What is the difference between “traditional” Karate and other Karate?
The word “Traditional” is used to denote a karate system which is [1] based on one of the major Japanese styles, [2] often includes “sport karate” but offers more than just competition training, and [3] promotes the concept of being a better person, mentally as well as physically. There are many so called “kickboxing” and “freestyle” type clubs who claim to teach karate, but their focus is mainly fitness and a limited range of techniques. Techniques which don’t score points in a competition or are “illegal” are eschewed in favour of roundhouse kicks and snap punches which do score in competition. Some classes focus purely on the self defence aspect of karate and practice techniques aimed at street fighting. Neither of these approaches is “wrong”. If you want fitness, sport fighting and/or self defence then they will give you what you are after. Sport karate is very popular because success can be quantified – in trophies, belts, prize money, etc. Traditional karate doesn’t offer such ob
