellent martial arts just the certain restrictions bring it down somewhat.

after all of that in hte end it is up to you, each "style" has its own strengths and weaknessess its just up to you to fing hte right one/ ones for you.

hope this helps

for more information about either art try searching it in www.wikipedia.com lots of information!!!

hope this

Answer 4

It is all dependent on the environment you are fighting in. More often than not it will be in convined place, so I would go for a compact martial art coupled with some ground work, as 8/10 fights will go to the floor anyway. Muay Boran is properly the best martial art to deal with this.

Answer 5

Looking at how and when fights occur, I would go for a compact style. Fancy footwork and big kicks look nice, but cause you to be out of balance, and easier to knock over. A good art (although purely defensive) is Shorinji Kempo. A Japanese Martial art That include strikes as well as grappling/chokes/locks. Well worth a look!

Answer 6

That depends on the situation. In most situations Karate is effective, but in close quarter combat, then Wing Tsun is far more useful. Having studied and taught both I can say that it all comes down to what is useful for the particular situation.

Answer 7

Well i take American karate and they teach a combination of long range techniques (like flying side kicks) grappling (like hip throws and take downs) and close combat fighting (like elbow strikes and muay Thai knees) so i think that a martial art that teaches a combination of close combat, long range, and grappling would be the best for a real fight so that you will be prepared for anything.

Answer 8

good to find a balance. long range is good, but if it doesnt damage the opponent enough you end up at close range. fighting long range is best practised with competitive arts.

Close range can start from someone trying to sucker punch you. most fighting I have had has been initiated closer than round house kicking.

Muay Thai is good up close, Wing Chun also, BJJ. I am a fan of close quarters fighting as the fight is over so much faster.

Answer 9

I would think the compact form is more versatile - in tight space and with more space, even better. Whereas if one is trained in the form that requires more space, it will be ineffective when it comes to a tight spot.

Answer 10

this is realy dependant on the baody shape and abilities of the person asking as it would be assumed it would be for your self. Do what suits you best, people often chance schools, I see it a lot, and not only for the reasons stated here

Answer 11

all depends on you . what do you wish to achieve with these new skills , competition or self defense ??????. you choose . Check some classes in different styles and see if you like them , talk to students,are they happy training , at the end of the day its you who have the last word