Filipino Martial Arts – because the Philippines was the site of so many battles and combats, it is not surprising that the Filipinos have developed their own style of martial arts. Employing a wide range of methods in training, instructors of this type of martial arts believe that it is necessary to use knowledge and skills when in combat. Traditional Filipino martial arts also uses weapons like the sibat, baston, espada, latigo and lubid.

Chinese Martial Arts – the most famous of all styles are kung fu and wushu. When referring to kung fu, the system of martial arts refers to the accomplishment or skill of the person. On the other hand, wushu is more applicable to martial arts activities in general. In fact, it is considered to be a modern sport, like gymnastics. Chinese martial arts was borne from the need to defend one’s self during ancient China. Soldiers, preparing for war, are trained in martial arts in preparation for hand to hand combat.

Russian Martial Arts – like the Filipino and Chinese martial arts, the Russian martial arts was borne from the necessity for defense. During the ancient times, the Russian military have to protect their lands from invaders. The Russian martial arts is actually a combination of several styles including Japanese and Chinese martial arts. In any case, it resulted to a new style of martial arts and commonly referred to as Russian Sambo.

If you are interested in learning about different fight techniques including these martial arts style, there is only one authority to go to. The Fight Authority is a one-stop resource of all types of fighting techniques including martial arts, street fighting and other hand to hand combat skills. In addition to learning about the different types of fighting techniques, site visitors can also watch martial arts videos including muay thai, jiu jitsu and MMA training.

Learning martial arts is an effective way to protect yourself from situations that require you to stand up and defend your self. On the other hand, you should realize that learning is just the beginning. Martial arts is also an important discipline that requires you to seek out a way to improve yourself and develop your skills. It is a continuous process and should be taken quite seriously.

The Fight Authority will help you with all these things plus provide you with the means to meet other martial arts enthusiasts. The advances in technology have bridged so many barriers including time and distance and you will be able to maximize this particular feature of the internet. And the good news is you do not even have to leave your home to learn about martial arts.

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Martial arts have different origins. The term “Martial” is derived from the Roman god of war named “Mars”. Martial Arts simply mean “the art of war”. Although most people think that martial arts only came from the Asian cultures, it is also found in America and Europe. Martial arts feature a type of combat system that has codes within a single objective of physically defeating a person.

Aside from this, it is mainly used for self-defense against any bodily harm. Some martial arts techniques are actually based on a spiritual or religious philosophy such as Aikido and Judo. This is while others base it on a certain code of honor such as fencing. Hence, martial arts techniques are being practiced as a form of combat sports and some in the form of dance.

Thus, regardless of where the art originated, they have similarities with one another. Each style has a systematized fighting style. They even have forms and routines when they do sparring, which is practiced either alone or with a partner. Martial arts are grouped in a way that each style will focus on a certain area.

Below is a list of samples for each group:
Grappling
• Throwing – Judo, Jujutsu, Sambo
• Joint Lock – Aikido, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Hapkido
• Pinning Techniques – Wrestling, Judo

Striking
• Punching – Boxing (Western style), Wing Chun
• Kicking – Capoeira, Savate, Taekwondo
• Other Strikes – Muay thai, Karate, Shaolin Kung Fu

Weapons
• Traditional Weaponry – Fencing, Gatka, Kendo, Kali
• Modern Weaponry – Eskrima, Jogo do pau, Jukendo
For some, most of the styles are well known as a form of Martial Arts technique and only a few would know that boxing and fencing is also categorized as such. At present, most styles of martial arts are being used as combat sports. For the others, they are used in military or police training as a form of self-defense.

Hence, Tae Kwon Do, fencing, boxing, and wrestling are events in the summer Olympics. This is while other martial arts such as Wushu of China and Muay Thai have tournaments held around the world. Aside from this, there are also those, which are regarded both as a form of dance and as a type of Martial Art. Good examples would include the Capoeira of Brazil, Yolah of Oman/UAE, and Buza from Russia.

Here is short description of some of the techniques mentioned above.
CAPOEIRA
The slaves in Brazil created this martial art during in the 16th century. It’s a blend of dance, game, and as mentioned already – martial art, where in, music is incorporated. It’s more of a skill based art rather than injuring the opponent. The players’ form a circle called the Roda, where in, they will take turns in playing inside the circle.

The basic movement in Capoeira is called the ginga, in which, they need to swing and rock back and forth. They should move with the rhythm of the music being played by the bateria. Hence, the players usually use acrobatic movements such as cartwheels, handstands and use kicks, sweeps, and head strikes as a form of attack. They also do rolls and ducks, as their defensive move and as type of preparation for an attack.

Thus, this is more of a combination move for self-defense that makes use of a cartwheel with a blocking kick and an attack at the same time.

BOXING
The ancient Greeks first introduced it as a sport and there are different forms of boxing done around the world. As a combat sport, usually two persons with a similar weight class fight with each other using their fists. There is the presence of a referee, one who needs to watch over and control the fight.

Since boxing is a type of contact sport, certain precautions must be taken in order to prevent injury. Hand and wrist wraps and boxing gloves are worn in order to protect the bones in the hands. During practice or sparring sessions, a headgear is also worn to protect the head and face. A mouthpiece is also worn to protect the insides of the cheek and lips from getting cut and also the jaw joint when the face gets hit.

Boxers practice their punches on a “speed bag” or on the heavy “punching bag” in order to develop speed, agility, and strength. Other training equipments include free weights, jump ropes, and medicine balls. The trainer uses focus mitts as padded targets for the boxer during practice.

MODERN ARNIS
A Filipino style of martial arts founded by the late Remy Preses was created as a self-defense system. Influenced by the style of the Bolo (machete) and the art of Balintawak (Stick-Dueling), rattan sticks are used as weaponry, in which, it is called a “baston” (baton) or cane. Two techniques are taught using the baston – the single and double stick technique.

The cane is considered sacred to the practitioners of the art. This is the reason why, during combat, the arm or hand of the opponent is hit and not the cane. This method was called “defanging the snake”, where in, the opponent will drop his weapon, making him less of a threat. Then this technique has been discouraged a lot from learning the art. This is because it was too painful to learn.

