Martial Arts

Martial Art Essential Collection

2010-06-20T04:27:00.000-07:00

No doubt all those who are interested in martial art love to watch martial art movies that can give you a real sense of the world of martial arts

There are movies that bicame real classic among martial arts fans, you also should't miss them. The essential collection includes such as

Snake in the Eagle's Shadow (1978)
Directed by legendary choreographer Woo-ping Yuen, Jackie Chan started his long career with this Asian martial arts movie, playing an orphan and trademark weakling who is constantly being mistreated by his masters. He meets an old beggar who teaches him "Snake Fist Kung Fu," at which he naturally excels. However, the deadly Eagle Claw Society has outlawed this lethal form of martial arts, and its members try to stop Jackie from performing it.

CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON
Beautiful. This movie blew critics' minds--that you could have romance, a compelling story, and incredible cinematography, costuming, and locations in a martial arts movie. Raised the bar for all the others to follow.

THE KARATE KID
How many kids got into the martial arts because of Daniel-san and Mr. Miyagi? When you wash your car, does "Wax on, wax off" echo in your head?

BILLY JACK
Billy Jack is a half-Native American, half-white martial artist who spreads his message of peace by beating up the mean rednecks that persecute the local pacifists. Hapkido fight sequences courtesy of Grandmaster Bong Soo Han. "Billy Jack" taught a generation of 70's kids to love peace--and the martial arts.

GOOD GUYS WEAR BLACK
Chuck Norris' breakout film (no pun intended) had an amazing shot of Chuck kicking the driver of a speeding automobile through the windshield. The rest of this 1978 movie wasn't as great as that scene, but for nostalgic martial arts movie fans, this is great fun. This movie launched Chuck's career, and paved the way for the other Hollywood martial artists (Van Damme, Seagal) to follow.

FIVE FINGERS OF DEATH
This was one of the first Shaw Brothers movies to get theatrical release in the U.S., launching the 1970's karate craze. Remember Count Dante? When Billy "Tae Bo" Blanks was a point-sparring competitor?

THE MATRIX
So what if Keanu Reeves doesn't make a convincing martial artist ("Dude! I know kung fu!"). This movie has paved the way for other great Yuen Woo Ping films to make it big in the theaters, like "Iron Monkey"

RUMBLE IN THE BRONX
Jackie Chan's first big U.S. movie plunks him down in the middle of the Bronx (which oddly looks a lot like Vancouver, B.C.). Tons of fun, especially the long fight sequence against the "gang members" (who oddly look like the cast of "Fame"). While not the best Chan movie, it introduced Jackie to a legion of new fans.

ENTER THE NINJA
Lame attempt at flashback to the 80's haiku: Duran Duran video on the TV screen. Skinny tie around your neck. And ninjas in every shadow.

SEVEN SAMURAI
One of the greatest movies of all time, period. The inspiration for "The Magnificent Seven," "Battle Beyond the Stars," and a host of admiring copycats

FIVE DEADLY VENOMS
Also known as... "Pick Your Poison" and "Five Venoms" The dying master of the powerful Poison Clan dispatches his last pupil on a crucial mission. Worried that the skills he has taught are being used to evil ends, he orders the Yan Tieh to trace a retired colleague and warn him that the fortune he amassed from the clan activities is under threat from five of his former pupils. Each an expert in his own lethal combat style, The Centipede, The Snake, The Scorpion, The Lizard, and The Toad comprise a truly invincible force. Yan must discover the whereabouts and true identities of these deadly masked warriors and decide which, if any, he can trust to join him in his perilous mission. A blindingly choreographed blend of intrigue and violence, "FIVE DEADLY VENOMS" adds a truly original dimension to the kung fu genre

THE KID WITH THE GOLDEN ARM
The Kid with the Golden arm is part of the cult series of Kung fu action classics that follow in the foot steps of "Five Fingers of Death", "Five Deadly Venoms" and "The Flying Guillotine". Hair raising action, inventive plots and exhibitions of Martial Arts mastery unrivaled in the Kung fu genre. This is an all out great classic kung fu movie. The Kid with the Golden Arms has invincible arms which can not be penetrated by the blades of swords. His arms are his weapons. When he disarm his enemy they are hopeless against him. Watch out for Iron Feet. He kills his enemies with his feet. His kicking style alone defeats many of his enemies before they throw the first punch.

MASTER KILLER
Notes: (aka THE THIRTY SIXTH CHAMBER) The anti Ching pariots under the guidance of Ho Kuanghan have secretly set up their base in Canton under the cover of being school masters. During a brutal Manchu attack many of the students are killed. Lui The Master Killer escapes and devotes himself to the rigorous training that will assure his revenge. MASTER KILLER is one of the most impressive Martial Arts films since Bruce Lees death starring Liu Chia Hui the reluctant revolutionary who became the famous real-life Shaolin monk San-te. An amazing movie made fascinating and involving as one of the few films that follows the Martial Arts training process from beginning to end

The following is a list of the best martial art movies that we feel had the most impact on martial arts in movies.

Be you Demon or Angel

2009-02-11T04:09:00.000-08:00

Run, run, or you'll be well done - Kefka, FFVI
Today if you are a big fan of role play games you have a great opportunity to order and buy online whatever you just want to play role and LARP games. Checking out various sites dedicated LARP games you can find there whatever you need - from leather armour to metal, any Costume Armor you wish including finely crafted spans from Roman, ringmail, arming jackets, chainmail, various plates and scales kits to the place you want to stage your LARP events finally.

Definitely LARP game is not for losers, this game is also not only a fun action where you can perform some of the characters you are playing wearing renaissance fair clothing, but this is a chance to feel yourself a real knight without fear and without reproach besides that this is perfect way to get fascinating physical activity. I would say that this is some kind of martial art!:-) There are many LARP genres and styles with their specific rules and events arranging. The goal is to pick up the most appropriate one.
“Be you demon or angel you'll regret giving me this cursed power!” Gale, Digital Devil Saga.

Types of bokken

2008-12-28T06:52:00.000-08:00

The following list is the basic styles of bokken made - the Japanese sword:
*daitō or tachi (katana-sized), long sword;
*shoto or kodachi or wakizashi bo, short sword, (wakizashi-sized);
*tanto bo (tantō-sized); and
*suburito can be made in daito and shoto sizes but are meant for solo training. They are much heavier and harder to use, developing greater muscles, increasing skills with 'normal' sized bokken.

Bokken can be made in any style of weapon required. The All Japan Kendo Federation specify the dimensions of bokken for use in kendo kata.
Additionally, various koryu (traditional Japanese martial arts) have their own distinct styles of bokken which can vary slightly in length, tip shape, or in whether or not a tsuba (hilt guard) is added.

Wushu

2008-11-11T06:01:00.000-08:00

Wushu's meaning is "martial art". It's more precise term than the widely used term kung fu, which can mean either martial art or "skill": a craftsperson or artisan could be said to have good "kung fu" in the way in which they carry out their craft; in the same way, a wushu practitioner can also be said to have good "kung fu" in their wushu practice. The word wushu may refer to any martial art in the world, though in practice it often refers to the modern sport named "wushu", or the various styles of Chinese martial arts.

Mixed martial arts training

2008-09-27T19:40:00.000-07:00

The training methodologies of martial arts practiced by fighters who have seen success in MMA are similiar, and thus are carried over when training for mixed martial arts. These practices include drilling with progressive resistance, pad work, bag work, and sparring. In addition, new methods of training have been invented, as they were devised for MMA specifically. One example of this is the drills for training Ground and Pound, which usually involve a fighter punching a heavy bag that is laid on the ground so the fighter can take a dominant position on it or hitting pads that are held up by a partner to simulate a head.

Chinese swords

2008-08-19T04:49:00.000-07:00

In China, Chinese swords have a long history . Foe example, the Stone swords were used in prehistoric times, the Bronze swords have been traced back to the bronze daggers of the Western Zhou period, but did not come into common use until the Eastern Zhou period, and the Bronze long swords suddenly appeared during the mid-third century BC. Later swords were made of iron or steel. Swords commonly reached a length of 70-100 cm, although longer swords have been found. Chinese iron swords were used in Japan from the third to sixth century AD, but were replaced with Korean and native Japanese swords by the middle of the Heian era.

