Top Seven Martial Arts Movies You Should See

Martial Arts Guy Leave a comment

Unless you’re a hardcore movie fan or you’re from a country where martial arts flicks are shown on free television every weekend, there’s a remote chance you’re not even familiar with some of the martial arts movies in this list.

But don’t worry. There’s also a very low chance you won’t be entertained in watching a martial arts flick. Martial arts films are fast-paced, with unique fight scenes that are breath-taking, to say the least. Karate chops and roundhouse kicks are staples in these movies, and the fight scenes are brilliantly choreographed most of the time.

That said, here are some of the martial arts movies you should see:

1. Enter the Dragon (1973)

This is the final film appearance of Bruce Lee, hands down the most influential martial arts figure of all time. Largely set in Hong Kong, it was the first Chinese martial arts film produced by a major Hollywood studio (Warner Bros.).

Aside from being considered by many as the greatest martial arts film of all time, it is also deemed ‘culturally significant’ in the United States that it was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.

While the plot isn’t the most compelling, what you’d see here is the late Lee fighting off an army of evil-doers. Just the sight of the great Bruce Lee doing his thing one last time makes this movie a must-watch.

2. Drunken Master II (1994)

Starring the only guy who can probably match up with Lee’s appeal, Jackie Chan portrays Chinese folk hero Huang Fei-hung who is an expert in the Hung Gar style of Chinese martial arts. It is the sequel of the 1978 film that made Chan a household name.

In this movie, Chan battles a group of traitors who smuggle Chinese historical artifacts. A highlight of the flick is his fight with Ken Lo in an abandoned warehouse, and a final showdown with Liu Chia-liang under a train.

How good is this movie? Well, it was just named by the prestigious Time Magazine as one of its 100 best films of all-time.

3. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

This Ang Lee masterpiece is the highest grossing foreign language film in US history. Aside from grossing more than $200 million, it is also critically-acclaimed having won more than 40 awards. It was also nominated for six other Academy Awards including Best Picture.

The film stars Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun Fat, and also introduced Zhang Ziyi who would star in several movies later on. It was so popular that it opened the flood gates for other martial art flicks like House of Flying Daggers and Hero which were shown later in the decade.

4. Iron Monkey (1993)

While it is not as successful as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Iron Monkey is very entertaining to say the least. Iron Monkey is the alter ego of a physician named Yang Tianchun who runs a clinic in the day and dresses in black at night to rob the rich and help the poor. And Donnie Yen, the lead star of the film, shows a lot of moves that would simply have your jaw drop in awe.

Interestingly the fight scenes were choreographed by the same team who worked on the films Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and The Matrix.

5. Police Story (1985)

This may be an old movie but it’s worth spending two hours of your life. This movie starring Jackie Chan is about a police officer who goes undercover to clear his name after he was framed by drug barons.

Again, the plot isn’t Oscar Award-worthy but you’re not seeing a martial arts flick because of the story, right? In this movie, you’ll see a lot of stunts from Chan, considered as the greatest stunts guy in the world during his prime. What’s more impressive is the Chan did all the stunts without a body double, which made the flick even more entertaining and intriguing.

6. Ong Bak (2003)

Starring Tony Jaa, this is the first martial arts movie that focuses on Muay Thai, the Thai martial art. Again, the plot isn’t really intriguing—a humble peasant goes after a group of thieves who stole a village’s Buddha head. In the process, he crushes everyone with his bare hands.

Still, you’ll love the fight scenes. The moves are fast paced and exciting, and no punches were pulled.

7. Swordsman II (1992)

This flick starred Jet Li. To date, it remains as the most successful Jet Li starred-movie in China.

This movie was directed by Ching Siu-tung who paid homage to the old Chinese swordplay featuring meticulously choreographed fight scenes. It is what you’d expect from an old-school martial arts flick, with acrobatics defying the laws of gravity, and the typical good vs. evil fight.

Read More

All You Need to Know About Capoiera

Martial Arts Guy Leave a comment

Capoeira may not ring a bell as say, judo or taekwondo, but it is slowly gaining a lot of attention from health buffs and martial arts enthusiasts. One of the things that make capoeira appealing is its very nature. It combines elements of music, dance, and acrobatics. As a martial art, it is revered for the use of quick and sophisticated moves that mainly rely on speed, power, and leverage.

Origins

Experts believe that capoeira goes all the way back to the 17th century, when Portuguese colonists started to send African slaves to Brazil. While there is no written record proving that the martial art was started by the Africans, oral traditions give strong evidences that capoeira has African roots.

The African slaves developed their own martial art for self-defense, but had to hide it from authorities. As such, they concealed their traditions into a form of dance. This can be seen at the way Capoiera techniques are performed.

In Capoeira, one performer plays the role of a slave while the other is the master or Caporal. During a performance, the slave defends himself against the master. It is for this reason that capoeira is also described as a warrior’s dance in Brazil.

