Wing Chun Kung Fu vs Karate

One question that I was asked was what is the difference between the martial arts of Wing Chun Kung Fu and Karate.

It has to be first mentioned that there is no such thing as a "bad" martial art or an inferior martial art...its the martial artist who makes the difference.

Karate is a very "hard" style. Not hard as in difficult, but as in force. Getting hit by a Karate kick or punch would result in certain destruction. Bruce Lee (Wing Chun's most famous student) was correct when he spoke about being like water.

Karate is like being hit with a baseball bat...when it hits you, it is forceful and devastating.

Wing Chun Kung Fu seeks to be like water. Flowing and adapting to its surroundings. Wing Chun Kung Fu seeks the path of least resistance and when it finds its opening, it crashes like water!

Unlike Karate, Wing Chun Kung Fu is a soft and hard art.

Feeling the difference in the structure of the Karate Straight Punch and the Wing Chun Centerline Punch would observe to be useful for anyone seeking to understand the physical applications between the two.

Dominick Izzo
Izzo Training Systems
Wing Chun Self Defense