San Shou as a sport

2008-07-23T22:58:00.000-07:00

As a sport, San Shou is used in tournaments. For safety reasons, some techniques from the self-defense are not allowed during tournaments. Furthermore, when competition is held on a raised lei tai platform it is possible to defeat the opponent by moving him out of the competition area. Fighters are only allowed to clinch for a few seconds. If the clinch is not broken by the fighters, and if neither succeeds in throwing his opponent within the time limit, the referee will break the clinch. San Shou has been featured in many style-versus-style competitions. Muay Thai is frequently pitted against Sanshou as is Karate, Kickboxing and Taekwondo.

The Chain whip

2008-07-20T22:03:00.000-07:00

The chain whip is a weapon used in some Asian martial arts. It consists of several metal rods, which are joined end-to-end by rings to form a flexible chain. Generally, the whip has a handle at one end and at the other a metal dart. A cloth flag is often attached at or near the dart end of the whip, and a second flag may cover the whip's handle. The flags also help stabilize the whip, enhancing the performer's control. This reduces the performer's risk of inadvertently striking himself/herself.

Real MMA Gear for Real Fighters.

The Longsword

2008-07-08T19:45:00.000-07:00

The Longsword is a type of European sword used during the late medieval and Renaissance periods. The Longsword have lengthy cruciform hilts with grips over some 15 cm in length. Longswords are used for striking, cutting, and thrusting. The specific offensive purpose of an individual longsword is derived from its physical shape. All parts of the sword are used for attack purposes.

The Bokken

2008-06-23T19:37:00.000-07:00

The bokken is a wooden Japanese sword used for training. Usually the size and shape looks like of a katana, but sometimes the shaped is like other swords, such as the wakizashi and tantō. The Bokken is not a proper, nor a common term in Japan. The Bokken should not be confused with shinai, the bamboo sword used in kendo.

A bokken is used as an inexpensive and relatively safe substitute for a real sword, in training for several martial arts. Suburito are bokken designed for use in suburi. Suburi, literally "bare swinging," are solo cutting exercises. Suburito are thicker and heavier than normal bokken and users of suburito have to develop both strength and technique. Their weight makes them unsuitable for paired practice or kata.

Japanese sword

2008-06-03T19:28:00.000-07:00

The Japanese sword is one of the traditional bladed weapons of Japan. These weapons categorized in several types according to size and method of manufacture. The most commonly known type is the katana, which is a single-edged and, usually, curved long sword which was traditionally used by samurai. Wakizashi is the shorter sword; Tsurugi are double-edged long swords; Ōtachi or Nodachi are older but longer single-edged versions.

Japanese swords are still commonly seen: antique and modernly-forged swords can easily be found and purchased. Modern, authentic nihontō are made by a few hundred swordsmiths. Many examples can be seen at contests hosted by the All-Japan Swordsmiths Association.

Nunchaku

2008-05-20T19:25:00.000-07:00

The nunchuck is a traditional weapon of the Kobudo weapons set and consists of two sticks connected at their ends with a short chain or rope.

The Chinese use the nunchaku more than anyone else. The traditional Okinawan arts use the sticks primarily to grip and lock, while the Filipino arts use the sticks primarily for striking, while Taekwondo teaches a combination of both. Nunchaku training has been noted to increase hand speed, correct posture and condition the hands of the practitioner.

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2008-05-02T19:49:00.000-07:00

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Tonfa

2008-04-30T06:15:00.000-07:00

The tonfa is a traditional Okinawan weapon.
There are numerous ways to defend and attack with the tonfa.
In attack, one can swing the shaft to strike the target. Large amounts of momentum can be imparted to the shaft by twirling the tonfa by the handle. The tonfa can also be wielded in such a way as to use the knob as a striking implement, held either by the handle or by the shaft. One can also stab one's opponents with the shaft of the tonfa.

By holding the shaft and the handle of the tonfa together, one can use it for holding or breaking techniques.Tonfa are traditionally wielded in pairs, one in each hand. As the tonfa can be held in many different ways, education in the use of the tonfa often involves learning how to switch between different grips at high speed. Such techniques require great manual dexterity.

Okinawan kobudō

2008-04-13T23:09:00.000-07:00

Okinawan kobudō is a Japanese term that can be translated as "old martial way of Okinawa". It generally refers to the classical weapon traditions of Okinawan martial arts, most notably the rokushakubo , sai, tonfa , kama and nunchaku. Less common Okinawan weapons include the tambo and the eku.

Strike attack

2008-03-31T06:47:00.000-07:00

Strikes are employed in most martial arts, but are explored more thoroughly in martial arts such as karate, taekwondo, boxing, muay thai and wing chun. A strike is an attack with an inanimate object, such as a weapon, or with a part of the human body. Some martial arts also use the fingertips, wrists, forearms, shoulders, back and hips to strike an opponent as well as the more conventional fists, palms, elbows, knees and feet that combat sports use. Some martial arts employ no strikes at all, as do some combat sports, such as wrestling.

Clinch fighting

2008-03-18T20:39:00.000-07:00

Clinch fighting is one of phases of combat.
"Dirty boxing" and clinch fighting are tactics consisting of using a clinch hold to prevent the opponent from moving away into more distant striking range, while at the same time attempting takedowns and striking the opponent using knees, stomps, elbows, and punches. The clinch is usually utilized by wrestlers that have added in components of the striking game (typically boxing), and Muay Thai fighters. Through the use of Greco-Roman clinching techniques and Muay Thai strikes, neck clinching and body locks clinch fighting could be used to devastate ill-prepared opponents.

Martial Arts Styles

2008-03-05T20:05:00.000-08:00

Each martial arts style have unique facets that makes it different from other styles, but there is a common characteristic of fighting techniques. One common method of training, particularly in the Asian martial arts, is the form or kata; these are sets or routines of techniques that are performed alone, or sometimes with a partner.

All martial arts styles share a single objective: to defeat a person physically or to defend oneself from physical threat. Some martial arts are linked to spiritual or religious beliefs/philosophies, while others have their own spiritual/non-spiritual code of honor.

Khmer Boxing

2008-02-27T08:55:00.000-08:00

Khmer Boxing also called Pradal Serey. It is a system of Indochinese martial arts practiced in several Southeast Asian countries. Pradal means fight and serey means free. Translated literally, it means "Free Fighting". Pradal Serey is founded on four techniques which consists of blows of the fist, kicks, blows of the elbow, and blows of the knee. The clinch is also used to wear down the opponent. The Khmer style also tends to use more elbow techniques than the other regions.The nowadays Pradal Serey differs from the original art. The technique and moves of the art have changed to support the sport version seen today. It is considered one of the national sports of Cambodia. It is also known as Kbach Kun Khmer, Sovanna Phum, Traditional Khmer Boxing or Brodal Serei depending on the translation. Khmer Boxing isn't very popular but it is very useful.

Nowadays Sambo

2008-02-18T19:49:00.000-08:00

According to the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles , Sambo is one of the four main forms of amateur competitive wrestling practiced internationally nowadays. FILA accepted Sambo as the 3rd style of international wrestling in 1968. In 1993, FIAS split into two organizations. Both organizations used the same name and logo. The two groups were often referred to as FIAS "East" (under Russian Control) and FIAS "West" (under US and Western European Control). In 2005, FILA reached an agreement with FIAS "West" and reassumed sanctioning over sport sambo. At present FILA sanctions international competition in the style as does FIAS. Both organizations conduct separate world championships and other international events. However, only FIAS sanctions and conducts Combat Sambo competition. Nowadays, sambo is a very popular kind of martial arts, and it is very useful.

Stay Young and Healthy in Every Ages.

2008-02-12T04:54:00.000-08:00

How often we have head about problems with weight so this theme is really never-ending point at issue. The list of all types of diets is too long and includes both traditional ways such as Weight Watchers Diet and very exotic ones such as Hypnosis Methods to Lose Weight for instance. But do they really work? You may have heard that losing weight is as easy as eating less and exercising more and it is the truth but sometimes not enough to become young and healthy.

And people search new weight loss programs, fad diets, weight loss pills or herbal remedies which would help them to lose weight and improve health in the short-term. It seams that sometimes people are not looking for a new diet as much as they are looking for new ways. For example according to Star magazine, Clenbuterol has been discovered by Hollywood now. Everyone wants to find an easy way to fat loss but please keep in mind, some pills could be illegal and dangerous for humans if its weight loss and fat loss effects are overrated.

