Wrestling has a visible presence in American high schools and colleges, as well as in other countries across the world, especially in the Middle East and eastern Europe. It is growing in popularity in other areas, primarily because of the success...
Before the advent of professional Mixed Martial Arts competition, there was a lot of debate about whether a karate expert could defeat a wrestler in a fight. The Ultimate Fighting Championship proved the importance of wrestling, but now that all...
When someone questions you about approved sparring gear, you have to ask, "Approved by whom?" Different martial arts require different kinds of safety equipment to keep sparring safe. In most cases, the gear protects the same parts of your body,...
Kickboxing is an aggressive sport that is often on display in mixed martial arts competition. While you can use your fists, forearms, legs and feet to attack your opponent. However, hitting your opponent with powerful punches and kicks is only...
In competitive martial arts parlance, "ground wrestling" usually refers to the kind of sport wrestling you see at high school and college competitions -- a sport also called "collegiate" or "folkstyle" wrestling. "Grappling" refers to more...
10th Planet Jiu Jitsu is the brainchild of grappling legend Eddie Bravo. Bravo is best known for submitting the famous Royler Gracie at a grappling competition and serving as a commentator for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. 10th Planet Jiu...
Wrestling is an athletic contest in which two competitors strive to force each other's body into specific postures and positions. It's a combat sport and safe only because of the strict rules that apply to what moves you can use and how you can...
Jiu Jitsu, also known as Jujitsu, is a martial art from Japan that focuses on the use of the hand. First used by the Samurai, it has existed for centuries. The techniques in Jujitsu focus on grappling or grabbing. There is no attacking in...
Muay Thai and other styles of kickboxing, whether for cardio exercise or martial arts competition, provide rigorous exercise for practitioners. However, you must be careful in your training to avoid injuries, especially to your knees. Excessive...
Scholastic, also called "collegiate," wrestling is the style practiced in high school and college athletics programs. The rules, governed by the NCAA at college levels and based on those rules in high school competition, are in place to keep...
Sambo stands for "samooborona bez oruzhiya," Russian for "self-defense without weapons." It was developed between the World Wars as a combatives style for Soviet soldiers. During the 2000s, says martial arts historian Dave Coffman, the martial...
The Korean art of tae kwon do began as a form of fighting that relied heavily on strikes using the lower part of the body. By striking with the leg and foot, the practitioners protected their hands. Since these martial artists were also...
In Taekwondo, sparring is a mock fight between two opponents intended to build skill, speed and grace under pressure. Taekwondo is also the only Asian martial art with a presence in the Olympics, a factor that keeps the sparring rules for...
Mixed martial arts as a modern organized sport began with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, an event that invited practitioners of many different martial art traditions into a single fighting event with unified rules. Over the decades since that...
Mixed martial arts is one of the most physically demanding sports in existence. The entire body is used in a match, and various combinations of speed and strength are used by competitors to gain an advantage over their opponents. But physicality...
Ninjutsu is an ancient form of espionage and reconnaissance used by the Japanese. The art involves moving from one point to another without being seen. According to John Corcoran, author of "Martial Arts, Traditions, History, People," stealth is a...
Watch any mixed martial arts competition, such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and you’ll witness a number of different fighting techniques. Thre are countless fighting styles, as many geographical regions have developed their own...
Martial arts got its kick-start in America when Korean-American Jhoon Rhee arrived in Texas in 1956 for military training with the USAF. Rhee taught the first known tae kwon do class at the University of Texas in 1959, according to Ashcrafts...
The town of Marlton, New Jersey, provides residents and visitors a wealth of world-class beach activities a short drive away on the Jersey shore. Although famous for its casinos, the Jersey shore also offers a sport and fitness options. Whether...
Kickboxing is a sport where opponents exchange kicks, punches and throws in a quest for physical domination. American Kickboxing is a hybrid of traditional kickboxing and martial arts. It's widely seen as a stronger, more graceful form of...
The solid impact that occurs when you swing your fist -- also called throwing a punch -- and connect with your opponent can cause devastating impact. Swinging your fist and delivering a punch is the object in boxing. It is also your opponent's...
The offensive sport Americans known as kickboxing came about in the 1970s. According to Kickboxing.com, the rules of karate prevent the use of full contact kicks and punches in competition. Kickboxing's development was a response to this...
The martial arts, or the ancient Oriental disciplines of physical combat and self-defense also known broadly as kung fu, are a popular form of recreation for adults and children. In addition to building physical stamina, the martial arts also...
Chinese martial arts have played an important role in influencing Chinese and Taiwanese culture and history. Martial arts include different hand-to-hand fighting techniques and the use of traditional weapons for the purpose of self-defense and...
Taekwondo, one of the more popular and well-known Korean martial arts, focuses on the competitive aspect of the fighting arts and emphasizes powerful and fast high kicks. While taekwondo has gained international recognition as an Olympic sport,...
Kickboxing can be a great cardiovascular workout, but it is also a form of self-defense that can help you get yourself out of a dangerous situation. It is also a sport that allows you to compete in martial arts competitions. Kickboxing is a...
The fighting style of Wing Chun was developed in China from the martial art known as kung fu. There is controversy as to the origins of Wing Chun. Some Wing Chun practitioners believe the story the art it is named for Yim Wing Chun, a woman who...
Because landing punches is an essential element of mixed martial arts, or MMA, competition, fighters must protect their hands from injury during bouts. To accomplish this, MMA fighters use hand wraps to stabilize their wrists as well as the bones...
Finding the best martial arts school to join is a daunting task, especially since most U.S. cities accommodate a variety of schools that teach all different styles of martial arts. Simply selecting schools that have won the most awards, have the...
Take up kickboxing today for fitness or competition. Learn kickboxing moves and skills in this martial arts video.
Judo is a fundamental soft style martial art made popular in America by MMA competitions. Learn judo skills and moves in this martial arts video.
The round kick works in kickboxing and other martial arts. Learn the skills of kickboxing in this video on competitive kickboxing moves.
