TKD, Karate & Kung-fu

[pstevens]

I've done TKD, karate and kung-fu, but I prefer TKD over the other two. I know TKD gets a lot of heat from other martial arts, but my experience has been the opposite. Here's why:

1. TKD. At my gym, we did lots of boxing and kickboxing (we even had a ring). Although we had forms training, there was a lot of emphasis on sparring. Our school entered lots of tournaments, many of which were full-contact matches. My friends who were doing karate or kung-fu would tell me that TKD was "watered-down" karate and kung-fu, but I found that to be a good thing. They couldn't fight worth Sh#t!

2. Karate. I did shotokan for several years. We focused mainly on forms and pre-arranged sparring. However, during actual sparring most people were horrendous. I had a sparring background, so I was much better. I did like the mental discipline and focus that was taught.

3. Kung-fu. I trained seven-star praying mantis, choy li fut and hungar at the same kwoon. The master never sparred, nor did we. We trained form sets and pre-arranged fighting patterns every day. We were allowed to hit bags and wooden dummy-type things. I quit when I realized a senior student, whom I always admired, couldn't fight to save his life.

I don't do any of these arts anymore, because I've found that my true passion is BJJ, but I still work the heavy bag once in a while with MT and some TKD. So in my mind, TKD was much better for someone who wants to move on to kickboxing and MMA.

[Laura]

I don't think it's fair to blame the styles, so much as the teachers. Maybe they were excellent teachers or maybe the styles just weren't to your liking, who knows? Personally, I studied TKD but I didn't find it as effective for me as Wing Chun and JKD. However, I'm 5'1 and 118 lbs, so I'm not your size. It's going to be different for everyone. That said, although I didn't find what I was learning in TKD to be of much use, I did have fun. I stopped because where I studied, they only had one day a week on the schedule and I really hated where they held the class. It was either way too hot, or way too cold - no in between, and it was impossible for me to hear (I'm hearing impaired) so I gave it up. If I get into a better place financially and find a school that's more comfortable to train at, I wouldn't pass up the chance to jump back in. There's a lot to be said for having fun. Sounds to be like you were just looking for something with more contact and found your niche.

[ebozzz]

I don't think it's fair to blame the styles, so much as the teachers.

I agree. Shotokan Karate was the first art that I was fortunate enough to be able to train in. The were lots of good fighters in the school I attended. I studied Tae Kwon Do next. Although there were some decent players there, in my opinion the Shotokan school produced better fighters.

The only system that I have studied that could possibly be considered Kung Fu was Gong Yuen Chaun Fa. At the time that I was training in it I initially thought that it was a style that originated in China. I eventually came to realize that it was more of a hybrid art but the school where I practiced produced good fighters none the less. We we well conditioned, had an extensive arsenal of techniques and there was a significant amount of time devoted to sparring & enhancing our overall fighting skills. We placed well in tournaments and several student also performed well in full contact matches. Competition was not required and there were separate classes scheduled to prepare you for sport if a you were interested in pursuing that direction.

All of this training took place in the late 70s and through the 80s. Things are a little different now due to legal concerns and such. A lot of schools now also placed too much emphasis on the sport or competitive aspects.

The good thing is that you have found something, BJJ, that you feel passionately about. That's wonderful! I feel the same way about Chinese Martial Arts but I would never train at a school if I did not feel that I would be able to develop effective martial skills there. After many years of inactivity, I am again searching for an new martial arts home. Ideally, it will be a place that offers instruction in CMA but if I feel that the available options for such training is ineffective, I will not hesitate to explore other styles. Take a look at this if you haven't seen it already.......

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In no way am I implying that Kung Fu is a better style than Tae Kwon do. It's simply an effort to show that the individual and method of training has a huge impact on the outcome of the fighter. I am sure that other videos showing different outcomes are out there. Good luck and take care....

[CrashOverride]

Well I'm glad someone else found TKD effective in some way.

I hate it when other martial artists from other martial arts rip on TKD.
Alot of them claim that they did it for 'x' number of years and that it sucked and it's useless on the street etc. After that they usually go on to claim how their martial art is soo much better.

And it's kinda sad to see really because , ok sure it didn't work for you but it doesn't mean the martial art is crap also I believe its the fighter not his fighting style that determines the outcome. If one fighter is mentally stronger and more switched on and more in control in the fight then Most likely that figher will win no matter what martial art the other fighter does or how much more experience.
It's just something that alot of people have to realise.

Sorry if I went off the point a bit, jsut my two cents but anyway yeah I how found TKD works well for me too and its nice to hear that you still practice it on the bag every once in a while.

Peace.

[kingoftheforest]

I've studied karate, TKD, and Kung Fu , as well as several other arts.

I feel TKD can be used effectively for street SD. You would have to omit some of the flying, and spinning kicks, as well as high kicks to the head.

But other than that, maybe supplementing it with some trapping skills and a few judo throws and I don't see why it wouldn't work.

[PandaMan]

I agree with Laura. My master always said "Any style can beat any style. It all depends on the practitioner."

Yeah TKD didn't work for me on the streets, but it doesn't mean it wasn't effective. Because of my TKD training I have a really mean front, side, spinning back(?) and roundhouse kick. It's also depends on the master and how he/she teaches the style.

@Crash: I also agree, but on the other side of the coin with all the McDojos around (sadly most are TKD, as it being one of the most popular) I always come across these arrogant punks who think they're the shizz because they got a red,brown,black belt and think they can beat up anyone that comes their way, when they've never even sparred let alone know anything beyond forms and combos they learned in their dojang. I've had one guy actually do his form when he tried to fight me.

No diss on the style, I just hate stupid people.

[CrashOverride]

@Crash: I also agree, but on the other side of the coin with all the McDojos around (sadly most are TKD, as it being one of the most popular) I always come across these arrogant punks who think they're the shizz because they got a red,brown,black belt and think they can beat up anyone that comes their way, when they've never even sparred let alone know anything beyond forms and combos they learned in their dojang. I've had one guy actually do his form when he tried to fight me.

No diss on the style, I just hate stupid people.

I know what you aree saying about the Mcdojo thing. However being from Ireland, I don't tend to notice any Mcdojos here with one exception, although I have left it and I'm now back into proper ITF TKD. But it seems to me that most of these Mcdojos are situated in America, No offence to them but it just seems that way.

And you are so right about the arrogant punks. I had some kid (about 16 years old) blab on to me about how TKD is shit and he has been doing Kenpo this long and that he could kill anyone in my club and he really did just deserve to be put in is place, which I'm sure will happen, but yeah it's those people in martial arts that I hate.