Martial arts are organized systems and practices of fighting practiced for many reasons including self-protection; military and law enforcement uses; competition; exercise; mental, physical, and spiritual growth; and the protection of a country’s intangible cultural heritage. The martial arts have developed over time into many distinct styles and are now considered by many to be the most popular in the world. Most styles originated from an ancient Japanese system, the Ninja, which taught its students hand to hand combat and the use of concealment in order to protect themselves from enemy attack. In addition to these styles there are many other styles that developed over time such as karate, judo, wushu, and kung fu.
Combat is one of the most important aspects of the martial arts: Every style trains its students to use weapons or defend themselves against physical opponents. Self-defense is a key component to every style. Martial artists are trained to anticipate and avoid an attacker when possible and to employ an escape strategy when combat becomes inevitable. A well-developed self-defense technique can thwart an attacker long before he has the opportunity to strike. By placing the assailant in a situation in which he cannot strike a significant amount of force, a skilled martial artist may be able to control or restrain him enough to ensure the safety of his or her companion or the self.
Combat techniques vary widely in their complexity and intent: Each martial art has both a means of self-defense and a means of injury inflicted upon another. The word martial art, as defined by Martial Arts Illustrated (a magazine specializing in martial arts information and literature), can be applied to a wide variety of styles, each with its own distinctive emphasis on combat techniques, the range of possible martial arts attacks, and method of implementation.
A good place to start one’s search: for self-defense equipment and training is to look at the various martial arts organizations in one’s area. Many clubs and organizations have classes specifically for those wishing to learn or practice self-defense. In fact, many gyms will have classes specifically for this purpose. It is also quite common for local law enforcement officers to offer complimentary classes for those interested in becoming more familiar with the methods and policies of lawful self-defense.
Some martial arts schools: offer competitions for “martial arts fans” and other enthusiasts. These tournaments may be based on a particular style or martial art, or may simply be designed to test the skills and techniques of differing teams of fighters. Regardless of the format, the ability of a fighter to endure multiple rounds of fighting without taking an opponent to the ground is of paramount importance. This is especially true for Muay Thai, a popular form of fighting that requires striking opponents from a standing position while standing up.
Because martial arts sparring exercises are intended to be non-contact: the possibility of an opponent landing a strike against the user of the gear is unlikely. There are, however, some styles of fighting that involve striking at will, so a few precautions should be taken when participating in these styles of sparring. It is always best to wear protective head gear and to properly protect the lower back, shoulders, arms, and wrists.
Finally, it is best to take a mock combat class before engaging in real combat in order to get a feel for how a particular style functions in this setting.