The 12 main types of martial arts

Summary of the main martial arts, and their combat styles with or without weapons.

Many of the people reading these lines are involved in some kind of contact sport. Boxing, karate, judo, aikido... are names that are quite popular today, many of which have a long history and tradition.

They are part of the so-called martial arts, sports and artistic disciplines based on fighting and usually with a deep basic philosophy.

There are many different types of martial arts. Among all the existing ones, along this article we are going to see some of the most popular and well-known.

What is a martial art?

Before reviewing some of the different types of martial arts, it is pertinent to briefly mention what exactly we mean by martial art.

We refer to martial arts as the set of procedures and methods of fighting and combat that have been elaborated throughout history and that have been forging different styles according to principles, codes and aesthetics.

In general we are in front of a ritual and simulated combat in which there is no purpose to generate severe damages: in its majority they are oriented to maintain one's own integrity and to defend oneself in an efficient way, with the aim of defend themselves in an efficient way, with the least possible energy expenditure and trying to and trying to generate the least possible damage to the opponent, while at the same time being in line with the philosophy and worldview it offers.

Although they were born mainly as combat styles dedicated to be able to fight and defend themselves from aggressions and rivals, many of these modalities are considered an art and a sport that involves much more than mere movement and combat but also the assumption of certain valuesThe most of these modalities have a long history of practice and are considered an art and a sport that involves much more than mere movement and combat.

Most of them have a long tradition and have their origins in antiquity or are derived from the ways of fighting of ancient peoples and cultures, although different modalities have also been developed over time.

Main types of martial arts

There are many different types of martial arts in the world, born from different cultures and perspectives on life, conflict and the use of energy. Many martial arts are practiced only with one's own body, but also with the body. there are several modalities that use weapons (some of the best known today are those practiced with various types of sword, although there are also modalities with bow, mace or staff).

Among this great diversity, below we will see some of the best known types of martial arts.

1. Karate

One of the best known martial arts, karate has its origins in Japan (specifically in present-day Okinawa) and is characterized by the use of punches, slaps, kicks and blocks in a firm and forceful manner in order to defeat the opponent with a few blows.

This martial art integrates values such as respect and courtesy, being important to show it through various types of greetings. It also seeks to improve the level of body alignment, the hardening of the body and the ability to connect with it.

2. Judo

This type of traditional martial art of Japanese origin is characterized by the fact that, unlike other disciplines that prioritize the blow, in judo the main combat mechanism is the grip.. In this sense, in judo the strength and weight of the opponent is absorbed in order to defeat him.

This discipline, although spectacular, is not particularly aggressive and is more focused on defense: it focuses on using the opponent's own strength against him to destabilize him and knock him down. Even so, it requires full-body training and is a very technical sport, incorporating and is a very technical sport, also incorporating wrenches, submissions and strangulations.

3. Kung-fu

An ancient Chinese martial art and one of the best known ancient martial arts, kung-fu is a discipline generally of direct contact in which the body to body is used from punches, kicks, grips, displacements and different acrobatic movements to maintain the inner balance when training and also as self-defense. Its origin is found in the Shaolin monks, who created it so that the monks could defend themselves.

Kung-fu starts from a Buddhist and Taoist philosophical base that aims to teach the value of effort and others such as humility, confidence, will, justice, perseverance, courage and honesty. Kung-fu has a large number of variants, among the best known of which are the Shaolin or those linked to different animals.

4. Boxing

One of the best known sports disciplines is boxing. This is a martial art in which only fists are used to only fights with the fists and in which great force is applied to each stroke. Although the best known version is English, in reality there are several variants spread throughout different cultures, one of the oldest of which comes from Ethiopia.

It is practiced inside a ring, and despite its reputation for violence, when it is practiced in a truly sporting manner it helps to promote values such as discipline, endurance (not only physical, but also in terms of adversity) and respect for the opponent. It also helps to channel emotions.

