when ppl ask which martial arts style is "more effective"?

Question

arent they really asking "which style can I be effective at in the least amount of time"?... then the forms argument... if you learn forms, you are adding things in your training that are not immediatley (if ever) effective for your fighting skill.... and you take class time away from "actual" fighting techniques to learn these.... I can imagine, that you could teach any style that has forms without them, to increase the "effectivness" , but it does take away from the "art", the reason MT is so effective (IMO) is that the entire class time is geared towards fighting, but if Kung Fu, Karate, or Tae Kwon Do, taught their art in the same mannor, then they would produce "better fighters faster", and remember that not all Martial Arts Practicioners want to fight... anyway, wanted some other thoughts

Answer 1

Good question and you make some good points.
Part of the point of Forms is to illustrate the application of the technique and also to simulate a fight and further illustrate the application of the moves. Just learning the blocks and strikes doesn't give the same "foundation" to work from. That's my opinion anyway, I know there are many arguments around the aforementioned.
Lastly and more importantly in my opinion is that MA is about WAY more then just fighting. It's about THE ART.
It's like saying why would I pay for hand painted art of a beautiful sunset when I could just go take a picture of one on my digital camera and print and hang that up?
Either one is fine and in the eye of the beholder. some want the hand painted some prefer the latter.

Answer 2

How fast your going to be effective has so many factors. Remember that there are 2 types of people, fast learners and slow. A slow learner is going to be slow, and a fast fast, as some folks take 10 years to get a BB in BJJ, yet some have made it in fast time.
Now take College wrestling. Alot of folks started in H.S. then go to College add 4 more years, now in a total of 8 max years you have the ability to fight in the ufc.
The ability to win a fight does not mean win in life, to many mix the 2 up. In life we see alot of folks that have it all, then we see those that do not. Have everyone start with 0, then see who is successful out of all the Martial Artists in life as people. Just a skill to fight can only go so far in life for most folks as not everyone is a champion. You need more, and that's the part of Martial Arts that should be taught more. Or else when you lose fights due to a lack of the killer instinct or whatever, you will feel that Martial Arts has nothing for you. Fact is it has something for everyone. Just as with people, some are prejudiced thinking theirs is better , till they lose.
Martial Arts should be a way of life and that way should help you build a better life. Self Defense is the road to a better and safer life in my opinion.

Answer 3

A martial artist asks : Why practice forms?
A soldier asks: Why march?

The answer is the same - to learn. The forms teach the fundamentals, the very essence, of the art. They were written to help students memorize the basics of a specific art. In addition, they teach discipline and focus, both of which are neccessary for a good fighter. Forms are the blueprint of a battle plan, not the battle plan itself.

Answer 4

Well yeahm, the main reason why MT has such strong fighters is because they fight, full resistance, not only does this give them the great physical stamina but also it gives them the mental edge over fighters, the mentality to take a hit and to cope under pressure, this is the main things that seperate MT from other arts, MT doesnt have many techniques and the techniques are basic anyway but its the way it is practiced that makes all the difference

Although I have to point out that traditional Muay Thai has the training but also alot more techniques to it includeing grapling, but most people refer to the sport like MT

Answer 5

Chuck

From a fighting perspective i agree.

BUT as for myself, I did not join the MA just to fight, I joined to make is a way of life and you cannot make fighting a way of life, sure you can make a living and money from it but not a way of life.

With Martial arts, the kata and its bunkai and history, and especially the BUDO of Karate and the way they live their lives is more important to me than fighting all the time. I think that is why MANY choose the styles because it is just not an ALL fighting place of learning.

You can get that from boxing, kickboxing, muay thai, kyokushinkai and others. Karate, Kung fu and the other traditional styles DO produce good fighters but they do not FOCUS on just fighting or producing a good fighter. They focus on creating a better person with better morals, compassion and self discipline.

That kind of teaching is rarely taught in an all fighting school. Now there is nothing wrong with that, it comes down to your reasons for wanting to be in it to beging with. I kickboxed for four years and had plenty of fighting. i now prefer my Kenpo and Shotokan for its BUDO more than its fighting.

I hope that makes sense to you. I agree with what your saying but that is why some choose what they do as i have.

Answer 6

What is important is whether you truly know your art. If you know the movements but don't know what they mean, then you are wasting your time and money.

You might as well just go to a boxing gym.