Fighting Styles from A to Z

[HomicideHenry]

Aikido is a martial art that was initially developed to defend against weapons (ie, staffs & swords) and is best known because of Steven Seagal bringing that particular style to the mainstream in the 1980s.



It's effectiveness in a legitimate combat situation has been questioned from time to time, but I believe part of the problem as to why aikido seems to be ineffective is because of mediocre teachers producing mediocre students.

Furthermore aikido is more defensive than offensive in practice, so when it comes to being effectively aggressive it certainly is not as good as something more offensively grounded like judo.

[HomicideHenry]

Bartitsu is not so well known today but was all the rage in Victorian England as it originated there. Considered the gentlemanly martial art it was a combination of boxing, judo, savate, and jujitsu.

This style was noted in the Sherlock Holmes novels as the detectives fighting style. It also utilized artifice (trickery) and everyday items as canes and umbrellas for defense purposes.



This fighting method still exists with bartitsu clubs in Britain and America. In essence this is basically the first Western martial art developed for the street defending yourself against assailants wherever you may go.

[HomicideHenry]

Catch (catch-as-catch-can) wrestling is essentially the pinnacle of wrestling styles as it was developed in the 19th century in Great Britain. The most dominant style in the world at that time was Graco Roman wrestling (waist up only) but this particular style took the best qualities of various grappling styles such as the Irish 'collar and elbow' and allowed participants to slap on holds and submissions anywhere on the body.



Not to be confused with 'freestyle' in the Olympic Games although it technically is Catch but comes with different restrictions. This style of wrestling ultimately was the origins of what would become professional wrestling in the United States with early champions like Frank Gotch beating out Graco Roman champion George Hackenschmidt.



Probably the best known catch wrestler in the world today or in more recent times has been Josh Barnett who had quite a bit of success in the world of MMA and if I'm not mistaken still does commentary for New Japan Pro Wrestling.

[HomicideHenry]

Defendu is yet another martial art that was created in Great Britain specifically for military applications although this was also used for crowd control purposes. It's a martial art that incorporates boxing with jujitsu and is also known as "gutter fighting."

Used during World War I and World War II this hand to hand combat technique essentially made its way over into American armed forces. Arguably the first legitimate hand-to-hand defense strategy for the Army that actually was practical.

I'm reminded of professional wrestler Lou Thesz getting drafted into World War II and was brought in to update the self-defense system for the American armed forces because as far as he was concerned everything they were teaching everyone was about as worthless as somebody picking up a rock and throwing it at your enemy.

[gilgamesh]

I love this idea for a thread Henry. Some Letters can get 2 martial arts, but yeah this is cool shit.

[HomicideHenry]

I love this idea for a thread Henry. Some Letters can get 2 martial arts, but yeah this is cool shit.

True.

I think when I reach "Z" I will do a part two continuation starting from A to Z again covering the other disciplines also starting with various letters that didn't get covered the first time around.

[Steveh583]

The criminally underrated Escrima!!!! Absolutely love training it, and one of the most practical of the lot.

F is obv for Fencing.

[HomicideHenry]

The criminally underrated Escrima!!!! Absolutely love training it, and one of the most practical of the lot.

F is obv for Fencing.

You've done some work for me.



ESCRIMA, also known as Kali and Arnis, is a Filipino martial art consisting of double sticks or a single stick for self defense. Now, what you will find in cross examining many of these martial art systems around the world is that there is no primary difference between Eastern or Western, Northern or Southern methods of defense.



For example, stick fighting in Ireland was extremely popular. Shillelaghs were the lighter or smaller sticks whereas cudgels were the heavier and larger sticks. In Ireland either black thorn roots or saplings, or oak saplings, were used to make them.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnis

The main difference, overall, seems to be the materials. Escrima uses rattan or bamboo sticks primarily. Now in my extremely limited experience with defending against sticks I've found that it can be a detriment to the wielder of the stick more than a detriment to the recipient of the blow. Why? Well quite honestly it's just another handle to grab ahold of and use against your opponent.

I remember years ago a friend of mine learned some staff techniques and I said I bet I could disarm you. So we went at it, and I got into a mantis style pose and in about 10-20 seconds got the staff out of their hands after I deflected a strike to my forearms. Now, I'm sure I wouldn't have done that against a pro stick fighter by any means but if a novice could defend and disarm a beginner learning the fundamentals I have enough imagination to foresee that someone could potentially disarm a pro stick fighter.



Not to say that it is not practical, but I tend to believe smaller sticks are superior to larger sticks like modern police batons or night sticks where you can generate more speed and force, and also use it for extra leverage when applying holds.

That being said escrima is also involved in bolo fighting which is essentially escrima except the use of knives replaces sticks. The author Louis L'Amour made note of this style in some of his works describing how men would have one of their wrists tied to the other man's wrists and in their free hand was the knives.

https://youtube.com/@kalicenter

Again, the key fundamental difference in many of these martial arts seems to be the materials and/or the addition of one single rule or method. It's great optically for martial arts films. It must be noted, however, some escrima schools don't teach weapons at all but rather open hand techniques to disarm attackers.

