Is the art of Karate an effective fighting style? Or does it just go to the ground all the time?

Answer 1

Yes, Karate is an effective style. While many fights do end up on the ground, remember 2 things:
1) EVERY fight begins standing up.
2) Most fights involve people who don't know what they are doing. Someone well trained in a stand up art should be able to stay on his feet.

Answer 2

Yes, karate is effective. It takes awhile to get the basics down (but that's the same with any martial art, eastern or western). The people who say that karate isn't effective because of the early UFCs forget about Keith Hackney and Chuck Liddell (Liddell's base is Hawaiian Kempo, a modified form of karate), as well as the fact that there are things you can do in self defense that the vast majority of people wouldn't do so someone in a sportin' situation, no matter what the rules are. In true karate, the idea is to be able to take out the guy attackin' you as quickly as possible so that you can get away. Just watch out for any McDojos, more interested in profittin' from students than helpin' them progress.

Answer 3

Karate is okay, I dont like it though. Anything with stances and forms is not going to make you a good stand up fighter.

The best forms of stand up.
Muy Thai- Incredible kicks with shin, good boxing skills
American Boxing- amazing techniques
Kickboxing- good all around
Bando-some small diferenes from Muy Thai

On the Ground
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu- Great for submission locks that really work
Shoot fighting- Different from BJJ this art dien not want to be on their back as much.
Wrestling- Position over submission. Ground and Pound

Karate is better than nothing, but never was or never will be in the same league as any of the above arts. Quite simply no substance to karate. They are not used to physically sparring and going all out like the above. Its okay. Not excellent.

If you want excellent go for one of the above arts.

Answer 4

Karate is quite effective, but having read and studied the art they have no ground defense. I also know boxing so would use my left jab to try to keep the other guy away from me. If someone runs towards me I would probably use a side kick. Of course you have to practice these kicks a lot on a heavy bag, you have to learn to keep your balance when kicking something that you don't get off balance.

Answer 5

Of course it is. As for going to the ground, it shouldn't get that far. A karate-ka should do his or her job at the first sign of an assault. If they fail, sure, it'll probably go to the ground. Most seem to go there. However, even on the ground, that's where the real fun begins with karate.

Answer 6

Martial Arts are not about Violence
ask any past leader of any good cause
name one please and not Lidell
I mean like
Budda Jesus not a part of the Koran as my Muslim brothers have well made clear, umm Daoism, hmm
how ablout Martin Luther, say John Paul how bout
John the Baptist or say
Your Dead Marine Brother that died because Violence creates Violence
My Jewish brothers don't like it, nor do the Amish. And ya no neither does the little children suffering from the beatings at school, say how bout Shinto, or even Ron L. Hubbard
please argue with me intelligently as many are reading this and I would like to verbally spar with any of you willing to test your wits not your brawn, lets show the world our real skills that matter ;)
kinda like whosssss the dumbasssssss on line
We need thinkers not fighters Right???
So A Good Style should know how to talk sense right??
Karte Rocks and is awesome hey wait see all the people above
I LOVE ALL OF THEM AND WANT TO SEE THEIR CAUSE WIN NOT MMA'S

Answer 7

Karate can be very effective for self defense, but of course it depends on the particular school and your level of dedication to training. Try to find a school that does a lot of sparring and incorporates realistic self defense scenarios. Every martial artist should learn at least some ground fighting, but you don't have to be a black belt in BJJ to defend yourself on the ground. Eye gouges and groin strikes can neutralize many chokes and submissions and enable you to escape.

Answer 8

Any martial art that is seriously studied can be effective, provided you have a qualified instructor and you study it long enough to understand and internalize the techniques to the point that they're part of your instincts. That is, if you have to stop for a second and think how to apply it...you'll go to the ground regardless (as in flat on your ***!).

However, unless the other guy is a skilled BJJ or Judo guy, it shouldn't ever go to the ground unless you want it to.

Answer 9

Yes, i believe it is. I do not know karate, but i have developed my own freelance fighting style using a combo of karate, muay thai, and tae kwon do. Now im no bruce lee, but it gets the job done in a fight.

But, remember this: Fights in movies are choreographed. Real fights aren't. So don't expect to jump off a wall and kick someone in the face to knock em out :-P.

Answer 10

It depends on the style of Karate, but generally in my experience- no.

If someone who didn't know what they were doing really fought me- I would try to remain up right at all times. (And I practise Free style Karate.)

Why?

Because I can deploy all my weapons at will. Kicks, fists, elbows, knees etc... I can't do that on the ground as effectively.

I'd rather let someone attack me, deflect the incoming assault and counter-attack. Rather than get into a faux-macho shoving match that end up with a homo-erotic wrestle on the ground.

The Iceman.