What is the difference between a traditional martial art and a sport art?

[lpred37]

Is there really a difference between a traditional martial art and a sport martial art?

The concept of martial sports as a whole is a unique thought.  I think it came about when people were trying to distinguish martial arts from kicking and punching sports. Like somebody walking into a dojo and saying what do you do here, and then someone trying to explain what a traditional martial artist is and getting frustrated. So a lot of times, it might be easier to explain what it’s not.  Right or wrong this is probably how it all started.
 
Where a lot of people believe sparring is the only way to true fighting prowess. Traditional martial arts believe that Waza and kata or forms are the true way.

The basic thing to understand is simply that martial means military IE martial arts [military arts].

 I don’t think a lot of generals went to war using sports as the basis for their military prowess.  Not to say that sports can playa a critical role in training.  As in military games and such.

Remember were not talking about civilian arts or just plain combat of arts were talking about military arts. So under these parameters, I don’t really think there is such a thing as sport martial arts or MMA.

[lpred37]

Can you clarify?  So as an example would a tae kwon do school the trains for point sparring be considered a sport school or a traditional school? When I think of a traditional school I think of one that teaches as you said kata, and traditional techniques that are tested in the real world or combat.  When I think of a sport martial art school I think of the schools that just teach a bunch of fancy jump kicks and train for point sparring and one punch techniques. You stand there I will punch you then I will stand here and you punch me. I think sparring whether it is point or not is helpful in any training program. I hear people say this is a traditional school, and when I think of traditional I think not Americanized, I think of honor, and discipline, lots of drilling of technique and forms. Just want some other opinions on the subject. Maybe when I think of sport schools I am confusing them with schools that are belt factories pay your money get your belt.