Is it better to choose one martial art and master it or to learn a little from a combination of arts?

Answer 1

IMHO,

It is always better to establish solid fundamentals before attempting to study another style. Most people do not "master" any style in a lifetime. I have met very few masters. But, I think the most martial artists including MMA's are going to agree that you need to reach a level of competence with one style before attempting to learn another.

Answer 2

I've been in a Japanese Okinawan style for six years now. I'm about to go for my black belt. In many ways, I should have had it already - but that is another story. Anyway, I just started learning doing mma/muay thai and there happen to be some Brazilian jujitsu classes afterward.

This is rounding me out. I have a solid foundation in one style. My original style spends a lot of time on form and stance and basic self defense techniques. But I never felt I could box or spar - so now I am getting all that.

You have to let the time and practice happen. It is just like learning an instrument. Through years of practice and refinement, you can arrive at some skill. Dabbling in one art for a few months won't teach you anything. Practicing on your own, attending class and making it fun - that is the way to go.

So to answer your question - pick an art that is right for you and stick to it for a few years. When you are proficient in that art - try something else. But don't give up the art you started. Still stay at it. Becoming a black belt is in many ways just a beginning - their is still way more you can learn afterward. Focus on having fun while you train and be the best you can be.

Answer 3

Jack of all trades.. master of nothing... The only problem learning only one style is to fall into the trap "this is the only way"... If you find a good school, any martial art in the world is the best. Any style used with "practicle application" (after a few years of training) you can handle just about anyone completely untrained, but the art of fighting between didferent styles, is geting the spacing right for your style... So if you want to fight trained people, then yes you need to learn more than one style, but get good at one first. Make sence, I'm confused.. good luck

Answer 4

It is best to chose a little of all the arts, each art reinforces ones knowledge of what he/she has already learned If you can learn a lot from all the arts You should learn from all the arts primarily because then one will be well-rounded and you may find that in a real life event you might not be able to perform a counter or strike as needed because of an obstacle of some sort. Like in Tie-kwon-do you learn primarily with the feet and little with your hands what if your foot is blocked or your leg is broken, then if you know another art like kung-fu you can use your hands and if you can't use that then there is always something that you can do but it may be taught in another art. You should be able to fight with any part of your body, and yea I mean ANY part. I am currently learning Tie-chi, Kung-fu (northern, southern, and western, and soon eastern), Tie-kwon-do, ju jitsu, nin jitsu, and a whole lot more. Find a good teacher or two in every art you can. Each with it's different all with their advantage, I learn so much from each you don't need to be a master to defend you self, but a master can't protect what he doesn't know. Like they say don't wrestle a wrestler, don't box a boxer

Answer 5

As with anything, it's better to focus your time and attention until you achieve a solid grounding, understanding, and competence in one activity before taking on another. While some arts are complimentary by nature, for the novice student, the time and energy required to develop competence is generally considerable.

Better therefore to get to senior rank or even black belt rank, then to select a complimentary or opposing art as a secondary study to expand your knowledge and understanding. Personally I discourage my students from taking on more than one art until they've achieved pre-black belt ranks i.e. 2nd gup or so. I don't prohibit it, though some masters will, and I have a few students who have taken up secondary arts.

The success of the decision to take up two arts as a ovice at the same time very much depends on the individual, but only a rare few will be able to fully focus, advance, and comprehend two complete systems at the same time.

Ken C
9th Dan HapMoosaKi-Do
8th Dan TaeKwon-Do
7th Dan YongChul-Do

Answer 6

At any one time there must be ONE art you are most focused on, its definately alright to do arts together, too many arts wont be that good but its definately alright if you do say 3 completely different arts

also alot of martial art techniques sem to compliment each other so even while your training in something else you are actually improveing yourself in your own martial art, if nothing else but fitness and strength

like I sayed, at any one time there should be one martial art you are focused on and that you spend considerebly more time on than the others

Answer 7

I'd recommend mastering one martial art. I believe thats better than going to a martial arts class for a few months leaving then joining another. In short I'd say its better to Master one art then knowing little in many.

If you are able to I suppose you can try to take two martial arts classes. I hear some martial arts such as ninjitsu can complement others nicely. (not 100% on that as I don't take ninjitsu classes)

Answer 8

to me its better to master one art and get that out the way. some may say that learning many arts at the same time increases your effectivness on the battlefield.

just look at it this way if u grow up in a good neighborhood ur basically a product of that neighborhood. if u move around alot ur not a product of anywhere. chances are you've tookin alittle from how one place talks and another walks.
its better to be a million in 1 than 1 in a million!

Answer 9

Considering that the most effective things are learned at the higher levels, it's important to master a style. So, if you want a combination, master one, and consider that you home-style, or base-style. From there, you can study a little of many other styles, and quickly understand much the style has to offer. If you are a beginner at 6 different styles, you are a beginner.

Answer 10

It's best to master one martial art(well at least get up to black belt) and then learn other martial arts. Once you have focused on one then you can try various ones and stick to what you like and what you can use together.