Welcome to our “List of Martial Arts A to Z.” Here, we’ll take a straightforward journey through the world of martial arts, exploring different styles from Aikido to Zui Quan. Whether you’re a martial arts enthusiast or just curious, we’ll provide you with a simple and comprehensive guide to these diverse combat practices. So, let’s dive right in and discover the fascinating world of martial arts!
- Aikido – A Japanese martial art focused on using an opponent’s energy and movements against them through throws and joint locks
- Aikijutsu – A traditional Japanese martial art that includes a wide range of techniques, often emphasizing joint manipulation
- Akarui-ryu Jujutsu – A modern Jujutsu system known for its practical self-defense applications and effective techniques
- American Kenpo – An American martial art that combines elements of karate, kung fu, and jujitsu, emphasizing rapid strikes and practical self-defense
- Animal Kung Fu – A group of Chinese martial arts styles inspired by the movements and characteristics of various animals, each with its unique techniques
- Atemi-ryu Karate – A style of karate that focuses on precise strikes to vital points on the body for maximum impact
- Baguazhang – A Chinese internal martial art known for its circular walking patterns and flowing, evasive movements
- Baihequan – Also known as “White Crane Fist,” a Chinese martial art style characterized by its graceful and fluid movements, mimicking the white crane
- Bak Mei – A Chinese martial art with a focus on internal energy development, strikes, and precise techniques
- Bando – A Burmese martial art that encompasses both armed and unarmed combat techniques, including strikes, kicks, and grappling
- Bartitsu – An eclectic martial art that combines elements of boxing, jujitsu, cane fighting, and other techniques, developed in late 19th-century England
- Bataireacht – An Irish martial art, also known as “Irish stick fighting,” focused on using sticks or shillelaghs for self-defense and combat
- Bokator – A Cambodian martial art known for its extensive repertoire of strikes, kicks, and grappling techniques, often incorporating animal-inspired movements
- Boojutsu – A martial art focusing on the use of traditional Japanese weapons, such as the bo staff, for self-defense and combat
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) – A ground-based martial art emphasizing submissions and positional control, developed in Brazil from Judo and Japanese Jujutsu
- Budokon – A modern fusion of yoga, martial arts, and meditation, promoting physical and mental harmony
- Bujinkan – A martial art organization that incorporates various traditional Japanese martial arts, including Ninjutsu and samurai combat techniques
- Capoeira – A Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music, characterized by its fluid and acrobatic movements
- Choi Kwang-Do – A modern martial art that focuses on practical self-defense techniques, emphasizing fluid movements and strikes
- Chun Kuk Do – A martial art founded by Chuck Norris, blending elements of Tang Soo Do and other styles, with an emphasis on practical self-defense
- Combat Hapkido – A modern Korean martial art that emphasizes practical self-defense techniques, joint locks, and strikes
- Cuong Nhu – A Vietnamese martial art that combines elements of traditional Vietnamese martial arts with influences from Judo, Aikido, and Shotokan Karate
- Dambe – A traditional West African martial art and combat sport that involves striking and grappling techniques, often associated with Nigerian culture
- Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu – A Japanese martial art known for its extensive use of joint locks and throws, considered an ancestor of Aikido
- Dim Mak – A martial art concept that focuses on attacking pressure points and vital areas of the body to incapacitate or harm an opponent
- Drahomíra – An indigenous martial art from the Czech Republic that incorporates strikes, grappling, and self-defense techniques
- Eskrima/Kali/Arnis – A Filipino martial art that emphasizes the use of sticks, knives, and empty hands for self-defense and combat, known for its practicality and adaptability
- Enshin Karate – Enshin Karate is a modern martial art that emphasizes full-contact sparring and incorporates elements of Kyokushin Karate, known for its practical self-defense techniques
- Fencing – Fencing is a competitive sport that involves two opponents using bladed weapons to score points by striking specific target areas on their opponent’s body
- Fudoshin Ryu – Fudoshin Ryu is a traditional Japanese martial art that blends elements of Jujutsu and Karate, focusing on self-defense and fluid techniques
- Gatka – Gatka is a traditional Sikh martial art that involves the use of weapons like swords and sticks in simulated combat scenarios
- Goju-Ryu Karate – Goju-Ryu Karate is a traditional Okinawan martial art that combines hard and soft techniques, emphasizing close-range combat and breathing exercises
- Gwonbeop – Gwonbeop is a Korean martial art that focuses on joint locks, throws, and submission techniques for self-defense and control
- Haganah – Haganah is a modern Israeli martial art developed for practical self-defense and counter-terrorism techniques
- Haidong Gumdo – Haidong Gumdo is a Korean martial art centered around swordsmanship, with an emphasis on forms, sparring, and cutting techniques