Mixed martial arts rules

2008-01-28T00:43:00.000-08:00

As the knowledge about fighting techniques spread among fighters and spectators, it became clear that the original minimalist rule systems needed to be amended. As rules evolved and regulations added, different branches of mixed martial arts have emerged, with differences between the different rulesets dictating different strategies. Similarly, shoot wrestling organizations, such as Shooto, expanded their rulesets to integrate elements of vale tudo into their sport. However, for the most part, fighters accustomed to one ruleset can easily acclimate to a different ruleset, as the basics of fighting remain largely the same. The most prevalent ruleset in the world being used currently is the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, a set of rules that has been adapted by several state athletic commissions in the United States and used most notably in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Shotokan Karate

2008-01-16T20:33:00.000-08:00

Shotokan is a kind of karate, developed from various martial arts by Gichin Funakoshi and his son Yoshitaka Funakoshi. Gichin Funakoshi is widely recognized as having brought karate from Okinawa to mainland Japan, although other Okinawan karate masters were actively teaching karate in Japan prior to this point. Shotokan is one of the four traditional karate styles. Although it began as a unified karate school that developed into the Japan Karate Association, Shotokan now exists as several independent organizations.

Modern mixed martial arts tournaments

2008-01-08T06:09:00.000-08:00

Modern mixed martial arts tournaments are rooted in two mutually connected movements. First were the vale "tudo" events in Brazil, followed by the Japanese shoot wrestling shows. Vale tudo began in the 1920s with the "Gracie challenge" issued by Carlos Gracie and upheld later on by descendants of the Gracie family. In Japan in the 1970s, a series of mixed martial arts matches were hosted by Antonio Inoki, inspiring the shoot-style movement in Japanese professional wrestling, which eventually led to the formation of the first mixed martial arts organizations, such as Shooto, which was formed in 1985. The concept of combining the elements of multiple martial arts was pioneered and popularized by Bruce Lee in the late 1960's to early 1970's. Lee believed that "the best fighter is not a Boxer, Karate or Judo man. The best fighter is someone who can adapt to any style.

Karate Practice

2007-12-27T22:04:00.000-08:00

Modern karate training is commonly divided into kihon ( fundamentals), kata (forms), and kumite (sparring). Another popular split is between art, sport, and self-defense training. Traditional karate, while used to address a broad scope of traditions, typically does not break karate into discrete components, but rather derives self defense training directly from kata and application practice. Weapons comprise another important training area. Modern Japanese-influenced training often emphasizes the psychological elements incorporated into a proper attitude such as perseverance, fearlessness, virtue, and leadership skills.

Karate Philosophy

2007-12-27T01:07:00.000-08:00

Funakoshi believed that one should be "inwardly humble and outwardly gentle." Only through humility could one be open to Karate's many lessons, by listening and being receptive to criticism. He considered courtesy of prime importance. He believed that Karate is properly applied only in those rare situations in which one really must either down another or be downed by him. To Funakoshi, it was not unusual for a practitioner to use Karate for real perhaps once in a lifetime, as Karate practitioners should "never be easily drawn into a fight." To him, one strike by an expert could mean either life or death. He who misuses the techniques brings dishonor upon himself. He also believed in conviction, that in time of grave public crisis, one must have the courage...to face a million and one opponents. He believed that indecisiveness was a shameful trait.

Karate

2007-12-06T22:05:00.000-08:00

Karate - a martial art developed from indigenous fighting methods from the Ryūkyū Islands, and classical Japanese martial arts. It is known primarily as a striking art, featuring punching, kicking, knee/elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques, but grappling, joint manipulations, locks, restraints/traps, throws, and vital
point striking are taught with equal emphasis, depending on the school. A karate practitioner is called a karateka . Karate is a popular kind of martial arts, and a lot of young teenagers use it.

Sumo origins

2007-11-20T20:37:00.000-08:00

Sumo origins are realy unexpected. In addition to its use as a trial of strength in combat, it has also been associated with Shinto ritual, and even today certain shrines carry out forms of ritual dance where a human is said to wrestle with a "Shinto divine spirit". It was an important ritual at the imperial court. Representatives of each province were ordered to attend the contest at the court and fought. They needed to pay for their travels themselves. Over the rest of Japanese recorded history, sumo's popularity has changed according to the whims of its rulers and the need for its use as a training tool in periods of civil strife. The form of wrestling combat probably changed gradually into one where the main aim in victory was to throw one's opponent. The concept of pushing one's opponent out of a defined area came some time later.
Nations adjacent to Japan, sharing many cultural traditions, also feature styles of traditional wrestling that bear resemblance to sumo. Notable examples include Mongolian wrestling, Chinese Shuai jiao, and Korean Ssireum. Examples of Chinese art from 220 BCE show the wrestlers stripped to the waist and their bodies pressed shoulder to shoulder.

Phases of combat in mixed martial arts

2007-11-14T08:46:00.000-08:00

The Training:
Today, mixed martial artists train in a assortment of styles that have been proven effective in the ring, so that they can be effective in all the phases of combat. Although fighters will try to play to their particular specialties, they will unavoidably encounter all kinds of situations. A stand-up fighting specialist will probably get taken down at some point and a submission artist might need to fight standing-up for a while before he can execute a takedown. A mixed martial artist might train in a particular style to enhance his or her skills in the phase of combat that that style targets. Typical styles, known for their effectiveness, that have been trained prior to the mixed martial arts career, and that are trained individually to enhance a particular phase of combat, are:
tand-up: Boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, and/or forms of full contact karate are trained to improve footwork, elbowing, kicking, kneeing and punching.

Clinch: Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, Sambo, and Judo are trained to improve clinching, takedowns and throws, while Muay Thai is trained to improve the striking aspect of the clinch.

Ground: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, shoot wrestling, catch wrestling, Judo, and Sambo are trained to improve submission holds, and defense against them. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, pankration, and styles of amateur wrestling are trained to improve positioning and maintain ground control.

wing chun history

2007-11-03T20:38:00.000-07:00

The history of Wing Chun, has historically been passed from teacher to student verbally rather than through documentation, making it difficult to confirm or clarify the differing accounts of Wing Chun's creation. Some people have attempted to discern the origins of Wing Chun by determining the specific purpose of its techniques. Wing Chun starts to appear in independent third-party documentation during the era of the Wing Chun master Leung Jan, making the subsequent history of Wing Chun and its divergence into branches more amenable to documentary verification. Now Wing Chun is a very advanced kind of martial arts.

Mixed martial arts overview

2007-10-30T06:48:00.000-07:00

Though rules have been adopted, there is no general sanctioning body for the sport, and the sets of rules vary according to the laws of individual organizations and localities. The techniques utilized in mixed martial arts competition generally fall into two categories: striking techniques and grappling techniques. Some unarmed hand to hand combat techniques are considered illegal in most or all modern competition, such as biting, eye-gouging and small joint manipulation. Over the last ten years, strikes to the groin have become illegal in all sanctioned organizations. The legality of other techniques such as elbows, headbutts and spinal locks vary according to competition or organization.

While competition in the sport is occasionally depicted as brutal by the media, there has never been a death or crippling injury in a sanctioned event in North America. The only verified fatality in competition is the 1998 death of Douglas Dedge in an unsanctioned fight in Ukraine. There are unconfirmed reports that Dedge had a pre-existing medical condition.

Wrestling

2007-10-15T21:29:00.000-07:00

Wrestling is the act of physical engagement between two unarmed persons, in which each wrestler strives to get an advantage over or control of their opponent.
Physical techniques which embody the style of wrestling are clinching, holding, locking, and leverage. Avoiding potentially lethal techniques, wrestling has aspects of ritual fighting, but its basic principles are closely related to those of military hand-to-hand combat or self-defence systems. Many styles of wrestling are known all over the world and have long histories, and sport wrestling (especially amateur wrestling) has been an Olympic sport for over 100 years. Wrestling is a Grappling kind of Martial Arts.

Sumo

2007-10-11T21:38:00.000-07:00

Sumo is a competitive contact sport where two wrestlers attempt to force one another out of a circular ring or to touch the ground with anything other than the soles of the feet. The sport originated in Japan and is still very popular there today, being the only country where the sport is practiced professionally. The Japanese consider sumo a modern Japanese martial art, even though the sport has a history spanning many centuries. The sumo tradition is very ancient, and even today the sport includes many ritual elements, such as the use of salt for purification, from the days sumo was used in the Shinto religion. Life as a rikishi is highly regimented, with rules laid down by the Sumo Association. Sumo wrestlers are required to live in communal "sumo stables" where all aspects of their daily lives - from meals to their manner of dress - are dictated by strict tradition.