Music is integral as it sets the tempo and style of game to be played within the roda. Music is typically formed by singing and instruments such as berimbau, a single string instrument.

By the 18th century, those who practiced Capoeira were arrested as the martial art was considered a criminal act. In fact, an act was signed by then Brazilian president Dodora da Fonseca in 1890 that prohibited the practice.

However, the masses continued to practice it. Eventually, Manuel dos Reis Machado brought the Academic Capoeira to the masses. By the turn of the 19th century, the ban on the martial art was lifted. The first Capoeira school was founded in 1932 by Reis Mechado, who is widely known as the father of modern Capoeira.

Techniques

As a martial art, Capoeira is fast and versatile. After all, it is historically focused in enabling its practitioners who are at a technical disadvantage to fight off a phalanx of opponents. Its fighting style emphasizes on the use of the lower back to kick, sweep and take down adversaries. It also features complex positions and body positions that are meant to strike, dodge and move seamlessly.

In Capoeira, defense is built on the idea of avoiding an attack through evasive moves called esquivas. Evasive moves largely depend on the direction of an attack as well as the intention of the defender. It can be done standing, or with one hand leaning on the floor. A block may be made, but only when an esquiva is totally non-viable.

This defensive strategy allows for quick and unpredictable counters, and lets practitioners to focus on more than one opponent. It also enables the practitioner to face an armed adversary even without the use of weapons.

In Capoiera, practitioners are taught to execute a series of rolls and acrobatics that enable them to quickly overcome a takedown. This combination of attacks, defensive techniques and mobility gives the martial art its choreography-like style.

Capoiera is also played as a game. During a game, the focus is not on destroying or knocking down the adversary but avoiding punches or elbow strikes. Capoeira practitioners who play it as a game are more focused on their skills particularly on the defensive end. But this is not to say that Capoiera as a game can’t be dangerous as well, as there are lots of instances when a game between two highly-skilled practitioners can become aggressive.

Benefits

So why should you take up Capoiera instead of other more popular martial arts? Here are some of the benefits you’ll gain when you practice this Brazilian martial art.

  • Stress reduction—engaging in capoiera can help you relax and manage stress.
  • Strength improvement—capoiera practitioners always move around on their hands in handstands, poses, and rolls. As such, you’ll benefit from a marked improvement on strength, particularly on the upper body. There are also lots of movements that would require you to engage the abs and improve your core strength as a consequence.
  • Improve Flexibility—capoeira practitioners can give yoga enthusiasts a run for their money when it comes to flexibility.
  • Cardio and Stamina Improvement— With the constant repetition of movements and techniques, capoiera can provide an intense cardio workout. In fact many athletes are surprised that they easily gas out when performing a Capoiera workout because the martial art uses a lot of muscle groups in unique ways.
  • Self defense—like other martial arts, Capoeira teaches you how to defend yourself against aggressors.

With its very unique nature, it is not surprising why Capoiera is getting more and more followers with each passing day.

Read More

Common Martial Arts Injuries

Martial Arts Guy Leave a comment

It’s said that getting injured in part of the game. Just like in any sport, there is a risk of getting hurt while practicing martial arts. It doesn’t really matter which style of martial arts that you are into—jujitsu, karate, judo, kickboxing, or kung fu. The point is, there’s always a chance that you would hurt a part of your body while sparring or when in competition.

In 2011, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission noted that there were more than 35,000 visits to emergency rooms in hospitals for injuries that are related to martial arts. That bit of information may sound scary, but wait till you learn more of the stats in other sports.

For instance, the same agency reports that there were more than 570,000 visits to emergency rooms in hospitals due to basketball-related injuries. Of that number, 8,000 resulted in hospitalization.

The other sports aren’t far away. Football related injuries resulted to more than 466,000 trips to the emergency room, while baseball and softball injuries had 265,000 trips. Soccer injuries, meanwhile, resulted to more than 231,000 visits to emergency rooms.

Although engaging in martial arts is less likely to get you injured than say, playing basketball, there is still the chance that you would end up getting these injuries if you aren’t careful, or when bad luck strikes:

Skin Damage

Cuts and bruises are fairly common in martial arts. There is also the possibility that you’ll develop skin infections such as staph and ringworm when you participate in contact sports like martial arts.

Concussion

Since martial arts emphasize on striking and throwing, it’s easy to understand why you are at risk of concussions when you engage in this contact sport. Concussions can happen when you are hit hard in the head, or when your noggin hits the mat hard.

Symptoms of concussion are dizziness, nausea, headaches, difficulties in concentrating, and memory problems. If you experience these symptoms, you should stop training or sparring and seek medical help. You must also get clearance from a qualified health care professional before returning to play or compete.

