Secret Martial Arts Techniques

Many people who are keen in martial arts often seek out the latest and greatest martial arts techniques. What all of them hope to achieve is to master some secret martial arts moves that will enable them to fight better and more effectively than their rivals.

Here are a couple secret martial art techniques which are difficult to find on the internet or anywhere else. Though all of these tricks and techniques are practical, remember to use them after diligent practice and after thought:

Secret Martial Arts Techniques #1 Time and Eye Contact
When martial arts are used as a form of self defense, the most critical component is time. If only you got a bit of time before the attacker made his next move, you could easily win the fight.

You can gain such a gift for time if you start to watch the opponent's eyes during the fight. The direction in which your attacker is looking would be a determining factor in the speed with which he is going to act and you could effectively use the opponent's gaze to your advantage.




For instance, if your attacker is looking directly at you, it indicates that the attack would come very fast, but if he is looking away from you, this means that you can get a few seconds to prepare for your strikes. Though simpler during a competition when there are a lot of repetitions of moves, this can be tough during a street attack.

If that is the case, make an attempt nevertheless to study his eye pattern. What you are essentially looking for is his blinking pattern. Try and gauge the time when he would next close his eyelid. This is the time when you have to plan your strike and make contact with the attacker. Essentially, when you can predict a blink, you can be ready to strike.

People not only blink, their eyes also wander, even when they are on the attack mode. Simply bide your time till the attacker even takes a glimpse at the door and you could attack him at that instant. Even when he looks at your feet, you can grab that short time lapse to your benefit.

With some practice, this secret martial arts technique can be put to some great use and you can even track and control your own eye motions to your own benefit.

Secret Martial Arts Techniques #2 Breaking Momentum
When you see someone moving aggressively towards you, have you ever wondered how to put a break to the momentum, redirect him and make the potential attacker pass you by? Well, there is a very practical yet little known and lesser practiced secret martial arts technique that is to execute a stop kick on the shins or a jab on the eye. That could stop the first impact of the attacker on you.

Your attacker has to stop to give a counter attack to you. You do not have to aim at being successful with your eye jabbing, but the whole idea is to stop his forceful forward movement. As soon as he has stopped for a while, step on his or her foot.

Find the top of the opponent's foot without even looking down. If you do look, then your move becomes obvious to the attacker. The art of finding the opponent's foot can be perfected with practice.

Your next move is to push your opponent as soon as you have pinned down and trapped his or her foot. Imagine what the impact is going to be on his body when you have mastered the perfect art of pushing down someone when his foot is trapped.

Chuck Liddell - The Iceman of MMA

One of the most well known names in the world of mixed martial arts is the Ultimate Fighting Championship, more simply referred to as the UFC. The UFC has been a place for many fighters to show their skills and gain fame as professional fighters. One of the more prominent names in the sport of UFC is Chuck Liddell.

Liddell started his martial arts training at age 12. Liddell fights out of San Luis Obispo, California. He is a California born and raised fighter. He went to college at California Polytechnic State University where he wrestled and graduated with a major in accounting. Despite his accounting degree, Liddell worked as a bouncer and bartender before he started his full-time fighting career.

Chuck made his first appearance in the UFC in 1998 fighting in UFC 17. He made his way up the ranks and by 2002, Liddell was the number one contender for the light heavyweight title, which was held by the controversial Tito Ortiz. Liddell and Ortiz had trained together at the Pitfight Club and had a falling out. Ortiz was unwilling to give Liddell a shot at the title, so Liddell was instead scheduled to fight Randy Couture, a veteran of the UFC and former heavyweight champion.

Liddell lost to Couture and Couture later beat Ortiz and became the light heavyweight champion. It was only after Ortiz lost the title that Liddell finally got to fight his bitter rival. In UFC 47, Liddell knocked Ortiz out with a series of brutal punches to claim victory for himself.

In UFC 52, Liddell once faced off against the veteran fighter and light heavyweight champion, Randy Couture. This time, Liddell knocked out Couture and claimed the light heavyweight title. Couture announced his retirement following his loss of the title. Liddell successfully defended the light heavyweight title four more times before he lost the belt to Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in UFC 71. Liddell had held the light heavyweight champion belt for just over two years.




Chuck Liddell is considered one of the most dangerous men in the UFC. This is partly due to his unconventional fighting style. Liddell is trained in Karate-Do, Brazilian Jui-Jitsu, wrestling and kickboxing. He holds a black belt and is very dangerous both on his feet and on the mat. Liddell fights in a very relaxed style that is disconcerting to his opponents and makes his actions hard to anticipate.

