Martial arts and martial sports are two different approaches to combatives and physical training, although there can be some overlap between the two. Here are some key differences:

1. Purpose: Martial arts has a broader focus on self-defense, personal development, and overall well-being. They often incorporate philosophical, spiritual, and ethical aspects, aiming to cultivate discipline, respect, and mental and emotional growth. Martial sports, on the other hand, are primarily focused on competitive combat and athletic performance within specific rules and regulations, think tournaments!

2. Training Methods: Martial arts training involves a combination of techniques, forms, drills, sparring, and self-defense scenarios. The emphasis is on developing a wide range of skills and techniques for practical use. Martial sports, such as Taekwondo, boxing, wrestling, or MMA, have specific rules and scoring systems, and training is often more focused on developing competitive strategies, physical conditioning, and refining sport-specific techniques.

3. Context: Martial arts are practiced with a broader perspective on self-defense, aiming to equip practitioners with skills applicable to real-world situations. Martial sports, on the other hand, are practiced within a controlled competitive environment, with an emphasis on winning matches or tournaments.

4. Rules and Safety: Martial sports have specific rules and regulations designed to ensure fair competition and participant safety. These rules may restrict certain techniques or target areas to minimize the risk of serious injury. Martial arts training may also include safety guidelines, but they generally have more flexibility in technique application and allow for a wider range of self-defense options.

It's worth noting that some martial arts have elements of both martial art and martial sport. For example, taekwondo and karate can be practiced as traditional martial arts for personal development, self-defense, and competition in forms (kata) and sparring (kumite). Similarly, disciplines like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai have both self-defense applications and organized competitions.

Luckily we practice both philosophies of martial art and martial sport here at our school!