You need to see where your Karate training is lacking. To run out of things at purple belt is awful early. Maybe you are in a sports school? More detail really would have helped. Maybe you want to explore the self defense aspect of Karate. I did that when I got tired of tournaments and it was a whole new chapter for me. The good thing is you don't have to start all over from scratch like you would if you go to something new. You get much quicker results if you find someone who teaches Karate for self defense since you get to build on what you already have. Look at it this way, you can do 10 years of martial arts and have only 2 years worth of skill if you start something new every 2 years. You end up with 2 years of worth of skill in 5 styles but you will be a beginner in all 5 styles and never learn the higher techniques which are so much more fun than just the basic hitting. This is the difference in trying to build on to what you already have, which is called cross training vs starting something new.
Rather than changing to other martial art, how about increasing your proficiency as a karate fighter for street fight? Find some partners and go for fast-paced sparring session without stopping for a few minutes or without caring about points. Try to spar until you can dodge, defense and use your karate techniques efficiently without resulting in boxing-style fighting. Well.. if you are interested in other martial arts, how about Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (martial art that focus on grappling and especially ground fighting)?
How about more karate. 4 years is still just a beginning.
If you feel you need to add something to any style of karate for self defense, you need to take a good luck at your instructor or your study habits.Karate is self defense when taught correctly.
What kind of karate?
Oooh! I know!
Chocolate.
Or Pudding.
Chocolate pudding.
Kraav Maga
4 years? Awesome! I'll recommend learning Krav Maga.(Search for krav maga on youtube)
Even street fighting is quite popular nowdays, you may add take some interesting moves from that
Ive done karate for about 4 years now im currently a purple belt and am now wanting to find a different martial art that will go well with karate for self defence.
