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Traditional, Mixed/Modern or Sport?

© Mark W. Swarthout

There is, and probably always will be, major discussions within the martial arts community regarding different philosophies about the study of personal combat. There are Modern or Mixed Martial Arts, Traditional Martial Arts, and the Sports centered arts.

These three main threads of thought are what we will address here. This isn't any sort of judgment, this article points out the general definition of these different types, to provide you with a basic understanding of the types and allow you to decide which is the right path for you.

These are generalizations, not exacts. There are different branches in the same style that approach things very differently. And just because they have the same name doesn't mean that they are the same. There are many schools that will actually teach all three, allowing students to gravitate toward their area of comfort.

Traditional Martial Arts (TMAs)

As one would expect, these are steeped in tradition. Ranking tends to be very ridged, formalities are strictly followed. Practitioners have a goal to be more than just a good fighter, there is a desire to be a better person. Discipline is one frequent goal cited by parents enrolling their children in such programs.

The vast majority of the Asian martial arts are of this type. They can trace the origins of their art back many centuries with a rich background of legends and documents. Some have strong connections to the culture and religion of a country.

Sports

There are a number of sport and competition centric styles. These focus on going to events and performing. Kata, both with and without weapons, are done in front of a panel of judges that awards a score. The performance is choreographed to music and colorful uniforms and specially made weapons flash and whirl.

Matches for points are conducted under very specific guidelines as to target areas and techniques. Heavily padded gear covers the vital areas and protect hands, feet, head and face.

Such competitions require training just like any sport and athletes have to be in top physical condition. Taekwondo has had a profound impact on the martial arts community with their many competitions and Olympic participation.

And there are many marital arts that are aimed at very traditional competitions. Sumo and Judo are two that are very traditional, yet work hard on the competitive side of the spectrum. And Judo has participated in the Olympics for many decades.

Modern, or Mixed Martial Arts (MMAs)

The newest off shoot of the martial arts world is the creation and evolution of the self defense specialist. They prefer to eliminate all the trappings of any sort of of tradition and concentrate purely on what will work in a fight. Kata and one step drills are not considered important and are seldom included in the curriculum. Some schools even avoid any sort of padding, believing that it will make you less effective in a real situation, teaching you habits that will not serve you well.