Strains and Sprains

There is also the risk of strains, or injury to a muscle or tendon. For instance, you may tear a muscle when you hit an opponent or object.

Sprains are also common, because of all the kicking and grappling in martial arts. These repetitive activities can put a strain on the knees, damaging the ligaments and resulting to sprain.

Hand and Arm Injuries

Grappling and punching can cause injuries to the arms and hands. The fingers are particularly prone to getting injured because of the repeated punching. While hand injuries may seem less serious than sprains or concussions, you should not take hand and arm injuries lightly. In fact, injuries to small joints of the hand may take a long time to recover.

Risk Factors

There are certain factors that would increase your risks of injury. One of these is poor technique. Moving a body part incorrectly can put a lot of strain on the joints, ligaments, and muscles. There’s also increased risk of injury when you use excessive force, like when an opponent fails to pull a kick or punch and subsequently inflicts harm on you.

Moreover, novice martial arts practitioners are more likely to get injured due to the fact that their bodies aren’t used to the physical demands of the sport. Training too much and too often can also increase a martial arts practitioner’s risk of injuries.

Safety Tips

You can prevent these injuries from happening if you follow safety tips. One of the more commonly suggested safety tips is to warm up thoroughly before training or sparring. You should stretch for at least 15 minutes before throwing any kicks or punches.

After training or sparring, give yourself time to cool down. You must also not forget to stretch afterwards. And drink lots of water during and after a training session.

During training, always wear appropriate protective gear like mouth guards and helmets. You must also have a chest protector, padding, and braces.

You must also make good use of peripheral vision. Good hand-to-eye coordination would be very valuable as you can protect yourself against strikes. This can be harnessed over time, especially through frequent practice.

Maintaining good physical condition is another way to minimize your risks of getting injured. When you get fatigued easily, there’s the tendency for you to execute a technique improperly which can then lead to straining a muscle or injuring a finger.

Speaking of techniques, you should practice new techniques at half speed. Talk to your coach or instructor before pulling off a new move so that you’ll know how to safely execute it.

Injuries may be part of the game, but you can always avoid them if you just follow the aforementioned tips.

Read More

Tips for Karate Sparring

Martial Arts Guy 2 Comments

They say that practice makes perfect. The same is true in karate, as you would need to practice what you’ve learned as a karate student. And one way to do so would be to spar.

Karate sparring, or kumite, is one of the three sections of karate training. The others are called kata (form) and kihon (basics). In kumite, you’ll train against an opponent using the techniques you’ve learned from the two other sections of karate training.

In sparring, you’ll need to wear the following gear—karate training uniform, gloves, shin pads, groin protector, and mouthguard. If you’re a woman, you also have to wear a breast protector.

So how do you make the most out of a karate sparring? Here are some tips that should come in handy the next time you spar.

1. Relax

Keep yourself composed throughout the sparring. Remember that this is only a simulation of the real thing. This is not the actual competition that you foresee yourself getting involved in the future. The more relaxed and calm you are, the more likely that you will be able to execute the techniques that you’ve been trying to master.

It’s not a bad idea to keep telling to yourself to ‘relax’ during a sparring session. Repeat the word ‘relax’ at least in your mind while you are sparring. This should help you maintain your composure.

Keeping yourself relax will also affect your movements, as loose muscles are faster than tensed muscles. Of course, you can argue that it can be very difficult to relax when a black belter is trying to hit you. But over time, you’ll be able to learn how to maintain your composure even in the midst of difficult situations.

2. Be Active

Although a sparring is just a stimulation of a competition, it doesn’t mean you should not give your all. Be as active as possible. Don’t thrown just one strike; instead, use combination of shots. Don’t get frustrated if your opponent is able to avoid your strikes, as you are keeping him in the defensive.

You should also maintain good footwork, which gives power to your punches. Good footwork also gives range to your kicks.

3. Breathe

Manu novice fighters usually run out of gas when sparring because they forget to breathe in all the excitement. Breathe naturally while sparring, exhaling forcefully when you strike.

As your instructor may have taught you, always breathe through the nose instead of the mouth. Breathing through the nose delivers oxygen more efficiently to the body.

4. Take Videos

You can ask your friend or family member to take videos of yourself while sparring. This is one great way for you to assess your techniques, and determine how you can improve yourself. By taking videos and watching the clips later on, you’ll be able to see your strengths and weaknesses. You’ll know where you stand and what you need to do to take the next level, so to speak.

5. Keep a Training Diary

Keeping a training diary should not only keep track of your progress, but also make you more motivated. Instead of comparing yourself with your opponents, you can write in the training diary the improvements you have had every sparring session. Eventually, you’ll realize how much you have improved ever since you started karate.

You can also write your training goals in the diary. Having goals like improving your techniques or to break wood with a spear hand would help you improve quickly. It can also keep you focused, shutting out some of the stresses brought about by dealing with an opponent.

