
We have all seen the movies such as the Karate Kid, Batman Begins, or Rocky where the main character goes through a training montage in order to become the best they can be. This is not only meant to display the individual’s transformation but also the fundamentals of how they do it. This principle can be applied to any individual training in the martial arts. Within marital art forms, there are two distinctive styles that can be noticed, soft style and hard style. There is an argument on whether or not a practicing student of the arts should dedicate themselves to one or use both. Learning and using both of these styles is much more beneficial to the individual because it helps to have an understanding of one’s opposing style (if they have a preferred one at all), allows for a broader knowledge base, and therefore allows the person to efficiently defend against various different forms.  

One should learn and use both styles to make their own form of Jeet Kune Do. Jeet Kune Do is a particular art form and concept developed by Bruce Lee and later put into his book by his wife two years after he passed away. In the aspect that Jeet Kune Do is a martial art form, Bruce Lee took certain moves or techniques from different arts forms that he found most effective and laced them together while ignoring what he saw as pointless; almost to the point that they were almost indistinguishable due to their fluidity. In the aspect that Jeet Kune Do is a concept Lee says that Jeet Kune Do is defined as the particular style of fighting that fits and works best for a certain individual. This means it can be specific forms such as Kali or Taekwondo, or a style such as hard style or soft style. Therefore, everyone’s Jeet Kune Do is at least a little different. It is meant to be viewed as an ever changing and adapting art form, but with the same fundamentals; focusing on what works. 

Some might say that there is no need to learn both styles or that one style is better than the other. Toby Drew writes in a blog that he titles “Why Do People Hate on ‘Soft’ Martial Arts?”, he states that his preferred style of fighting is aikido, a form of soft style. He then defends soft style by explaining the fundamentals of how it works. While he does not directly claim that soft style is better than the “contrary belief” that hard style is, a reader can detect in the tone of the blog that this may be true. 

 The statement that one style is better or more effective than the other is not true at all. This is very evident in the history of many nations from around the world since people first began to create and study martial arts. If in any case a soft style beats a hard style or vise-versa it is not due to one style being better or more effective but instead on the individual using them. Both styles work and have the same main purpose and final goal in how they’re used. However, the difference is that they have different ways of achieving this main purpose or final goal. 

Before an argument can be made for how to use the two styles, they must be understood in what they are. The first is referred to as “hard style”, or more specifically, linear style. Within this style, punches, kicks, and blocks tend to take on a more direct or straight forward pattern when attacking or defending. The second style is referred to as “soft style”, or more specifically, circular style. Within this style, punches, kicks, and blocks tend to take on a more circular motion when used to attack or defend. Both of these styles have made the various martial art forms that we see today what they are. Both also have many differences and similarities that make them useful and unique because of their history of techniques, their adaptability to individuals, and their ability to be used together. 

Soft or circular styles such as Aikido, Tai Chi, Bauwa, and Hapkido tend to usually have an Asian country of origin more so than others. Examples of this are Aikido originating in Japan, Tai Chi originating in China, and Hapkido originating in Korea. While these styles do involve more circular motions when fighting, that is not all it is about. Soft styles have a history of masters using techniques and moves that seem to flow together almost like a dance. Aikido is a perfect example of this and does so through methods that were meant to avoid injury to their attackers. It is widely considered a soft style for “flowing together” in its movements as one is taught to use an attacker’s momentum against themselves and instead of striking, usually isolates a joint or digit once your opponent exposes an opening while attacking. Most soft styles typically have distinct principles that involve circular motions, staying relaxed and not directly fighting strength with strength, and a sense of flexibility in the sense of moving around quite easily while fighting. 

Unlike soft styles, hard or linear styles of martial arts are not focused on a sense of flexibility or flowing together but instead take a more direct approach when fighting. Hard styles of martial arts include forms such as karate, taekwondo, kali, and Muay Thai. Hard styles of martial arts range from different countries of origin in many different regions from Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, the United States, and Israel. The history of many hard styles of martial arts go back many generations and is very simple and straight forward with most of its techniques. Whether blocking or striking, hard styles are not as concerned with moves seeming to flow together in an effective fighting pattern or rhythm. Through forms like taekwondo, the techniques may not look to operate as smoothly but is nonetheless just as effective. 

The two styles have certain principles and characteristics in common. These similarities are not in their execution of these methods but in the methods themselves. Using momentum as a weapon against an attacker is a common technique that is utilized within both styles as well as many other various martial arts that aren’t specifically soft or hard. Resourcefulness is also a major key component that is taught within every form of martial arts. This means using small objects like pens, books, or articles of clothing, larger objects like tables or walls, landscapes, or anything happening or is close by. Being aware of the situation at hand as well as the surrounding area is very important in the use of martial arts in real life situations. In a fight people are known to develop what is referred to as “tunnel vision.” This means that the person is oblivious to anything around them but the person they’re fighting. Unless someone fights professionally this is wanted to be avoided at all costs for obvious reasons. 