[HomicideHenry]

Fencing is a specific type of sword fighting whose origins ultimately begin with the creation of the rapier when swords were changing size, shape, and cutting or slicing methods. In the present time three types of swords are used in fencing: Foil, Sabre and the Epee.



Mind you sword fighting tactics are nearly as old as time, but fencing as we know it today is entirely reliant on these particular swords in use. It must be noted that the first boxing champion of note James Figg was considered the greatest swordsman in Great Britain and that pugilism was his weakest skill. Lastly, Gene Tunney always referred to boxing as "fencing with gloves on," pointing out the lines of offense and defense in boxing were the same as the lines of offense and defense in fencing.

Fencing as a sport did not ultimately become a reality until dueling was outlawed throughout Europe and America. From 1880 onwards fencing became its own sport and by 1896 appeared in the Olympics. It wasn't until 1924 were women allowed to compete in the Olympics.

[Steveh583]

Glima- Viking wresting based art

[HomicideHenry]

Glima- Viking wresting based art

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glima



There are three variations of Glima:

Trouser-Grip Wrestling
Backhold Wrestling
Loose-Grip Wrestling



(BTW, I highly recommend the YouTube channel forgotten weapons because it is really cool)



In essence this is upright standing wrestling where the emphasis is to throw an opponent to the ground. In glima one is to not really look at their opponent but rather around them because the belief is that wrestling is by feel rather than by sight.

[HomicideHenry]

Hapkido is a Korean martial art which focuses on circular motions of attack rather than linear motions of attack, implementing joint locks and throws in addition to strikes. On the 'soft-to-hard' scale in martial arts it is in the middle incorporating both soft and hard elements.



Whether or not Hapkido is effective or not to one's liking is a matter of opinion. Unfortunately the style has been hijacked by more cartoonish elements within the system where terms like "bullshido" have come up to undermine its overall worth. But in fairness, every combat sport has individuals who claim exaggerated abilities or turn the system into a more cultish atmosphere.



Ramsey Dewey a well-respected martial artist practitioner does the breakdown on this particular style and issues or problems going on within the hapkido community.

[HomicideHenry]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iaido



Iaido is a Japanese martial art whose focus is on quickness of drawing a sword from the scabbard, and responding to sudden attacks. It is a more intrinsic form of budo. Ultimately though it is more of a martial arts philosophy concerning the way or the mindset of a warrior.

[HomicideHenry]

Jeet Kun Do, the way of the intercepting fist, was developed by Bruce Lee and is asserted by some to be the first mixed martial arts movement or style in the United States of America.



However, it's overall effectiveness as an actual combat fighting system is questionable. Many practitioners of JKD have entered the UFC and other organizations and had little success. However, in fairness, JKD was built for "the street," rather than sports so many tactics are simply barred.



Philosophically speaking mixed martial arts as we know it today is essentially what JKD is because as Bruce Lee said himself that JKD is a system that would be constantly changing. There is no uniform JKD system as the system is always changing.

[HomicideHenry]

Krav Maga, the Israeli martial art utilized by the Israeli special forces, is all about real life situations and what is the most efficient method to use to defend or disarm. Developed by Imi Litchfield, a boxer and wrestler, it was used in the 1930s against fascist groups, and later in the 1940s in Israel's war for independence.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krav_Maga

Emphasis on attacking vital points of the body such as the eyes, throat, groin, liver, and solar plexus is critical for the system. Krav Maga also incorporates open-hand techniques from aikido for defense against opponents with weapons.



One of the better known champions of Krav Maga has been Ran Nakash who has been known as the "Israeli James Bond" who had a pretty successful run in boxing as a cruiserweight facing Marco Huck for that particular title.

[HomicideHenry]

Lute Livre is the Brazilian version of "real pro wrestling" otherwise known as catch wrestling. Leg locks, striking, and submissions are what makes lute livre although the key primary difference between this martial art and the better known jujitsu is the working class vs upper class mentality. Lute Livre was a martial art of the common man, not needing official uniforms (gi's) which jujitsu demanded.

To understand the history of lute livre one must have a basic rudimentary understanding of professional wrestling history where the Zybysko brothers (among others) came to South America on tours and would occasionally take on all comers.

Wladeck Zybysko, brother of world champion Stanislaus Zybysko, would famously have a 20 minute draw with Helio Gracie. The question of the superiority of jujitsu or lute livre is still ongoing into the 21st century because many matches over the years were controversial.



The founder of lute livre is Euclydes Hatem, and that legacy carried down to one of his students Roberto Leitao who passed away in 2022. Perhaps the most famous lute livre practitioner in MMA today is Jose Aldo.

[HomicideHenry]

Muay Thai, or Thai Boxing, for all intents and purposes is kickboxing with the addition of knees and elbows as well as specialty strikes such as the spinning back fist.

To understand how this martial art came to be is to understand a little bit of world history in which Western culture met with Eastern culture via colonization so the French, English and American influence of traditional boxing and kickboxing made a deep impression on Thailand.



Invicta Fighting Championships is probably the best known Muay Thai organization in the Western hemisphere. Probably one of the better known matches in recent years was between Jorina Baars and Cris Cyborg.