Shoot boxing

2007-10-07T21:37:00.000-07:00

Shoot boxing is a combat sport which allows kicking, punching, throwing, and standing submission. It was developed from kickboxing by Caesar Takeshi.
The match form:
Professional shoot boxing matches fall into one of two classes, Expert class and Freshman class. The length of an Expert class match is three rounds of five minutes each, followed by extra rounds of three minutes each in the event of a tie. The interval between rounds is one minute. The length of a Freshman class match is three rounds of three minutes each, followed by more three minute rounds in the event of a tie. The interval between rounds is one minute too.

Kendo

2007-09-30T00:40:00.000-07:00

Kendo is the martial art of Japanese fencing. Kendo developed from traditional techniques of Japanese swordsmanship.
Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sporting-like physical elements.
Kendo is practised by kendoka, wearing traditionally styled clothing and protective armour (bogu), using a shinai or two as weapons. Kendo may be seen as a Japanese style of fencing. The movements in kendo are different from European fencing because the design of the sword is different, as is the way it is used. Kendo training is quite noisy in comparison to other martial arts or sports. This is because kendoka use a shout, or kiai, to express their spirit and when a strike or cut is performed, the front foot contacts the floor in a motion similar to stamping.
Around eight million people world-wide practice kendo with approximately seven million in Japan.
Kendo is one of the Japanese budo and embodies the essence of Japanese fighting arts.

Abir (martial art)

2007-09-23T21:16:00.000-07:00

Abir was the name of the fighting technique believed to have been used by ancient Israelite warriors. Today, Grandmaster Yehoshua Sofer teaches his family tradition of the Abir Warrior Arts in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem ( Israel ).

Abir's movements are based on elements of Judaic principles and symbolic elements. The Abir approach is made up of a combination of the following elements:
*Judaic symbols
*The Ancient Hebrew and Modern Hebrew alphabets.
*Techniques passed down by Jewish communities such as the Habbani Jews.
*Jewish dances from various exotic or ancient communities, which are believed to have been a part of an ancient Abir combat system.

Abir also employs 18 choreographed fighting dances that tie together movements associated with the 12 Tribes of Israel. There are 12 weaponless and 6 weapon forms based on these group of techniques.

Hapkido

2007-09-20T23:22:00.000-07:00

Hapkido is a dynamic and eclectic Korean martial art.
Hapkido aims to be an effective form of self-defense and employs joint locks, pressure points, throws, kicks, and other strikes. Hapkido practitioners train to counter the techniques of other martial arts as well as common "unskilled" attacks. There are also a range of cold weapons including short stick, cane, rope, sword and staff which vary in emphasis depending on the particular tradition examined.

Although hapkido contains both long and close range fighting techniques, the purpose of most engagements is to get near for a close strike, lock, or throw. Hapkido emphasizes circular motion, non-resisting movements, and control of the opponent. Practitioners seek to gain advantage through footwork and body positioning to employ leverage, avoiding the use of strength against strength. Hapkido is almost the same like Aikido.

Savate

2007-09-18T21:10:00.000-07:00

Savate that is also known as French boxing, French Kickboxing or French Footfighting - is a French martial art which uses both the hands and feet as weapons and combines elements of western boxing with graceful kicking techniques. Only foot kicks are allowed, unlike some systems, such as Muay Thai and Silat. Savate is perhaps the only style of kickboxing in which the fighters habitually wear shoes. A practitioner of savate is called a savateur (male) or savateuse (female).

Meaning of "judo"

2007-09-15T20:58:00.000-07:00

The word "judo" shares the same root ideogram as "jujutsu": "jū" ,which may mean "gentleness", "softness", "suppleness", and even "easy", depending on its context. Such attempts to translate jū are deceptive, however. The use of jū in each of these words is an explicit reference to the martial arts principle of the "soft method" .The soft method is characterized by the indirect application of force to defeat an opponent. More specifically, it is the principle of using one's opponent's strength against him and adapting well to changing circumstances. For example, if the attacker was to push against his opponent he would find his opponent stepping to the side and allowing his momentum to throw him forwards. Kano saw jujutsu as a disconnected bag of tricks, and sought to unify it according to a principle; he found it in the notion of "maximum efficiency". Jujutsu techniques which relied solely on superior strength were discarded or adapted in favour of those which involved redirecting the opponent's force, off balancing the opponent, or making use of superior leverage.

The second characters of judo and jujutsu differ. Where jujutsu means the "art" or "science" of softness, judo means the "way" of softness. The use of "dō" , meaning way, road or path (and is the same character as the Chinese word "tao"), has spiritual or philosophical overtones. Use of this word is a deliberate departure from ancient martial arts, whose sole purpose was for killing. Kano saw judo as a means for governing and improving oneself physically, mentally, emotionally and morally. He even extended the physical principle of maximum efficiency into daily life, evolving it into "mutual prosperity". In this respect judo is seen as a holistic approach to life extending well beyond the confines of the dojo.

The history of Martial Arts

2007-09-06T20:41:00.000-07:00

The history of martial arts around the world is complicated. Most groups of people have had to physically defend themselves at some time and have developed fighting techniques for that purpose. Development of many martial arts was related to military development, but many of those techniques have been rendered technologically obsolete over the centuries.

In the modern day, most populations would be more likely to face adversaries wielding firearms than melee weapons during battle. Furthermore, the preservation of a martial art requires many years of teaching at the hands of a good instructor to pass on the art for a single generation. Given these circumstances, many martial arts from previous eras have not been passed down to following generations.

Martial arts Scope

2007-09-04T20:39:00.000-07:00

Martial arts vary widely, and may focus on strikes, grappling, or weapons training.
Many Martial arts, especially those from Asia, also teach side disciplines which pertain to medicinal practices. This is particularly prevalent in traditional Chinese martial arts which may teach bone-setting, qigong, acupuncture, and other aspects of traditional Chinese medicine.
Throughout Europe there was an extensive system of combat martial arts, commonly referred to as Historical European martial arts, that existed until modern times and is now being reconstructed by numerous organizations.

Native Americans have a tradition of open-handed martial arts that includes wrestling. Hawaiians have historically practiced arts featuring small and large joint manipulation. Savate is a French kicking style developed by sailors and street fighters. Many martial arts also strive to teach moral values and provide guidance for children who join the ranks of those learning the art. Many arts require those who achieve black belt or the equivalent to take an oath restricting the use of their knowledge. Martial artists may also receive specific instruction in mental and emotional discipline.

Chinese martial arts

2007-09-03T20:25:00.000-07:00

Chinese martial arts describes the enormous variety of martial arts styles originating in China. Kung fu and wushu are popular terms that have become synonymous with Chinese martial arts.
However, the Chinese terms kung fu and wushu have very distinct connotations. Each term can describe a different martial arts traditions and can also be used in a context without referencing martial arts. Colloquially, kung fu (or gong fu) alludes to any individual accomplishment or cultivated skill. In contrast, wushu is a more precise term that refers to general martial activities.
The term wushu has also become the name for a modern sport similar to gymnastics involving the performance of adapted Chinese bare-handed and weapons forms judged to a set of contemporary aesthetic criteria for points.

The Chinese martial arts are very advanced.

3 parts in Sambo

2007-08-29T20:49:00.000-07:00

Today there are 3 parts in sambo:

*the sportive part (Olympic sport)
*the self-defense part
*and the special or combat part.

The sportive part is similar to Judo but with some differences in allowed techniques. SAMBO allows leg locks were Judo does not, but Judo allows choking but SAMBO does not. There are somewhat more techniques in SAMBO than in Judo.

The self-defense part of SAMBO is similar in form to Aikijujutsu because it is intended to be entirely defensive.
There are many specific techniques for defending specific attacks, including escaping from grips and chokes, defenses against punches and kicks, defenses against weapons (knife, stick etc.), and floor-fighting. The self-defense part of SAMBO is based on body movements and locks with a few punches and kicks. The object is to allow defense but not to injure the opponent more than necessary because this part was created for citizens. In the former Soviet Union the law was that if you injure your opponent more than needed in a self-defense situation you could receive a 5 year prison term. Some of the self-defense techniques are based on sportive SAMBO.

