Combat martial arts is a term many martial artists use to refer to styles that emphasize self-defense in a realistic combat application over sports and competitions. While nearly all martial arts can be said to have combat application, combat martial arts are styles that focus exclusively on quickly and efficiently disabling one or more opponents in a real-life conflict scenario. The martial arts considered most effective for combat situations include: judo, kung fu, juijutsu, taijutsu, systema and aikido.
Step 1
Visit local combat martial art schools in your area and decide on which art most appeals to you. Notice the teaching style of each sensei, sifu or martial arts instructor and select the school that strongly resonates with you.
Step 2
Dedicate yourself to weekly attendance in your martial arts class and reschedule obligations as needed to ensure you attend three to five classes each week. Select a friend or classmate of similar rank and skill to join with you to help dedicate yourself to a regular schedule of martial arts classes.
Step 3
Begin a daily exercise and practice regimen that utilizes stretching and strengthening techniques with the strikes, blocks and forms learned in class. Begin your exercise session with stretches that effectively warm up your entire body, such as: head-to-knee calf and hamstring stretches, arm bar triceps stretches, lunges and splits. Complete two sets of 15 to 30 push-ups as your physical fitness level allows, followed by two sets of 25 to 50 crunch sit-ups.
Step 4
Write out each of the punches, kicks, strikes, stances, blocks, forms and combat sequences you have been taught in class in a list that you keep in your training area. While this list may be relatively small to begin with, it will gradually grow as you advance your belt grade and learn more advanced techniques. Repeat each technique and form in repetition while maintaining proper symmetry of the hips, shoulders and spine during offensive and defensive maneuvers.
Step 5
Decide on a day and time each week for regular sparring and partner practice with your friend or classmate. While most sport martial arts use sparring as a "point" competition that gives a score for light attacks to safe targets, combat martial arts instruct students in how to effectively disable their opponent with wrist locks, pressure points, throws and other non-competitive maneuvers. Establish clear communication with your sparring partner on the valid targets of the body and a single word for when pain is felt during practice.
Step 6
Remain diligent in your class attendance and personal training. Attend any tournaments, workshops or other learning opportunities to further your knowledge in your combat martial art and gradually progress in your training.
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