Why are Western martial arts practiced far more safely than those in the East?

[Adventurous97]

I have noticed that Western martial arts are often very strict in how they are practiced, with padding, head guards and groin guards almost always being worn, and with many rules around strikes and not hitting below the belt etc.

Yet the traditional Thai boxing that I do, especially at the mid-higher levels, does not practice with head and groin guards, and full contact strikes are allowed, including anywhere below the belt. The focus is always on a more ‘real life’ kind of training experience. Another example is Combat Sambo, a Russian martial art, which is also far more relaxed on the rules and in how it’s practiced.

I understand that this is a generalisation, because there are so many martial arts out there that are practiced how the instructor chooses to practice them, but generally speaking Western martial arts are practiced far more safer. Rightly or wrongly, why is this do you feel?

[BeMuse]

I mainly practiced and competed in wrestling (freestyle/folkstyle/greco-roman). The only required gear for practice where wrestling shoes. For competition we had to wear wrestling shoes and a singlet. If you wanted to protect your ears you could wear headgear, but it was optional and most people didn't wear it. The main protection from injury were the wrestling matts, the rules, your skill level, and being tough. That said, I saw plenty of people take bad or illegal slams and end up with a broken sternum, collarbone, neck or get their ankle rolled or their knee folded. I wrestled in Florida, USA.

[BeMuse]

*mats

[libsaretards]

Martial arts in the West are seen more as sport whereas in the East it is self-defense and a way of life. Take Karate for example. In Okinawa and Japan practitioners practice for life. There are no pads. In the U. S. there are pads and "confidence" boards. A black belt in the U. S. would not last very long against a native practitioner. I actually learned this the hard way in school. A kid transferred to our school from Japan. He was a bully so I stood up to him. I had beaten the crap out of many black belts and even armed opponents, but I really struggled against this kid and I am confident he would have seriously injured me had his parents not arrived when they did.

[Smoke-n-Growls]

Because generally the West is filled with Karens happy to sue everyone and their dog if their little kidlet comes home with a bruise.

[Anonymous]

What country do you come from where you practice it like this?

[Adventurous97]

I’m of European decent but we practice like this in Thailand, why do you ask?

[Opinion Owner]

Pm? This just isn’t common in the west like you said except in krav but we don’t practice with full contact usually and always cups. I have a good friend who is hit there a lot in a certain sport and was wondering if you had advice for him

[Opinion Owner]

If you want to see who to PM I just now liked this question

[Adventurous97]

I don’t really have much advice other than that opponents, girls especially, are going to target the groin when taking on a guy, so best learning how to block and avoid those kind of strikes. Yes, groin strikes without groin guards are far more commonly practiced in the East.

[Opinion Owner]

I was just wondering if you could give advice on how he could better dodge hits there and stuff. Do you know any techniques for blocking and dodging? Could you PM? I liked your question and you can follow me to message me.

[Adventurous97]

Often guys either lift and turn their knee in towards themselves to block the kick, or they are able to anticipate the kick and move away from it. If they don’t then it’s obviously a very devastating loss for them! You are ‘anonymous’ so I can’t follow you?

[FilmGuy93]

Western martial arts are viewed more as sports while the eastern arts are treated as true self defense

[Adventurous97]

This is true. Here we kick to win, even if it’s to the unprotected groin, and if the guy takes the low blow, it’s his fault for not anticipating and blocking the kick fast enough. This is true self-defence that simply isn’t allowed in Western ‘sport’ like you say, yes.

[Karate_Guy]

@adventurous97 : You are so right! One of our instructors likes to say, "Pain is a good teacher, but few are brave enough to take his class!" ... 🤣🤣 ... There is no substitute for sharpening one's blocking / defensive skills than to get kicked hard in a painful area like that! So, yeah, it is definitely the recipient's fault for not being able to block. What is someone going to do in a real life fight? Get his balls kicked up into his throat, and then expect his opponent to apologize or give him time to recover before attacking again?

[Crafteroon]

Part of the reason could be cultural, and based on who is the instructor. In the western world not providing a cup and safety gear is a good way to get your club sued once someone gets injured.

[Anonymous]

I train in Krav where groin shots are allowed but we all wear cups.

I don’t think it would be fair for guys in krav to fight without the cup

[Opinion Owner]

Have you ever trained against guys? Would love to hear your perspective

[Adventurous97]

Yes, I train against guys often. It’s a mixed class.

[Opinion Owner]

I just followed you, can you follow me back so I can message you

[Iron_Man]

I’m not interested in kung fu i like boxing the best tomorrow

[Jhonrembo]

In western countries you have more low rules and also more claims.

[John_Doesnt]

Because pads don't hit back.

[Luckycharms12]

For your safety. And law suits

[MrTaboo]

Because its a spirt here, not a real martial art.

[Anonymous]

Because the west loves lawsuits.

[ninaneedshelp]

Because lawsuits...