The third part - combat SAMBO - was created for the army and police. It is a very severe, and dangerous system. If the idea of sportive SAMBO is "Take points and win," and the idea of the self-defense part is "Don't allow to attacker injure you," the idea of combat SAMBO is "Survive, and if someone hinders you - injure or kill him." Combat SAMBO includes sportive and self-defense techniques, but uses them in different ways. For example, sportive SAMBO uses the traditional shoulder throw of Judo and Jujutsu. In combative SAMBO the throw is done with the opponents arm rotated up and locked at the elbow, and can be done to throw the opponent on his head. If the opponent attempts to counter by lowering his center of gravity and pulling backwards (as is taught in sportive SAMBO) the arm will be broken. Combative SAMBO teaches shoulder throw counters that might be able to deal with a locked arm like kicking out the opponents knee and pulling back by the hair or eye sockets.

Kosen judo

2007-08-25T20:34:00.000-07:00

Kosen judo is the name given to the Kodokan Judo practiced at competitions by the Koutou Senmon Gakko.It is also called "newaza Judo."

History
The roots of Kosen Judo lie in Kodokan Judo. Kosen Judo has the same throws as Judo but it emphasizes newaza (ground techniques) such as controls, joint locks and strangles more than Kodokan judo, having greater latitude permitted for ground techniques.
The competitions and style of Judo is still practiced today. The small students of the Kosen Universities were commonly pitted against larger opponents, as weight classes in Judo did not exist at that time. So, it was much easier for larger Judo players to throw smaller ones.

In essence, the training that the Kosen teams utilized was groundfighting, as a way to gain points by stalling, submitting or wearing the opponent out for a pin by using the entire body on the ground.Matches were a great deal different from the single competition, and were fought in teams. Seeing that the Kosen Taikai was an inter-school contest based on teams, there was the possibility to draw, which was decided by lottery.
Newaza training was useful because it is easier to get draws in newaza, and faster to get a beginner trained for team competition.

Thus, techniques like Hikikomi (laying on the back) and Sankaku Jime (traingle choke with the legs) were popular and well researched. In the case of a team draw, a lottery was used to decide the winner. So, the use of technqiues on the ground became imperative for Kosen players.

Mixed martial arts

2007-08-22T08:18:00.000-07:00

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a combat sport in which a wide variety of fighting techniques are used, including striking and grappling.
Modern MMA tournaments as a popular phenomenon emerged in 1993 with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, based on the concept of pitting different fighting styles against each other in competition with minimal rules, in an attempt to determine which system would be more effective in a real, unregulated combat situation.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, mixed martial arts competitions implemented additional rules for the safety of the athletes and to promote acceptance of the sport, while maintaining as much of the original no-holds-barred concept as possible. Since these changes, the sport has grown rapidly, to the point of setting pay-per-view records.

The history of the modern MMA tournament can be traced to the Gracie family's vale tudo martial arts tournaments in Brazil starting in the 1920s, and early mixed martial arts matches hosted by Antonio Inoki in Japan in the 1970s. The fighting concept of combining various combat disciplines gained popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s with the emergence of Bruce Lee and his theories of mixing various martial art styles. The sport gained international exposure and widespread publicity in the United States in 1993, when Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter Royce Gracie dominated the Ultimate Fighting Championship, sparking a revolution in the martial arts, while in Japan the continued interest in the sport resulted in 1997's creation of the PRIDE Fighting Championships.

Mixed martial arts is a very big "territory".

San shou

2007-08-13T01:33:00.000-07:00

San Shou is another name for Sanda. This kind of martial art is a modern Chinese hand to hand combat, self-defense system, and combat sport. Not seen as an independent style, it is rather considered just one of the components of Chinese martial arts and is normally taught alongside other wushu. The term Sanda has a longer history and is more commonly used. Sanshou was the official name given to the martial art when it was formalized and standardized by the Chinese government. Later the official name reverted back to Sanda.

It is composed of some aspects of traditional martial arts fighting styles in China, but mainly based on scientific one-on-one combat efficiency. Sanshou is composed of Chinese martial arts applications including most aspects of combat including striking and grappling. Sanda tournaments are one of the two sport wushu disciplines recognized by the International Wushu Federation.

Self-defense theory

2007-08-05T09:53:00.000-07:00

The early theories make no distinction between defense of the person and
defense of property. Whether consciously or not, this builds on the Roman Law
principle of dominium where any attack on the members of the family or the property it
owned was a personal attack on the pater familias — the male head of the household, sole
owner of all property belonging to the household, and endowed by law with dominion over
all his descendants through the male line no matter their age.

In Leviathan (1651), Hobbes proposed the foundation political theory that distinguishes between a state of nature where there is no authority and a modern state. Hobbes argues that although some men may be stronger or more intelligent than others in their natural state, none are so strong as to be beyond a fear of violent death which justifies self-defense as man's highest necessity. In the Two Treatises of Government, John Locke asserts the reason why an owner would give up his or her autonomy:
...the enjoyment of the property he has in this state is very unsafe, very unsecure. This makes him willing to quit a condition, which, however free, is full of fears and continual dangers: and it is not without reason, that he seeks out, and is willing to join in society with others, who are already united, or have a mind to unite, for the mutual preservation of their lives, liberties and estates, which I call by the general name, property.

In earlier times before the development of national policing, an attack on the family home was effectively either an assault on the people inside or an indirect assault on their welfare by depriving them of shelter and/or the means of production. This linkage between a personal attack and property weakened as societies developed but the threat of
violence remains a key factor. As an aspect of sovereignty, in his 1918 speech Politik
als Beruf (Politics as a Vocation), Max Weber defined a state as an authority having the legitimate monopoly of the means of organised violence within defined territorial boundaries (see Weber's Thesis). Recognizing that the modern framework of nations has emerged
from the use of force, Weber asserted that the exercise of power through the institutions of government remained indispensable for effective government at any level which necessarily implies that self-help is limited if not excluded.

For modern theorists, the question of self-defense is one of moral authority within the
nation to set the limits to obedience to the state and its laws given the pervasive dangers in a world full of weapons. In modern societies, states are increasingly delegating or privatizing their coercive powers to corporate providers of security services either to supplement or replace components within the power hierarchy.

Aikido

2007-07-26T05:47:00.000-07:00

What is Aikido? I've been looking for such art practitioners that could use to defend oneselves without injuring the attacker. So, I’ve found that Aikido tha most suteble for my way. First of all Aikido is translated as "the way of harmonious spirit", this is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. The goal of Aikido is joining with an attack and redirecting the attacker's energy, as opposed to meeting force with force, and consists primarily of body throws and joint-locking techniques. Aikido brings physical fitness and technique, mental training, controlled relaxation, and development of "spirit". Look how it is beautiful!

Youtube

Aikido Training Exercises

2007-07-21T20:18:00.000-07:00

In Aikido there are a lot of exercises that everybody can do:

Stretching - Leg Stretchingand Miscellaneous Stretching. Those training exercises are the Basic Traditional Aikido stretching exercises.
Wrist Exercises - There are 9 and more exercises for the Wrist.
Ukemi - Tumbling / falling, imperative in learning Aikido.
Postures and Stances - Traditional Aikido stances, postures, and hand positioning. The technical term is called shizentai gamae.
Rowing Exercise - Arm, hand, and body movement coordination.

Self-defense

2007-07-16T20:43:00.000-07:00

Self-defense refers to actions taken by a person to prevent another person from causing harm to one's self, one's property or one's home.

Forms of self-defense
Verbal
Not all threatening situations require the use of force. Many systems of self-defence include excercises in verbally de-escalating conflicts.
Unarmed
Many styles of martial arts are practised for self-defense. Some styles train almost exclusively for self-defence, while others are practised for other reasons and not intended for self-defence at all.
Self-defence courses are intended to give the layperson some instruction in self-defence in a short period of time.

Armed
In some countries, it is legal to carry weapons (for example firearms or pepper spray) on one's person for purposes of self-defense. In other countries this may be illegal or may require a license.
Everyday objects can also be used for self-defense.

For women
Some self-defence courses are intended for women only and focus on self-defence situations specific to women, for example, attempted rape.

Self-defense is one of the most require martial art.

Jiu-Jitsu

2007-07-15T20:59:00.000-07:00

Jujutsu( meaning "gentle/yielding/compliant art" ), is a Japanese martial art whose central ethos is to yield to the force provided by an opponent's attack in order to apply counter techniques. There are many variations of the art which leads to a diversity of approaches. Jujutsu schools may utilize all techniques to some degree (i.e. throwing, trapping, holding down, grappling, gouging, biting, disengagements, striking, and kicking).

