Various types of martial arts exist, with each of them having a unique purpose in combat.
These martial arts are also broken down into various sections, like striking, grappling, and takedown styles, giving people the chance to learn a number of different disciplines along the way.
I’m going to start looking at some which these days are arguably more in the sport arena than martial art.
Boxing Boxing is one of the most well-known martial arts in the world because of its popularity as a sport.
Kickboxing Full Contact Kick boxing developed from Thai-Boxing and other Martial Arts influences, the first bouts being seen in the early 1970’s.
Wrestling Wrestling is often recognized as the first martial art, as its origins go back as far as human beings have existed, as cave paintings depicting the sports are as much as 15,000 years old.
Separate martial arts like Judo and Sambo are based on wrestling, as they involve throws and takedowns as well.
Catch wrestling is a subsection of the sport that involves submission holds and was popular in the early days of mixed martial arts.
Sambo A Russian Martial Art, that has split into 3 different areas, it has a pure sport side, that whilst it has been demonstrated at the Olympic Games, has not been recognised by them.
Kickboxing Sport, Pretty much everywhere – Full Contact Kick boxing developed from Thai-Boxing and other Martial Arts influences, the first bouts being seen in the early 1970’s.
Karate Karate is an ancient martial art that involves utilizing open hand strikes, punches, elbows, kicks, and knees to gain an advantage over an opponent.
Ju-Jitsu It’s my favourite as you might expect, its a Japanese Martial Art, around for a long long time, hard to trace exact origins, but can be traced back to Samurai and long before.
Striking is not something that Ju-Jitsu covers as much as some other arts, due in part to the history, this was a battlefield art, to be used when the weapons had been lost, however seeing as your opponent would usually be wearing armour,hitting them was not the best option, but throws, locks chokes, strangles all play a part.
In general terms, quite a modern art founded by O-Sensei Morihei Oeshiba,this is an art derived essentially from Ju-Jitsu, focussing more on dis-engagement safely though, utilises the circular motions heavily, very good at using an attackers force against them.
A good flowing art, hard on the joints, especially wrists and knees, very traditional.
A lot of ceremony, I’ve had it described to me as a control freaks art, I hasten to add this was said by a 2nd Dan in Iaido! Kung Fu A Chinese art, that has many many forms or styles, used a lot in Films, can be very flashy, but can also be effective if done right.
Wing Chun A Chinese Martial art, legend has it that it was created by Yim Wing Chun, and it is excellent as a close quarter combat martial art.
Pencak Silat An Indonesian collection of Martial Arts, when seen or tried, then some of the movements can seem very similar to some forms of Kung Fu. Escrima A Filipino Art, focussing on stick and sometimes swords.
Tai Chi A Chinese art, although these days it tends to focus on the healing, gentle non-impact style, it is worth remembering that it is still a Martial Art, and as such it’s moves if taught and applied correctly, are still there to actually cause damage.
Again worth noting that proper Taekwondo is not what you see in the sports, like the Olympics, I watched a couple of bouts and turned over the TV! Proper Taekwondo is still a martial arts, most clubs you will find today will be focussed on the sport side.
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