Martial Arts

The Ultimate Fighting Championship is one of the most popular and respected Mixed Martial Arts shows in the world. The skills and training required to fight in the UFC generally begin at a young...

The Bo staff is a weapon that is central to many martial art forms. One of the most basic of weapons, a Bo staff is created from a continuous piece of hard wood, most commonly white oak or bamboo....

Some parents enroll their kids in ballet, swimming, baseball, and piano lessons. However, some energetic kids desire a high-impact and physically challenging sport such as kickboxing. Kickboxing...

Primarily used by law-enforcement officials during conflict scenarios, the ASP baton is a telescopic weapon that can extend 16 to 26 inches in length. Generally manufactured in black chrome with a...

Shorinji kempo techniques reflect the philosophy of the art in such moves as delayed sword and marriage of gravity. Understand these shorinji kempo terms with information from a second-degree...

Spinning a bo staff requires excellent coordination and control for proper wielding. Begin with slow figure-eight hand-over-hand bo staff movements with information from a second-degree black belt...

Using nunchaku for the first time involves mastering a slow figure-eight motion to gain control before starting to catch them and change positions. Gradually work up to more advanced nunchaku...

When training with a Japanese sword, such as a wooden katana or a bladed katana, it is important to first learn how to properly hold and carry the weapon. Learn proper etiquette and techniques for...

The crescent kick, also called the inside wheel kick, is a versatile technique that can be used as a block and a strike. As a block, it can intercept strikes to the midsection and legs and then...

The karate wheel kick is a circular technique that is often used as part of a striking combination. Power for the kick comes from speed and momentum, as opposed to muscle and strength. Because of...

The Wu Tang is a dance that originated in northern Philadelphia. The dance is often performed to Baltimore club-style hip-hop music and has numerous improvised variations. The style is competitive...

From 700 AD to the present day, the katana has been the weapon of choice for Samurai warriors and students of Japanese martial arts. Today, people use katanas in martial arts tournaments, such as...

Tasers, a product of Taser International, are non-lethal self-defense devices often used by law enforcement and other security professionals. A Taser sends out an electronic charge in order to...

Century is a company that designs martial arts training equipment, and has designed it since 1979. At Century, they believe in the benefits of martial arts because of the life changes they have...

Including movements that stretch and strengthen the shins in a martial arts conditioning program improves stability and power during kicks and jumps. The primary muscle of the shins, the tibialis...

In Jiu Jitsu, participants wear rash guards to protect against skin abrasions suffered from rolling on mats. A rash guard is nothing more than a protective shirt.

Among the most efficient, powerful and symbolic weapons in human history, the katana, or samurai sword, emerges from a rich cultural context. Developed in the early pre-medieval period and...

For several careers, arm reach is an important statistic. It determines how readily you can pull an object down from a high space and from how far away you can strike an opponent. Depending on...

Palm sticks are a small, concealable weapon not designed to be lethal. Palms sticks have several different names, including kubaton, dulo and hand sticks. Kubaton is the name most recognized...

Made popular by tae kwon do and karate practitioners, the flying side kick is an easily recognizable martial arts technique. According to rumor, the technique originated from the need for a...

Easily among the most respected and efficient bladed weapons ever designed, the katana (or samurai sword) is a frequent item in Japanese martial arts traditions. Prone to occasional rust spots as...

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is evolving into one of the most popular combat sports in the world. By combining the arts of boxing, Muay Thai, karate, wrestling and jujitsu, mixed martial artists...

A homemade "boffer" (or PVC sword) offers one of the safest and most productive alternatives to practicing with a metal, wooden or other potentially damaging sword. A common item among martial...

Taoist Tai Chi is a form of Chinese Tai Chi, a martial art practiced for exercise and stress management. While very similar to traditional Tai Chi, Taoist Tai Chi does have some notable differences.

The martial arts offer many benefits to their practitioners. Traditional arts such as karate and kung fu emphasize mental clarity and personal discipline. Applicable arts such as krav maga and...

The roundhouse kick is a useful weapon for a karateka (karate student). It can be extended to cover a long distance, or it can be shortened for use as a tight counterstrike. The snapping motion...

A karate gi (uniform) is made up of three parts: the jacket, the pants and the belt. It is made from a strong cotton canvas material with heavy stitching that is designed to hold up when the...

The karate sidestep technique is a basic motion that is common to many martial arts. It involves moving out of the path of an opponent so that you can gain an advantageous angle. This has two...

Spanish sword fighting has a rich history with the Spanish culture. Rapiers and short swords were used in various forms of combat and also had significant influence on the development of Filipino...

The deadly martial art of Muay Thai is more popular than ever. This centuries-old tradition has found a new home in Mixed Martial Arts and professional competitions. For thousands of novice...

Street fighting varies from many other forms of combat in that there are no rules. When fighting a bigger, stronger person in the street, you must be smart and keep your head. Swinging wildly will...

Among the many components of Chinese kung fu is medicinal healing using the plants and herbs of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Kung fu students learn to make liniments and poultices to ease the...

Kung Fu is a general term that refers to all Chinese martial arts. Kung Fu literally translates to "disciplined person." An important component of martial arts is the instruction and guidance...

Karate literally means "open hand" in Japanese. This term is believed to mean that a karateka (karate student) fights without the use of a sword or other weapon. Punches are an important part of...