Styles debates were my absolute bugbear on the internet. I just think of it as an obsolete argument. It goes back to that old "I will use my karate on you" type of thinking, as if you can pull "your karate" out of your pocket. Martial arts are intangible things and arguments over their effeciency are like arguments over languages. I remember Shihan Chris Rowen, 6th Dan in Goju Ryu Karate-do under Gogen Yamaguchi announcing at a seminar "I don't like the idea of styles". To hear this guy, who seemed to me to be the personification of traditional martial arts, make this statement just seemed to say it all. I don't see styles, I see people - good, bad and downright weird.

I don't like hypothetical arguments as a rule. The old "who would win?" or "if I did this?" Question, yes absolutely, but don't get drawn into mental masterbation. Show it, prove it or shut up.

He knew I was living in Japan and back in the day when he knew me he knew I did some martial arts. After a few drinks the conversation turned to him having done 6 months of Capoiera (if thats how you spell it ) and he started talking to me about how effective it is and that if I did this, that and the other of karate techniques against him he would just do (insert flip name here) spin around on his hands and kick me in the head.

Tony, perhaps your friend would like to see this bit of footage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkMOyPVrcmw

I'm always good with talking about technical and strategic differences as long as it is constructive and isn't about proving which side is better. The fact of the matter is that it comes down to the fighter more than his style.

dmccarthy wrote:
I'm always good with talking about technical and strategic differences as long as it is constructive and isn't about proving which side is better. The fact of the matter is that it comes down to the fighter more than his style.

This is so true, its not like Taekowndo beats karate, kung fu beats Taekwondo, and karate beats Kung fu (Rock Paper scissors )

The individual is the all important key in unarmed and armed combatives. The more the individual trains the more likely it will be that they will survive an encounter to live to practce and train another day.

But don't get me wrong you are always welcome to try your theories on my neanderthal developed body and see how well they work.

LOL