Mankind has engaged in violent confrontation since its inception, and for thousands of years, the techniques it has used in its confrontations have been systematized into arts designed to teach an aspect of those physical confrontations.
Definitions
"Hand-to-hand" combat describes violent conflict between individuals. The term "martial art" describes systems that have been designed to teach aspects of combat between individuals. Martial arts can be characterized in a number of fashions, but two broad distinctions: "hard" and "soft" are common. Arts can also be distinguished by the nature of their systemization: "modern" or "traditional," or by the primary range at which the art is designed to function: "grappling," "striking" or "armed."
Hard vs. Soft
Hard martial arts are systems where the principle of direct force application and direct force opposition predominates. Hard styles are generally more offensive and more linear that soft styles, using strikes and blocks that directly attack or counter the opponent. Boxing, krav maga and karate are examples of hard systems. Soft systems are often more defensive and are characterized by more circular elements that attempt to redirect an opponent’s energy. These soft systems often incorporate more locking, throwing or grappling elements than hard styles. Aikido, judo and wrestling are examples of soft styles. Hard system concepts are easier to learn and apply than soft systems’, whose "redirecting" techniques require excellent timing, coordination, and precision. These distinctions are not all-encompassing, as many systems incorporate both hard and soft elements.
Modern vs. Traditional
Modern systems such as krav maga tend to be hard systems originating in police or military organizations and are designed to teach individuals how to fight an opponent as quickly as possible. Traditional arts tend to place a higher value on respect, rank and inclusion of a systems’ total curriculum even if its application is not easily grasped. Traditional styles often use forms as teaching tools; forms being preset combinations of techniques designed to teach a related series of applications.
Striking vs. Grappling vs. Armed
Most systems can broadly be categorized as "striking" or "grappling" depending on what types of techniques dominate their curriculum. Boxing is entirely a striking art, while wrestling is entirely grappling. Karate is predominantly a striking art that includes a selection of grapples and throws, while aikido is focuses on throws and takedowns with some striking techniques. Very few systems such as kendo or kyudo focus almost entirely on the use of weapons, though it is much more common for a generally unarmed art to include some weapons training.
Hand-to-Hand Combat
Actual violent confrontation between individuals can vary in intensity from confrontations with friends to interactions where the intent is to kill. In these hand-to-hand combat encounters victory will most likely go to the individual with the most determination, focus, physical conditioning and technical ability. The manifold arts can provide an individual with the tools to succeed in an encounter, but training in their techniques alone is not enough to ensure success.
References
- "Living the Martial Way"; Morgan, Forest; 1992
- "Secrets of the Samurai: The Martial Arts of Feudal Japan"; Raiit, Oscar and Westbrook, Adele; 1999
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