Martial Arts

The term “martial arts” refer to an array of activities, usually related to some sort of fighting system. Literally, “martial” means military or warlike, while “art” denotes specialized skill. In English “martial arts” stem from the 15th Century European use of the term, meaning the art of fighting.

In the Orient, similar expressions like Budo (Japanese) or Mudo (Korean), meaning “martial skill” or “martial art”, are common. This focus on “martial” (i.e. military), can be misleading as many martial arts do not have any military relationship.

Contents:

  1. History Of Martial Arts
  2. The Military Traditions Of Martial Arts
  3. Philosophical Systems
    1. Tao (Universal Law)
    2. Yin-Yang (Law of Change)
    3. Moral Code
  4. Types of Martial Arts
    1. Striking (Stand-up)
    2. Grappling
    3. Weapon Wielding
    4. Hard and Soft Style
    5. External and Internal
    6. Traditional and Modern
    7. Mixed Martial Arts
  5. Self-Defense
  6. Sport and Recreation
    1. Sparring
    2. Destruction
    3. Forms
  7. Aesthetic Ideals
  8. Martial Art Techniques
    1. Stances and Stepping
    2. Blocking
    3. The Body's Striking Weapons
    4. Other Ways of Fighting
  9. Ranking Systems
    1. Promotional Testing
  10. Clothing and Equipment
    1. Japanese Styles
    2. Korean Styles
    3. Chinese Styles
    4. Sparring Focussed Martial Arts

 

History Of Martial Arts

Martial Arts History
An ancient murial of boxing.

Most historians believe that the martial arts originated from an Indian Zen Buddhist monk Bodhidharma (448-529 AD), who wanted to teach his student better focus through physical exercise. These movements, similar to Yoga-postures, evolved into means of self-defense. Since Buddhism originated in India, it is thought that it may have originated in India.

Searching for the origin of the martial arts one ought not forget about the boxing in Egypt in c. 4000 BC., the martial arts of Babylonia in 3000 BC., the wrestling and stick-fighting in Egypt in c. 2500 BC., the wars of Abraham in c. 2000 BC., the boxing art in the Chou Dynasty, China in 1122 BC, the fighting arts in Greece in c. 648 BC., the martial arts of Rome in 400 BC., the martial arts in Korea in 108 BC., as well as Kshatriya in India in pre-Christian times. Also the spear and stick arts of other warrior civilizations in the Americas and Africa need also be mentioned.

In ancient times martial arts were often practiced for ascetic goals. In modern times it's frequently practiced for health and fitness, sport, recreation, a means to self-discipline, aesthetic ideals, and/or self-defense.

The Military Tradition Of Martial Arts

Although not all styles developed from actual warfare, it is true that the origin of many martial arts is rooted in the military traditions of various cultures. They were employed since the earliest civilizations required specialized fighting methods during tribal, and later, national conflicts.

An example of styles used specifically for warfare is the Japanese samurai that used ju-jitsu on the battlefield. The samurai’s arsenal included “open hand” techniques, as well as swords and other weapons. The military campaigns of the samurai are well recorded.

Taekwondo is an example of a modern stylet that specifically developed within a military context. Under the guidance of South Korean Major-General Choi Hong-Hi, a group of leading martial art experts came together to unify their respective styles under a single system, named Taekwondo in 1955. Taekwondo was systemized in the 29th Infantry Division of the South Korean army and is still trained by all Korean soldiers. Though it matured within a military environment, Taekwondo is currently practiced mostly as a civilian art and sport, than a military system.

Another modern-day military martial art is the Israeli system, Krav Maga.

Philosophical Systems

It tends to be imbedded in specific cultures and are therefore build on certain worldviews; i.e. philosophical systems. Philosophical systems within often include Fundamental Beliefs, Moral Values, Aesthetic Ideals and Technical Principles.

Asian styles often include Oriental philosophical concepts, derived from culture specific philosophies like Taoism, Shinto, Confuncianism and Buddhism. Modern arts tend to derive their philosophical underpinnings from the natural science, for instance Newtonian physics or biomechanics. While some of itdo still incorporate religious ideas, for example Shaolin kungfu that is practiced at Shaolin Buddhist Temples, most martial arts today do not teach religious concepts anymore. Moral values, some of which are specific to the cultural context from where the martial art originated, are still widely advocated in most martial arts schools. A focus on aesthetic ideals is also widely upheld.

