Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
Karate belts have a color that signifies what stage of training you are in. Find out about the meaning of karate belts with help from an experienced Mixed Martial Arts expert in this free video clip.
Japan’s martial arts, including jiu jitsu, archery and swordsmanship, developed into complex disciplines during the Edo period from 1603 A.D. to 1868 A.D. Individual masters had a system of techniques but not a guiding principle. In the 1800s, Jigorō Kanō sorted through the attack-and-defense maneuvers that he learned in the Japanese martial arts. He then established a unifying principle and kept only the maneuvers that adhered to it, according to his book “Kodokan Judo.” Calling the new system judo, in 1882 Kanō founded the Kodokan, or the school for “learning the Way.”
Brazilian jiu-jitsu was made famous in the 1990s when Royce Gracie used his savvy submission techniques to win the Ultimate Fighting Championship tournament. Since there were no rules and no weight classes in the UFC at the time, Gracie's dominance showed how effective jiu-jitsu can be against larger opponents. Your approach to jiu-jitsu training should always emphasize technique over strength, but there are several drills and exercises you can do to get yourself more comfortable in grappling situations.
A Kenpo karate belt needs to be tied in a very specific way for maximum authenticity. Find out how to properly tie a Kenpo karate belt with help from an action-packed, 30-year-old health instructor who loves helping people feel great in this free video clip.
Karate thrusting techniques primarily focus on driving strikes. Get tips on karate thrusting techniques with help from an action-packed, 30-year-old health instructor who loves helping people feel great in this free video clip.
Jujitsu requires putting your opponent into a submission of which they cannot get out of. Find out about Jujitsu technique names with help from an action-packed, 30-year-old health instructor who loves helping people feel great in this free video clip.
The Judo grappling technique is definitely going to require a lot of practice in order to get right. Find out more about the Judo grappling technique with help from an action-packed, 30-year-old health instructor who loves helping people feel great in this free video clip.
Blocking a leg sweep in Judo is easy, so long as you're using the appropriate technique in the right way. Block a leg sweep in Judo with help from an action-packed, 30-year-old health instructor who loves helping people feel great in this free video clip.
Obtaining a purple belt in karate isn't something that you're going to be able to do overnight. Learn about the fundamental requirements for a purple belt in karate with help from the author of 42 books on health, fitness, and martial arts in this free video clip.
Limb flexibility is a very important aspect of being successful at Jiu Jitsu. Learn how to increase limb flexibility for Jiu Jitsu with help from a fitness industry professional in this free video clip.
Aikido White belt techniques include things like tino hanko. Learn about Aikido White belt techniques with help from a world champion martial artist in this free video clip.
A carat is not a karat; both are jeweler's terms and pronounced the same, but the similarity ends there. "Carat" refers to the weight of gemstones such as diamonds, while a "karat," on the other hand, describes the purity of gold contained in an item. Purity is relevant information because gold is naturally a soft metal to which other alloys are added to increase its hardness. Karat expresses the ratio of gold to alloy using a numerical base of 24, and experts classify 100 percent pure gold as "24/24" or "24 karat." As hardening alloys are added, the ratio of…
One way to stall in karate sparring is to just keep your distance. Learn how to stall in karate sparring with help from a world champion martial artist in this free video clip.
if you are considering learning karate, you are probably wondering how the different belt levels work and how you progress through them. Most people who hear of karate immediately think of the famous black belt, a prestigious symbol of the proficient and dangerous martial arts practitioner. However there are many colored belts to precede the black belt, and many months or even years of training separating them, depending on the student and the school.
Create a decorative home wall display that shows off your or your child's hard work and dedication to the martial arts. Instead of simply packing away your old white and colored belts, turn them into a dramatic centerpiece that commemorates years of training. A karate belt wall display holder is an easy way to take pride in your own accomplishments or show your child how far he has come. Although there are many commercially available versions, designing your own holder allows you to customize your display to your own needs.
Grappling competitions bring together athletes from different martial arts backgrounds including wrestling, Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. When a Jiu Jitsu competitor faces off against a wrestler, the two styles appear to be similar. The Jiu Jitsu competitor must know how to create space and movement to be able to use his techniques against the wrestler whose goal is to hold his opponent down while scoring points.