Generally jujutsu schools make limited use of strikes since they were predominantly developed in feudal Japan under the auspices of the samurai warrior class. The techniques evolved to become effective against armed opponents body armour to protect vital parts of the face, throat, and body. In addition to jujutsu, many schools taught the use of weapons.

Sanda as a sport

2007-07-12T23:47:00.000-07:00

As a sport, Sanda is practiced in tournaments and is normally held alongside taolu
events in wushu competition. For safety reasons, some techniques from the
self-defense form of Sanshou such as elbow strikes, chokes, and joint locks, are not
allowed during Sanda tournaments.

Furthermore, it is possible to defeat the opponent by moving
(whether by throwing, striking, or otherwise pushing) him outside the ring.
Fighters are only allowed to clinch for a few seconds.
If the clinch is not broken by the fighters, and if neither succeeds in throwing his opponent within the time limit, the referee will break the clinch.

Most Sanshou competitions held in the US are on raised Leitai platforms with the fighters wearing protective gear, where punches, kicks and throws are allowed.
This can sometimes be called "Amateur Sanshou". A competition held in China,
called the "King of Sanda", is held in a ring similar to a boxing ring in design
but larger in dimension. They wear no protective gear except for gloves and are allowed to use knee strikes as well as kicking, punching and throwing.

Some Sanshou fighters have participated in fighting tournaments such as Shoot boxing. They usually have not participated in the "King of Sanda" tournaments but have had some
degree of success, especially in Shoot boxing competitions, which is more similar to Sanshou.
Due to the rules of kickboxing competition, Sanshou fighters are subjected to more
limitations than usual.
Sanshou has been featured in many style-versus-style competitions. Muay Thai is frequently pitted against Sanshou as is Karate, Kickboxing and Taekwondo. These matches tend to advertise Sanshou, designed for it to gain popularity.

Versions of Sambo

2007-07-11T20:51:00.000-07:00

Although it was originally a single system, there are now versions of Sambo:

Sport Sambo is stylistically similar to amateur wrestling or Judo. The competition is similar to Judo, but with some differences in rules, protocol, and uniform. For example, in contrast with Judo, Sambo allows all types of leg locks, while not allowing chokeholds.

Self-defense Sambo, which is similar to Aikijutsu , jujitsu or Aikido, and is based on self-defense application, such as defending against attacks by both armed and unarmed attackers.

Combat Sambo Utilized and developed for the military, this is arguably the root of Sambo as it is now known, and includes practice with weapons and disarming techniques. Competition in combat sambo resembles older forms of judo and modern mixed martial arts, including extensive forms of striking and grappling.

Special Sambo- developed for Army Special Forces and Rapid Reaction Police (Militsija) teams and other law enforcement formations. The "Special Sambo" version differ from team to team due to different tasks and aims, however the base of any special system developed in that field is of course Sambo.

Martial sport

2007-07-10T20:38:00.000-07:00

Judo and Tae Kwon Do as well as boxing, javelin, wrestling and fencing are currently events in the Summer Olympic Games. Chinese wushu recently failed in its bid to be included, but is still actively performed in tournaments across the world.
Practitioners in some arts such as kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu often train for sport matches, whereas those in other arts such as Aikido and Wing Chun generally spurn such competitions.
Some schools believe that competition breeds better and more efficient practitioners, and gives a sense of good sportsmanship. Others believe that the rules under which competition takes place have diminished the combat effectiveness of martial arts or encourage a kind of practice which focuses on winning trophies rather than the more traditional focus such as cultivating a particular moral character.

As part of the response to sport martial arts, new forms of competition are being held such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship in the U.S. or Pancrase, and the PRIDE in Japan which are also known as MMA (or mixed martial arts) events.
The original UFC was fought under very few rules allowing all martial arts styles to enter and not be limited by the rule set.
Some martial artists also compete in non-sparring competitions such as breaking or choreographed techniques poomse, kata or aka. Modern variations of the martial arts include dance-influenced competitions such as tricking.

Martial sport including all the useful kind of martial art.

wing chun

2007-07-09T20:21:00.000-07:00

Wing Chun, occasionally romanized as Ving Tsun or "Wing Tsun" (literally "spring chant" and alternatively as "forever spring", or substituted with the character for "eternal springtime")
is a Chinese martial art that emphasizes short-range combat.

The Curriculum:
Forms and San Sik

Forms are meditative, solitary exercises which develop self-awareness, balance, relaxation and sensitivity. Forms also train the practitioner in the fundamental movement and the correct force generation of Wing Chun.

San Sik (translated as Separate Forms) are compact in structure. They can be loosely grouped into three broad categories:

Focus on building body structure through basic punching, standing, turning, and stepping drills;

Fundamental arm cycles and changes, firmly ingraining the cardinal tools for interception and adaptation;

And sensitivity training and combination techniques.
It is from the forms and san sik that all Wing Chun techniques are derived. Depending on lineage, the focus, content and intent of each form can have distinct differences which can therefore have far reaching implications.
This also means that there are a few different ideas concerning what constitutes progression in the curriculum from form to form, so only a general description of overlap between different schools of thought is possible here.
The most commonly seen Wing Chun generally comprises six forms: three empty hand forms, two weapons forms and one "wooden dummy" form.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

2007-07-04T20:33:00.000-07:00

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art and combat sport that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting with the goal of gaining a dominant position and using joint-locks and chokeholds to force an opponent to submit.

The system developed from a modified version of pre-World War II Judo including some techniques from Japanese Jujutsu and with a focus on ne-waza (ground technique).
It promotes the principle that a smaller, weaker person using leverage and proper technique can successfully defend themselves against a bigger, stronger assailant.

BJJ can be trained for self defense, sport grappling tournaments (gi and no-gi) and mixed martial arts competition. Sparring (commonly referred to as 'rolling') and live drilling play a major role in training, and a premium is placed on performance, especially in competition.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the one of the most useful kind of self defense.

Amateur boxing

2007-07-01T07:14:00.000-07:00

Amateur boxing may be found at the collegiate level, at the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games, and in many other venues sanctioned by amateur boxing associations.
Amateur boxing has a point scoring system that measures the number of clean blows landed rather than physical
damage.
Bouts consist of four rounds of two minutes in the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, and three rounds of two minutes in a national ABA (Amateur Boxing Association) bout, each with a one-minute interval between rounds.

Competitors wear protective headgear and gloves with a white strip across the knuckle. A punch is considered a scoring punch only when the boxers connect with the white portion of the gloves.

Each punch that lands on the head or torso is awarded a point. A referee monitors the fight to ensure that competitors use only legal blows (a belt worn over the torso represents the lower limit of punches - any boxer repeatedly landing below the belt is disqualified).

Referees also ensure that the boxers don't use holding tactics to prevent the opponent from swinging (if this occurs, the referee separates the opponents and orders them to continue boxing. Repeated holding can result in a boxer being penalized, or ultimately, disqualified).

That is it!

Aikido

2007-06-27T20:42:00.000-07:00

Aikido, translated as "the way of harmonious spirit", is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Ueshiba's goal was to create an art practitioners could use to defend themselves without injuring their attacker.

Aikido emphasizes joining with an attack and redirecting the attacker's energy, as opposed to meeting force with force, and consists primarily of body throws and joint-locking techniques. In addition to physical fitness and technique, mental training, controlled relaxation, and development of "spirit" (ki) are emphasized in aikido training.

Aikido is a very ancient and beautiful kind of martial art.

Kickboxing

2007-06-24T20:19:00.000-07:00

Although the true roots of kickboxing date back to Asia 2,000 years ago, modern competitive kickboxing actually started in the 1970s,when American karate experts arranged competitions that
allowed full-contact kicks and punches that had been banned in karate.

Because of health and safety concerns, padding and protective clothing and safety rules were introduced into the sport over the years, which led to
the various forms of competitive kickboxing practiced in the United States today. The forms differ in the techniques used and the amount of physical contact that is allowed between the competitors.
Kikboxing is also must modern kind of sport.