A martial art’s appropriate physical techniques are derived from its philosophical systems. For example, the Japanese martial art Aikido is based on strong non-violent moral values; as such, techniques in Aikido are always defensive in nature. Offensive techniques where violence is met with violence would be inappropriate within Aikido’s philosophical system. Therefore, strict Aikido does not employ offensive strikes or kicks.

TAO (Universal Law)

Tao
The Chinese Character for "Tao".

The philosophical principle that is probably the most pervasive within thel arts is the Oriental concept known as the Tao (or Do), usually translated as “way”, “path” or “art”. Tao (or Do) sometimes even form part of the name of martial arts, for instance: Aikido, Judo, Taekwondo. 

Oriental philosophy believes that the Tao is the “ultimate law” that governs the universe. Far from being a set of rules, the Tao is instead the natural flow or order of things.

In an attempt to describe the Tao, the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu expressed it as follows: “There is a thing inherent and natural, which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, it stands alone and never changes; it pervades everywhere and never becomes exhausted. It may be regarded as the mother of the Universe. I do not know its name.

If I am forced to give it a name, I call it Tao, and I name it as supreme. Supreme means going on; going on means going far; going far means returning. Therefore Tao is supreme; heaven is supreme; earth is supreme; and man is also supreme. There are in the universe four things supreme, and man is one of them. Man follows the laws of earth; earth follows the laws of heaven; heaven follows the laws of Tao; Tao follows the laws of its intrinsic nature.”

YIN-YANG (Law of Change)

Tai Chi
The Yin-Yang symbol, known as Tai Chi, showing the two eternal, but opposite, forces existing in harmony.

Extrapolated from the idea of the Tao, is the Yin-Yang. The Yin-Yang, also known as the Law of Change, propose that there are an eternal interplay between two opposite forces: the firm and the yielding. “Yang” literally means firm or hard, and “yin” means yielding or soft. These forces exist in everything as two opposing but complimentary principles.

The yin-yang symbol, known as the Tai Chi (“supreme ultimate”), depicts these forces as two tear shaped lobes, one colored white and the other black, enclosed in a circle and flowing into each other. The Tai Chi illustrates the two forces in perfect balance and perpetual change – the one becoming the other; each possessing within itself the seed of the other.


Since the martial arts often include hard and soft principles, offensive and defensive techniques, the Yin-Yang has long been an appropriate philosophy, and the Tai Chi a fitting symbol.

Moral Code

Martial Arts often involve a strict code that comprise of certain fundamental beliefs or moral values.
During the 7th century, the Hwarang-warriors of the Sylla Dynasty in Korea practiced a strict code. The Hwarang-warriors emphasized loyalty to the king, to their parents, to their comrades, respect for life and never retreating on the battlefield.

Bushido – the “way of the warrior” – is probably the best known martial art code and was practiced by the Japanese samurai.

Concepts like loyalty, duty, obedience, honor and respect were part of the code, and the warrior was expected to follow it not only on the battlefield, but also in his daily life. The Bushido also required the samurai to embrace death. Yamamoto Tsunetomo wrote in the 18th century that “Bushido…lies in dying. When confronted with two alternatives, life and death, one is to choose death without hesitation . . .”

Types of Martial Arts

Various ways of labeling the martial arts are used. Some are defined as striking martial arts, others as grappling and other still as martial arts focusing on weaponry. They are also often described dichotomously, with terms such as hard style and soft style martial arts, external and internal martial arts, traditional and modern martial arts, and sport and combative systems. However, such pigeonholing is usually erroneous; many martial arts employ both striking and grappling techniques or hard and soft techniques. Another way of describing martial arts is to define them geographically, for instance Asian martial arts, or Japanese martial arts.

Striking (Stand-up) Martial Arts

A striking martial art uses any part of the body to strike out at the opponent. Punches, kicks, elbow and knee strikes are all examples of techniques used in striking martial arts. Striking martial arts are also sometimes called stand-up martial arts.