His "hands down" approach to fighting makes for intense and exciting fights. This has contributed greatly to his popularity in the sport of mixed martial arts among the many fans. Liddell is one of the most widely recognized and well liked competitors in the UFC. Liddell has supreme knockout power that ensures that the majority of his victories are won by knockouts rather than by the judges' decision.

When the UFC launched their reality series in 2005, titled The Ultimate Fighter, Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture were chosen to be coaches for the two teams of up and coming mixed martial arts fighters. At that time, Randy Couture held the belt for the light heavyweight division, and Liddell was promised a shot at the belt following the conclusion of the reality series.

Both of the finalists from The Ultimate Fighter were members of Team Liddell and were given contracts to fight with the UFC. Diego Sanchez and Forrest Griffin were the winners of the reality series and both went on to make a name for them with the UFC. Liddell was indeed granted a fight to Couture where Liddell won in a first round knockout, and Couture subsequently retired.

Part of Liddell's widespread recognition in the UFC is due to his media coverage. Liddell is a poster child for one of the top sponsor's of the UFC, Xyience Energy Drinks. Liddell was also the first UFC fighter to appear on the cover of ESPN Magazine. He has since founded his own clothing brand and made appearances on several TV talk shows and magazine covers. Chuck Liddell doesn't plan on going anywhere and intends to keep fighting in the UFC.

Mma Videos : The New Craze

UFC and MMA are exciting acronyms for Ultimate Fighting Championship
and Mixed martial Arts. UFC is a part of MMA. Currently the UFC is recognized as the largest MMA promotion around the entire world. The UFC is owned and operated by Zuffa LLC and their HQ is in Las Vegas Nevada. The UFC involves mixed martial arts which was based on Brazilian vale tudo.

When UFC first started out there were just a few limited amount of rules and most all of the fights were brutal and violent. Some even ended in death. It was more or less known as a "no holds barred" competition, but after a lot of flack from the press the UFC had to change and slowly started embracing stricter rules, also marketing themselves as a legit sporting event. Techniques like biting, eye gouging, hair pulling are frowned up on in the world of UFC but are still allowed.

Over the years the UFC has become more socially acceptable and has gained popularity from people around the world. UFC fights on television can be seen on SpikeTv in the US and 35 other countries. The UFC can also be seen on pay-per-view which wildly enough has broken every single record ever dated, as making well over $222,766,000 in one year alone in the year 2006. This surpasses that of WWE and boxing! The UFC has also decided in 2008 to go more mainstream and has announced two major exclusive sponsors, that of Harley Davidson and Anheuser-Busch, making Bud Light the official beer sponsor of the UFC. This was an incredible feat for both Harley and Anheuser-Busch. The UFC continues to rise to a searing popularity, gracing the covers of several very well known magazines such as Sports Illustrated and ESPN The Magazine.

Title matches in the UFC are 5x5 meaning there are five rounds with 5 minutes each. In non title matches however there are three five minute rounds, in both instances there is a one minute rest period between rounds. Which is about the time the official UFC ring girls comes into play! Alright lets get on with more of the rules and regulations for this sport. As of now the UFC currently uses five weight classes, they are:

Lightweight: 146 to 155lbs
Welterweight 156 to 170lbs
Middleweight: 171 to 185lbs
Light Heavyweight: 186 to 205lbs
Heavyweight 206 to 265lbs

In addition to these weight classes there are also four classes specified in the UR (Unified Rules) which the UFC does NOT use, they are:

Flyweight: Under 125lbs
Bantamweight: 126 to 135lbs
Featherweight: 136 to 145lbs
Super Heavyweight: Above 265lbs

The UFC stages all of its fights appropriately enough in an octagon caged enclosure called "The Octagon." The cage is eight-sided with walls made out of metal chain-link fence and is coated with black vinyl. The cage is 32ft in diameter and the fence is 5'6 to 5'8 high. The cage sits on a platform raising it 4ft (plus) off the ground. The attire for the UFC is pretty simple. The fighter must fight in approved shorts, no shoes, and approved light gloves. Fighters do NOT wear helmets of any sort.

Matches usually end in the following instances in the UFC; Submission, Knockout, Technical Knockout (TKO), Judges Decision, Technical Decision, Disqualification, Forfeit, Draw or No Contest. Some of the fouls are already listed in the beginning of this article but heres a few more; Groin attacks, Fish Hooking, Strikes to the spine or back of the head, throwing an opponent out of the ring, abusive language, faking an injury, and throwing in the towel during competition.

