Many of the people reading these lines do some type 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 generally with a deep underlying philosophy.
There are many different types of martial arts that exist. Among all the existing ones, throughout this article we are going to see some of the most popular and well-known
Before going on to review some of the different types of martial arts, it is pertinent to briefly mention what exactly we understand by martial art.
We call martial arts the set of procedures and methods of fighting and combat that have been developed throughout history and that have been forging different styles based on principles, codes and aesthetics.
Generally we are faced with a ritual and simulated combat in which there is no purpose of generating severe damage: most of them are aimed at maintaining one’s own integrity and defend themselves efficiently, with the lowest possible energy expenditure and trying to generate the least possible damage to the opponent, while being in line with the philosophy and vision of the world that it offers.
Although they were born mainly as combat styles dedicated to being able to fight and defend oneself from attacks 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 values in addition to granting due respect to both oneself and the rival combatant.
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 that exist in the world, born from different cultures and perspectives regarding life, conflict and the use of energy. Many martial arts are practiced only with the body itself, but also There are various modalities that use weapons (some of the best known today are those practiced with various types of sword, although there are also modalities with a 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 origin 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 rival with a few blows.
This martial art integrates values ​​such as respect and courtesy, and it is 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 in which hitting is prioritized, in judo the main combat mechanism is grappling In this sense, in judo the strength and weight of the opponent is absorbed 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 and knock him down. Even so requires a full body workout and it is a very technical sport, also incorporating keys. submissions and strangulations.
3. Kung fu
An ancient Chinese martial art and one of the best-known ancient martial arts, kung-fu is a generally direct contact discipline in which hand-to-hand combat is used using punches, kicks, grabs, movements and different acrobatic movements to maintain balance. internal 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 is based on 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, of which among the best known are Shaolin or those linked to different animals.
4. Boxing
One of the best-known sports disciplines is boxing. It is a martial art in which you only fight with your fists and in which great force is applied in each blow. Although the best-known version is English, there are actually several variants spread across different cultures, one of the oldest of which comes from Ethiopia.
It is practiced inside a ring, and despite having a reputation for violence, when it is practiced in a truly sporting way it contributes to promoting values ​​such as discipline, resistance (not only physical, but also in relation to adversity) and respect for the opponent. It also helps channel emotions.
Japanese martial art (although some of its origins are Indian) which comes from ancient Buddhist monks, and is characterized by being a soft, non-aggressive combat style that focuses on controlling and deflecting the opponent’s attacks in addition to taking advantage of his attack to immobilize the opponent.
It is generally focused on the use of locks, dodges, throws, knockdowns and some blows. Although it is generally practiced with bare hands, there are variants in which various types of weapons are used.
6. Capoeira
Capoeira is a martial art coming from Brazil, specifically from former African slaves who developed this discipline of self-defense as resistance to the harsh oppression and situation they experienced by combining combat techniques, dance and various acrobatics.
It was a way of preserving different cultural elements, as well as a sneaky way (the fact that it resembles a dance would make it less suspicious) of practicing a combat style among the enslaved population. This style of martial art is fast and very technical, in addition to requiring a lot of skill and agility. The movements use both arms (the use of fists is not common) and legs, and include both attacks and defense. It also favors flexibility and attention to the opponent’s movements from angles that are uncommon in other disciplines.
7. Muay Thai
Martial art of Thai origin and certain danger , since it uses techniques with lethal potential. Focused on direct hand-to-hand contact, this discipline tends to seek a quick defeat of the rival with strong and powerful blows. In this discipline, the use of all the extremities and most of the body is allowed.
It is considered an extreme type of wrestling, and is illegal in some countries.
8. Krav Maga
This martial arts discipline has begun to be popular and known relatively few years ago, but we are facing one of the martial arts with the greatest lethal potential. It is a fighting and defense system used by the Israeli Defense and Security forces , which focuses on unarmed indoor combat. Krav magá specializes in trying to provide combat tools in extreme situations and in which we could be at an 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 aimed at personal defense in dangerous situations and is aimed at a proportional use of force in relation to the attack we suffer. It also encourages attention to the environment and preparation for possible attacks.
9. Kendo
Also called Japanese fencing, this martial art from Japan is characterized by specialize in bamboo sword fighting
In this martial art, both contenders must be covered in armor, and it is based on a conceptualization of combat and a philosophy similar to that of the ancient samurai. Only attacks on the forearm, trunk, head and throat are allowed.
It practices discipline and self-control, and aims to foster the ability to cope with adversity.
10. Aikido
Another great but relatively recent Japanese martial art (it was born less than a century ago) that has emerged based on different traditional disciplines and that focuses on Melee self-defense in fast combat situations , with preference to defeating the rival without harming him or leaving him in a humiliating situation that does not allow him to attack. It also allows you to defend yourself in situations of numerical inferiority or against opponents with greater physical strength.
Dislocations, throws and throws are some of the types of actions most often used in this martial art.
11. Taekwondo
Martial art of Korean origin. In general The use of kicks and blows with feet and legs is prioritized , although hands and elbows are also used (although to a lesser extent, and in some variants their use is less). It is a direct contact martial art in which you hit from a greater distance precisely due to the priority use of the legs. At a defensive level, dodging is prioritized, although blocks with the upper extremities are also incorporated.
12. Fencing
While not considered a martial art per se in some circles, fencing is a combat discipline. focused 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 field, both rivals wear protections and fight until one of them manages to reach one of the other’s key points, advancing and retreating in a straight line.