Some martial arts commonly referred to as striking styles are Karate, Taekwondo, Wing Chun, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and Tang Soo Do.

Grappling

Grappling is the area of combat where you have to take the fight to the ground.  Grappling martial arts uses various maneuvers to off-balance their opponents, including an assortment of throwing techniques. Once the combat is on the ground, joint locking and pinning techniques can be used to finish the opponent off.

Typical grappling martial arts are Judo and Greco-Roman Wrestling.

Weapon Wielding

Some martial arts use weapons as part of their system, while other martial arts consist wholly of weapons, sometimes focusing on and mastering a single weapon – as with Kyudo (Japanese archery).
Martial Arts weapons can be categorized into three groups: blunt weapons, sharp weapons and projectile weapons.  Blunt weapons include the Long Staff, Short Staff, Three Section Staff, Bo Staff, Mace, and Cane. Sharp weapons include the Sword (e.g. Katana or Broad Sword), Spear, Halberd, Dagger, Lance, Fork, and the like. Projectile weapons include throwing knives, throwing stars, the bow and arrow, blow darts and guns.

Hard and Soft Style

Hard style martial arts tend to focus on much physical strength and linear techniques. Powerful strikes and kicks are emphasized with added stress on body conditioning and fitness. Generally a hard style martial art is considered to be more offensive in nature. A typical hard style is Muay Thai.

Soft styles tend not to focus too much on personal physical strength; instead a soft style practitioner attempts to use the opponent’s strength against himself. Soft style martial arts are known for circular motion techniques that deflect oncoming attacks and unbalance the opponent. Soft styles are generally considered to be defensive in nature. Techniques tend to emphasize throws, locks and pins, rather than strikes and kicks, although it is hard to stereotype.  Aikido is a typical soft style.

External and Internal

Hardand soft styles are sometimes referred to as external and internal martial arts, respectively. Although overlapping occurs between hard and external style, and soft and internal styles, confusing these descriptions is erroneous. Judo, for instance, is a soft style, but not an internal style.

An external technique generates its power primarily through physical means; i.e. Newtonian laws and muscular strength. An internal technique, on the other hand, is believed to attain its primary power from the cultivation of Ki (internal life-force). It is believed that Ki (Japanese and Korean) or Chi (Chinese) is stored in the human body in an area in the abdomen, about three finger widths below and two fingers widths behind the navel. This area is callend the tanden in Japanese, dāntián in Chinese or danjeon in Korean. Internal martial arts spend lots of time doing breathing exercises aimed at increasing, harnessing and manipulating Ki. Internal martial arts typically accent health through meditative breathing, relaxation and calmness of mind. Tai Chi Ch’uan, often referred to as “meditation in motion”, is an example of an internal martial art.

Traditional and Modern

Many claims a long history. Often they also have a clear philosophy associated with a cultural heritage. With such a long tradition, these martial arts are usually quite systemized. They are often referred to as “traditional” or “classical”. Training tend to occur in formal settings, with practitioners dressed in matching uniforms, organized in distinct ranks and adhering to style specific traditions.

Traditional styles tend to focus on hierarchy and discipline. Technique are taught strictly in a sequential way, requiring practitioners to pass through ranks in order to learn new techniques. The typical Karate school, with students standing in rows from senior rank to junior rank, can be described as traditional. Because of the emphasis on discipline, respect and other virtues, traditional martial arts are considered good options for children.
These days, it is not uncommon to hear any martial art older than 50 years referred to as “traditional”.

A martial art known for a less formal setting that does not put much emphasis on rank and hierarchy is sometimes considered Modern. An example would be Western kickboxing – practitioners tend to train together in a gym, and techniques are passed on in a more informal manner. Emphasis is usually not put on rank attained by formal promotional testing, but rather proficiency gained through participation in tournaments. They have few traditions and do not generally stress the cultivation of virtues. With so much focus on fighting, and so little focus on moral codes, they have been derogatively accused of not actually being “martial arts”, but merely fighting systems.

Mixed Martial Arts

In recent years the deliberate cross-training in different martial arts has spawned a new type of martial art engagement, known as Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). MMA usually entails the mixing of striking and grappling styles, so that fighters can compete at all ranges of combat. MMA has become especially famed for sport tournaments, such as the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championships), K1, Shooto and DREAM.

