Martial Arts

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...

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...

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...

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...

Handwraps are used to protect your hands when boxing or doing martial arts that involve punching regularly. These simple devices provide padding and support for the fragile bones in your hands,...

Jeet kune do is a martial art that was developed by Bruce Lee in the 1960s. Translating literally as a "way of the intercepting fist," jeet kune do was Lee's attempt to simplify martial arts and...

Breaking boards & cement is much easier than it may appear. Most of it is a head game of concentration rather than strength. This article will help detail what you need to do to break cement...

Crane kung fu is inspired by the graceful movements of the crane, a bird that prefers harmony and would much rather walk away from a fight than join in. Fluid and dance-like, Crane kung fu at...

Hand-to-hand fighting involves being in very close proximity to your opponent. Fists, elbows, knees and feet can become weapons at this distance. Striking quickly and effectively as well as...

As long as there have been soldiers and war, there has been a need for military fighting techniques. From the Trojan War to modern military conflicts, all the combatants have this in common: They...

Nunchucks are probably the most well-known of all martial arts weapons due in part to their high-profile appearances in martial arts movies. The nunchuck is basically two sections of wood or metal...

The nunchucks (also known as the nunchaku or nunchaku-do) gained attention in popular culture thanks to the films of Bruce Lee. Knocking back opponents in movies like "Enter the Dragon," Lee made...

Nunchucks, or more appropriately nunchaku, are martial-arts weapons that consist of two sticks connected by a chain or rope. They should not be wielded by persons who have not had a lot of...

The quarterstaff is a weapon that has a long and varied history, mostly due to the fact that it is very easy to manufacture. The quarterstaff is essentially a long, slender club like structure...

The bo staff is 6 feet long. It is traditionally made of wood, although some modern versions are made of graphite or aluminum. The bo looks like a simple implement, but the development of many...

Martial arts historians theorize that the bo staff evolved from such long-handled tools as rakes, oars or the poles farmers balanced across their shoulders to carry heavy loads in feudal Japan....

A variation on a guillotine in MMA involves snapping an opponent's head down, cupping it and arching upwards. Learn how to move the hand across to do a guillotine with helpful tips from a martial...

Tai chi is a form of Chinese martial art in which the body is moved slowly and methodically. Tai chi practitioners breath deeply as they move through a series of exercises. Many tai chi exercises...

Step-by-step instructions for the Tae Kwon Do Black Belt Form Koryo Poomsae. Each step is photographed and explained in easy-to-understand detail. This comes from our online Tae Kwon Do training...

Whenever your opponent breached your 4-6 foot comfort zone, he/she is within hand striking range. There are a lot of different techniques that you can use with your hands. We do not recommend...

A lapel choke is used in martial arts to cut off an opponent's air supply and end a fight with minimal damage to either fighter. The lapel choke makes use of your opponent's own uniform to...

When faced with a gun-wielding adversary, your first option should always be to avoid a scenario where the gun comes into play. Unfortunately, the situation may arise where a gun is drawn, and...

While martial arts strive to prevent violence, they also seek to ensure that you are prepared in the event that no other option is available. In addition to hand-to-hand fighting, weapons have...

If you're going to put on a pair of standard boxing gloves, it's important you wrap your hands first. It will help to make your gloves a tight fit and protect your hands from injury. There is a...

A katana is a type of sword used by ancient and modern day samurai warriors of Japan. The katana is a thin, slightly curved sword of moderate length and heft. Unlike broadswords which are meant to...

Step by step instructions to learn the first form, Ki Bon Yon. Ki bon yon is the most basic form. It's name means 'first form' and it has 20 movements. It is essential to know not only the form...

Making a knife hand for chops in karate and other martial arts keeps the hand flat and the fingers and thumbs pointed together. Make a karate knife hand with a martial arts instructor in this free...

In karate, form the knife hand technique by raising up the knuckles and bringing the fingers together for the deadly chop attack. Practice forming this powerful hand attack with tips from a...

Martial arts and self-confidence often go hand in hand. Self-defense is largely dependent upon mind power and overcoming the mental barriers to self-defense. Develop self-confidence in martial...

The single cloud hand is an intricate tai chi maneuver that involves dropping the right hand as the left arm comes across. Learn more about the single cloud hand tai chi movement from a tai chi...

In self-defense, straighten the elbow of an opponent in order to perform the upward hand lock. Learn more about the upward hand lock from a professional martial arts instructor in this free combat...

In self-defense, step out and twist the shoulder forward in order to perform a downward hand lock. Learn more about the downward hand lock and self-defense from a professional martial arts...

Adding a hand stretch variation, in Nia, to the cha cha can help increase the energy of your workout. Learn to perform the cross back cha cha hand stretch variation from a professional Nia...

An open hand strike is great for self defense because it won't damage the hand and doesn't require practice. Learn how to do open hand strikes with tips from a martial arts expert in this free...

If someone is attacking you with a one hand grab punch it is important to focus on the hand that is punching. Learn self defense moves for the one hand grab punch with tips from a martial arts...

Self defense against a one hand grab punch is important to learn. Learn how to deflect the one hand grab punch with tips from a martial arts expert in this free women's self defense video.

For self defense against a two handed choke it is important not to panic. Learn how to defend against two hand chokes with tips from a martial arts expert in this free women's self defense video.

Many self defense moves will be against double hand attacks from the front. Learn how to defend yourself against double hand attacks with tips from a martial arts expert in this free women's self...

Double hand attacks are common when a woman is being attacked. Learn self defense against double hand attacks with tips from a martial arts expert in this free women's self defense video.

The single hand push tai chi exercise is one that focuses on energy transferring through pushing and pulling with just one arm. Learn tips on how to practice this tai chi exercise from an expert...

The double hand push tai chi exercise is one that focuses on energy transferring through pushing and pulling with both arms. Learn tips on how to practice this tai chi exercise from an expert in...

The double hand push tai chi exercise is one that focuses on strengthening the sensitivity of your body. Learn tips on how to practice this tai chi exercise from an expert in this free video clip.

Start doing hand combos in the guarding position. Learn more about extreme form martial arts hand combos from a black belt kung fu instructor in this free video.

Combining a spin with hand combos fancies up an extreme form. Learn more about extreme form martial arts spinning hand combos from a black belt kung fu instructor in this free video.

Whether you be considering joining a reenactment or LARP group, looking to be part of a Ren-Fairre or stage cast, or find yourself sent back in time via mystical forces too mysterious to explain,...

The U.S. Army teaches all recruits basic hand-to-hand combat during basic training. A recruit must pass this training to be called a soldier. Hand-to-hand combat training begins at basic training,...

Martial artists have used pressure points for centuries to help defeat opponents. Pressure points allow the martial artist to subdue much larger and stronger people. Even the most aggressive...

Hand techniques that come from ninjutsu are used for self-defense and turning the attack of another person into a counter attack. Find out how to approach a modern day attack in ninjutsu with help...

Kicks are mainly used in the martial arts techniques and kickboxing, while boxing uses only punches. But kicks can be very potent to throw off your opponent. The outside crescent kick is mainly...

Here are instructions on how to perform an ax hand strike.