Are you a generalist or a specialist?

Question

Do you feel your time is better spent specializing in one art or do you feel it is better to become a generalist who has training time in several arts?
And why do you think the way you do?

Answer 1

Specialize in one for a bit about a year or two. Continue to train that one but also learn other arts as much as you could.

I've been doing Muay Thai for almost 4 years now, but I've spend roughly 2 or 3 yearson and off in various other arts such as wrestling, boxing, and few other grappling arts.

Answer 2

I really think it depends on the person. Some people who are looking to try different things shout search for what fits them. Tae Kwondo and Hapkido are what I study. I have studied for several years and am quite happy. Im not really into MMA so much as I like the traditional arts because of the tradition. Im not though counting out the skills of people who train strickly to fight. MMA and traditional styles are two different animals in a way. The MMA is stricly for fighting. THe Traditional arts go much further to develop the total person.
This is what I believe where the "general specialist" came from, Someone trying to get little from this and a little from that.
With that being said I feel sticking with what works for you is what you should do. The arts that I study compliment each other in many ways and overlap in several areas also. I would continue to study and train in my arts but I am still willing to pickup what I can from anyone who is willing to teach.
I do feel,if you dont give the art that you study time to develop what it can teach you, you will be missing much of what the training is all about.

Answer 3

I'd have to say that I fall in to the former catagory since I studied one discipline for the better part of my life and then started studying another for the be3tter benefit of filling in the gaps (and it's a lot more fun too)

I feel that since many of the disciplines share similar principles that it's not necessary to study too many disciplines and focusing on just one or two disciplines.

but rather to be a generalist by studying a variety of disciplines with different focuses (like say Karate for it's focus on strength or power in the technique, Kung Fu for the fluidity, Musul (Korean Martial Arts) for the timing, and maybe Jujitsu for the ground fighting) could prove just as beneficial.

I think it's just up to the individual themselves to find where their skills are lacking and do what they need to do to fill the void.

Answer 4

no one who cross trains will become a jack of all trades, master of none. it is great to have a foundation art, but the cross training does more than give you physical variations. it gives you mental ideologies that will help you adapt your own theme throughout your training. it lets you see what may not be so great in your initial art.

it broadens your horizons, and makes you less gullible to the belief that one art can be everything.

I specialise while I generalise. giving everything to the theme I am currently with. reflecting on my training, and questioning the instruction. remember folks, it is ok to question the use or reason for techniques, and if your instructor isnt happy, too bad. it is your life to explore, and if you never ask, and learn for yourself, you will only be going through someone else's motions.

when you have gone as far as you could go within something, it may be time to branch out. get out of your comfort zone and stretch that potential.

Answer 5

I personally think that if you invest time into the martial arts, you should get the most out of it. Don't limit yourself to one art. Every art has weak areas. If you learn different arts then the weak areas can be compensated. One art you study may concentrate on stand up, while a different art may concentrate on grappling or ground work. This way, no matter what happens, you will feel comfortable defending yourself.

Answer 6

I'm, a general specialist.

By that I mean, I've mainly concentrated on two arts over the last 20 years.

But throughout that time I've crosstrained in, and fought against many other styles over the years.

I concentrate the majority of my focus to Bujinkan Taijutsu, Xingyiquan, and MMA nowadays.

Simple, effective, multifaceted....that's the way I like it to be.

Answer 7

IMO: One should learn a specific discipline first (unless circumstances prevent one from doing so.)

Once you have learned everything that there is to know in your
discipline (not likely) you can generalize and say "How does this specific principle apply to (whatever)?

Otherwise you end up being a "jack of all trades, master of none."

First learn to do one thing WELL before learning alternative ways of doing it.

Having said that, it may take a bit of experimentation before you find the martial art that fits you best.

Once you find it, stick with it!

Answer 8

I don't consider myself either. I practice 2 different arts right now because thats all that is in my area... but why ever limit yourself to one? It doesn't take away from your ability in another!

Answer 9

generalist. its all about the mma, my friend

Answer 10

i have asked the samething and i have come to relize that you should master one but also keep a open mind and you can learn something from everyone.