Self-Defense


Martial Arts is sometimes confused with Self-Defense, as if these two terms are synonyms. This is not the case. While it is true that the arts focus on self-defense, or that many martial arts can assist in self-defense, the latter is not martial arts per se.

Self-defense is the act of protecting oneself against an aggressor. Such self-preserving actions are not by default self-defense. A woman that hits an attacker with a frying pan over the head may have defended herself; however, it is unconvincing to claim that she did any martial arts.

Nonetheless, the majority of martial arts claim to equip their practitioners with self-defense skills. In recent years this has caused lots of contention.

Especially the traditional ones have come under criticism, as it is believed that the very formal and structured environments in which traditional martial arts are taught are unrealistic and inadequate at preparing someone for a violent conflict situation, which is naturally unstructured. Another argument is that most martial arts focus too much on physical self-defense, instead of spending time teaching practitioners other valuable skills, such as awareness, negotiating skills (e.g. verbal dissuasion and conflict resolution), and so on.

Regardless, it is very likely that a person versed in a martial art (be it traditional or other) is more likely to have better awareness and quickened reflexes; both crucial abilities in a violent conflict situation.

Sport and Recreation

Apart from its use in the military and for self-defense,they have a long history of being used for sport and recreation.

Sparring

It is well known that Ancient Greece enjoyed wrestling and other martial variants as both sport and recreation. During the Roman Empire, battling Gladiators were a major source of entertainment. To this day, people dueling is considered great entertainment, with millions of people watching boxing matches, UFC fights and other combat sports. Judo, Taekwondo, Archery, Boxing and Fencing are all Olympic Sports. Taekwondo is Korea’s national sport.

Striking style tournaments are usually defined in three levels of intensity: light contact sparring, semi-contact sparring and full contact sparring.

In recent years full contact Mixed Martial Art tournaments have become in vogue. Tournament rules are limited (sometimes referred to as “no-holds barred”), so that different martial arts (i.e. striking and grappling arts) can easily compete against each other. Competitors need to be well versed in both stand-up and grappling ranges.

Destruction

Some tournaments include non-sparring categories, which could include destruction techniques (also known as breaking techniques). Breaking techniques involves the the destruction of wooden boards, tile roofs or concrete slabs, usually with punches, strikes or kicks.

Forms

Another well known non-combative category at tournaments includes the performance of forms (Kata in Japanese, or Poomse / Hyeung / Teul in Korean). Forms are structured martial art techniques performed in a set sequence. Forms are usually choreographed “fights” against imaginary opponents and many date back for centuries. Forms can be performed with or without weapons. In recent years “open forms” (or “creative forms”) have also become in vogue, with practitioners creating their own (non-traditional) forms – often performed to music and involving flashy kicks and spinning movements.

Aesthetic Ideals

The martial arts share much with other art forms, especially with dancing. As in dancing, the human body is used as a means of creative expression. So, the martial arts can be appreciated as aesthetic presentations. Martial artists often spend countless hours to perfect certain techniques, for the movements to become graceful and seemingly effortless to perform. Intense training can be invested in martial art forms, attempting to perfect them. The results are often breathtaking technical recitals that involve synergetic displays of power, speed and balance. For many practitioners, such aesthetic ideals are core to their martial art involvement.

Martial Art Techniques

Martial Art Stances and Stepping

Foundational to almost all martial arts are the use of well balanced stances. Stances differ from style to style, but can typically be divided into ritual and practical stances.

Ritual Stances

Ritual stances are used for formalities, and usually involve bowing postures. Some common ritual stances include kneeling meditation postures, kneeling and bowing (also known as the formal bow), standing and bowing, as well as attention stances, which are usually in a standing posture.

Practical Stances

Practical stances are used to keep good balance while performing various offensive or defensive techniques. Stances differ widely from one martial art to the next and terminology is equally divergent. The following descriptions are generalizations and only cover some of the more prevalent stances.

The ready stance is usually a relaxed, but focused posture with feet about shoulder width apart and the body weight distributed equally over both feet. The hands are often closed into fists.