6. Don’t Apologize

Most novice karate students have this habit of apologizing whenever they strike an opponent. If you’re one of them, it only shows that you have a mental block that you need to overcome. Apologizing has no place in martial arts, especially in competitions. After all, your opponent has padding that would protect certain body parts.

The point is, do your best to let go of the habit of apologizing every now and then, and just focus on the task at hand.

7. Realize You’ll Get Hit

Getting hit is part of martial arts sparring, and you’ll eventually get one no matter how hard you try to improve on your defense. Don’t flinch away when you get hit. Just keep on fighting. You’ll realize that this is the fastest way to learn.

Once the sparring session is over, don’t hesitate to talk to your instructor and ask about your mistakes so you would know which facets of your techniques you should improve on the next time. Karate instructors love dealing with inquisitive students as it shows them that their apprentices are very eager to learn.

These are just seven tips that can help you when you are sparring.

Read More

Top Apps for Martial Arts Practitioners

Martial Arts Guy 1 Comment

These days, you can learn almost everything as long as you have a smartphone or tablet that is Internet-ready. You just go to Google, search a topic that you’re interested in and voila… you’ll get all the information you need. Everything becomes easier and simpler when you have apps that can teach you whatever you’re interested in, like martial arts.

Of course, nothing beats the old school route of hitting a gym and getting schooled by a master instructor. But having an app that can help you brush up on techniques wouldn’t hurt, right? And there’s the luxury of reviewing those techniques while you’re commuting from work to a nearby gym.

That said, here are some martial arts apps that you can install on your phone or tablet:

iBJJ

This is a jujitsu app that you can get both on an Android or iOS device. It has still photos that you can scan through. The lack of videos is quite a bummer, but here’s a reason why the developers made it that way—they say that it is easier to understand the techniques in photo format. There’s a descriptive text for each photo, and you can see frames from a reverse angle so you’ll better understand how the body should be positioned.

The app is very easy to navigate, as the techniques are sorted into categories like back attacking and top guard. There are 90 moves taught in this app, which is not bad considering that you’ll have to pay for it (around $4).

Learn Karate

Unlike the previous app, this one is freemium app on Android and iOS. That means you can get the basic app for free, although you’ll have to pay $5 to get access to more information.

It’s available on both iOS and Android, where it is called Karate Training.

It’s a very handy practice resource, especially for novice karate students. Aside from the lessons on karate techniques, it has tips on how to build strength and improve flexibility. There’s also a section on symbolic attack and defense postures that students should learn.

And unlike the iBJJ app, the techniques are presented in videos. There are also photos and descriptions of how to execute the techniques. Overall, it is a very good app that even expert karate practitioners would appreciate.

Taekwondo Bible

You can learn this popular martial art that has Korean origins by downloading the Taekwondo Bible app on Android. It’s free and frequently updated, which should augur well if you have a new Android device.

It has detailed instructions on how to execute the techniques, with diagrams that will teach you how to place your feet when performing the attacks. There are even explanations of the Korean names of the moves. However, you’ll only be able to learn five taekwondo patterns in the free version. If you want to access the full list, you’ll have to pay a nominal fee.

Taekwondo White Belt

This is an app that is geared towards the beginners. For one, there’s a section that is dedicated on the history and philosophy of taekwondo. There are also detailed instructions explaining basic techniques, with photos and videos and accompanying descriptive text.

The app is very easy to navigate and there are more advanced techniques that it offers to users, albeit you’ll have to pay again for the full content. The price is very affordable though ($1). The major beef you’ll have with the app is that the menus feel unresponsive.

Yang Tai Chi for Beginners

This app is available on both iOS and Android devices, and features video-based lessons that teach you thorough the movements of the martial art. The video lessons are backed up with text-based instructions as well as explanations on how to perform the correct postures. You’ll even get schooled on the movements, what they are for and what they mean.

Like the other apps in this list, the free version has limited content. You’ll have to shell out $10 to access all the videos.

My MMA Trainer

This is an app that is available on Android and a good one at that for mixed martial arts training. A very useful feature is the Workout Builder that lets you design your own workouts. You’ll also get access to videos of specially selected exercises.

Boxing Timer

Don’t get fooled by the name as the app can also be used for all sorts of workouts like Muay Thai and mixed martial arts. You’ll get to design your own workouts with this handy app which is only available on iOS.

These are just some of the great apps that you can download and install on your iPhone or Android device. So what are you waiting for? Download one and start brushing up on your knowledge of martial arts!

Read More

Celebrities Who Are Passionate About Martial Arts

Martial Arts Guy Leave a comment

You turn on the TV and see guys fighting in an octagon ring. Then you see your neighbor in his taekwondo uniform driving to his taekwondo class. And now you hear your eight-year-old child asking you to enroll him to a karate class.