The UFC has a large amount of Accomplished UFC fighters. Such as Mark Coleman, Randy Couture, Frank Shamrock, Tito Ortiz, Royce Gracie, and Matt Hughes just to name a few. All in all there has been a count of 108 UFC events held in six countries and 18 US states. 84 of the events thus far have been available via per per view, while only 23 have been shown on cable t.v.

Ufc Betting Explained

As UFC fighting and mixed martial arts continue to grow in popularity, many sports fans are anxious to learn how to bet on the UFC events. According to a few major online sports books, UFC betting is set to surpass boxing in terms of online betting revenue by the end of 2007.

For most UFC events, there are a few betting options in each event. I’ll go over each of these, and also let you know where you should start if you are new to betting.

Fighter vs. Fighter bets
The most common form of UFC betting is a fighter vs. fighter bet. Unlike sports such as basketball and football that have point spreads, the odds on UFC fights are moneyline bets. A money line is used to even out the value of betting on each fighter. Here is an example from a recent UFC fight.

Rich Franklin -210
Yushin Okami +165

In the example above Rich Franklin is the favorite and Yushin Okami is the underdog. If you were to bet on Franklin, then you would be laying $2.10 for every $1.00 you want to win. So if you were to bet $210 on Rich Franklin and he wins the bout, you would win $100 (plus the return of the $210 you risked). If you wanted to bet on Yushin Okami, you would be laying $1.00 to win $1.65. So if you were to bet $100 on Okami, and he wins the bout, you would win $165 (plus the return of the $100 you risked).

3 tips to live by when betting on UFC fights
As a professional sports bettor, I know there are many trends that carry over from sport to sport when it comes to gambling. If you’re new to betting, these tips will help you get on the right path to winning your UFC bets.

1. Stay away from heavy favorites
For some people this is common knowledge, but when fights look “too easy” or like a “sure thing”, it’s tough to remind yourself to stay away from the huge favorite. I always recommend staying away from any favorite that is over -400. When you are betting on favorites that are this big, you’re going to need to win 4 out of every 5 bets to be ahead. With the amount of upsets that happen in big time fights, it is very difficult to keep this winning percentage up over the long haul. This is why I recommend just staying away from large favorites.

2. Look for value in the under card
The main bout of a UFC fight will always get the most attention and the largest betting handle. Because of this, the money line for the bout will usually be right on point and the value of betting on either fighter is very minimal. In some of the less publicized fights, there is usually a lot of value to be found on both fighters because the general public does not know much about the fighters. If you do some research you will be ahead of the game.

3. Keep your betting amounts similar
Some new bettors have a problem of betting way too much on certain fights. The long term problem with this strategy is that you could be 9-5 on your bets which would usually be a winning record, but you could be losing a lot of money. Keeping your betting amounts similar is a good way to increase your wins and minimize your losses.

MMA and UFC betting are pretty easy to learn and win money at if you do your research. Research each of the fighters and their styles, and look for strengths, weaknesses and good underdogs and you’ll be on your way to winning. I also recommend checking out reviews of UFC sportsbooks, so you can find the best online sports book to bet at.

The Critical Difference Between A Fighter And A Killer

Lately, here in Las Vegas, I've had the pleasure of meeting a number of Mixed Martial Arts competitors from the various "No Holds Barred" events like the UFC and Pride. For the most part these fighters were amazing physical specimens and tremendous competitors. Their skills in the arena are impressive and fun to watch. The other factor across the board is the fighters I met are very good natured guys.

At one of the events I was introduced by an MMA friend of mine to one of the top competitors and this fighter asked through his translator if I was a MMA competitor. Before I could answer, my friend (who had a couple of beers in him since he was not on this fight card) smiled and said, "Nah, this guy's a killer, he just likes to teach you how to stab people to death or beat their brains out with a tire iron. You'd like his course!"(Always great to have friends give this kinda PR "help")

Then the fighter asked if I taught how to "defend" against knives and guns. My friend once again "answered" for me saying "Oh yeah and more than one attacker, I mean, its prison riot training" (Again very "helpful"; I'm sure the translator loved me!) Then the fighter told of his cousin being assaulted and stabbed by 2 men in his home country. He said he felt bad because he truly couldn't give his cousin (who survived the attack) any "tips" on how to "fight" people with knives.

He then said: "Quite frankly for all my skills in the ring I doubt I could have done much better. I know how to kick someone's ass on the mat but on the street it's so different."He then had to leave and get ready for his match (which he easily won that night, absolutely wrecking his opponent). We exchanged info and he got the dates when I'd be in Europe this year.