The fighting stance has one foot forward about half a step with the feet a little more than shoulder width apart. The weight is distributed somewhat equally over both feet and the knees are slightly bent. This stance can easily maneuver forward and backward, as well as to the sides, and is therefore popular in sparring.

In the forward stance the martial artist shifts his or her body weight more onto the front foot. The front knee is usually bend and the front foot facing forward. The back leg is usually straightened, with the back foot pointing diagonally forward. The hips are often squared. The forward stance is effective for strong linier advances, and quite stable because of the low centre of gravity. Unfortunately, the low centre of gravity tend to make kicking difficult.

In the back stance the centre of gravity is shifted back towards the rear leg. Both the knees are usually bend and the hips are not fully turned. The rear leg supports about 60-70% of the weight. This stance is common when withdrawing from an attack and can be a good position from which to counter-attack.

The cat stance has most of the centre of gravity brought over the rear foot, with only an approximate 10 percent remaining on the front foot. The rear leg is usually well bend. Since most of the weight is carried by the rear leg, the front foot is free for a variety of kicks.

The horse stance is a forward facing stance with the feet wide apart and bend at the knees. It is popular with wrestling martial arts, such as Sumo, and is often used to strengthen the thigh muscles.

Stepping

Footwork is very important in the martial arts and requires a multitude of stepping-motions. Some common stepping-motions include the half step, stepping over, cross-over stepping, semi-circular stepping, side-stepping, dodging and pivoting.

A half step is when you move one foot forward and shift the rear foot after it. This shuffle ensures a quick, but focused advance, without changing your posture or guard. Half steps are often used by boxers. The half step can also be done retreating.

Stepping over is when one paces forward so that one’s rear foot advances and replaces the front foot as the leading foot. A step over covers a larger distance but turns the body position. One can step forward or backward.

A cross-over step is performed when one brings the rear foot forward so it crosses the front leg. The cross-over step is often followed with a kick. Different kicks require the rear leg to cross-over either the back or the front of the leading leg. The sidekick requires a back cross-over and a roundhouse kick (turning kick) requires a front cross-over.

Side-stepping is a particularly useful maneuver to avoid an oncoming attack. Usually the front leg is used to quickly do a half step to the side or diagonally forward and drawing the other leg in. On occasion the rear leg can also be moved back to initiate a side-step. After a successful side-step, one is often in an advantageous position from which to perform a counter-attack to ones opponent.

Dodging is a form of side-stepping or other form of swift maneuvering to avoid an oncoming attack.

There are a number of ways of turning, all requiring one to pivot in ones stance. Turning motions begins from the hip and can add much momentum to strikes.

The position of your hands relative to your stance determines your guard. A good guard requires a balanced stance and arms that can easily protect against attacks to the upper body.  

Blocking

Martial Arts are well known for their arsenal of blocking techniques. Blocking requires the interjecting of a body part of your own, to interrupt and usually deflect the attacking limb of an opponent.

Hard blocks

Hard styles tend to use blocks as intercepting weapons, to hurt the attacking limbs of their opponents. Hard blocks meet force with force, but also use rotational tactics to spread the force over a greater surface area, and so lessen the impact of the incoming attack. Hard blocks usually require much conditioning of the blocking areas. Thai boxers, for instance, use cola bottles filled with sand to harden their shins, which are used for both striking and blocking.

Soft blocks

Soft styles typically use blocks to redirect and deflect the force of an opponent’s attack. By redirecting the force of the opponent’s attack, the soft style martial artist can control the opponent’s force and use it against him. Soft style blocks often require much training, which involves one to merge with the opponent’s attacking force before one can redirect and control it. Soft style martial arts like Aikido often require little muscular strength, but warrant much dexterity and sensitivity to the movement of one’s opponent.

Counter-attacking

Blocks are customarily followed by counter attacks. Hard blocks are usually followed by strikes or kicks and soft blocks are usually followed by a grab and wrist lock or some type of throwing technique. Counter-attacks needs to follow the block immediately, before the attacker has time to assess the situation and recuperate. Many martial artists believe that the ultimate aim in their training is to complete such a block and counter-attack with such proficiency that no other retaliation would be necessary. One blow (counter-attack) should be enough to immobilize the attacker.