Plus, this caused the Filipino martial arts to become almost extinct! Therefore, what Remy Preses did is to preserve the Filipino martial art via developing a method of cane-to-cane combat during practice. This is in order to attract would be practitioners of the art. Thus, the “defanging the snake” method remains the practical application.

TAEKWONDO
Taekwondo is the national sport of South Korea and perhaps the most popular martial art in the world. It is a combination of self-defense, sport, and combat techniques, which makes it an official event in the Olympics. The training of taekwondo usually involves the use of the power of the hips and legs. It also has blocks, punches, sweeps, and joint locks.

Taekwondo is distinguished from other techniques because of its kicking techniques. They believe that the leg is the most powerful weapon especially with the back kick of taekwondo. The union of the mind and body is developed and practiced in this art, while developing other aspects such as discipline, strength, flexibility, and stamina.

The “dobok” is the official uniform of a taekwondo student and is usually white, and with it, a belt is worn around the waist where its color will indicate the person’s rank.

FENCING
A European martial art that involves the use of swords, knives, bayonets and other similar weapons used in armed combat. Presently there are three weapons used:
• Foil – light thrusting weapon
• Epee – heavy thrusting weapon
• Sabre – light cutting and thrusting weapon

Dueling gained popularity with the Europeans in the 17th up to the 19th century, where in, the cutting style of swordplay became a thrusting style or “foining”. During that time fencing involves defending one’s honor so no duels using sharp blades took place unless a formal insult was made.

After World War I, dueling was almost non-existent and went out after the Second World War. Therefore, the training and using of sharp swords disappeared. Plus, the emphasis was more in the technique and training styles of fencing.

As a form of martial art, the goal of fencing is to be theoretically trained for a duel. In classical fencing, where in the art of swordplay is applied and even expected to become applied in their training for an actual duel or fight, they utilize the standard foil, epee, and the blunted sabre. As for historical fencing, the use of a variety of weaponry with realistic weight will demand a different way of handling them, even affecting the movement of the body.

Today, fencing, as a type of sport, uses protective clothing during practices or events. The complete set includes the following:
• Croissard – form fitting jacket covering the groin with a strap that goes between the legs.
• Gorget – small fabric to protect the neck
• Plastron – under arm protector
• Glove – to protect the hand and prevent the blade from going into the sleeve
• Breeches or knickers – short trousers
• Socks – knee length or thigh high
• Shoes – with flat soles
• Mask – with a bib to protect the neck
• Plastic chest protectors – required for female fencers

Things you need when you are planning to join a martial arts class:
1. Uniform – most students are required to have a uniform. There are available uniforms for students of the following:
• Taekwondo
• Karate
• Judo and Aikido
• Kung-fu
• Ninja
• Belts

2. Protective gears and sparring gears
• Head gear
• Hand gear
• Foot gear
• Chest guard
• Shin guard

3. Weapons
• Practice swords
• Escrimas
• Weapons cases
• Weapons stand
• Knives
• Bo’s and staffs
• Kubotan

4. Training gear
• Breaking boards
• Mats
• Conditioning gears – hand grips, double end ball
• Hand held pads -mitts and arm shield
• Heavy bags

5. Boxing equipments
• Gloves
• Cardio wraps
• Jump rope
• Leather speed ball

6. Exercise equipments
• Medicine balls
• Chin up bars
• Heart rate monitor
• Free weights
• Ankle weights
• Stretching equipment

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The Writing Itself

I have to admit, I’ve been in sales related fields over 30 years. Aaron Perry knows how to write good sales copy. Not only that, he has the martial arts knowledge and the ability to transfer his knowledge and experience to his fellow martial arts instructors. I believe this skill was taken into consideration as he developed these martial arts games to help ensure learning, loyalty and even advertising via word of mouth and game days amongst his students and his students guests.

I Kept a Suspicious Attitude As I Read Martial Arts Games for Kids

With a background in physical education, I’m very picky about games being associated with the activity, in this case martial arts. When my son was six, I took him to observe several martial arts schools and observed the children’s classes. Every single one of the martial arts classes for children did the same thing.

* Warm-ups unrelated to martial arts or self-defense training. By the way one of my methods of teaching physical education classes stated children have such a high metabolism they do not technically need to “warm-up” before engaging in a physical activity.

* Relay races of various types unrelated to martial arts or self-defense training. In these relay races students spent most of their time standing behind another student looking at the back of his or her head than they did engaging in or watching the activity. So much for any benefit of observation.

* The last fifteen minutes or so were spent executing actual martial arts drills. Unfortunately, per my sales experience, it’s the last 15 minutes the parents remembered, thus remained satisfied with their child’s progress. I cannot state for certain the parents remained satisfied as I never inquired about the martial arts schools turn around or retention rate.

As both a professional educator and parent, I was appalled at what I considered to be a waste of time for the students as well as a waste of financial and time investment for the parents. 

I Admit to Becoming Impressed As I Read Martial Arts Games for Kids

I realized Mr. Perry took associating a game with the activity he was trying to promote, martial arts, seriously in his book.

Martial Arts Games for Kids include games to increase:

Physical Condition
Coordination
Strength
Balance
Accuracy
Techniques
Stances

The sections were divided similar to public school lessons plans. Each martial arts game explains

* Number of players
* Equipment
* Procedure
* Modification suggestions
* Benefits of the martial arts game

He even includes a frequently asked questions section along with advice on how to slowly incorporate games into your martial arts schools curriculum. There’s martial arts school marketing suggestions such as game day. Students bring a friend for this naturally and Mr. Perry offers a way to control the number of people who show up for this promotional event.

When I Finished Reading Martial Arts Games for Kids

I admit I was impressed. However, all lesson plans and activities could be improved upon. For example, Mr. Perry made no mention of having smaller groups to increase actual activity. I would have also liked to have seen mention forming any lines need for the activity in such a way as students could observe their fellow students participating.

Note to Those Who Believe Martial Arts and Games Should Not Be Combined

Our goal as educators, is to transfer knowledge to our students. Games is an effective tool in achieving this goal. Games are used in all types of classroom and physical topics to enable and reinforce learning.