- Hapkido – Hapkido is a Korean martial art that emphasizes joint locks, throws, and strikes, emphasizing fluidity and redirection of an opponent’s force
- Hwa Rang Do – Hwa Rang Do is a Korean martial art that incorporates various techniques, including striking, grappling, and weaponry, while promoting personal development and ethics
- Iaido – Iaido is a Japanese martial art focused on the quick and precise drawing of the katana (Japanese sword) and executing cutting techniques in one fluid motion
- Ichi-ryu – Ichi-ryu is a traditional Japanese martial art known for its kenjutsu techniques, emphasizing swordsmanship and discipline
- Isshin-ryu Karate – Isshin-ryu Karate is a style of Karate that blends traditional Okinawan Karate with influences from Chinese martial arts, characterized by its compact and practical movements
- Jeet Kune Do – Jeet Kune Do is a martial art philosophy developed by Bruce Lee, emphasizing simplicity, directness, and adaptability in combat
- Judo – Judo is a Japanese martial art and Olympic sport that focuses on throws, pins, and joint locks to subdue opponents
- Jujutsu – Jujutsu is a Japanese martial art that includes a wide range of techniques, including joint locks, throws, and strikes, designed for self-defense and combat
- Kajukenbo – Kajukenbo is an American martial art that combines elements of Karate, Judo, Jujutsu, Kenpo, and Chinese boxing, known for its practical self-defense techniques
- Kalaripayattu – Kalaripayattu is an Indian martial art that includes strikes, kicks, grappling, weaponry, and healing techniques, often considered one of the world’s oldest martial arts
- Karate – Karate is a Japanese martial art that emphasizes striking techniques, including punches, kicks, and knee strikes, for self-defense and sport
- Kendo – Kendo is a Japanese martial art that involves simulated sword fighting using bamboo swords (shinai) and protective armor (bogu)
- Kenjutsu – Kenjutsu is a traditional Japanese martial art focused on sword techniques and combat with live blades
- Keysi Fighting Method – Keysi Fighting Method is a modern martial art developed for practical self-defense, known for its close-quarters combat techniques
- Kempo – Kempo is a martial art that combines elements of Karate and Chinese martial arts, emphasizing both strikes and grappling techniques
- Kenpo – Kenpo is a Japanese martial art that incorporates rapid strikes, kicks, and self-defense techniques, promoting adaptability and fluid movements
- Kukkiwon Taekwondo – Kukkiwon Taekwondo is a Korean martial art known for its high, fast kicks and dynamic techniques, recognized by its emphasis on Olympic-style sparring
- Kyudo – Kyudo is the Japanese martial art of archery, focusing on the precision and ritualistic aspects of shooting a traditional Japanese longbow (yumi)
- Lethwei – Lethwei is a Burmese martial art and combat sport that allows the use of fists, elbows, knees, and headbutts in competition, often referred to as “Burmese bare-knuckle boxing
- Lua – Lua is a traditional Hawaiian martial art that incorporates strikes, joint locks, throws, and weapons techniques, historically used for self-defense and warfare
- Luta Livre – Luta Livre is a Brazilian martial art that emphasizes ground fighting, similar to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, with a focus on submissions and escapes
- Malla-yuddha – Malla-yuddha is an ancient Indian martial art and combat sport that combines grappling, strikes, and joint locks, often practiced in a traditional wrestling context
- Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) – MCMAP is a martial arts program developed by the United States Marine Corps, incorporating techniques from various disciplines for combat and self-defense
- Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) – MMA is a full-contact combat sport that blends techniques from multiple martial arts, including striking and grappling, allowing a wide range of techniques
- Modern Arnis – Modern Arnis is a Filipino martial art that focuses on stick and knife fighting techniques, as well as empty-hand combat and disarming techniques
- Muay Thai – Muay Thai is a Thai martial art known for its powerful strikes using fists, elbows, knees, and shins, widely practiced as a combat sport and for self-defense
- Naginatajutsu – Naginatajutsu is a Japanese martial art that involves the use of the naginata, a polearm weapon with a curved blade, for combat and self-defense
- Nihon Kendo Kata – Nihon Kendo Kata is a set of prearranged forms in Japanese Kendo that emphasize fundamental techniques, principles, and etiquette of swordsmanship
- Nihon Tai Jitsu – Nihon Tai Jitsu is a Japanese martial art focused on self-defense techniques, including strikes, throws, joint locks, and ground fighting
- Ninjutsu – Ninjutsu is a martial art associated with the practices of the ninja, incorporating stealth, espionage, and various combat techniques for self-defense and espionage
- Okinawan Kenpo – Okinawan Kenpo is a martial art that combines elements of traditional Okinawan Karate with influences from Chinese martial arts, known for its practical self-defense techniques
- Pankration: Pankration is an ancient Greek martial art that combined elements of boxing and wrestling, allowing strikes, joint locks, and submissions
- Pencak Silat: Pencak Silat is a traditional martial art from Southeast Asia, known for its diverse range of techniques, including strikes, throws, and weapons