The Body’s Striking Weapons

Techniques rely on certain natural weapons, innate to the human body. The weapons include the hands, arms, legs, feet and other miscellaneous body parts.

Hands

The hand is probably our most important and versitile body tool. With it we do everything from caressing to punching.

The closed hand creates what is known as the fist – the most common hand weapon. Using the hardened knuckles, the fore fist can be a devastating weapon, capable of much carnage.

Another favorite is the hammer fist. Instead of using the knuckles of the closed fist, the hammer fist uses the side of the closed fist (on the little finger side). The technique is often used in a clubbing action and is an easy and natural way of hitting. One often sees other primates and even children using the hammer fist as an instinctive weapon.

Similar to the fore fist, the back fist uses the back of the knuckles. The wrist is often kept loose, and snaps at the target in a whipping action, to increase the acceleration of the strike.

When the fore fist is slightly unrolled so that the attacking area is not the knuckles, but the middle digits of the fingers, it is known as a half-open fist, or a long fist because of the slightly longer reach of this technique. The half-open fist is used to attack narrow openings such as the throat.

When the hand is opened and stretched back so that the bottom of the palm is revealed, it is called the palm heel. Striking with the cushioned flesh at the bottom of the palm greatly reduces the risk of personal injury. In Chinese styles the fingers tend to be extended open, while in Japanese and Korean styles the fingers tend to be slightly bend.

The knife hand is similar to the hammer fist, but with the hand open, focussing on the pad of flesh on the edge of the hand. The knife hand is used to strike soft areas such as the neck and since the strike is concentrated on a small surface area, the force can be quite great. The knife hand is equally as effective as a block and is sometimes followed by a grab.

The inverse of the knife hand is the ridge hand. The thumb side of the hand is used for striking. The thumb is tucked away to produce a safe surface area for striking (or blocking).

Many martial arts employ the fingers as effective weapons. The fingers can be poked into the eyes or at pressure points all over the body. Much effort is taken to strengthen the fingers, when they are to be used as weapons.

Arms

The forearms, specifically the bony area directly below the wrist and on the sides of the arm, are excellent areas for blocking. Although not generally used for striking, it is possible to use the forearm as an attacking tool, for example against the neck.

The elbow is one of the bodies most versatile and hardened weapons. It is especially effective at close range encounters and can be swung horizontally, vertically and diagonally and even thrust straight back.

Legs

The legs are primarily used for kicking techniques.

Like the elbow, the knee is a powerful close range weapon. The knees can be swung upwards to the groin or diagonally at the floating ribs or solar plexus.

When conditioned the shin is a extremely hard surface area and excellent weapons for kicking and guarding.

Feet

The instep is often used for kicking, with the toes curled in and the foot flexed so that the instep is in line with the shin. Since the top of the foot has many vulnerable little bones, it is better not to use the instep unless wearing sparring boots or shoes.

The ball of the foot is an excellent weapon for kicking. It is padded with strong cushioning and doesn’t require much condition to be effective. When used, the toes must be pulled back, lest they be injured. The ball of the foot is especially effective for the front kick and roundhouse (aka turning) kick.

The sole of the foot is used in Chinese and Korean martial arts to thrust the opponent away. It can also be used against the knee joint.

The edge of the foot is used as the main weapon for the side kick and can be used to attack the instep, the shin, the knee, the ribs, the neck or the face, among others.

Some kicks, such as the downward (aka axe kick) make use of the heel of the foot. For the downward kick the leg is swung up and over the opponent and then forcefully jerked downward, slamming the heel into the opponents head or collarbone. The heel is also used for some spinning kicks.

Miscellaneous Weapons

The head butt is an effective technique and a common surprise attack during street brawls. The hard skull makes for an effective weapon.

Sometimes the chest can be slammed into an opponent, as in Sumo wrestling.

Occasionally the hips can be jammed into an opponent’s side as an unorthodox attack. The hips are also effectively used in various throwing techniques and can cause crushing pressure when dropped onto a person.

Although not very graceful, biting is an effective attack. The teeth are hard and sharp and can cause serious injury. Fists are often cut accidentally when punched into teeth.