[Steveh583]

Ninjitsu. Tho my friend is the leading historical researcher on shinobi, and after translating a TON of Japanese scripture, came to the conclusion that the ninja never actually had their own personalised hand to hand combat system. Ninjitsu referred to a systemised method of espionage basically. Many shinobi may have studied taijutsu, but there was never a fighting style called ninjitsu. For further information, watch his documentary ‘the man who killed the ninja’. He basically upset the entire community for exposing them as frauds.

[HomicideHenry]

A plug for your friend.

Ninjitsu. Tho my friend is the leading historical researcher on shinobi, and after translating a TON of Japanese scripture, came to the conclusion that the ninja never actually had their own personalised hand to hand combat system. Ninjitsu referred to a systemised method of espionage basically. Many shinobi may have studied taijutsu, but there was never a fighting style called ninjitsu. For further information, watch his documentary ‘the man who killed the ninja’. He basically upset the entire community for exposing them as frauds.

Ninjitsu is probably the biggest fraud perpetrated on the martial arts community because it took a niche culture and turned it into something that it wasn't. Ninjas were about spying and espionage, more than anything else. However because there was so little information about the actual ninja culture it was easy for the Western World to be duped into believing different things.



It probably hasn't helped that the ninja culture has also been tied to the controversial Frank Dux who claimed he was taught by a ninja master named Senzo Tanaka, although years later in an interview on "The Voice Versus" he tried to distance himself by saying ninjitsu was bullshit and that he tried to expose it all in the 1980s. Nevertheless after the movie Bloodsport came out so-called ninja dojos started popping up all over the United States.



@ 45:25 Dux @ ninjas



A video on Senzo Tanaka from Frank Dux himself in a discussion with Viking Samurai. Anyways, the long and the short of it is there is no such thing as a fighting system called ninjitsu. There is a lot of dojos out there that claim the style but the style don't really exist. Proper ninja schools are only in Japan and they deal with aspects of spying such as camouflage. Of course, it must be stated true ninjas do know how to use weapons and fight tactics but these ultimately come from other martial arts.

[HomicideHenry]

Because ninjutsu is not a proper martial arts style we are going to post a proper "N" martial art and that will be Naginatajutsu. This particular style is all about the wielding of a particular weapon known as the naginata which resembles a European medieval weapon known as the glaive.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naginatajutsu

[HomicideHenry]

https://blackbeltwiki.com/okichitaw

Okichitaw is one of the rare martial arts in the sense that it is a Native American martial art using fighting techniques from the Cree tribe, with elements of Taekwondo and Judo.



I would say one of the great losses to not just history and culture but to the martial arts realm has been the fact that with the eradication of Native American people that so much of their fight systems have been completely lost forever.

https://archive.org/download/historyofa ... 00sutt.pdf

I'm reminded of here in Ohio near where I grew up in the vicinity of Wapakoneta there was a Native American named Kalositah who was said to be 6'0" and 200 pounds (this was 1818) and he was a prodigious wrestler of leg-locks and defeated a number of men including a black man that everybody was convinced could not be thrown. Later on in 1832 he wrestled a man named Jim Norris thought to be a great wrestler but he easily snapped the man's leg in half. These incidents are written on page 41.



Anyways this particular martial arts system focuses in on traditional weapons such as the tomahawk along with grappling and kicking techniques. I will say though strictly from observation and from the knowledge that Native American people originally came from Southeast Asia thousands of years ago that it is no surprise to see elements of kicking and leg locks in Native American fighting systems.

[HomicideHenry]

Praying Mantis is a style within Kung Fu in which the stance, strikes, and blocking methods are reflective of the insect. In the Orient it was common to have styles that were reflective of nature such as Tiger and Eagle, and this is no different.

[HomicideHenry]

Quarterstaffs is yet another British martial art that slowly but surely faded from popular use following Medieval times. Not to be confused with the bo staff used in other martial arts, though they are similar. Quite possibly the best reference to the use of a quarterstaff in literature or in films is the famous scene of Robin Hood wishing to cross a bridge where he first meets Little John who tells him that he can cross the bridge if he can defeat Little John in a match with quarterstaffs.

[Steveh583]

Ringen. german wrestling basically.

[HomicideHenry]

Ringen. german wrestling basically.

Ringen is a form of wrestling that does have its own unique flavor. Every country around the world has had its own take on wrestling whether that be Ireland's Collar and Elbow, or Japan's Judo.



Ringen in its aggressive form was known as "war wrestling" which as the name applies was used on the battlefield as well as contests for honor or money. Ringen in its passive form was more an exhibition where the art form was to not hurt the opponent but to put on a good performance.



The Swiss martial art Schwingen is directly related to this original form of German wrestling, because ringen in it's current form has lost all of its traditional flavor and is strictly Freestyle Wrestling now. However we are looking at ringen as it was in the 16th century.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ringen

Unrelated but I am reminded of the film FLESH (1929) starring Wallace Beery and this German wrestling champion falls in love with this woman and goes over to America only to find American wrestling is fake.