Indeed, martial arts is growing by leaps and bounds in the country. The growing popularity of martial arts is not surprising if you ask the hardcore martial arts guy. He may probably point out that erstwhile U.S. presidents have practiced martial arts. Theodore Roosevelt practiced jiu jitsu and judo while Bill Clinton trained in taekwondo.

In fact he may even point out even celebrities are getting into martial arts training, such as:

1. Christian Bale

The guy best known for his role in the Batman series was into Kung Fu in preparation for his role as the caped crusader. He is also said to have practiced Wing Chun, a close-range martial art that was popularized by the immortal Bruce Lee. Wing Chun is not only known for its close range fighting techniques but also for its deeply meditative aspects.

2. Jessica Alba

Don’t let that angelic face fool you, as the pretty actress known for her roles in the Fantastic Four and Good Luck Chuck practices taekwondo in her spare time. Her training in taekwondo prepares Jessica for her roles, and she is also known to do her own stunts.

3. Jessica Biel

The stunning Jessica Biel, also known as the wife of pop superstar Justin Timberlake, is into martial arts as well. The actress says she has taken martial arts because it gives her a real sense of empowerment, aside from giving her an amazing workout all the time.

4. Robert Downey Jr.

Yes, the highest paid man in Hollywood is into martial arts as well. Best known for his role as Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. credits Wing Chun for turning his life around. It is said that Downey has been practicing Wing Chun for more than seven years now.

5. Courtney Cox

She is best remembered for her role in the iconic 90s sitcom “Friends.” Cox practices Budokan, a blend of jiu-jitsu, yoga, martial arts and street striking. The actress says she does it to help maintain her ideal body weight and self defense. She has also influenced her Friends co-star Jennifer Aniston to practice martial arts.

6. Sean Connery

One of the best actors to portray James Bond, Sean Connery has a black belt in Kyokushin karate. This is a full contact karate founded by Korean Masutatsu Oyama and which means ‘the ultimate truth’. The martial art underlines a philosophy of self-improvement and hard training, with more than 12 million practitioners worldwide.

7. Prince Albert of Monaco

Even royalty like Prince Albert of Monaco are into martial arts. Prince Albert surprisingly has a black belt in judo, and reportedly employs judo as his main form of exercise.

8. Mick Jagger

Rock stars are into martial arts as well, and the man who does the lead vocals for the legendary band The Rolling Stones was trained in Judo under the guidance of George Kerr. Jagger’s trainer is one of the few Judo practitioners in the west to have reached the level of 9th Dan. In fact many observers believe that some of the dance moves of Jagger were inspired by judo.

9. Jeanne Claude Van Damme

This is really not a surprise as Van Damme has been one of the most bankable action stars for a long time. He’s a black belt in the martial arts, particularly in Shotokan karate, which has helped him in portraying many of his roles in the movies. He is also a fan of kickboxing, which has helped him stay in shape.

10. Forest Whitaker

You have recently seen him in the movie “Taken 3” and this man actually has a black belt in karate. The actor says that karate has been his main form of exercise, and it has taught him a lot about self-discipline. Karate has also helped Whitaker stay in great shape through the years.

11. Wesley Snipes

Another unsurprising entry to the list, Snipes is a well-known action star. Part of his inclination to the action genre may have been due to his training in the martial arts. He has been training martial arts since he was just 12 years old. He is well-versed in different disciplines like capoeira, karate, and kung fu.

12. Sarah Michelle Gellar

For most TV watchers, she is Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Unknown to many, however, she has a black belt in taekwondo. Aside from the martial arts, she is also into kickboxing and boxing.

These are just 12 popular figures who are known to be practicing martial arts. As you can see, a lot of celebrities are into martial arts for reasons such as self defense and keeping themselves fit. So why don’t you give martial arts a try?

Read More

The Best Martial Arts for Women

Martial Arts Guy 6 Comments

Let’s face it, women is the weaker of the two sexes. Men can easily overpower women, and this is shown by cases of sexual assault and domestic violence committed against those from the distaff side.

According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), 1 out of every six women in the United States has been a victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime. The largest anti-sexual assault organization in the country, RAINN says that there are 17.7 million American women who have been victims of attempted or completed rape. Of course, you may remember the assault cases committed against high profile women like music stars Shakira and Rihanna.

Martial arts can give women the mental and physical skills to protect themselves. There are five martial arts that are ideal for women, such as:

Taekwondo

Taekwondo is one of the most popular martial arts in the world, with more than 70 million people practicing it. Originating from Korea, the term means “a way of kicking and punching.”

Why is taekwondo great for women? Well, one is that it emphasis a lot of kicking. Women can effectively counter an attack of men by kicking, combating the strength of male attackers who have better upper body strength than them.