- Pradal Serey: Pradal Serey is a Cambodian martial art and combat sport that focuses on striking techniques, including punches, kicks, elbows, and knees
- Sambo: Sambo is a Russian martial art and combat sport that incorporates elements of judo and wrestling, emphasizing throws, ground control, and submissions
- Sanshou: Sanshou, also known as Sanda, is a Chinese martial art and combat sport that combines traditional Chinese martial arts with Western boxing and kickboxing techniques
- Savate: Savate is a French martial art known for its use of kicks and punches, practiced as a combat sport with an emphasis on footwork and precision
- Shaolin Kung Fu: Shaolin Kung Fu is a Chinese martial art famous for its diverse range of techniques, forms, and philosophy, developed by Buddhist monks at the Shaolin Temple
- Shidokan Karate: Shidokan Karate is a full-contact karate style that incorporates elements of Kyokushin Karate, known for its rigorous training and heavy emphasis on sparring
- Shindo Jinen Ryu: Shindo Jinen Ryu is a Japanese martial art that combines traditional jujutsu techniques with principles of natural movement and body mechanics
- Shinkendo: Shinkendo is a Japanese martial art that focuses on the practical and comprehensive study of Japanese swordsmanship (kenjutsu), including techniques with live blades
- Shito-Ryu Karate: Shito-Ryu Karate is a traditional Japanese martial art that blends elements of Shotokan and Goju-Ryu Karate, emphasizing both hard and soft techniques
- Shootfighting: Shootfighting is a hybrid martial art that combines elements of submission wrestling, kickboxing, and grappling techniques
- Shorin-Ryu Karate: Shorin-Ryu Karate is a traditional Okinawan martial art known for its rapid and flowing movements, emphasizing practical self-defense techniques
- Shotokan Karate: Shotokan Karate is a widely practiced Japanese martial art known for its strong stances and powerful strikes, popular for both sport and self-defense
- Shuai Jiao: Shuai Jiao is a Chinese martial art that focuses on throws, takedowns, and grappling techniques, often practiced as a combat sport
- Shudokan Karate: Shudokan Karate is a style of Okinawan Karate known for its practical self-defense techniques and emphasis on kata (forms) training
- Silat: Silat is a diverse and traditional martial art practiced in Southeast Asia, known for its fluid and often intricate striking, grappling, and weaponry techniques
- Soo Bahk Do: Soo Bahk Do is a Korean martial art that combines elements of Taekkyeon and Tang Soo Do, emphasizing precise techniques and forms
- Sumo: Sumo is a Japanese combat sport that involves two competitors attempting to force each other out of a circular ring or to touch the ground with any part of their body other than the soles of their feet
- Systema: Systema is a Russian martial art that emphasizes natural and fluid movements, breath control, and adaptability in combat and self-defense
- Tae Bo: Tae Bo is a fitness program that combines elements of Taekwondo and boxing, designed to improve cardiovascular fitness and strength through martial arts-inspired exercises
- Taekkyeon: Taekkyeon is a traditional Korean martial art known for its fluid and dance-like movements, focusing on kicks, sweeps, and throws
- Taekwondo: Taekwondo is a Korean martial art characterized by its high and fast kicks, with an emphasis on sparring and forms
- Tai Chi Chuan: Tai Chi Chuan is a Chinese martial art known for its slow and graceful movements, promoting balance, relaxation, and health benefits
- Tang Soo Do: Tang Soo Do is a Korean martial art that combines elements of Taekkyeon and Shotokan Karate, emphasizing forms and self-defense techniques
- Tarung Derajat: Tarung Derajat is an Indonesian martial art that incorporates strikes, grappling, and ground fighting techniques, developed for self-defense and combat
- Thaing: Thaing is a traditional Burmese martial art that encompasses various forms of striking, grappling, and weapon techniques
- Togakure-ryu Ninpo: Togakure-ryu Ninpo is a Japanese martial art associated with ninjutsu and focuses on stealth, espionage, and combat techniques for self-defense and espionage
- Uechi-Ryu Karate: Uechi-Ryu Karate is a traditional Okinawan martial art that emphasizes close-quarters combat, body conditioning, and breathing exercises
- Vajra-musti: Vajra-musti is a Nepalese martial art that incorporates strikes, grappling, and weaponry techniques, historically used for self-defense and combat
- Vovinam: Vovinam is a Vietnamese martial art that includes a wide range of techniques, such as strikes, throws, joint locks, and weapon handling
- Wado-Ryu Karate: Wado-Ryu Karate is a Japanese martial art that combines traditional Karate with elements of Jujutsu, known for its fluid and evasive movements
- Wing Chun: Wing Chun is a Chinese martial art characterized by its close-quarters combat techniques, quick strikes, and efficient use of energy
- Yoseikan Budo: Yoseikan Budo is a Japanese martial art created by Minoru Mochizuki, incorporating techniques from Judo, Aikido, Karate, and weapons training
- Yudo: Yudo is a Japanese martial art similar to Judo, focusing on throws and grappling techniques, often practiced as a sport
- Yushin-ryu: Yushin-ryu is a Korean martial art that combines elements of Taekwondo and Hapkido, emphasizing self-defense and practical techniques
- Zui Quan: Zui Quan, or “Drunken Fist,” is a Chinese martial art that mimics the movements of a drunkard, using unpredictable and deceptive techniques