Whether or not your students take martial arts seriously does not depend on whether or not you play a game which your students may enjoy. Games are only and should only be a part of your martial arts schools curriculum.

Whether or not your students take martial arts seriously and do not abuse the knowledge which you transfer to them, depends on you and your attitude, not whether or not you allow them to enjoy their lessons in a variety of ways, thus wanting to continue to learn even more.

Whether you’re a martial artist, self-defense practitioner or mma fighter, this has to sound like a very egotistical statement, but read on with my explanation and find out if you too are martial arts….

Didn’t You Mean to State You’re a Martial Artist?

No I didn’t, hopefully a reader will have a better term for what I’m trying to explain. I welcome explanations better that stating I am martial arts. I can already see the monitor martial artists stopping their reading of this article right now as they do with self-defense videos so they may immediately boast their opinion without stopping to figure out what I am trying to say.

What Ifs

This answer may vary among martial arts instructors, but when someone asks you,

“What do you do if…?”

Let’s say against a right cross. If you immediately verbalize exactly the techniques you would do as your self-defense instructors words flash into your head you are a martial artist, but you are not martial arts.

If on the other hand, you honestly reply,

“I don’t know”, shrug your shoulders and say, “do it let’s find out.”

You are martial arts, not just a martial artist. So if you’re too stupid to verbalize an answer then you’re martial arts? No, I’m stating if you don’t know what you are going to do until the threat is perceived whether real or practiced, you are martial arts.

State of Awareness

Do you walk around, slightly tense and at the ready in case of an attack? Consciously scanning the area for the slightest hint of danger? Then you may be a good martial artist or self-defense practitioner, but you are not martial arts.

If, however, this state of awareness is done subconsciously, without thought. When a threat is perceived your awareness and senses heighten and your muscles relax as your adrenaline kicks in, making you a very dangerous individual. You are martial arts.

What is Kung-fu

As I was explaining to a kung-fu instructor friend of mine my concept, I asked him,

“If someone asks you to demonstrate kung-fu, what do you do?”

He then shook his wrist and said,

“That is kung-fu”

I then asked him,

“And what do you say when they ask for a further explanation?”

My friend said he tells them,

“If you don’t know what that is, you won’t know what kung-fu is.”

When Do You Use Martial Arts?

Now, stop and think about this. If you answered,

“In a street fight”
“In a martial arts tournament”
“Twice a week at the dojo”

You are a martial artist, but you are not martial arts.

If you answered,

“Everyday with everything I do”

You are martial arts.

Now Are You Getting It?

A martial artist practices the martial arts and separates everyday life from his/her martial arts practice. Someone who becomes martial arts assimilates it as part of his/her everyday life.

So Once We Are Martial Arts, Do We Stop Learning?

Absolutely not! Our lessons are not just in the martial arts or self-defense school however, we can learn our lessons in all parts of our lives.

It’s in our lives in business
It’s in our social lives
It’s in our pursuit of love
It’s in the way we raise our families

Conclusion

It’s not just when a punch becomes just a punch. It’s when our lives both inside and outside martial arts training become one. It’s simply a part of us and we wouldn’t have the slightest idea what we would do if we didn’t have the martial arts. If we weren’t martial arts.

Stephan Kesting from www.grapplearts.tv teaches the two worst techniques he’s ever seen in his 30 years of martial arts training
Video Rating: 4 / 5

The meaning of martial art is “the art of Mars”. In order to undergo a Custom Martial Arts training, you need to invest in martial arts equipment  to train for combative conditions. Through a high quality  martial arts equipment, you can do practices at home and Martial arts training place very well.

Martial arts will be categorized on the basis of priority of skills, you want to develop through custom martial arts training. For Striking, you may require a Chinese martial art equipment called’ Wooden dummy’. The basic purpose of such Martial arts equipment is to prepare your mind to anticipate the angle of attacks.

You will need  mouth-guard and a head-guard for kicking sports like Taekwondo. This is for both male and female fighters. Male jins or fighter need martial arts equipments like  crotch guard or sport cup to avoid injury on their groin. Do not use such Martial arts equipment every time and become habitual as such hand made martial arts equipments  are prohibited in some  sparring matches.

Martial arts uniform is necessary for all martial arts matches nowadays. Make sure that your Martial arts uniform is made up of thick material as they are durable  and can withstand the strikes and friction. All the Martial arts equipment must be purchased from an authenticate martial arts store to ensure the quality.

Martial arts is entire based on your power, focus and ability to  transfer your energy in to your fist or attack.  A focus approach that supported with high quality martial art equipments from a recognized  martial arts store will help you to dominate your enemy. Martial art supplies a confident in you that you can handle any situation. Martial arts must be learned by ever one especially women to secure themselves in combat.

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Decorousness of Mixed Martial Arts

Sports, as well as athletes, have always been well-respected in America; however, one sport in particular, mixed martial arts, is having trouble gaining the same respect. By simply clarifying misconceptions, informing the uneducated and redirecting opposition, mixed martial arts can acquire the mainstream acceptance and seemliness it deserves.

In America, sports play a large role in traditions, politics, media, as well as activities of interest at some point in nearly every human’s life. The attention the American population pays to sports and the extensive amounts of money professional athletes receive only serves to reinforce the importance of athletics in this country; so why is it that the respectability, and even existence of mixed martial arts (MMA) is viewed in the way that it currently is by a large percent of the population?

Ever since the introduction of MMA to the United States in 1993, it has been the subject of numerous heated debates and arguments (Walter). Claims such as, “MMA is barbaric,” or “too brutal,” have been made although these statements may have been true, and it is reasonable to form this opinion, the sport of mixed martial arts has changed drastically, but the negative stigma has remained.