Another reason why taekwondo is ideal for women is that it can be practiced even by pregnant women. In fact, there’s this British woman named Katie Billingham who was able to achieve a black belt while she was pregnant.

Krav Maga

This Israeli martial art has gained a lot of popularity in the past few years. Originally designed for the Israeli Defense Force, Krav Maga teaches its practitioners how to defend against armed and unarmed attackers.

Krav Maga is suited for women as it can help them stop a rape attempt. It can teach them how to use their various body parts like elbows, knees, and shins as weapons against attackers.

Krav Maga is not about fighting back. It’s more for defending and escaping, and women would be able to learn how to repel an attack, punch or kick the attacker if possible, and run away.

The martial art is also easy to learn, which makes it all the more perfect for women. And women don’t need to be strong to be able to perform the Krav Maga techniques, as they would acquire knowledge how to use their body weight so that their kicks and punches would be able to fend off the attack of a bigger man.

Aikido

Aikido has been around for centuries. It is a Japanese martial art that teaches women how to use throwing and joint locking techniques so they can escape dangerous situations.

Like in the other martial arts apt for women, aikido won’t require women to be strong. The key in aikido is redirecting the force of the attacker and using it against him. So it doesn’t matter how strong a guy is, as a woman would be able to neutralize the attack.

In fact, it is common for aikido classes to have petite women fighting against guys two to three times bigger than them. And these women are able to toss these big guys around with little effort.

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu became popular in the 90s when the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was just starting out. The guy responsible for the popularity of BJJ is Royce Gracie, who was less than 200 pounds but was good enough to win three out of the first four UFC championships.

Gracie wasn’t the biggest guy but he was able to dominate the UFC thanks to Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The same principle that Gracie used to beat bigger guys can be useful for women who are at a disadvantage against stronger men.

Compared to other martial arts like taekwondo and aikido, Brazilian jiu-jitsu is more ground-based. Most cases of rape end up on the ground, so women would be able to resist an attack if they know the basics of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Women would also know how to defend themselves when they are pinned by male attackers.

Jeet Kune Do

Do you remember Bruce Lee, perhaps the most revered and influential martial artist of all-time? Lee founded Jeet Kune Do, a discipline which combines the most effective techniques from various fighting styles like taekwondo and even boxing. In Jeet Kune Do, students are taught how to hit an attacker using an improvised weapon. Jeet Kune Do practitioners learn how to improve their timing, footwork, speed, power, and coordination.

On the surface, Jeet Kune Do may seem complicated. However, it really is not that hard. For example, striking an attacker in the eyes using the fingers is a basic defensive move in Jeet Kune Do.

As you can see, these martial arts are appropriate for women because these disciplines don’t require their practitioners to be strong, and the techniques are relatively easy to learn.

Read More

The Five Best Martial Arts for Police Officers

Martial Arts Guy Leave a comment

Police officers are faced with lots of challenges when they are on the field. The men in uniform are expected to make prudent decisions and maintain control of chaotic situations in a matter of seconds. It’s relatively easy to control a chaotic situation when they are holding a gun, but what can police officers do when they don’t have a firearm?

This is where martial arts can come in and assist police officers in the field. Police officers who have some training in the martial arts can defend themselves in situations wherein they don’t have a weapon in their hands. Martial arts can help police officers control a suspect without necessarily hurting him. At the same time, it can give the officer the option to inflict pain and cripple the suspect if the altercation forces him to.

With the numerous martial arts fighting systems that have been developed, police officers have lots of choices. They can study and practice various arts like karate, taekwondo, kung fu, Muay Thai, and jiu-jitsu, among others.

But what are the best martial arts for police officers? Here is a rundown of the five most recommended martial arts for the men in uniform:

1. Muay Thai

Literally translated as Thai boxing, Muay Thai has been around for hundreds of years now. Known for its damaging strikes, it utilizes the hard parts of the human body such as the elbows, shins, and knees for kicking. Kicks to the thighs of a suspect are particularly effectively in ending a confrontation, or closing the distance and stripping the suspect of his weapon.

2. Krav Maga

Krav Maga was actually designed for the Israel Defense Forces. In fact, the name literally translates to “Contact Combat.” The US military has even trained their soldiers in Krav Maga for close quarter hand to hand combat.

In Krav Maga, police officers are taught how to neutralize a threat as quickly as possible. The movements—strikes, holds, and blocks—are also pretty simple. And unlike other martial arts where defensive and offensive moves are separate from each other, Krav Maga teaches how to incorporate counterattacks to every defensive move.

For instance, an attacker goes for the throat of a police officer. The policeman who’s trained in Krav Maga can deflect the attack and simultaneously launch a counterattack by going for the groin, throat, or eyes of the attacker.

