There are different martial arts that originated both in the distant past and more recently. They are closely intertwined with each other, but at the same time they have their own characteristics. Different countries have their own unique directions, which are actively developing around the world.
What are martial arts?
This term refers to various martial arts systems that are developing as a means of hand-to-hand combat. All over the world they are practiced as sports exercises aimed at physical and mental improvement. When describing what martial arts are, it is worth pointing out that they are divided into areas, types, styles and schools. In addition, some of them allow the use of weapons. One of the classifications is based on national characteristics. Recently, existing martial arts have been divided into the following groups:
- Sports
. The purpose of these events is to compete to determine the fittest person. This necessitates strict rules, restrictions and sometimes protective devices to reduce injuries. Examples include boxing, karate, judo, and so on. - Combat
. These martial arts are used to quickly eliminate the enemy, and they also help to survive in critical situations. They are also used in special services and army practice. - Mixed
. This is a combination of the first two options, in which there are a minimum of restrictions, but there are also rules. Athletes use different techniques and techniques.
Japanese martial arts
The most popular styles that originated in Japan are karate and aikido. They very quickly began to spread to other countries. There are other martial arts in Japan which include:
- Jiu-jitsu
. The founder of the style put into it the principle that gentleness can defeat evil. It involves the use of various throws, strikes and choking techniques. - Judo
. The technique does not involve striking, and is aimed at putting the opponent in a helpless position. - Sumo
. Big man wrestling is based on forcing the opponent to touch the floor with any part of the body. - Kempo
. An ancient form of martial arts that combines different techniques. Nowadays the word “Kempo” is often used to refer to martial arts. - Kobudo
. This is a peculiar name for directions that imply the possession of different versions of eastern edged weapons.
Chinese martial arts
Over the past two thousand years, different martial arts have developed, of which there are many, so there are certain classifications. There are 18 provinces in China that have their own styles, the most famous being Shanxi and Henan. According to the nature of the manifestations, physical and spiritual directions are distinguished. By territorial basis we can distinguish:
- Northern martial arts of China
. These areas include acrobatic elements and performing various kicks with great force. - Southern Martial Arts
. They are distinguished by the use of low fighting stances and short movements, which are very powerful and are performed largely with the hands.
European martial arts
In Europe, their own types of self-defense were invented, and many of them were based on the rules of martial arts.
- Savat
. A martial art that originated in Paris and is extremely effective. It combines boxing punches with shoe kicks, making it ideal for self-defense. In the shroud, the main emphasis is on powerful blows with the lower limbs to vulnerable areas. - Bartitsu
. This European martial art was developed by a gentleman for gentlemen. It was created by engineer Edward William in London. Bartitsu is based on many styles, such as English boxing, jiu-jitsu and Swiss cane wrestling. - German jujutsu
. This is a symbiosis of different techniques of martial arts. The system is used exclusively for self-defense, and it is based on repelling an attack.
American martial arts
There are unique types of martial arts that were formed in America. Examples include the following options:
- Capoeira
. The movement, which is recognized as national in Brazil, combines dance movements, acrobatics and acting. From the outside, the action looks very spectacular. - Line
. An American martial art that was specifically developed for the military. It uses various techniques aimed at eliminating the enemy. - Rough and Tumble
. Translated from English, the name means “fighting not according to the rules.” During a fight, any techniques are used to neutralize the enemy. The style developed in America in the 17th century.
Martial arts of Russia
Many are sure that Russian martial arts do not exist, but this is not so, although in the traditional sense there is no such phrase. I would like to highlight the following areas:
- Fist fight
. A competitive practice in which the fight is fought at medium range. Strikes are applied with both the upper and lower extremities, and throws, movements and grips are also used. - Hand-to-hand combat
. This is a specific system that includes numerous tricks aimed at attack and defense. - Sambo
. A Russian martial art that was developed in the USSR. It is based on Japanese judo and traditional types of wrestling.
Judo
Judo is translated from Japanese as “the gentle way.” It was founded in the 80s of the 19th century by master Kano Jigoro. He borrowed from jujutsu (jiu-jitsu) techniques that were most suitable for sports competitions, but were the least traumatic.
He complemented the struggle with spiritual and personal improvement. The purpose of judo is self-defense without weapons through throws, painful holds, holds and chokes.
There is almost no striking technique in judo, especially in sports judo, unlike karate. Due to the technical techniques in judo, great physical strength is not required, so it is accessible to most comers. It has been included in Olympic sports since 1964.
Judo competition
Types of martial arts
All known directions can be divided into three classes:
- Wrestling.
This includes traditional and freestyle wrestling. These martial arts involve little to no striking. Their main goal is to put the enemy on his back using various techniques. - Drums
. Examples include boxing and kickboxing. These are contact types of wrestling and martial arts that involve punching and, in some types, kicking. - Eastern
. Directions that develop not only physical qualities, but also emphasize spiritual education, which is why they are also called “philosophy.”
Hand to hand martial arts
One of the oldest methods of attacking an enemy is hand-to-hand combat, which was used in the Ancient World. An example is Greco-Roman wrestling, but the most famous type of martial art that uses hands is boxing, which originated in ancient times. The sport may seem simple on the surface, but in fact there are many subtleties involved in striking and moving around the ring.
Another option is Shorinji Kempo, which is a boxing style of karate. It involves the use of a series of punches, as in boxing, which in most cases are performed no higher than the waist. This direction is most suitable for large people. Many martial arts include hand-to-hand combat, for example the following areas:
- kung Fu;
- karate;
- Shotokan karate do;
- aikido;
- kickboxing.