Spyderco Knives and Martial Arts

2007-06-13T23:45:00.001-07:00

Depending on the martial art that you practice, you may either need a quality knife to use or require training knives to practice taking them away. When it comes to quality knives, few disagree that Spyderco tops the list. I wanted to link you to that Spyderco wiki entry at Livingwithstyle.com because it provides incredible information about the various knives that are available on the market. That way you can determine which knife is best for your martial arts needs. Good luck, and be safe with your practice.

What is Judo?

2007-06-12T11:11:00.000-07:00

What is Judo?
Judo is many things for different people. It is a fun sport, an art, a discipline, a recreational or social activity, a fitness program, a means of self-defense or combat, and a way of life. It is all of these and more.

Kodokan Judo comes to us from the fighting system of feudal Japan. Founded in 1882 by Dr. Jigoro Kano, Judo is a refinement of the ancient martial art of Jujutsu. Dr. Kano, President of the University of Education, Tokyo, studied these ancient forms and integrated what he considered to be the best of their techniques into what is now the modern sport of Judo.

Judo was introduced into the Olympic Games in 1964 and is practiced by millions of people throughout the world today. People practice Judo to excel in competition, to stay in shape, to develop self-confidence, and for many other reasons. But most of all, people do Judo just for the fun of it.

Sambo - the history

2007-06-06T20:16:00.000-07:00

SAMBO was created in the 1930's. Official recognition of new art was in 1938. At first it was named "free-style wrestling", then "free wrestling," and in 1946 was renamed "SAMBO".

This system is compilation of techniques from a number of martial arts including Japanese and Chinese martial arts; national martial arts of USSR area natives (Georgians, Armenians, Mongols, Russians etc.); French wrestling and other arts. At the time of the 2nd world war the system was widely "tested" by the Soviet army.

"Special" techniques were added at the time, for example fighting in cells, quick-and-quiet sentry killing, and so on. Because of the number of criminals in the Soviet army at that time (during WWII each prisoner was "invited" to the front with each year at the front worth two or so years of their sentence) SAMBO experts acquired many lessons on criminal street fighting, and a number of these techniques were included in SAMBO. SAMBO continues to accept new techniques and modify old ones.

knife

2007-05-31T11:55:00.000-07:00

The knife, a unique weapon of infighting.
There are plenty of tactical tasks impossible or hard to realize without a combat knife. The fact that we do not have any Russian methodical research in this field reduces the tactical arsenal of sub-units specialists, or makes them dependent on foreign research, which is not appropriate.
Here are some tactical tasks which are best realized with the use of the combat knife:
-a bout in an explosive room;
-a secret diversion sally;
-infighting in a very close room;
-finishing off a wounded enemy;
-stopping someone who is making any criminal attempts;
-home defence;
-the painful control while escorting;
-paramedical help.
It is surprising that even considering all these tasks, the combat knife is still an exotic kind of weapon in Russia and is rarely included in training.
The modern Russian experts classify knives as criminal, multi-purpose, and fighting. This classification can explain the scornful attitude towards this ancient weapon among modern Russian specialists in the special martial combat. Until recent time knife as a weapon was mainly associated with criminal conflicts. However, classification of weapons should not have social, political, or criminal character. For a specialist the abstract technical side should be the most important. Objective weapon examination should not operate with unstable and subjective categories. The most appropriate, in our opinion, is dividing the knifes into fighting, developed especially for stabbing, and multi-purpose.
Like in the other kinds of fighting, a knife bout should be conducted within one sound impulse without involving any "tactical thinking". A real bout does not give time for considering and making decisions, so a skilled fighter should lean on previously trained reflects. Therefore, the "tactical literacy" includes the depth of skills training, and the ability to make spontaneous decisions based on intuition, tactical and technical system of skills and the possibility of their realization. Working on typical connections is important first of all to realise intuitively the regularity and inside relations of basic technical actions, and not to learn mechanically the technical cliches.

sport vs combat

2007-05-22T07:11:00.000-07:00

Sport, by removing some of the potential dangers, achieves the opposite. That is, sport more typically produces natural, fast, reflexive movement with full power application, achieving a result against a struggling opponent who is also utilizing full power while engaging in strategic and tactical resistance using all of his or her resources and training. Techniques that don't work are soon abandoned, and successful skills are honed against different attackers under a variety of conditions.
Maintaining control in various combat situations, both in attack and defense, is difficult when faced with the unpredictable nature of an opponent's efforts, but facing these situations in contest prepares you for similar situations. Each opponent in competition is operating at the limit of physical and psychological skill. By pushing that limit contestants are continually realizing and expanding their potential.

Martial Arts in Olympic competition

2007-05-18T07:53:00.000-07:00

Many people think of Judo and Taekwondo as sports because they are included along with other major sports in Olympic competition. Boxing, wrestling, Judo, taekwondo, and kickboxing are examples of martial sports.

I often hear martial artists who use the term "sport" as if referring to a game with no usefulness. The implication is that a sport is only for "play" and cannot be effective for self defense, fighting or combat. Many martial artists think that the distinction between sport and martial art is that martial artists train for real life.

Sambo Tactics

2007-05-12T12:38:00.000-07:00

SAMBO, the English translation of the Russian acronym meaning "self-protection without weapons" (SAMozashchitya Bez Oruzhiya). SAMBO is a curriculum of martial tricks, covertly taught in the former Soviet Union to the Soviet special forces (‘Spetsnaz’), since the Communist Revolution in October of 1917. Sambo has been the object of a voluminous amount of clandestine research, experimentation, and propaganda. For this very reason, Sambo was the Soviet attempt to suppress the patriotic and liberating tendencies of indigenous Slavic martial traditions, entitled "Russian Martial Arts". Sambo was the Soviet hope to unify the State under one combat and one sport. A composite of 25 variant Russian style hand-to-hand combat systems, Sambo added complementary research from various European, North African and Middle Eastern influences. Weighing also upon the formulation of Sambo were some Asian influences from Jujitsu, Aikido and Karate. Melding these combat systems with the 25 national folk styles of wrestling, Sambo came into being.
Sambo inherits his properties from old judo and jiu jitsu and impruvs its.Together vith BJJ sambo is most modern kind of wrestling.

Judo Tactics

2007-05-05T13:37:00.000-07:00

Tactics are neither good nor bad in Judo if they are according to the principles of fair play. A person's tactics are based on their life and Judo experience.

For example, age is a strong factor for changing tactics >> conservation and regulation of energy becomes a priority as years go by. This flexible and changing approach is very much in line with the principles of Judo.

A person that practices this great art, if the mind is open, could reach that state. Find peace and joy while doing Judo.

Bruce Lee's art

2007-04-30T12:10:00.000-07:00

Many claims have been made over the years with regards to the proper definition of Bruce Lee's art of Jeet Kune Do. To some it is a process of "Change"; others see it as just a form of "modified" Wing Chun. Many recognize Jeet Kune Do to be simply a mixture of many different elements from numerous fighting styles, all combined to hopefully, at a later stage, form something meaningful to the individual concerned.However ...There is but ONE definition of Jeet Kune Do (As stated by the Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Nucleus) ... "Jeet Kune Do is the complete body of technical (physical, scientific) and philosophical (mental, social and spiritual) knowledge that was studied and taught by Bruce Lee during his lifetime. It is concerned solely and exclusively with Bruce Lee's personal evolution and process of self-discovery through the Martial Art, as supported by written record (personal papers and library) and oral recollections (by those students who spent time with and/or studied under him)."

Kodokan Judo

2007-04-26T20:21:00.000-07:00

Judo was developed by Professor Jigoro Kano from a martial art called Jujutsu.

Professor Kano opened the Kodokan Dojo in Tokyo, Japan in the year 1882 and started to train students in Nippon-Den-Kodokan-Judo. Judo, which means the "gentle way", is not only concerned with attack and defense techniques but the physical conditioning and total health that could be attained from its practice.