In Krav Maga, police officers can also learn how to use virtually any object as a weapon. You name it— pens, belts, keys, chairs, cellphones, and just about anything —can be incorporated into Krav Maga techniques and used as a weapon.

3. Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

Brazilian jiu-jitsu is ideal for police officers because it is effective and easy to learn. Plus, the martial art is great for the men in uniform because it is designed to enable smaller men to overpower stronger and bigger opponents. Police officers don’t need to be strong and powerful to execute Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ).

Brazilian jiu-jitsu techniques put the police officer in a position wherein his attacker cannot strike him. Moreover, the police officer can strike the attacker and temporarily incapacitate the suspect. The techniques are mostly focused on joint locks and carotid restraints, meaning the officer does not have to be stronger than his opponent. The policeman only has to be stronger than the weakest point of his attacker, and this can be done by focusing on body parts like elbows, shoulders, neck, and ankle.

4. Aikido

Aikido has long been utilized by police forces around the world. In fact, one of the best trained police departments in the world—the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department- employs aikido as a defensive tactics system.

Aikido is derived from martial techniques that have been passed on from generations to generations of Japanese samurai fighters. Techniques are battle-tested, so to speak, as Aikido has been practiced for hundreds of years.

In aikido, police officers can learn how to use the force of an opponent against him. The martial art teaches how to take down a bigger opponent, or to counter weapon attacks. Aikido’s advantage as a martial art for police officers is the number of academies and qualified instructors who can teach its basics to policemen. It is also designed for police officers regardless of their age and gender.

5. Combat Hapkido

Some quarters say that combat Hapkido would become the future of law enforcement, as it is the only martial art that includes disarming knife and firearms. It underlines the need for technical know-how, speed, adaptability, and strategies to effectively neutralize an attacker.

As you can see, there are lots of martial arts that should empower policemen who are out in the field. These martial arts can help policemen resist an attack and even control a suspect without the use of a firearm.

Read More

Top Reasons To Learn Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

Martial Arts Guy Leave a comment

Although Brazilian jiu-jitsu has gotten a lot of mileage as of late thanks to the exploits of numerous UFC fighters like B.J. Penn, you have to admit that it is not yet as popular as other martial arts like karate and judo. This is not surprising because BJJ is relatively new compared to other martial arts. But there are lots of reasons why you would want to learn this sport.

One of the appeals of BJJ is that it is designed for everyone. You don’t really have to be strong and big to be able to apply the movements of this martial art. So if you have been thinking about learning BJJ, here are reasons to push through with your plans:

1. Learn Self Defense

Perhaps the biggest motivation to learn BJJ is for self-defense. The martial art, after all, was designed to enable smaller and walker people to defend themselves against bigger and stronger opponents. This feature of Brazilian jiu-jitsu is the same reason why Royce Gracie dominated the UFC competitions in the early 90s, as he was able to handle bigger and stronger opponents despite weighing just 170 pounds.

Just imagine the possibilities when you know Brazilian jiu-jitsu. You no longer have to feel worried when you’re walking in the middle of the night, or you’re stuck with some drunken guy on the train.

You may argue that you can always hit an attacker, but what if the attacker is a lot bigger than you? Or what if you hit the guy too hard that the police tag you for a crime like serious physical injury?

With BJJ, you’ll learn how to neutralize a threat without hitting the attacker in the face, or breaking his arm, or hurting him. Simply put, you can defend yourself against any attack without hurting another guy and putting yourself in a legal mess.

2. It Keeps You In Shape

You don’t need to run for miles or lift heavy weights to keep yourself in shape. By training for BJJ, you can maintain your ideal weight or even better, lose some unwanted pounds.

In fact, you can burn more calories when you engage in a light BJJ training than doing aerobics or engaging in light yoga. A light Brazilian jiu-jitsu training can burn as much as 3.25 calories per pound of body weight per hour, while an intense session can burn as much as 4.87 calories per pound of body weight every hour.

Engaging in an intense session of BJJ can make you burn more calories than doing a boxing sparring session, jogging, and swimming at moderate pace. The explanation behind this is that you’ll be utilizing every part of your body in a BJJ training, so you can get a complete work out.

It’s not a coincidence that many guys who studied Brazilian jiu-jitsu have lost a lot of weight since they took up the martial art. Some guys even report losing as much as 70 pounds in just three months of BJJ training.

3. It Can Help You Manage Stress

If you’re always stressed out because of work or family problems, there’s no better way to take out all your frustrations than engaging in a martial art like Brazilian jiu-jitsu. In fact, a lot of BJJ practitioners see their academies or schools as an outlet to release all their pent-up frustrations.

With BJJ, you can get rid of that excess rage. And once you are on the mat, you can focus on your opponent and how to escape his move, and countering it with another move. And since you’ll be sweating out a lot after a BJJ training, you’ll feel reinvigorated enough for you to forget the stressors you had dealt with the entire day. 

