Importantly, he notes that neither the terms "karate" nor "kung fu" refer to a limited and homogeneous set of self-defense systems. What they have in common is primary reliance on kicking and striking (in varying proportions and emphasizing different principles of movement for speed and power) and the tightly intertwined history they all share. But the Okinawan/Japanese traditions (and that includes the Korean which was an offshoot of the Japanese because of Japan's occupation of Korea in the first half of the twentieth century) developed a set of distinctive external trappings which the Chinese kung fu systems don't, as a rule, share. These trappings include the use of the white uniform (gi), the belt ranking system with the black belt as the apogee of accomplishment, barefooted practice, and the formalization of the practice format (first warm-ups/basics then kata or forms and then sparriing or kumite). Kung fu systems vary much more in format but typically include lots of individual practice and emphasis on learning and practicing forms which contain the record of the system's methods and techniques.

Moreover, the variations among kung fu systems can be as great or greater than the differences between any of them and the somewhat more homogeneous Okinawan/Japanese originated systems. And that's just for starters! Good job on the write-up. It's a great beginning.

We emphasize the hip movement at our dojo nearly each session. Actually, this is not only the way I teach punching, but I also apply the whipping principle into my blocking training as well.
Good stuff! Comparing karate techniques to golf swing and throwing a ball will definetly become a part of my routine now

I will get back to my reading now…