Martial Arts

Over the years, I've seen very successful techniques in slowing down martial arts and self-defense training to an almost complete stop. I've listed some of these techniques below, perhaps you're...

If you're looking to hone your skills at kickboxing or trying to improve your technique to prevent kickboxing injuries, it is important to get a grasp on the basics. Learning the basics in...

Martial arts are sports that inspire popular films, have a background in many different cultures they come from, and capture the imagination of enthusiasts around the world. Wushu, although not...

Blocking a punch is different in kickboxing from boxing. Boxing, where all you have to worry about is hand combinations, allows for head movement and ducking punches. Kickboxing, with kicks and...

Dating back as far as the Ming Dynasty, Pek Kwar, also known as Tai Shing Pek Kwar, is a popular Northern Chinese style of kung fu. This fighting style, first taught to the Chinese armies as a...

Sometimes finding healthy recreation seems more like work than play, especially if you are waiting for machines at the gym. Martial arts training can fit well into a busy lifestyle. Most martial...

So your child wants to learn martial arts. Or maybe you want your child to gain more confidence or learn how to protect him/herself. There are a few things to keep in mind when looking for a school.

Teaching young children taekwondo or any martial arts can be very difficult. The main cause of this is the child’s short attention span. The younger a child the less they are apt to listen or even...

One of the best alternatives to the flimsy, expensive store-bought children's swords, a homemade "boffer" can be an excellent and safe way for your kids to begin learning how to use a sword....

It is best to avoid fighting as nothing good comes from it for the most part however there are times when fighting is unavoidable due to extreme circumstances which are beyond our control. What...

Karate gis serve several purposes, including identifying status and the type of karate being undertaken. They also help to provide a feeling of acceptance among participants.

Considerably larger than the throwing knife or Japanese shuriken practiced by most martial artists, the throwing axe is best learned through hands-on experience. By designating a certain amount of...

Whether you're selecting a basic katana for casual practice or are embarking on an intensive study of kenjutsu and the Japanese sword, familiarizing yourself in the factors that distinguish an...

Over the years, I've seen very successful techniques in slowing down martial arts and self-defense training to an almost complete stop. I've listed some of these techniques below, perhaps you're...

During its long history as a military nation, Japan was a wellspring of martial arts styles. Even though each of the surviving martial arts share some common ancestry, each has its own distinct...

Tai chi is a Chinese martial arts discipline that is commonly practiced for its health and relaxation benefits. The foundation of tai chi is a series of synchronized body movements that, when...

Kickboxing is popular as a means of fitness, but if taught correctly, it can also be useful in self-defense situations. While kickboxing classes range in focus from exercise to self defense, they...

Most martial artists recognize the hands as important fighting weapons. Hand strikes can be delivered from various angles to keep an opponent off balance, and different striking techniques can...

Traditional samurai swords (katanas) are the well-known bladed weapons of Japan. Over time these swords can require a certain amount of maintenance and the removal of the handle is part of a...

The traditional karate gi (uniform) consists of a kimono-style jacket, loose pants, and a cloth belt. Karate gi pants are designed to fit securely at the waist while still allowing the karateka...

Japanese fighting styles have been practiced for centuries, and they have evolved throughout history as various practitioners and teachers have elaborated on the ancient techniques. The basic...

Tonfa, originally handles of a tool used to turn a millstone, have a purpose as a dual-wielded martial arts weapon. They can be blunt or bladed, but most consist of wooden sticks alone. Tonfa rely...

Mixed martial arts have become a popular sport. Fans enjoy watching as their favorite athlete battles against opponents. To succeed in this sport, the fighters mix together many styles of fighting.

Karate is a martial art that developed originally in Okinawa, and was brought to mainland Japan in the late 1800s. The belts worn by karate practitioners, or "karateka", signify their rank in the...

Kickboxing is an old sport and form of self-defense that combines elements of western-style boxing with kicks developed from the martial arts of karate and Muay Thai. It became extremely popular...