Martial arts with kicks
Many types of combat sports use kicks, which can be performed correctly by people who have good control of their body. The most famous martial arts with kicks:
- Karate
. This sport was developed more for defense rather than attack. It connects strikes with the upper and lower limbs. It is believed that this martial art is one of the most spectacular. - Taekwondo
. A sport that originated in Korea and primarily involves the lower extremities. They invented it in order to knock the rider out of the saddle. - Thai boxing
. Although the direction is similar to boxing, it actively uses punches and knees.
Martial arts with weapons
In some types of martial arts, different weapons are used, for example, a long bo pole, sai - a certain type of knives, nunchucks and swords. Examples of martial arts include:
- Eskrima
. This is a specific form of timely fencing. The style includes 12 basic blows, which are delivered using wooden fighting sticks. - Kendo
. There are different sword martial arts, and this Japanese style uses a bamboo sword that is used to strike the neck and head. - Arnis
. The trend, which originated in the Philippines, includes the use of not only hand-to-hand techniques, but also weapons. In most cases, this is a long bo pole, kali sticks and knives.
Dance martial arts
Many cultures have dance styles that add spectacle to the action. The most popular are martial arts with dance elements:
- Combat hopak
. The calling card of Ukraine, which concentrates the wisdom of the people, courage and humor. This martial art uses not only sharp strikes, but also various weapons. - Capoeira
. The trend arose in America thanks to slaves. This dance martial art is considered a national treasure of Brazil. The main role in it is played by leg movements.
International recognition
In Russia, there is a state program for financing mas-wrestling with the support of President Vladimir Putin. In 2013, an open championship in this sport was held in the Kremlin. Today, mas-wrestling is very popular not only in its historical homeland, but also in many countries. The geography of this sports discipline is actively expanding. Members of the International Mas-Wrestling Federation are already national federations of 70 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America. The World and European Championships are held in even years, and the World Cup is played in odd years.
The National Mas-Wrestling Federation of Armenia was founded in 2011. And just three years later, Armenian athletes took part in the first World Championships held in Yakutia. More than two hundred athletes from 36 countries took part in the debut world tournament. Then the athlete from Armenia Karen Martirosyan managed to win a bronze medal in the weight category up to 70 kg.
In 2015, Yerevan hosted one of the three stages of the World Cup, where the Armenian team took an honorable second place in the team competition among 37 countries. Over the past years, Armenian athletes have won many medals, including gold, in the international arena. Nine intra-republican championships have already been held in Armenia itself.
“We have winners of the World Cup, European Championships, and World Championship medalists. Our athletes have won more than thirty medals in international tournaments. There are more and more people wanting to engage in mas-wrestling in Armenia; training takes place not only in Yerevan, but also in the regions where we periodically send our trainers. We also already have an international class judge,” says the President of the Mas-Wrestling Federation of Armenia, Artavazd Nalbandyan.
Types of martial arts for girls
There are a large number of different sports areas suitable for the fair sex. The most popular women's martial arts are:
- Karate
. Women love this sport because in a short time you can become flexible, fast and strong. Karate is an excellent psychological practice. - Boxing
. Martial arts training is great exercise, and boxing provides cardio to help keep you in shape. Boxing develops endurance and clarity of movements, and it also relieves stress and bad mood. - Fighting class
. A direction that includes several types of martial arts. During training, you will not only get in shape and improve your general condition, but also learn techniques for self-defense. - Aikido
. The main purpose of this art is to gain defensive skills. The technique is designed to use the enemy's energy against him.
Jujutsu
Considered the progenitor of Aikido, the art of jiu-jitsu was founded back in the 16th century by master Hisamori Takenouchi. It was he who was the first in Japan to develop a technique for maximally saving a fighter’s strength and abandoning striking techniques. He placed grabs, throws, and the use of the enemy’s energy to disarm him at the center of battle tactics.
Particular importance in jiu-jitsu is given to breathing, stances and the ability to move in front of the opponent. Evasion is one of the main techniques, while grappling is the key goal. If the goal was to neutralize the enemy, then the students practiced precision strikes on painful points of the upper half of the body.
Martial arts films
In cinema, the topic of martial arts is a popular one, so the list of existing films can be listed for a long time. Let's look at some of them:
- "Ip Man
" Chinese films about martial arts are widespread, the list of which includes this picture. It's about martial artist and teacher Bruce Lee. - "Enter the Dragon"
. The famous film with Bruce Lee, which is based on a fighting tournament held on a secluded island. The main character must demonstrate all his skills in order to survive. - "Once Upon a Time in China"
. A film about the struggle between the Chinese and the West. The film has many excellent fight scenes and choreography, which makes the film very entertaining.
Wushu
(literally martial art), the general name for traditional Chinese martial arts, more often called kungfu or Chinese boxing in the West. There are many different directions, wushu, which are conventionally divided into external (waijia) and internal (neijia). External, or hard styles require a fighter to be in good physical shape and spend a lot of physical energy during training. Internal or soft styles require special concentration and flexibility. An example of external styles is Nanquan (“long fist”), and internal styles are Taijiquan (“fist of the great limit”). It is believed that to increase striking power, a practitioner of the Tai Chi style creates a wave-like flow of internal energy (“ji”). Practicing techniques in taijiquan is usually carried out at a slow pace and with minimal expenditure of physical energy, and the fighter, carefully monitoring the actions of the enemy, is in a state of readiness to avoid the attack and immediately perform a counter technique. This technique can be a blow, a push, a throw or a painful effect on the joints of the hands, depending on the specific combat situation.
As a rule, the philosophical basis of external styles is Chan Buddhism, and internal - Taoism. The so-called monastic styles are traditionally external and originate from Buddhist monasteries, one of which is the famous Shaolin Monastery (founded around 500 BC), where the Shaolinquan style was formed, which influenced the development of many styles of Japanese karate.