The Karate King is the one of the most elusive enemies in "Pokemon HeartGold." The former leader of a Pokemon gym in the sprawling metropolis of Saffron City, he fled his gym after Sabrina, the Psychic Pokemon warrior, defeated him and opened a training center. Now he is hiding out in Mt. Mortar along Route 42 biding his time and waiting for a challenger crafty enough to find him in his hiding place.
Wearing a black belt signifies that you have mastered aspects of the martial arts. You can make your own "black belt" and pretend to be a karate martial arts expert by using paper folding techniques (referencing the Japanese art of origami). You will need supplies from a crafts store and tools from around the house. Adult supervision is not needed if you are underage, since no cutting edge is used.
Historical samurai depended mostly on their bows and their spears in battle -- but the popular imagination has fixed on their katanas, the elegant curved swords used in close combat and for defense. Samurai trained extensively in the use of the katana, learning techniques designed to maximize the effectiveness of these short, single-bladed swords. Modern devotees of the martial arts have kept these traditions alive in modern dojo practice.
Many karate schools, or dojos, give patches to their students. The patches represent information about the dojo, achievements that the student has mastered and, occasionally, tournament information or awards from competitions. The two most well-known methods for attaching patches to karate uniforms are sewing and gluing. Which attachment method is best depends on the dojo, the intended use of the uniform and the equipment you have on hand.
Whether you want to make them to practice martial arts, as part of a costume or for a decoration, you can build your own nunchucks with a few tools and materials. Nunchucks are a martial arts weapon made famous by Michelangelo of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and consist of two stick-like devices held together by a chain. When you hold one of the sticks, you can swing the weapon while practicing martial arts techniques.
Fly fishing streamers are typically heavy and bulky. The weight and wind resistance requires a specialized fly rod for efficient casting. You may adapt your casting style and motion to handle the increased weight, but the process is labor-intensive and performance suffers. The streamer rod can make a high-velocity cast with heavy weight, and it has the power to control the fly without overloading the spine on the rod. Selecting a streamer rod requires attention to size, weight and action of the rod.
Brazilian jiujitsu is a sport originating from the Gracie family in Brazil that began as a self-defense technique for quickly finishing fights. Currently, jiujitsu exists as a judged sport and also as self-defense training, but in either situation great flexibility gives any grappler an edge in a fight. Any flexibility exercise improves performance in jiujitsu. However, yoga is proven to give the flexibility needed for grappling, and many champion martial artists practice yoga. A few yoga exercises particularly assist this sport.
Kata is a Japanese term that refers to prearranged routines taught in the martial arts. These choreographed forms are taught in most traditional schools. Katas were originally used to pass fighting secrets from masters to students. Today, katas help practitioners refine their techniques. Students typically practice their forms against several imaginary opponents. This practice helps students develop skills at fighting different attackers from different angles. Dedicated martial artists consistently take steps to improve their performance of katas.
Nunchucks are a martial-arts weapon that is spun rapidly to distract and strike the enemy. There are many moves you can perform with the nunchuck, including the finger roll or finger spin. The finger spin is a move where the nunchuck will leave your hand briefly and spin around your finger. Use this move to test your martial-arts abilities. Only practice this technique if you have experience with nunchucks as performing it improperly may cause it to fly through the air and injure yourself or others.
The javelin throw is a field event contested in college and adult amateur levels and involves throwing a spear for distance. Lining up for the javelin requires specific footwork for balance and distribution of weight to deliver power to the throw. Much of the time spent practicing javelin involves footwork drills without even picking the javelin up.
Athletes that participate in any sport that requires throwing can benefit from learning proper form. Proper throwing form ensures the entire act is done correctly to not only achieve accuracy, but to prevent injuries as well. Learning the proper throwing technique takes time and practice, but pays off with a better -- and more safe -- throwing motion.
Jujitsu was developed in medieval Japan as a way for combatants to defend themselves without using weapons. It has since become a popular international sport. As with any martial art, the basics of jujitsu can be learned fairly quickly, but achieving the master's black belt requires years of study and practice.
