Overview of General Techniques of Martial Arts

Martial arts rely on various techniques maybe one or combination of techniques, the broad groups being striking, grappling, blocking and weapons training. The striking styles may be punching, kicking or other kinds of strikes with body parts like hands, knees or elbows. Examples of the last group are Shaolin Kung, Karate and Muay Thai. Capoeira, Taekwondo and Savate are different styles of kicking. Examples of martial arts punching are the Western Boxing and the Chinese Wing Chun. Wrestling and Judo are pinning techniques under the broad grappling techniques. In the grappling category are also throwing techniques like Judo, Jujutsu, Sambo, Glima and Shuai Jiao. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Aikido and Hapkido are joint lock grappling styles of martial arts. The techniques that rely on traditional or modern weapons or the weaponry techniques include the blocking style as demonstrated in the blocking technique used in traditional fencing. The essence of blocking is to avoid strikes by the opponent. Other techniques of traditional weaponry are Kendo, Kali, Gatka and Silambam. Jukendo, Eskrima and Jogo do Pau are modern weaponry techniques. In the fencing techniques are included such styles as two-handed sword fighting and sword and shield fighting. The technique of sword fighting was modified to fencing in Europe. Striking and grappling techniques find demonstration in the martial arts form ‘Okichitaw’ practiced in the Canadian Prairies. This technique combines grappling and striking with weaponries like knife, bow, tomahawk and short and long lance. The martial art of Capoeira originated in Brazil but had African root. This enduring and flexible technique uses striking with elbows, kicks, sweeps and head butts. One of the most popular martial arts is the Jiu-Jitsu of Brazil adapted before the World War II from Jujutsu and Judo by the Gracie brothers Carlos and Helio. It is a mixed martial arts technique that focuses on ground movements. Modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo are performed with application of grappling with full force for forcing the opponent into submission but without allowing striking. The grappling martial arts techniques are also seen in West Africa. The Shotokan and Tae Kwon Do styles of Karate are performed without weapons and use kicking and striking. Boxing, the western variety of martial arts, uses various striking techniques. Power breaking or the skill of ‘Tameshiwari’, a technique of martial arts, involves breaking of materials like bricks, tiles, concrete slabs or wooden boards by striking these with any part of the body. Speed and force of strike is the essence of this technique. Sumo wrestling and Judo relies on the power of grappling. The benefits that accrue from the grappling, striking and blocking techniques of martial arts to evade opponents are improvement in eyesight and acquiring total body awareness like balance, footwork and hand and body coordination. These in turn develop sensitivity to the rival’s motions along with improving speed, reaction time and overall physical and mental strength. The Wing Chung style of martial arts focuses on striking vital body areas of the opponent to destroy his balance. Unlike the first blocking and then striking practiced in other styles, the two movements are combined into one quick action in Wing Chun without any pause in between.