This meeting got me thinking about the difference between a fighter and a killer: The fighter competes to better an opponent; the killer is solely focused on ending the other person. The fighter seeks to score points or get someone to submit; the killer seeks to shut down the other's brain. The fighter is good at kicking someone's ass; the killer knows how to irreparably injure vulnerable areas of the human body, permanently wrecking the function of that area.

The fighter relies on superior strength, speed and skill; the killer uses stealth and violence of action to get his results.The fighter's skills deteriorate after his competitive years are over; the killer's skills can last a lifetime.The fighter's skills work best in the controlled environment of the ring; the killer's skills work in any act of violence.

I could go on but you get the point. Now some of you may be pursuing competitive MMA careers and I wish you the best. After you hang up your gi or MMA trunks you may find the skills of a killer more useful.For the rest of you please ask yourself where do you see yourself applying your martial arts or combat sport training?

If it is in the chaotic world of real violence then you are hamstringing yourself with rules and skills that are only good for the young, fast, and strong. Not to mention whether or no the other guy plays by your rules; most murderers tend not to abide by any competition standards.

At least explore the world of the killer and see how despite the name, the skills are easily learned and last a lifetime. Also the byproduct of learning these skills is you get to live a far more relaxed and peaceful life. Strange but true. Remember there is a big difference between being a killer and a murderer. And if you face a murderer; then only the skills of a killer will properly prepare you for that situation.

Martial Arts: Physical Techniques And Mental Discipline

Martial Arts is the combination of physical techniques and mental discipline. It is used for self defense, body strengthening, relaxation, and even competition. Women often take martial arts classes to learn moves that will help them in the event of an attack. The moves of Martial Arts are designed for even a small woman to use them effectively.

The arms and legs are used in Martial sports moves. Practicing them will help you get fit and strengthen your body. Doing these moves will also help relax your mind. There are many different types of martial arts including karate and tae kwon do. Karate involves various kicks and punches. The goal of karate is to defend rather than to hurt the other person. Tae kwon do is the most commonly used type of martial art. The moves are very graceful and requires exceptional coordination.

The level of skill varies greatly in martial arts, from beginners to experts. Competitions are very popular. In addition to karate and tae kwon do, kickboxing competitions are very popular as well.

Martial arts is a great sport for children of all ages to participate in. They will get fit, learn about self discipline, and have some basic skills for defending themselves. It can help with behavior issues too including a short attention span, following directions, and communication style.

There are many variations of the martial arts. It is important to identify the types of techniques and trainings that will be used in a class before you sign up. The instructor can help you determine if it is right for you. There are also martial arts videos you can purchase to use at home. This is a great way to pick up skills in the privacy of your home. It is also great for those with a hectic schedule.

Many types of Martial Arts have a colored belt system. Judo was the first type of Martial Arts to adopt this practice. The color of the belt indicates the level of skill the student has. Students have to pass skill tests to move on to learning techniques and moves of the next color. Beginners start with a white belt. In the old days, the white belt was dyed the new color as a rite of passage and honor in Martial Arts. Today the belt is simply replaced with the new color of the skill level. After white, the colors are yellow, orange, green, blue, brown, and black.

While the goal of each student in Martial Arts is self improvement, the belt in some forms of it offers the student a way to display their efforts to the other students. It is also designed to help students engage in fair sparing activities. To respect the culture of Martial Arts, it is important that you wear the belt properly.

Never let a white belt get dingy or dirty. The belt needs to be tied firmly above the hip bones. Make sure it is loose enough to move during your activities but tight enough to stay in place. The ends of the belt hanging on both sides need to be even. This can take time to learn so practice finding the amount of material needed to tie it. Some people place a small market on the inside of the belt to find the location easily. The belt should never be allowed to cross itself in the back. Never let your belt touch the floor.

Having the proper respect for the Martial Arts includes honoring the belt color system. Never wear a belt for a level of skill you have not accomplished. This is considered to be dishonorable. Your instructor will help you learn to tie your belts properly. Enjoy learning about Martial Arts, improving your skills, and proving you are worthy of a higher ranking belt.

Secret Martial Arts Techniques

Many people who are keen in martial arts often seek out the latest and greatest martial arts techniques. What all of them hope to achieve is to master some secret martial arts moves that will enable them to fight better and more effectively than their rivals.