Karate is a martial art that originated in Japan. Defense techniques consist of evasive body movements and blocking. Counterattacks such as kicks, punches and strikes are used in a lesser degree because karate is based primarily on self-defense. Karate also aids in keeping the participator healthy and fit by increasing the development of a person's balance, co-ordination, aerobic fitness, strength and flexibility. The goal of a person serious about karate is often to achieve different color belts. With the proper training classes and motivation to succeed, you can work your way up to receiving a certified black belt
The gi (pronounced gee), a mixed martial arts uniform, was designed in 1907 by Kano Jigoro, founder of Kodokan Judo in Tokyo, Japan. While earlier uniforms were composed of shorts and short-sleeved jackets, Jigoro lengthened and loosened the design of the uniform for protection and comfort. The trousers are still short compared to street clothes, reaching to about mid-calf, and are tied at the waist by drawstrings. The jacket, with sleeves that reach to mid-forearm, is tied by a long cloth belt, or obi. The average obi is approximately 100 inches long and 2 inches wide, and tied following specific…
Fishing with live shiners is a great way to catch big fish. Live shiners can be pretty expensive, costing between $10 and $15 per dozen (as of 2011), depending on the size of the bait and the state that you live in. For a good day of fishing, you may need between two and six dozen shiners. Catching your own shiners with a cast net is the best way to save money on bait without cutting any corners.
The kizami zuki is one of the most basic strikes in the martial art of Karate. It is actually nothing more than a light jab punch thrown from the leading side. However, don't be fooled by its simplicity. As something of a "teaser" punch, the kizami zuki serves many purposes. It can be used to gauge the distance between you and your opponent, distract his attention away from your true attack or it can be used to lead the way for a follow-up combination.
Yellow belts mark the first level of advancement for martial arts students. Martial art systems with belt advancement -- Karate and Tae Kwon Do, for instance -- progress from low level white to expert black. Your level of maturity as a martial artist is demonstrated by the color of the belt you wear. Easy yellow belt projects often involve katas -- blocking forms -- sparring or combination routines. Master your martial arts displays and advance to the next level. Consult instructors for belt test requirements specific to your school.
Jiu-jitsu is a grappling art originally from Japan, but recently as closely associated in the public mind with Brazil. Japanese and Brazilian jiu-jitsu contain the same techniques, but each has its own focus on their application. In both cases, it's possible -- but not easy -- to make a full-time living from teaching this martial art.
A hovercraft is a versatile boat that you can ride up to the shore. Riding on a hovercraft is like gliding along on a cushion of air. Hovercrafts are also known as air-cushion vehicles. Air currents underneath the base of the hovercraft allow it to travel on land or water. Low-pressurized air is ejected downward against the surface below, whether land or sea, causing the boat to float on the air. Newton's three laws of motion further explain how hovercrafts operate.
Since shrimp are so small, fishing for them, or to use a more accurate term, shrimping, normally involves a hand-thrown net that is 5 to 10 feet wide at the perimeter when fully opened. In coastal areas where shrimp thrive, it is common to see shrimpers standing on docks or riverbanks and expertly whipping their nets out over the water. Successfully throwing a shrimp net so it expands to its full circumference and settles into the water requires practice in the proper techniques.
Streamers or dance ribbons have a rod and swivel attachment that makes them easy to twirl or move. To get a good swirl going, choose a ribbon that is the appropriate length. Children and adult twirlers require different lengths of streamers. Learn how to master the basic twirl before moving on to more complicated streamer moves like the figure eight, the weave or the toss. Twirling streamers is a creative way to express yourself through low-impact dance.
Made famous by the Gracie family, Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a grappling martial art in which competitors attempt to perform choke holds or joint submission maneuvers on their opponents. Although the sport is highly intricate, with countless techniques and maneuvers, learning 20 basic techniques will allow you to hold your own as you learn the sport.
The Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity popularized the art of twisting and twirling canes. Instead of performing traditional "taps," fraternity members created unique cane spinning routines. If you wish to perform the most traditional Kappa cane twirl, learn the basic cane twirls and combine them into a routine. Teach your friends the routine and perform it on stage or during marches to emulate the performances of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
The ninja roll is technique that can save your life. It allows you to turn the impact of a hard, fast fall into circular momentum when done correctly. This takes the force out of your collision and prevents the more vulnerable parts of your body from impacting the ground. You will roll over your shoulder and come up again on your feet instead of going head-first into the asphalt.
Campers, loggers, builders and do-it-yourself enthusiasts are all familiar with the hand axe. Available in a variety of styles and designs, hand axes are simple tools that have been around since prehistory. The term "hand axe" is an umbrella classification that covers tomahawks, battle axes and camping axes. Hatchets, too, are a type of hand axe.
The martial arts technique of card throwing originated with a magician named Ricky Jay who was known for being able to throw cards with extreme force. He could slice through watermelons and throw multiple cards at once. For some people such as Ricky Jay, the technique of card throwing could be lethal. For most, though, mastering the art of card throwing is simply a fun trick to impress friends.
Kenpo karate is a self-defense martial art that teaches a student how to effectively use their body to protect themselves. If you are a beginner who would like to learn Kenpo but don't want to spend money on expensive face-to-face classes, online videos may be an excellent option. Learning more about Kenpo online through an introductory course and reading up on what Kenpo karate encompasses is an easy and economical way to figure out if this martial art is right for you.
The "Axe-Hand Chop" is a staple of several different martial arts styles -- including Karate and some forms of Chinese Kung Fu. It is probably best recognized as the venerable "Karate Chop" of Bruce Lee fame. Essentially, it is striking at an opponent or target with the edge of your hand opposite your thumb, rather than using knuckles or the heel of your palm.
The throwing knife is a weapon with a long history. It is a carefully balanced weapon designed to be thrown through the air, spinning end-over-end at the target. When purpose-made weapons are not available, it is possible to improvise weapons. For example, a thrown screwdriver can substitute for a throwing knife. However, the technique for throwing a screwdriver is different from knife-throwing technique, since the weight balance of the two weapons differs.
Kodenkan Jujtisu (also known as Danzan Ryu Jujitsu) is an eclectic system of martial arts created by Henry S. Okazaki based on his study of several classical Japanese jujitsu systems as well as modern judo, Chinese kung fu, American boxing, karate, Filipino knife-fighting and a Hawaiian martial art known as Lua. While Professor Okazaki normally referred to his art as Danzan Ryu, his school was called the Kodenkan, so his art is sometimes referred to as Kodenkan Jujtisu.
A Bo staff is a Japanese weapon incorporated into several different martial arts styles, particularly bojutsu. Bo is the Japanese word for staff. These weapons are made of hard wood such as oak, but some are also made from bamboo. A typical bo staff is at least 6-feet long, but can be longer for a person of greater than average height. Twirling a bo staff is less useful than striking techniques; however, many bo staff users practice the basic twirl for strengthening hand-eye coordination.
The "gi", or judogi, was invented by Jigoro Kano who also invented judo. The pants are held up by a drawstring and the loose fitting top is closed with a modified kimono sash called an "obi." Usually obi are called belts, as in "black belt." Practitioners of karate, Jiu Jitsu and other martial arts all wear gis and how to tie your belt is often the very first thing novices learn. Generally, the rule is that the belt should loop the waist twice and the ends in front should be tied so they lay flat and point at the feet…
Shiners are a type of small fish found throughout North America, including along the shorelines of Florida's Gulf Coast. Shiners run in tightly clumped schools usually in shallow waters near the shore. You can use a net with a fine mesh to catch shiners. Cast nets are circular nets attached to a main rope, or hand line, with weights around the circumference. When the net is thrown out, the weights sink to the bottom of the ocean, trapping fish in the net. After you catch shiners, you can use them as bait for larger fish. Only licensed fishermen can use…
A punch can do significant damage to someone if it is not properly dodged or deflected. If you cannot get out of the way of a punch before it lands, you need to transfer the punch's power away from you to avoid being hurt or knocked out. Transferring a punch in this manner requires specific timing and coordination, but with practice, you can transfer a punch successfully and improve your odds during a self-defense situation.