Televised professional mixed martial arts or Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) carry a negative stigma by those who don’t understand the changes that have been made since the emergence of mixed martial arts.  Many people view MMA as a sport with “no rules,” and where “anything goes.” Though this was true at one time, as can be seen by observing, the unruly and aimlessly violent acts during bouts in the early stages of the sport, UFC has been totally reinvented since, yet people still associate the sport with an unruly nature. Arizona Senator John McCain led the four-year hiatus MMA              experienced from 1997 until 2001, and the reemergence of the sport to pay-per-view was a direct result of the utilization of a new set of rules, but the negative opinions have lingered (Walter). The sport that previously had two methods of victory and three fouls, now welcomes five weight classes to eliminate size and strength advantages, rounds and time limits to cut back on allotted time each fighter has to receive or usher bodily damage, a list of thirty-one fouls to eliminate all unsportsmanlike-like conduct, and eight possible ways for the fight to end, permitting victory or defeat by way other than the commonly believed “inevitable knockout” (UFCRULES). The incorporation of these regulations completely changed the sport from what it originally was. Though at one time it could have been reasonable to think negatively about or dislike MMA, what it has become is far more similar to the respectable sports than people see.

Though MMA is different in many ways from the “respected sports,” most people fail to notice or refuse to accept the similarities between MMA and many other sports. Congruent with the “keys to success” in many sports, “MMA requires hard work dedication, practice, conditioning, and coaching,” (Mason). There is no denying that similar requirements are found in nearly all popular sports in America; however, people will find other reasons to support their opposition towards mixed martial arts.

Of the many reasons people oppose MMA and not other sports, one of the most popular is the injury factor. It is obvious that a participant in an MMA can get hurt; however, this reason is not enough to dislike or consider the banishment of the sport. Though it is likely that the intentions of one opponent may involve hurting the other, these intentions do not mean MMA is any less safe than some of the mainstream sports that people do appreciate. Even other fighting sports such as boxing are far more dangerous than MMA (Russell). Aside from over 1,000 recorded deaths in a little over 100 years in the sport of boxing, and the single death that has happened with concerns to MMA over the last sixteen years, people continue to believe since the size of the gloves used in boxing are bigger than those used in MMA, that boxing is the safer sport (Walter). However, though professional boxing uses 10 oz. gloves and UFC uses 4 oz., the thickness of the part of the glove that provides impact resistance is nearly the same. Gloves are worn by fighters in both sports to provide padding for fighter-safety in attempt to cut back on serious injury and the stopping of the fight before viewers are pleased; however, the shape of a boxing glove is designed to protect the entire hand of the boxer, while that of an MMA glove is to allow use and dexterity of opposable fingers, allowing contestants to grasp appendages to utilize techniques. Also, thousands of cases of Parkinson’s disease are found in many former boxers but there are no known cases of this disease in MMA fighters. This is because boxing rules permit an eight-second recovery to a strike that would have been considered a “technical knockout” in an MMA bout, which the referee would have stopped the fight. In these cases, numerous blows to the head cause after a concussion has been received is what seems to be causing Parkinson’s disease. Whether it is the shape or statistics that one bases their opinion on, MMA is safer than boxing and even some of the respectable sports.

Though a fighter is likely to have more damage done to his body during an MMA bout than a soccer or football player is to under go during a game, does not mean participating in soccer, football, or many other sports makes you any less liable to serious injury than fighting MMA. Changes in sports should be made according to what can happen, not what does happen, and if injury or death proves to be a factor, nearly all sports would have been banished long before attempts were made to banish MMA. “Of the thousands of sports-related deaths that have happened in North America, only one has occurred with concerns to mixed martial arts,” (Kodi). Reasons behind the low number of deaths in what some people call the “most dangerous sport” are simply because MMA is undoubtedly far more safe than many of the sports that Americans find perfectly acceptable. In fact, in many cases, the difference between MMA and other sports is what makes the other sports more dangerous.

Sports that involve moving fast, heavy machinery, objects, and interaction with water, air, or dirt can be far more harmful than being enclosed in a cage with another person who uses nothing but his or her own appendages to overcome his or her opponent. In an MMA bout there is no chance of colliding with or being smashed by something heavy, being impaled by an object, drowning, falling from high places, or having any other interaction with harmful objects and scenarios. The possibilities are very low that a human, using only his or her body, can create a deadly threat in a padded, enclosed area before the opponent, time, or referee puts a stop to the fight. However, some people believe that since harm is intended, the sport is less acceptable than others.

People who oppose the sport for safety reasons are basing their ideas on what they believe happens during an MMA bout. Contrary to what many people believe, the intentions of each fighter are not to inflict pain on their opponent, but to win the fight, whether it be by submission, knockout, technical knockout, decision via scorecard, technical decision, forfeit, disqualification, or no contest (UFC Rules). Though causing your opponent pain may help you win a fight, it is not the necessarily the person who does so the most that wins. Understanding the correct concept of MMA will serve to diminish nearly all opposition of the sport and allow people to view “fighting” in an entirely different way.

During an MMA bout, there are two fighters and one referee inside the cage, and three judges outside the cage. The fighting portion of mixed martial arts is exactly what it appears to be, a mixture of techniques derived from different forms and martial arts such as Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, kickboxing, boxing, wrestling, and more. Contestants are allowed to use these techniques in attempt to knockout, submit, or out-point his or her opponent before the fight comes to an end as well as follow all the rules and regulations. If one of the fighters is to make a foul, the referee is to call it, vital points may be deducted and fighters may even be disqualified. Of the millions of people who watch UFC but do no participate in MMA training or fighting themselves, many of them will form negative opinions about the sport and believe it is unethical because they are not aware of the thirty-one rules that must be followed.

When a viewer sees two grounded opponents throwing punches, many times they will interpret this as “unethical,” and assume there are no boundaries on rules or “anything goes,” inside the cage. “Unethical” may be the correct word to use when watching this event take place in a boxing match; however, “ethics” were taken into consideration when developing rules to follow inside the cage. There is an art behind ground-and-pound (striking a grounded opponent) and though it may be hard for the average viewer to understand, there is a large amount of technique behind doing it efficiently. Even Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, the form of ground-fighting used in MMA, aside from striking, is very technical. It takes an average ten years to acquire a black-belt, such as the ones many UFC fighters have and many are nearing (Votaw). The people who created the rules for MMA took many things into consideration, ethics being one of them. For the few people who do decide to step into the cage, their biggest fear is losing and being embarrassed; not falling victim to the unimaginable number of unethical acts one person can do to another. Each contestant, as well as the referee, are very familiar with the options they have, all of which are “ethical,” similar to the sports that are appreciated.

