Martial Arts Nomenclature

“Martial arts” is a generic term that we use to describe many diverse systems of combative technique.  This term refers to hand-to-hand combat as well as non-firearm weaponry.  As we get more specific in defining the term “martial art” we can learn a lot.  The following is not a completely exhaustive list of martial arts disciplines, but is a good representative sample of the most common styles.  There is also a great deal of variety within each category – for example – there may be as many as 400 styles of kung fu alone!

Under the heading of martial arts we can use the following outline to understand its categories:

Martial Arts

  • Traditional
    • Asian
      • Soft Style
        • Tai-Chi (Chinese)
          • Yang (Hard) Style
          • Yin (Soft) Style
          • Chi-gung (Chinese)
        • Kung Fu (Chinese)
          • Northern Style
          • Southern Style
        • Aikido (Japanese)
        • Silat (Indonesian)
        • Kuntao (Philippine)
      • Hard Style
        • Okinawan Karate
        • Japanese Karate
        • Taekwondo (Korean)
        • Tang Soo Do (Korean)
        • Hapkido (Korean)
        • Judo (Japanese)
        • Ju-jitsu (Japanese)
        • Ninjitsu (Japanese)
        • Kenpo (Chinese, American, Hawaiin, Okinawan)
        • Sambo (Russian)
      • Weapons-based
        • Kendo (Japanese)
        • Arnis/Kali/Escrima (Philippine)
    • European
      • Hand-to-Hand:  Greco-Roman Wrestling
      • Weapons-based
        • Fencing
          • English Style
          • Spanish Style
    • South American
      • Capoiera
  • Modern
    • XMA (Xtreme Martial Arts)
      • Hand Forms
      • Weapon Forms
      • Breaking
    • Kickboxing
      • American (Kicks and punches only)
      • Thai Style (Kicks, punches, knees and elbows)
    • MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)
      • UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championships)
      • Submission wrestling
    • Brazilian Ju-jitsu (Sport version of traditional Ju-jitsu)
    • Sport Karate (Sport version of traditional karate)

Terms

Traditional: Any martial art that is not based on competition, but on self-defense.  Traditional styles were practiced for real fighting not ring-fighting. 

Asian Martial Arts:  This refers to any art on the continent of Asia as well as its surrounding islands such as Japan, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Hard Style: Any type of martial arts that emphasizes forceful exertion during the execution of technique or that teaches tension (isometric) exercise.  Hard style martial arts appear more “choppy” or robotic in their demonstration.

Soft Style: Any type of martial art that creates strength and speed by emphasizing relaxed or fluid movements and does not teach tension (isometric) exercise.  Soft style martial arts have a more graceful and dance-like appearance.

Weapons-based: Weapons-based martial arts primarily teach technique using non-firearm weapons like swords, fighting sticks and knives.  Some weapons-based arts include hand techniques, others do not.  Many Hard and Soft Styles include weapons training, but are not based on weapons fighting.

European Martial Arts: This refers to any martial arts originating on the continent of Europe and the UK.

South American Martial Arts: The primary traditional South American art is called Capoiera which is a Traditional, Soft Style martial art.  The other main art is called Brazilian Ju-jitsu which is a Modern Hard Style martial art.

Mixed Martial Arts: Most modern martial arts are adaptations and combinations of traditional systems formatted into ring sports.  In ring sports, most of the tactical applications for technique have been substituted with applications that follow the rules of competition.