In addition to their history of techniques, hard style and soft styles are useful and unique in their adaptability to different individuals. Even for someone who does not study or practice martial arts, it is fairly common knowledge that there are numerous types and forms from all around the world. While most people may be aware of this fact, they may not think deeper about why that is. People enjoy having something that is distinctly unique to them. Therefore, many people say the same applies to martial arts and their countries of origin. However, this is not always the case. While there is a certain degree of truth about wanting to be unique, the more important reason for many different martial art forms is because not everything works for everybody. 

What really makes these fighting techniques the art forms what they are today are those who came before us who practiced, perfected, and documented them through several generations. These days as marital arts are used in competitions there is an argument some make by saying we still have room to improve. In one study done by Professor Taymazov from Lesgaft National State University of Physical Education, Sport and Health in St. Petersburg said that “most of the experts polled (64%) do believe that there is a need for certain revision of the progress tests and performance classification standards in the valid federal boxing/ taekwondo training programs” (Taymozov, par 19). Not all people share this view. In older days, one man can only make so many discoveries and experiment with styles until his time is up. Over many lifetimes, one would learn from what others before him had done and improve on it in whatever ways they could. It is the individual through dedication and hard work, perfecting these techniques over man years and through many generations that gives us the great and varied art forms we see today. Therefore, it is important for any martial arts student to acknowledge those who came before him. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be where we are today.

Practicing “fighters” whether or it be boxers, wrestlers, martial artists, or professional MMA fighters study this specific topic for the same purpose of finding what works best for them. A person can always show another how to do techniques but the practicing fighter will only reach their full potential if he/she finds which techniques or styles are the most compatible with themselves. Therefore, for a person who fights in any kind of form, it is a very important issue to take into consideration. If an individual doesn’t know for sure what their fighting style or Jeet Kune Do is, Phillip Star addresses how one can tell in his article on “Is Your Martial Arts Practice ‘Hard Style’ or ‘Soft Style?’” 

Since certain martial arts may work better for certain people or nations in this case, it is great to have the variety of different forms that we do. While both styles of soft and hard work and neither is better than the other, it is more important that these forms work best with the natural abilities and strengths of the individual performing them. In this way, it can be said that particular martial art or style is being used to its full potential.

 What martial arts seek is truth and what works. Everything does not work for everyone because everyone is different. In martial arts, we discover what works best for us as an individual through the knowledge of those who came before us. Bruce lee said it best in his notes found in his book Tao of Jeet Kune Do as he says “please do not be concerned with soft form versus firm, kicking versus striking, grappling versus hitting and kicking, long-range fighting versus in fighting. There is no such thing as ‘this’ is better than ‘that’” (Lee, 23). It depends on the individual. For example, an extremely flexible person who works best with a non-resistance approach to physical conflict may find that a soft style of fighting such as Aikido is more compatible with their natural abilities, while a person who is more inclined to be more straight forward in resolving a situation and doesn’t mind being in close quarters might be more comfortable with a technique like kali or wing chun. 

Furthermore, in addition to the history and adaptability to individuals, there are original forms that incorporate both hard and soft style in their techniques. Wing Chun is a perfect example of this as it relies on a type of explosive power while involving attacking and defense in rapid succession. While some of the movements may look soft in their circular motion, the blocks for example differ from a form that solely relies on soft styles, they don’t use the momentum of a strike and deflect it but instead is a solid move that conflicts against another’s strength directly. When striking, some of the movements may take on a linear motion but resemble soft forms since the arms are typically relaxed until the timed moment to strike or block. 

Once an individual makes the decision to dedicate their practices to involve both soft and hard style of martial arts, do how they go about doing just that? Do they divide your study equally among forms of the two styles? At what point does studying other forms begin to interfere with their primary martial art? Lori O’Connell, a practicing martial artist, suggests picking other forms that share the same basic fundamentals and teaches the same type of skills as one’s preferred martial art (O’Connell, 1). In this way, a person still branches out in their practices and broadens their knowledge and experience while still focusing on their main comfort zone. 

When looking at soft and hard styles of martial arts, it is important to note that both linear and circular styles of marital arts have many differences and similarities that make them useful and unique because of their history, their adaptability to individuals, and their ability to be used together. When considering how to apply this to practice, it is more beneficial to include both styles because it helps to understand one’s opposing style (if they have a preferred one at all), allows for a broader knowledge base, and therefore allows the person to efficiently defend against various different forms.  In this way, one understands how to reach their fullest potential in what they do. 

The first thing that any martial artist or fighter of any kind needs to consider when learning is how they are going to train and apply themselves to practice. They say that “practice makes perfect” but really, it is perfect practice that makes perfect. 