One of the main reasons people do appreciate sports is that there is an opportunity for athletes to portray their abilities to successfully complete a task in a manner that exceeds the efficiency or performance of an opponent and the average person. Sports fans appreciate watching the abilities of one person or team clash with the abilities of another. So why is it that the same appreciation cannot be found watching UFC? Many people are not aware of what it takes to be a successful fighter and do not want to find athletic significance in a sport that involves “fighting.” Whatever the reasons may be, MMA, if understood fully, would be appreciated by a much larger percent of the population.

Those who have trained/fought MMA see some people who don’t appreciate MMA as having a sense of cognition immaturity. An example of this phenomenon takes place when a mixed martial artist notices a sports fan being completely content watching only golf, football, or soccer. Someone who knows MMA and the many different concepts within it, understands the many reasons as to why the sport should be respected. To see someone lack the ability, or refuse to notice the technical aspects of what is “going on” is nearly frustrating. Any sports fan that appreciates watching another person display their abilities in a competitive manner would be absolutely enthralled by what there is to be seen in a successful MMA fighter.

Though being successful in any sport takes vast amounts of abilities and effort, there is a difference in what it takes to be successful in mixed martial arts and what it takes to be successful in other sports. There is no demeaning of other sports when coming to an understanding of MMA. Those who train MMA discover a newfound insight to the term “athleticism.”

Though success in all sports takes a combination of ability and effort, success in MMA requires something more. MMA expands “athleticism” beyond the scope of merely having physical prowess, but also using mental ability to coordinate effective use of one’s physical ability. Many people believe the size of a person’s arms determines how efficiently he or she can fight; however, this is far from the truth. If people were to understand what it takes to be a good fighter, it’s possible that more sports fans would watch as well as appreciate MMA.

When looking at a successful fighter, many people do not see what his or her abilities consist of. There are many different martial arts that exist, and each one of them is unique in consideration to the rules that are set and the physical options fighters can choose from in attempt to overcome their opponent; therefore, since MMA is a “mixture” of martial arts, there is far more to keep into consideration when your opponent is allowed to use a countless number of techniques when trying to overcome you. Nevertheless, in order to be successful, a fighter must have a readily accessible combination of athletic abilities that are both mental and physical. This is where a respectable difference can be seen in what is known as “fighting,” and mixed martial arts.

The term “athleticism” is more commonly used when referring to physical abilities; however, a cognitive form of athleticism, as well as physical athletic abilities is needed to succeed in MMA. At Elite Combat Academy in Shreveport, Louisiana, this “cognitive athleticism” is known as “brain-speed,” and though this term does not appear in the dictionary, “brain-speed” can be best defined as “the instinctive ability to accurately determine and execute an appropriate action or response to one or more visual or physical stimuli, with regards to timing, instructions from your corner men, position of yourself and opponent in relation to the cage, self vulnerability, potential counter-actions based on training background and skill level of specific opponent, physiological attributes of opponent such as reach, agility, flexibility, strength, and height, and maintain appropriate breathing pattern according to exertion of energy, previously learned techniques, kinesthetic sense, and ignoring distractions such as physical pain, noises from the crowd, and even the flashing of cameras.” Every component of brains-speed is important, the lack of even one can be easily detected and capitalized on; to your advantage or disadvantage, and will ultimately determine the outcome of the fight. It is the technical aspects such as these that differentiate MMA from what is known as “fighting.”

Of the many misconceptions about MMA, “the most popular are UFC is an organization of unskilled fighters, controlled street fighting, and that it’s the same as dog fighting or cock fighting, except with humans,” (Mason). Absurd opinions such as these are held both by people who actively oppose the sport and are those who are neutral toward the existence of MMA. For those who hold no respect for MMA fighters, it is apparent they have never witnessed the intensity, frequency, or even technicalities behind an MMA training session. In consideration to the previous paragraphs, there is no denying UFC fighters are very talented and possess vast amounts of skill; however, those who think UFC  is “controlled street fighting,”  should not be punished for their extremely inaccurate opinion. If people were to understand the difference between street fighting and mixed martial arts, the negative stigma that is currently attached to the sport of MMA would fade.

Those who believe MMA and street fighting are the same thing, though their speculations are remarkably distant from actuality, do deserve some appraisal for their ability to notice the two similarities: there is opposition and there is punching. However, aside from these, believing to have noticed additional similarities in current competition could only be the result of low-level cognitive ability and or effort.

The sport of MMA was similar to what people know as “street fighting,” but MMA as a sport has changed with an ultimate goal in mind, to differentiate from street fighting and the negativity that is associated with it. In fact, mixed martial arts hardly is any more concerned with what many know as “fighting” than any other sport. Many people associate the word “fighting” with thoughts of hair-pulling, biting, spitting, punching, hatred, losing teeth, scratching, and other terms of nonsensical, violent chaos. Of the many differences between MMA and street fighting, the largest is the factor of motivation. People fight on the street, at parties, and many other places outside of a cage to settle differences between another person or group of people. Any form of disagreement, opposition, and even misunderstanding can serve as motivation to engage in a fight with another person on the street; however, pairing of fighters in MMA comes by way of selection by the promoter, according to weight class and skill level. Often times, opponents in an MMA bout are acquaintances and their motivation to oppose each other comes strictly from their aspirations in the sport. Rarely does one, much less both fighters, have any form of hatred towards the other. Rules were incorporated into MMA to eliminate all other unethical factors associated with street fighting, and in turn, is how MMA became a sport.