5. Jiu-jitsu

Japanese martial art (although some of its origins are Indian) which comes from the ancient Buddhist monks, and which is characterized for being a soft and non-aggressive fighting style that focuses on controlling and deflecting the opponent's attacks, as well as taking advantage of his attack to achieve the best results.It is characterized by a soft and unaggressive fighting style that focuses on controlling and deflecting the opponent's attacks, as well as taking advantage of his attack to immobilize the opponent.

It is generally centered on the use of dislocations, dodges, projections, takedowns and some strikes. Although it is generally practiced with bare hands, there are variants in which different types of weapons are used.

6. Capoeira

Capoeira is a martial art originating from Brazil, specifically from the former African slavesThe slaves developed this self-defense discipline as a resistance to the harsh oppression and situation they lived in, combining combat techniques, dance and various acrobatics.

It was a way of preserving different cultural elements, as well as a disguised way (the fact that it resembles a dance would make it less suspicious) of practicing a style of combat among the enslaved population. This style of martial art is fast and very technical, as well as requiring a lot of skill and agility. The movements use both arms (the use of fists is not frequent) and legs, and include both attacks and defense. It also favors flexibility and attention to the opponent's movements from angles uncommon in other disciplines.

7. Muay Thai

Martial art of Thai origin and certain dangerIt uses techniques with lethal potential. Focused on direct body-to-body contact, this discipline tends to seek a quick defeat of the opponent with strong and powerful blows. This discipline allows the use of all limbs and most of the body.

It is considered a type of extreme fighting and is illegal in some countries.

Krav Maga

This martial arts discipline has become popular and known relatively few years ago, but it is one of the martial arts with the greatest lethal potential. It is a system of fighting and defense used by the Israeli Defense and Security Forces, which focuses on unarmed combat indoors.which focuses on unarmed combat indoors. Krav Maga specializes in trying to provide combat tools in extreme situations and in which we could be in inferiority, even if we are facing several opponents at the same time or if they carry weapons.

Although the type of blows taught in this discipline can be dangerous, the truth is that it is oriented to self-defense in dangerous situations and is oriented to a proportional use of force in relation to the attack we suffer. It also favors attention to the environment and preparation for possible attacks.

9. Kendo

Also called Japanese fencing, this martial art from Japan is characterized by its specialization in fighting with bamboo swords. specializing in fighting with bamboo swords..

In this martial art, both contenders must be covered by armor, and is based on a conceptualization of combat and a philosophy similar to that of the ancient samurai. Only attacks to the forearm, trunk, head and throat are allowed.

Discipline and self-control are practiced, and it is intended to foster the ability to face adversity.

10. Aikido

Another great but relatively recent Japanese martial art (born less than a century ago) that has emerged based on different traditional disciplines and that focuses on the self-defense in quick combat situations, with a preference for defeating the opponent.It focuses on defeating the opponent without harming him or leaving him in a humiliating situation that does not allow him to attack. It also allows defense in situations of numerical inferiority or against opponents with greater physical strength.

Dislocations, projections and throws are some of the types of actions most commonly used in this martial art.

11. Taekwondo

Martial art of Korean origin. In general, priority is given to the use of kicks. the use of kicks and blows with feet and legs is prioritized, although hands and throws are also used.although hands and elbows are also used (although to a lesser extent, and in some variants their use is less). It is a martial art of direct contact in which strikes are made at a greater distance precisely due to the priority use of the legs. Defensively, dodging is prioritized, although blocking with the upper limbs is also incorporated.

12. Fencing

Although in some circles it is not considered a martial art in itself, fencing is a combat discipline centered on sword fighting (specifically with foil or saber).

Although sword fighting is something that different peoples and cultures have developed throughout history, fencing as it is now known has Spanish origins. In the sporting arena both opponents wear protections and fight until one of them manages to reach one of the key points of the other, advancing and retreating in a straight line.

Bibliographical references:

• Clements, J. (2006). "A Short Introduction to Historical European Martial Arts". Meibukan Magazine (Special Edition No. 1): 2 - 4.
• Svinth, J. R. (2002). A Chronological History of the Martial Arts and Combative Sports. Electronic Journals of Martial Arts and Sciences.