The Kodokan Judo is the most popular kind of wrestling in the world.

sambo

2007-04-20T07:45:00.001-07:00

Some words about sambo
Description:
Now, SAMBO is built from 3 parts:
the sportive part (Olympic sport)
the self-defense part
and the special or combat part.
The sportive part is similar to Judo but with some differences in allowed techniques. SAMBO allows leg locks were Judo does not, but Judo allows choking but SAMBO does not. There are somewhat more techniques in SAMBO than in Judo.
The self-defense part of SAMBO is similar in form to Aikijujutsu because it is intended to be entirely defensive. The founder of SAMBO said this about the self-defense part:
"We give defensive weapons to citizens. Some people say that this kind of martial art may be learned by criminals or hooligans and used against citizens. Don't worry! This art does not include even one attacking technique! If a hooligan will learn, he will be able to apply it only against another hooligan who will attack him, but never against a citizen."
There are many specific techniques for defending specific attacks, including escaping from grips and chokes, defenses against punches and kicks, defenses against weapons (knife, stick etc.), and floor-fighting. The self-defense part of SAMBO is based on body movements and locks with a few punches and kicks. The object is to allow defense but not to injure the opponent more than necessary because this part was created for citizens. In the former Soviet Union the law was that if you injure your opponent more than needed in a self-defense situation you could receive a 5 year prison term. Some of the self-defense techniques are based on sportive SAMBO.

Russian Sambo

2007-04-16T12:01:00.000-07:00

Russian Sambo is a composite style of jacket wrestling originally developed in Russia to serve as a common form of sport wrestling.
It was also used as a form of hand-to-hand combat preparation and training by Soviet military.

Russian Sambo today is practiced in two flavors: Sport Russian Sambo and Combat Russian Sambo, a method of self-defense training.
The combat style of Russian Sambo seems to fall more into the old school self defense category.
They suggest students looking for street fighting skills look at Vale-Tudo style training if they are interested in reality self defense.
Sport Sambo however is a very effective method of fighting with the kimono.
It techniques are very effective and can be used by sport Jiu-jitsu players and Judo players alike. Russian Sambo leglocks widely considered the most effective leglocks in the world and almost every style of grappling now incorporates Sambo into their art one way or another.

Sanda - San Shou

2007-04-11T07:41:00.000-07:00

San Shou (Sanda) is the official full contact fighting sport of modern Wushu which is rapidly growing in popularity both in the US and abroad.

As an integral part of most Wushu competitions, San Shou has been an important event at the World Wushu Championships since its inception in 1991. Presently San Shou competitions are held in over 75 countries world wide. Recently San Shou has also become a professional sport in America.

The word "San Shou" also spelled "Sanda" translates as "unbound hand" and refers to free fighting where the rules are designed to most accurately simulate actual combat. San Shou matches are fought on a raised platform called the "Lei Tai".

Historically, the Lei Tai dates back centuries in China where challenge matches were fought both bare handed and with weapons with no rules- often resulting in death or serious injury. At the National Chinese tournament in Nanking in 1928, the fights on the Lei Tai were so brutal that 12 contestants were not permitted to fight for fear of killing off some of the great masters of the time. So changes were needed!

Muay Thai

2007-04-05T10:05:00.000-07:00

Muay Thai ("Thai Boxing") is the Thai name for a form of hard martial art practiced in several Southeast Asian countries including Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and as a similar style in Myanmar and in Laos.

The different styles of fighting in mainland Southeast Asia are analogous to the different types of Kung Fu in China or Silat in the South East Asian islands or the Malay World. It is the national sport of Thailand, and is also known as Thai Boxing or The Art of the Eight Limbs.

Sambo

2007-04-04T06:36:00.000-07:00

Sambo is a modern martial art, combat sport and self-defense system developed in the former Soviet Union, and recognized as an official sport by the USSR All-Union Sports Committee in 1938.
According to the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles (FILA), Sambo is one of the four main forms of amateur competitive wrestling practiced internationally today, the other three being Greco-Roman wrestling, Freestyle wrestling and Judo.

In 1980, Sambo was a demonstration sport at the Olympic Games in Moscow, Russia. However, due to boycotts, it failed to bring sufficient numbers for continued inclusion as a participatory game.
There is no single recognized founder of Sambo.

There 2 versions of history of Sambo!

Boxing

2007-04-03T13:41:00.000-07:00

Boxing, also called pugilism (from the Latin language), prizefighting (when referring to professional boxing) or the sweet science is a sport and martial art in which two participants of similar weight fight each other with their fists in a series of one to three-minute intervals called "rounds".
A bit about Boxing!
In both Olympic and professional divisions, the combatants (called boxers/ fighters) avoid their opponent's punches while trying to land punches of their own.
Points are awarded for clean, solid blows to the legal area on the front of the opponent's body above the waistline, with hits to the head and torso being especially valuable.
The fighter with the most points after the scheduled number of rounds is declared the winner. Victory may also be achieved if the opponent is knocked down and unable to get up before the referee counts to ten (a Knockout) or if the opponent is deemed too injured to continue (a Technical Knockout).

Boxing is the most well known sport in the world.

Kick Boxing

2007-04-02T06:27:00.000-07:00

What is it Kick Boxing?
Kick Boxing is a fusion of martial art and boxing in which competitors wear boxing gloves and throw punches as in boxing and kick with their bare feet as in karate. It combines the elements of kicking, punching and boxing. Players use elbows, knees, head blows, kicks and punches while playing. Kick Boxing has different styles and derivatives. Its famous types are cardio kick boxing, Muay thai kick boxing, Savate, San Shou, Bando and Full Contact Karate.

The Judo style

2007-04-01T07:32:00.000-07:00

What is it Judo?
Judo is many things to different people. It is a fun sport, an art, a discipline, a recreational or social activity, a fitness program, a means of self-defense or combat, and a way of life. It is all of these and more.
Kodokan Judo comes to us from the fighting system of feudal Japan. Founded in 1882 by Dr. Jigoro Kano, Judo is a refinement of the ancient martial art of Jujutsu. Dr. Kano, President of the University of Education, Tokyo, studied these ancient forms and integrated what he considered to be the best of their techniques into what is now the modern sport of Judo.

Judo was introduced into the Olympic Games in 1964 and is practiced by millions of people throughout the world today. People practice Judo to excel in competition, to stay in shape, to develop self-confidence, and for many other reasons. But most of all, people do Judo just for the fun of it.

sistem of kadochnikov

2007-03-27T06:43:00.000-07:00

Systema is a Russian martial art developed by Aleksey Alekseyevich Kadochnikov.

In development since 1962, this is a system said to be based on the application of the physical sciences, such as laws of mechanics/biomechanics/physics/psychology, etc. to hand to hand combat and survival. Unlike other systems that teach techniques, Kadochnikov System applies principles or applications of physical laws to combat. Kadochnikov's belief is that this method will make the learning process faster, and thus create more effective hand to hand methods.

Kadochnikov's system is based upon the study of ancient Russian styles, Spiridinovian style (an original form of Sambo), various WW II Soviet hand to hand combat methods, as well as various contributions since 1962 by other Soviet and Russian sources.

Sanda

2007-03-21T06:56:00.000-07:00

Sanda is a new modern Wushu variety which is based on the tradition of martial arts. Attack is the essence of Wushu. In ancient times, there were combative contests. In view of the development of Wushu both at home and abroad, the Chinese Wushu Association made extensive investigations and practices before making Sanda an official competition event.

2007-03-08T08:10:00.001-08:00

Krav Maga (Hebrew קרב מגע: "contact combat") is a self-defense and military hand-to-hand combat system developed in Israel.
We encourage the practitioner to adapt techniques for himself or herself and their special abilities. It is a complete system anyone can utilize, regardless of size, strength, or fitness. Krav Maga was developed for use in the street, therefore there are no rules.
Krav Maga - It is not a sport, and there are no competitions. All the techniques focus on maximum efficiency in real-life conditions. Krav Maga generally assumes a no quarter situation; the attacks and defenses are intended to inflict the most pain possible on the opponent in the least amount of time. Groin strikes, headbutts, and other efficient and potentially brutal attacks are emphasized.
Although Krav Maga shares many techniques with other martial arts, such as Boxing, Savate and Muay Thai (for the punches, kicks, elbows, and knees) or Ju-Jitsu, Judo and Wrestling (for the grappling and disarming techniques), the training is often quite different. It stresses fighting under worst-case conditions or from disadvantaged positions (for example, against several opponents, when protecting someone else, with one arm unusable, when dizzy, or against armed opponents).

style of jaguar

2007-03-06T11:23:00.000-08:00

I made my way in martial arts from 1978 and now I want to introduce my own style of mixfighting which called “style of jaguar”. It includes 3 parts –punching and kicking from kickboxing, grapping from judo and brasilian jiu - jitsu.
I to keep my style “open source” as a series of principles and training methods similar to JKD. In this page I also give a small review of modern systems of martial arts.

Martial Arts Online

2007-03-03T02:01:00.000-08:00

"Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat." (Wikipedia)