Mixed martial arts, though it may always be viewed as “fighting,” should remain in America, as well as become legal in the states that it is currently banned in: for it has been the large number of misconceptions, unprecedented aspects, and inaccurate comparisons that has rendered people unconscious to the respectability that can be seen in such a sport. Though MMA has a fast growing fan base and the potential to gain the mainstream acceptance it deserves, people will continue to associate MMA with the unruly nature of  “fighting” because they are uneducated. Even the people who silently oppose and those who have neutral feelings towards the sport are among the percent of the population that are responsible for MMA not having the acceptance it deserves. Reasons behind the fast growing fan base are because everyday, more people are realizing the decorum of the sport and all of its aspects. Fans, as well as participants can be found in all walks of life throughout the country, and these people- police officers, salesmen, T-shirt printers, firemen, waiters, students, teachers, soldiers, family members, doctors and many more- are not any more barbaric or socially unacceptable than fans and participants of other sports.

Though MMA has been the basis of countless altercations, controversies, and debates in America, association of MMA to any sort of negativity has been exceptionally uncommon. However, it is the delusion of mixed martial arts that receives opposition, disrespect, and rejection.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Donald F. Walter, Jr.,”Mixed Martial Arts: Ultimate Sport, or Ultimately Illegal?” GrappleArts. 8 December 2003

Donald F. Walter graduated from Hampden-Sydney College and attended law school in Baltimore, Maryland. Wanting Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) to gain the same respect America has towards mainstream sports, Donald promotes the enlightening of concepts so that there will no longer be the negative stigma associated with MMA. This source in particular, describes the many different lights MMA has seen since it was first introduced into the United States. This material however is limited to the changes that have been made and does not discuss changes that need to be made.

Mason D. Brent. Personal Interview. 2 November 2009

Brent Mason is a Shreveport Police officer as well as a professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter. Brent has provided information ad feedback from a stand-point that has been affected by many years of leading himself as well as other into the world of MMA. He has had a major influence on MMA throughout Shreveport, Louisiana by playing his role as a fighter and a well respected law-enforcer. The information from this source is limited to one persons opinion based on his personal experiences.

Russell, J.S. “The Values of Dangerous Sport” Journal of the Philosophy of Sport; 2005, vol.32 Issue 1,p1,19p

J.S. Russell is affiliated with the Department of Philosophy at Langara College in Vancouver, Canada. Russell has had a large amount of input regarding ethics, morals, values, and understandings of sports in the Journal of the Philosophy of Sport. Russell argues that noncontact sports are just as dangerous as contact sports. This source is limited to statistics that are four or more years old.

Kodi,Brian. “Death & MMA.” BJJ. 20 April 1998

Brian Kodi is the author of the online editorials about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as well as a Jiu Jitsu practitioner himself. Kodi claims MMA is a “niche sport,” and is far more dangerous than other sports, such as boxing. The ideals supported in this source are opposite from those ideals supported in Decorousness of Mixed Martial Arts. This source gives typical examples of the misconceptions that are formed by those who opinionate based on the early stages of the sport. This source is limited to information gathered prior to 1999.

Votaw, John. Personal interview. 5 December 2009

John Votaw is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu purple-belt under Carlos Machado along with being a well-rounded Mixed Martial Artist. John’s claim supports the respectability there is to be seen in a Jiu Jitsu black-belt as well as the respect of many UFC fighters. This source permits the incorporation of an opinion from a highly-experienced Jiu Jitsu practitioner. Because he is currently active in the world of Jiu Jitsu, John’s input is new and congruent with current events and opinions; however, John’s feedback is comprised of opinions based on his personal encounters and experiences.

UFC Rules,”UFC.2009.UFC. 2 November 2009

The author of this article is unknown but the content must be accurate for the information I found on the official UFC website. This internet page consists of the rules and regulation which are thoroughly understood by all wo are involced with a Mixed Martial Arts bout. This source is limited to professional and does not mention the altered set of rules amateur fighters must abide by.

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To answer this question one could look and research forever but in the end the answer is quite simple. There is no best martial art.

Most martial arts are designed to achieve a specific goal or purpose. While being well rounded they place specific emphasis in major areas. Tae Kwon Do for example has heavy emphasis on kicking and was designed as an art for neutralizing cavalry. Judo primarily focuses on using leverage and body mechanics to throw opponents being designed to aid in combat against heavily armored samurai. These martial arts were created to help solve specific problems. As such their scope is limited in other areas. This does not make them any less effective as a martial art.

Many debates of the best martial art really degrade into battles of ego between martial artists. Despite many martial arts encouraging humility as a desirable trait, egos abound in the martial arts community. When a martial artist has been told that his art is inferior he naturally gets upset. This is a result of all of his time, energy, and effort being belittled by insinuating that it has all been a waste because he chose an inferior art to pursue. Martial artists may refer to instances where past masters or they themselves have defeated many practitioners of other arts so therefore their styles are inferior. Such an argument is really missing the point. Any practitioner of any art can potentially defeat any practitioner of any other art. The only factor ultimately comes down to does one practitioner understand his chosen art and how to apply it better than the other practitioner. Any student of the martial arts deserves respect for the time and commitment they have put into studying their chosen art regardless of which art they have chosen.

One commonly overlooked factor is what other goals does a potential student want to gain by practicing a martial art. While a particular art may satisfy certain needs, what else do potential students hope to find while studying an art? Students hope to gain physical and mental benefits from practicing but may also be interested in the social aspects of training with new people, improving discipline and self confidence, as a means of relieving stress and breaking up the monotony of their daily life. These goals may be adequately satisfied by any martial art or any other non martial activity. Even factors like location, time, cost, and availability play a role in making a decision. Some areas may have an abundance of styles and schools to choose from while others have limited or no choices at all.

Even among schools that teach the same style, individual instructors may approach teaching the same material in different ways. Some teachers are more aggressive than others. Some instructors place more emphasis on tournament achievements. It is important that you consider whether the instructor is someone you would feel comfortable learning under and does their school, art, and particular approach coincide with your own personal values.

As individuals grow and change so do their needs and desires from a martial art. Once you have chosen a particular art it does not mean that it will satisfy your needs forever. It may be necessary as you develop in an art to seek out other styles to compliment the ones you have previously studied which can help deepen your understanding. With these changes you may need to reevaluate whether a school is the best for you or whether it is time to seek out a different art that may suit your changing needs better. For example a student may study a system because it is all that is available in their area. After moving to a new area many other styles are now also available. If the student then decides to study another style of martial arts it does not invalidate the lessons from the previous style. The first style may have provided a good foundation to start from, good training habits, and improved physical health which the student can carry with them as they develop in the new art.