Other Ways of Fighting

Apart from striking and kicks, there are also other ways of fighting an opponent. The first is to use an opponent’s force against him and the second is to employ leverage and joint locks.

Using an Opponent’s Own Force Against Him

Generally, if two people should grab hold of each other, it is the person with the most muscle strength that would get the upper hand. However, many styles have learned to use the opponent’s strength against him.

Judo and Aikido, for instance, uses the attacking force of an opponent and redirect such force into a throwing technique.

Leverage and Joint Locks

Many styles focus on leverage and joint locks to manipulate an opponent. An example is the simple arm bar that hyper extends the elbow joint by pulling it across the forearm or over the shoulder. A martial art like Hapkido specializes in manipulating the joints of the opponent. Smaller joints such as the wrist joints or fingers get special attention, as they are easier to lock than larger joints such as the shoulder or knee; however, all the joints in the human body are potentially vulnerable to attack.

Using leverage a relatively smaller person is able to manipulate a much larger opponent.
Martial arts that focus on leverage and joint locks include: Judo, Jujitsu, Taiho Jutsu, Brazillian Jujitsu, Aikido and Hapkido.

Ranking Systems

Most martial arts, especially the traditional ones, make use of a ranking system to determine the skill level of a practitioner.

Belts

Often belts are used to indicate a practitioner’s rank, especially in the Japanese and Korean martial arts. In the Chinese martial arts a sash, instead of a belt, is often used. Usually a white belt indicates beginner-level, and a black belt advanced level. In between white and black belts there are a number of color belts. Once achieving black belt, most martial arts allow for further progression in higher ranking black belts. A black belt is usually referred to as a Dan; a practitioner with a first black belt is called a first Dan, someone with a second black belt is called a second Dan, and so forth.

Promotional testing

Progressing through ranks often requires official promotional tests (sometimes known as “gradings”). Promotional tests usually make use of a syllabus, with specific requirements at each belt level. The examination is conducted by someone with a senior rank, generally a high ranking black belt.
Promotional test often require candidates to performed basic techniques, self-defense demonstrations, form demonstration, sparring, and destruction techniques. The candidate may also be required to know some theory and show a certain level of fitness and flexibility.

Clothing and Equipment

Most martial arts have specialized clothing and equipment. The clothing will often display style-specific insignia in the form of badges.

Japanese Styles

Japanese styles such as Karate, Judo and Jujitsu make use of a durable, light, medium or heavy weight white uniform, usually made of cotton. The uniform is known as a gi. The pants tend to have a drawstring waist and is loose fitting for ease of movement. The jacket is folded across the chest, and tied with the belt, indicating the rank of the practitioner.

For sparring groin protectors and mitts (a thin glove padding the knuckles) are usually compulsory.
Japanese martial arts related to weaponry, such as Aikido, Kendo (sword fighting), Iaido (sword drawing) and Kyudo (archery) wears a jacket and a hakama (a folded skirt). The hakama is usually black in color.

Korean Styles

The uniforms in Korean styles look similar to the uniforms used in Japanese martial arts; however, Korean martial art uniforms (called a dobok) is loosely based on the traditional Korean dress, known as hanbok. Both the jacket and pants are loose fitting, and made of durable material. Korean martial arts like Taekwondo and Taekkyeon tend to wear white dobok. Occasionally uniforms in other colors are used – usually black. Since Hapkido is related to Aikido, it is common for Hapkido practitioners to wear black pants and a white top.

For sparring, practitioners are required to wear protective equipment such as gloves or body armour, groin protection and a mouth guard.

Chinese Styles

Practitioners in Chinese Martial Arts, like Tai Chi Ch’uan and Wing Chun, usually don in mandarin suits (often made of silk), with flat-bottomed shoes. A sash is often worn around the waist.

Chinese Martial Arts are known for various interesting conditioning methods and often include unusual training equipment, like the wooden dummy (mook yan jong).

Sparring Focused Styles

Martial Arts that focus primarily on tournament sparring tend to have simplified uniforms, often only wearing trousers or shorts. Styles like Muay Thai, Kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts usually only wear trousers or shorts (women add sportbras), as well as sparring equipment that include a groin guard, a mouth guard and sparring gloves.

- Sanko Lewis


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