You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.
I see a paradox in Kung Fu, in one sense the popularization of it in movies and culture makes it the best known martial art in the world, yet not many people know about the actual practice and application of the art itself.
I'd like to know more about it's pratical use in combat, from some of my net browsing I see a lot of the dancing stuff and talk about shaolin and different animal forms. I'd like to get some more info about it's practical uses as compared to other martial arts and in self defense situations.
Now let me clarify a few things before you answer:
- By combat let's assume in a martial arts setting with full contact rules, but not MMA.
- Let's also split up the discussion to apply to self defense situations on the street, assuming a fist fight with no weapons and what not.
- I understand that it is impossible to compare martial arts for their effectiveness because it all comes down to skill, and a well rounded MMA type of person will come out on top. I am not interested in proving which martial art is the best, but more so in finding out the real practical application of kung fu.
Styles: Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Karate, Aikido, Judo, Tae Kwon Do
Posts: 1,430
Home Country:
oh I think you've opened up quite a can of worms here.
What most people think of as kung fu is really wushu, which... is potentially usable for self defense, but is really more of an artform.
that said, there is definitely practical kung fu out there. the trick is, outside of a few styles like Wing Chun, most kung fu takes a LONG TIME to get to practical applications for defense purposes. You can spend years just working on stances.
I tend to describe it like this:
Japanese styles tend to be popular because you can see practical results very quickly. A few months of Karate and you will be capable of some self defense. This is largely why many people think Japanese styles are superior.
In Kung Fu, you are unlikely to be capable of real self defense for a few years (again, outside of styles like Wing Chun). However, in my opinion, when you DO get to that point, you will be a vastly superior fighter to the Karate practicioner who has been studying for the same amount of time.
I see a paradox in Kung Fu, in one sense the popularization of it in movies and culture makes it the best known martial art in the world, yet not many people know about the actual practice and application of the art itself.
I'd like to know more about it's pratical use in combat, from some of my net browsing I see a lot of the dancing stuff and talk about shaolin and different animal forms. I'd like to get some more info about it's practical uses as compared to other martial arts and in self defense situations.
Now let me clarify a few things before you answer:
- By combat let's assume in a martial arts setting with full contact rules, but not MMA.
- Let's also split up the discussion to apply to self defense situations on the street, assuming a fist fight with no weapons and what not.
- I understand that it is impossible to compare martial arts for their effectiveness because it all comes down to skill, and a well rounded MMA type of person will come out on top. I am not interested in proving which martial art is the best, but more so in finding out the real practical application of kung fu.
Can you clarify what you mean by full contact rules but not MMA? What ruleset differentiates full contact from MMA? No takedowns?
__________________ And who knows, he might could tap me. BUT I have enough confidence in my game to say he can't.
- Jade Dragon
Styles: Western Boxing, Tai Chi, Animal Form Kung Fu, and Wing Chun
Posts: 4,505
Home Country:
The kung fu I know works and is practical. Unfortunately it has been tested. However, like ALL martial arts systems there are those that teach it in a way that is not very efficient when it comes to self defense.
Can you clarify what you mean by full contact rules but not MMA? What ruleset differentiates full contact from MMA? No takedowns?
Basically I am trying to conduct a thought experiment and trying to define my parameters. So I am saying it's full contact with take downs and the whole deal but comparing two pure styles, ie: Kung fu vs Karate as opposed to Kung Fu vs BJJ/MT/Karate fighter.
The kung fu I know works and is practical. Unfortunately it has been tested. However, like ALL martial arts systems there are those that teach it in a way that is not very efficient when it comes to self defense.
Can you tell me what kind of kung fu you practice. I am not trying to criticize kung fu but understand more about it's application. Also when you say "Unfortunately it has been tested" can you please clarify?
Styles: Western Boxing, Tai Chi, Animal Form Kung Fu, and Wing Chun
Posts: 4,505
Home Country:
The kung fu systems I have studied are Tai Chi, a couple of animal systems, and Wing Chun.
What I mean by tested is that I've had to use it in the street for self-defense. I got to walk away and I did it by using kung fu.
As far as application, that is a difficult question to answer. There are hundreds of different kung fu systems with millions of different scenarios to apply those systems. You will have to be more specific if you are looking for applications.
Basically I am trying to conduct a thought experiment and trying to define my parameters. So I am saying it's full contact with take downs and the whole deal but comparing two pure styles, ie: Kung fu vs Karate as opposed to Kung Fu vs BJJ/MT/Karate fighter.
You mean like was done in the early days of "MMA"? Style vs style is what CREATED the sport of MMA today.
__________________ And who knows, he might could tap me. BUT I have enough confidence in my game to say he can't.
- Jade Dragon
Styles: Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Karate, Aikido, Judo, Tae Kwon Do
Posts: 1,430
Home Country:
Joe is correct, that was the beginning of MMA and (in my opinion) pretty much the only time MMA was very interesting
Now, you COULD just take the results from that and form a decision. Personally, I think that would be doing yourself a disservice, as back then many of the best of the various styles were less likely to compete due to the extremely relaxed rules and higher chance for injury.
Joe is correct, that was the beginning of MMA and (in my opinion) pretty much the only time MMA was very interesting
Now, you COULD just take the results from that and form a decision. Personally, I think that would be doing yourself a disservice, as back then many of the best of the various styles were less likely to compete due to the extremely relaxed rules and higher chance for injury.
I think what those early results simply prove is that no one that concentrates on a single "area" of fighting can expect to win against someone who has trained in multiple "areas" of fighting.
__________________ And who knows, he might could tap me. BUT I have enough confidence in my game to say he can't.
- Jade Dragon
I dont know that I'd use the word "no one" but in a general sense, I agree
Fair enough, a complete generalization isn't really fair in something like this. We have some statistical information we can use to come to a conclusion, but anything can happen in a fight.
__________________ And who knows, he might could tap me. BUT I have enough confidence in my game to say he can't.
- Jade Dragon
lol apologies if Joe and I are derailing this
we tend to get caught up in semantics
Still on topic though.
Trianglefromguard is a good person to add to this conversation, but I know he's very busy these days training for a big fight. He is an MMA fighter and coach and runs an MMA school in Chicago. He has an extensive background in...well, just about everything INCLUDING Kung Fu and has sung it's praises repeatedly.
I'd hate to speak on his behald, but that is about as unbiased of an opinion as you could get IMO.
__________________ And who knows, he might could tap me. BUT I have enough confidence in my game to say he can't.
- Jade Dragon
Fair enough, a complete generalization isn't really fair in something like this. We have some statistical information we can use to come to a conclusion, but anything can happen in a fight.
Can you elaborate what statistical information is available? I'm interested in finding out what these tools are.
Your comment reminded of that show on Spike 'Deadliest Warrior', but that's a totally different thread completely.
The Practical Uses of Kung Fu in Combat
Linear Mode