When trying to find the best art there really should be an addendum to the statement. You should not look for the best martial art, but instead look for the best martial art for you. Does a given art look like it would be enjoyable to learn and teach values that you agree with? Will it satisfy the level of self defense that you would like to achieve? Do they satisfy non martial requirements such as social interaction and cost effectiveness? Taking the time to consider what it is that you hope to accomplish by studying martial arts in general will help you find the best martial art that suits your specific needs. There is no best martial art, there is only the art that you choose to be the best at.

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In one study children who were taught martial arts for 3 months showed significant improvements in their behaviour and were more sociable and attentive in class. Also children that had been practising martial arts saw improvements in math skills in class.

What is possibly most important is that boys showed greater improvements than girls. The study was published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology (Volume 25, Issue 3, May-June 2004).

Over the last century education has changed dramatically in school and discipline as declined. For many boys there is no real discipline in school, and it is now thought by some that boys especially need greater levels of discipline in their lives to ensure that they excel in school.

In another study Stuart W. Twemlow, MD, who is a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Menninger Department of Psychiatry Baylor College of Medicine Houston, Texas, looked at the role of teaching traditional martial arts to violent adolescents.

The key findings were that when adolescents were taught the martial ways of a gentle warrior they learnt to cope better with the social complexities of living in a dysfunctional family environment.

The problem that many adolescents face is summed up in this statement from SW Twemlow:

“Single-parent households with fatherless children, gangs, and out-of-control inner-city students present psychotherapists with unique challenges. Violence and neglect have reached epidemic proportions, and children often grow up with egregious emotional scars that eventually lead to hardened, angry, intractable adolescents. Too often, they come to regard prison as a rite of passage.”

Many adolescents have nobody in a position of trust to turn to. They are excluded from school, have poor or non-existent relationships with their parents, do not trust social workers or doctors, and are essentially alone.

Martial arts clubs can provide a safe place for adolescents to get back on track. Through traditional martial teaching they often learn to respect others again as a result of becoming more self aware and learning to control their own emotions. It really is a case that the successful treatment of violent adolescents begins and ends in the community, or more specifically, in a martial arts club.

A good instructor ensures that children and adolescents not only learn how to get fit and self defence, but also learn self respect and respect to others.

Tony Willis, chief instructor at 5 Elements Martial Arts who also runs the martial arts classes for children, explains that “At 5 Elements Martial Arts we ensure that through the training we provide we develop students with important values including courtesy, respect, patience, confidence, self esteem, positive attitude and indomitable spirit.”

These values really do work. Many children and adolescents really respond well to a strict but friendly environment. This combination is something that is rarely found in the community today. Adolescents often find schools or parents strict but unfriendly – they rebel against the system, the system becomes an enemy. However, a martial arts school provides this environment to literally put kids back on the straight and narrow.

One of the common aspects of gang culture that gives an insight into why martial arts training can help is the role of mock fighting;

“Sparring. Mock fighting, jostling, and other physically aggressive play are common among gang members. These mock fights sometimes get out of control and erupt into serious violence. Nevertheless, a considerable amount of time is spent roughhousing, exchanging gibes, and engaging in other types of sparring, both verbal and physical.”

Properly applied, martial arts can provide an alternative method of fulfilling these needs. Sometimes children, especially boys, need to vent their aggression which is why tempers rise and fights break out. Martial arts teaches children how to channel this energy for good, to use it to train harder, to get fit, to become a better martial artist.

Martial arts also improve a persons feeling of self worth and achievement through the ranking systems that most employ. The colored belts system allows a martial artists to display their rank and this commands respect and also acts as a role model.

Traditional martial arts seem to work better at improving behaviour. The sense of military history helps to enforce a greater respect for the system that is being taught. The idea that it is a system that has trained real fighters is something that an adolescent can often identify with and respect, much more so that a system that is designed only for fitness or competition.

However, the quality of the instructor is vital also. The study also stated that the best martial arts instructors are the ones that have a greater understanding of mental health and a good awareness of psychological issues.

This is really only true for the more aggressive adolescents though. For most children a good martial arts school provides a fantastic place to teach respect and discipline.

Martial arts are something which have been overlooked by schools for a long time. Many consider them to promote violence, however, the opposite is true. Martial arts training teaches non-violence, respect, confidence. Many bullies feel isolated and lack self confidence, martial arts can give them focus and build their confidence so that they stop being bullies. Victims of bullying also develop stronger personalities and learn to understand and confront their bullies in a non-violent manner.

Traditional martial arts can provide a framework for development that modern society can no longer achieve. Whereas today a teacher cannot physically control a child in a classroom without risking an inquiry, a martial arts teacher is trained in controlled sparring, and this in itself teaches a child how to control their own anger and instincts to strike out.

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Home Page > Health > Wellness > Odyssey Martial Arts – The Number One Martial Arts Academy in Virginia

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Odyssey Martial Arts – The Number One Martial Arts Academy in Virginia

By: amit shukla
Posted: Nov 18, 2010

Practicing martial arts is a great way for you to burn fat and defend yourself from would-be attackers. Sadly, for every four martial arts studio, three have shoddy learning programs and only one will provide an adequate one. Really good martial arts programs are few and far in between. Let’s take a closer look at one of the really good ones.

The Odyssey Martial Arts is a mixed martial arts academy located at King William County, Virginia. It was founded by John Simons III ten years ago in 2000; recently it has expanded into a brand new, state-of-the-art training facility. The Odyssey Martial Arts Academy offers a variety of martial arts instruction to youngsters and adults alike. They teach muay thai, guerilla jiu jitsu, judo, and mixed martial arts. They also offer modern army combatives which teaches soldiers weapon control, striking, and grappling to prepare them for the battlefield.

As a seven-year-old kid, John became fascinated with martial arts. This fascination deepened into a lifelong passion that led to him to start his own martial arts studio when he was just sixteen years old. The Odyssey Martial Arts Academy has students from all ages. John does his part for his country by letting members of the military even train for free.

