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.