Use focus mitts to effectively train your boxing and striking skills. A focus mitt is a padded target attached to a glove and used in training for boxers and mixed martial artists. The person...

The calf slicer is a technique used in submission grappling martial arts like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It is a type of compression lock that works by separating the knee joint while putting pressure...

A kickboxer's feet are often shielded from injury by padded boots, but his hands require more sophisticated protection. Because hands are used to block strikes as well as deliver them, they are...

How a Navy Seal, police officer, hunter or diver carries a knife is an individual choice, based mostly upon required speed of access. A Seal or police officer may need the knife quickly in the...

Training equipment for the martial arts can be costly: uniforms, bags, protective pads and special equipment can cost hundreds of dollars. But the point of martial arts is in the training, not the...

Originating from an ancient Chinese system of arms practice, Wushu weapon forms have developed into an intricate modern art of strength building, coordination and grace. Encompassing more than 12...

Originally developed as a tool for clearing thickets and jungle vines, the machete has emerged as a popular weapon in many tropical countries. Functioning like a typical short-sword with a...

Highly dangerous and rarely anticipated, a sudden attack from a knife-wielding opponent can be a nightmarish situation. However, with some cunning and clear thinking, you will be capable of both...

Taekwondo is a martial art first practiced in Korea about 1,300 years ago. The training and advancement process for the martial art can be long and grueling. Your instructor or "sensei" will...

Various forms of martial arts have flourished throughout many places in the world and each region has created or adapted a style to cal its own. The Wushu style of martial arts originated in China...

Ancient Japanese samurai warriors considered the katana, or sword, to be an extension of themselves. They sought to cut through their enemies in a single, fluid motion. The basis of Japanese sword...

We live in a world that can be terrifying. Muggers, carjacking, and gang warfare can happen every day in every country in the world. Many people carry guns to protect themselves, but many people...

Pressure point striking techniques are regarded as the deadliest in all disciplines of hand-to hand-combat. This article will provide you with some history of the techniques and provide you with...

Kenpo Karate and other martial arts may have had their roots in Asian countries such as China and Japan, but they have now found popularity throughout the world. Some people are lucky enough to...

Kung Fu seems to be one of the oldest martial arts forms that there is, in fact it seem that it dates back over five thousand years. Like most martial arts, Kung Fu is based on fighting techniques...

Japanese sword fighting goes back to the times of the ninja and the samurai. Ancient Japanese sword fighters were agile, incredibly strong and very honorable. Practicing this ancient technique can...

Fighting with a flashlight is much like fighting with any type of small hard weapon like a baton or bat, as it can be swung viciously and quickly injure or disable your attacker or opponent. As...

The bayonet serves two purposes as a weapon: the knife on the end of your rifle can act as a sword or spear, and the butt of the rifle can act as a club or parrying tool. Using these two parts of...

Sometimes you just have to fight. 1 punch knockout power is your ace in the hole when you want to end a fight clean and fast.

Considerably larger than the varieties of throwing knives and shuriken used by most martial artists, the throwing ax is best learned through hands-on experience. By crafting your own practice...

Belt rank in karate is simply a gauge of progress, a set of clearly defined benchmarks on your quest for mastery. Though the concept of black belt is often wrapped in a sort of mystic sense, the...

On his journey from India to China, the Bodhidharma developed a fighting system based on his observations of the way animals fought in the wild. Arriving at the Shaolin Temple, he put the monks to...

The sparring gear that is used in boxing, martial arts and mixed martial arts is exposed to sweat, bacteria, viruses and blood among other things. This is not appealing, but it is something that...

To achieve a black belt in any martial art takes enormous dedication and persistence. One must master all the forms in any given system in addition to becoming fluid and adept at all the kicks,...

Innately different from the varieties of throwing knives and shuriken, the bulkier throwing axe is best learned through hands-on experience. By fashioning your own target and employing a daily...