4. It Helps Improve Your Focus and Mental Prowess

On the surface, Brazilian jiu-jitsu may seem like a physical activity. But it requires as much mental activity because you’ll have to learn a technique, and practice it over and over again. When your instructor is teaching you a technique, you have to pay close attention so as not to miss an important detail which could spell the difference between completing the move and getting beaten by your opponent.

And when you are on the mat against an opponent, you’ll have to think a lot about how you are going to counter his move. There’s a lot of thinking involved in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, more than what casual observers think.

5. It Teaches Discipline and Patience

You can’t be successful in BJJ if you are not disciplined. You must have the discipline to execute a lock or hit your opponent at the right moment. Timing and rhythm are more important than strength and force in BJJ. Patience is also important in BJJ, as you would have to rehearse a move over and over again.

Read More

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Versus Judo: Similarities and Differences

Martial Arts Guy Leave a comment

If you’ve been a casual observer of martial arts, you are surely familiar with judo, one of the only two martial arts to be included in the Olympics. And thanks to the exploits of mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters who have become celebrities in their own right, you may have also heard of Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

But do you realize that these two martial arts are in a way connected with each other? Brazilian jiu-jitsu and judo emanated from the traditional Japanese martial art of jujutsu. Jujutsu was the ancient Japanese martial art that taught its practitioners how to defeat an armed opponent without weapon or using only a short weapon. Brazilian jiu-jitsu was also developed out of the ground-fighting phase of judo, where fighters see the initial throw as the start of the fight.

Yet there are also differences between the two martial arts such as in:

Origins

Judo traces its origins to the traditional Japanese jujitsu, which was developed in the Asian country during the Feudal period from the 11th century to 16th century A.D. It was known by other names like Yawara and Hakuda. The earliest recorded use of the term ‘jiu-jitsu’ was in 1532 as coined by the Takenouchi Ryu school, although scholars believe that the martial art had been practiced in Japan earlier than that.

Interestingly, jiu-jitsu became rather obsolete with the end of the Feudal period. In lieu of jiu-jitsu, judo was developed in the 19th century by a jujitsu practitioner named Jigoro Kano. Kano is credited for streamlining the highly complicated art of jujutsu and making judo far more effective.

On the other hand, Brazilian jiu-jitsu or BJJ evolved from judo. Mitsuyo Maeda was one of the greatest practitioners in the history of judo and was a student of Jigoro Kano. He toured the world, going to places like the United States, England and Belgium. He would settle in Brazil where he opened a school of jiu-jitsu. There, he trained a young man named Carlos Gracie. After learning from Maeda, Gracie would open his own academy in 1925.

The Gracie family earned notoriety with their “Gracie Challenge” where anyone can come in and fight with them in no-holds-barred fights. The Gracies were virtually unscathed through the years, defeating fighters of different backgrounds.

They would develop strategies and techniques they learned from Maeda, and by the late 1980s the Gracies would introduce BJJ to the rest of the world when Royce Gracie dominated the early UFC events.

Fighting Style

In terms of fighting style, BJJ is more ground-based. It teaches its practitioners how to execute takedowns that are influenced by judo and wrestling. There is very minimal striking involved, most of which is designed simply to make an opponent submit.

It can be said that Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a martial arts that is more into ground fighting, empowering its students to improve their position from the top so they can employ a submission move like a choke or joint lock on their opponents. Moreover it teaches its practitioners how to fight from one’s back. BJJ requires its practitioners to be patient, as they would have to wait for openings and in most cases, slowly move towards them.

Although there are submissions in judo as well, it is primarily a throwing style of martial arts. In judo, practitioners are taught how to use leverage and use their opponents’ force against them with the purpose of taking their adversaries to the ground. The ground phase in judo called ne-waza, where the opponents are immobilized and where submission holds may be employed.

As an Olympic Sport

Judo has been an Olympic sport since 1964, when Tokyo hosted the Summer Games. Curiously the event was not included in the 1968 Olympics held in Mexico City. But it was added again in the Olympic calendar since 1972. Women started participating in judo in 1988 during the Seoul Olympics, and medals were awarded to them at the 1992 games.

Judokas compete in weight classes. In the Olympics, a country may send a maximum of one judoka per weight class. Winners of the single elimination bracket are awarded the gold and silver medals. Interestingly, two bronze medals are awarded in each weight class.

Japan has won the most number of medals in judo at the Olympic games with 72, followed by France and South Korea.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu is not an Olympic sport although there have been moves to include it in the Olympics especially with Rio de Janeiro hosting the 2016 games. However, there are reasons why the BJJ is far from being considered for the Olympic Games.

One is that being relatively new, BJJ is not yet as popular as other martial arts like judo and taekwondo. Another reason why BJJ is not an Olympic sport is that there is no single governing body in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Read More