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Perhaps what draws students both young and old to the Odyssey Martial Arts Academy is John’s innate ability to let the core of what he teaches come through. There are a lot of skilled martial artists out there but they may not make the best instructors. Teaching martial arts, after all, is all about allowing your students become skilled at the sport without letting them forget that it is a discipline. There is no gender discrimination at Odyssey Martial Arts Academy. Some of the more proficient female students can make even full-grown men cry uncle.

When John teaches martial arts at his academy, he not only teaches them the moves, he also teaches fighting strategy. When and how to intercept your opponent’s move, reading your opponent’s next move and most importantly, not to panic when caught in a hold. John is a devoted student of the Royce Gracie school of Jiu-Jitsu. Royce Gracie is an Ultimate Fighting Championship hall of famer and a martial arts legend in his own right. In Gracie’s own words, “you don’t have to be a monster to be a champ”. John has taught all his students that the most dangerous foe is the one who can think fast on his (or her, as the case may be) feet. Apprentices at the Odyssey Martial Arts Academy know that a bigger and stronger opponent could always be outwitted and that martial arts is as much a mind game as it is a physical one.

The Odyssey Martial Arts Academy also has a traveling Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Grappling and Mixed Martial Arts competition team, Team Odyssey. Team Odyssey has won championship after championship in the youth division of MMA. Odyssey Martial Arts Academy prides itself in having a youth martial arts program that really fosters discipline, respect and honor among its students. Most other programs of this sort are nothing but faux day-care ‘belt mills’.

So if you live around Virginia and you’re looking for a first-class martial arts academy, enrolling at John Simon’s Odyssey Martial Arts Academy is a great idea.

amit shukla – About the Author:

Author enjoys writing on Health related topics. Check out her other articles at Instah.com or Fitness section on her website.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/wellness-articles/odyssey-martial-arts-the-number-one-martial-arts-academy-in-virginia-3691276.html

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Home Page > Sports and Fitness > Martial Arts > Choosing which martial art for your child or family in three easy steps

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Choosing which martial art for your child or family in three easy steps

By: Bytomic TKD
Posted: Dec 31, 2010

Choosing which martial art for your child or family in three easy steps

Which martial art will be best for my child or family? How do I distinguish from all the different types of martial arts?

We have all heard of the main popular martial arts: Karate, Kung Fu, Judo, Tae Kwon Do and Kickboxing. So you or your child decides to take up a martial art and you have a look online or in local directories as to what clubs are near you.

What are the differences between the main martial arts? How about other clubs offering martial arts you may not have heard of including Tai Jitsu, Ninjitsu, Tang Soo Do, Choi Kwang Do, Kendo, Capoeira, Doce Pares to name but a few? Are they all the same? How do you decide which one is the best for you?

Here we explain how to narrow down your choices in three easy steps to get a shortlist. Although we may be doing some martial arts a dis-service by generalising, for a new beginner to martial arts this is the only realistic way of forming a shortlist of clubs to try out.

What all martial arts have in common is their history and lineage as systems of disciplined physical training for all ages. Training in any system will bring physical benefits in terms of fitness, flexibility, strength, co-ordination and the ability, over time, to gain knowledge of defending one.  Where martial arts differ from other sports is the moral code which accompanies the training. Students learn traditional eastern ethics of courtesy, discipline, honesty, perseverance and “never say die” attitude which all instructors learn from their own instructors and pass on.  These principles stand all students in good stead for success in their daily lives as well as improving in the syllabus and progressing through the belt colours towards a black belt.

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Step 1: Weapons or no weapons? The first simple classification of martial arts is whether their traditional syllabus includes weapons or not.  The main martial arts that incorporate weapons (Sticks, knives or swords) include Doce Pares, Kendo and some forms of Chinese Kung Fu.

Step 2: Kicking and punching or Ground work? The easiest distinction for beginners to make between martial arts is whether they are based on attacking and defending from a standing position or whether they are based on throwing (wrestling) and ground work.

Karate, Kickboxing, Tae Kwon Do and Kung Fu are all “standing” martial arts, based on kicking, punching and defending from a standing position.

Judo, Jiu Jitsu, Aikido and Hapkido use locks, trips and takedowns to throw opponents off balance.

Often for beginners one of these styles will “jump” out at you as being a favourite. If your child likes rough and tumble and wrestling then a Judo-type art would be ideal.  For the less-confident, a standing martial art will allow them to work on their own and in their own space.

If both types appeal, then the emerging popularity of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) classes will provide instruction in a range of martial arts on both ends of the scale. Some local clubs do not specify which martial art they teach and instead use their own experience to blend different disciplines so students get to experience the best of both worlds.

Step 3: Martial Art chosen now how do I choose a specific class? Once you have an idea of which type of martial art you would like to try, do a little research as to which clubs are near you. The most honest answer is that at this stage, the most important factor is how you feel you fit in to a club and how the instructor and fellow students make you feel, not which martial art you will end up training in.

We all know as consumers, that when we make a purchase, price, location and brand are all important factors but ultimately the final decision is how good a “fit” that item is in your life.

Martial arts classes may differ in name and price but often the proof is in the training and you will know, once you have tried a class, whether that club is for you and one in which you can see yourself enjoying yourself time after time.

We feel that professionalism, enthusiasm, friendliness, personal attention and encouragement in a club override the style that a student chooses.  Speak to other students and parents in a club to see how enthusiastic they are, what they like about the sessions, how they feel they or their children have benefitted in the time they have trained. At our Bytomic Tae Kwon Do classes, although we pride ourselves on following a traditional syllabus, we feel it is our instructors’ unique style of teaching that breeds our success – whatever Art our instructors were teaching, students would still benefit physically, morally and spiritually – and that must be, after all, the bottom line.

Bytomic TKD – About the Author:

Bytomic TKD runs a network of 25 Tae Kwon Do clubs in South East England and is known for its family friendly classes and professionalism.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/martial-arts-articles/choosing-which-martial-art-for-your-child-or-family-in-three-easy-steps-3950251.html

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