Here are a couple secret martial art techniques which are difficult to find on the internet or anywhere else. Though all of these tricks and techniques are practical, remember to use them after diligent practice and after thought:

Secret Martial Arts Techniques #1 Time and Eye Contact
When martial arts are used as a form of self defense, the most critical component is time. If only you got a bit of time before the attacker made his next move, you could easily win the fight.

You can gain such a gift for time if you start to watch the opponent's eyes during the fight. The direction in which your attacker is looking would be a determining factor in the speed with which he is going to act and you could effectively use the opponent's gaze to your advantage.

For instance, if your attacker is looking directly at you, it indicates that the attack would come very fast, but if he is looking away from you, this means that you can get a few seconds to prepare for your strikes. Though simpler during a competition when there are a lot of repetitions of moves, this can be tough during a street attack.

If that is the case, make an attempt nevertheless to study his eye pattern. What you are essentially looking for is his blinking pattern. Try and gauge the time when he would next close his eyelid. This is the time when you have to plan your strike and make contact with the attacker. Essentially, when you can predict a blink, you can be ready to strike.

People not only blink, their eyes also wander, even when they are on the attack mode. Simply bide your time till the attacker even takes a glimpse at the door and you could attack him at that instant. Even when he looks at your feet, you can grab that short time lapse to your benefit.

With some practice, this secret martial arts technique can be put to some great use and you can even track and control your own eye motions to your own benefit.

Secret Martial Arts Techniques #2 Breaking Momentum
When you see someone moving aggressively towards you, have you ever wondered how to put a break to the momentum, redirect him and make the potential attacker pass you by? Well, there is a very practical yet little known and lesser practiced secret martial arts technique that is to execute a stop kick on the shins or a jab on the eye. That could stop the first impact of the attacker on you.

Your attacker has to stop to give a counter attack to you. You do not have to aim at being successful with your eye jabbing, but the whole idea is to stop his forceful forward movement. As soon as he has stopped for a while, step on his or her foot.

Find the top of the opponent's foot without even looking down. If you do look, then your move becomes obvious to the attacker. The art of finding the opponent's foot can be perfected with practice.

Your next move is to push your opponent as soon as you have pinned down and trapped his or her foot. Imagine what the impact is going to be on his body when you have mastered the perfect art of pushing down someone when his foot is trapped.

Systema: The Martial Arts of Russia

Martial arts, just the name brings all sorts of near mystical thoughts to our minds. Thoughts about the wonderful Korean martial art of tae kwon do, the Japanese martial art of jujutsu and the Chinese martial art of kung fu.

All these martial arts have very humble beginnings. Each one came from a time when the local authorities were tyrannical and outlawed the commoners from having weapons. The farmers, however, insisted on having ways to protect themselves, regardless of weaponry. Thus, the martial arts were born.

Russia is no exception. Russia has a long history of internal conflict and invasion. It is a massive country with borders that span over 11 time zones. The Russians came to expect the unexpected when in battle and no two enemies would fight the same.

From these encounters, the Russian warriors developed into the type of fighter that reacted on instinct. They had to face the enemy as an individual and adapt to whatever the enemy threw at them. The Russian martial arts had to be as versatile as the men who practiced it.

Russia is so huge that, in the beginning, a standard army was not possible. There were too many tiny villages and towns scattered across the land, as well as too many lords and territories, that made this type of organization nearly impossible.

During times of war, men were recruited from the towns and villages to fight and, when the battle was over, they went home. During peacetime, these men would continue to train on their own. This Russian martial arts were tailor-made to fit the common man.

Systema has no prearranged kumite (choreographed two man fighting) like the martial arts of the Far East. Russian martial arts are fluid -- the goal being able to fight without consciousness.

Like the many forms of Eastern martial arts, Russian martial arts started with one "ideal" and evolved into many different styles of that form across Russia, each one geared towards that locale's specific needs. The basic principals remained consistent and provided the common thread of the Russian martial arts.

In time, the loose teachings solidified. The various towns and villages would show off their skills with friendly competitions amongst themselves. It wasn't until 1917 -- when the Communists had taken power -- that all traditions, including Russian martial art, were banned.

The system went underground, rather than face severe persecution for outwardly continuing to practice. As in the Far East, some monasteries survived and were left alone by the government and the monks would continue to keep the "old ways" alive. Fathers would also teach their sons, handing down the traditions from generation to generation, hoping that it would survive.

When the new Soviet government had to focus on arming their soldiers, they sent agents to find the best fighting systems in the world. They didn't have to search too far, the answer was right under their nose. From that point on, the Russian army began instruction in an age-old technique pulled right from the roots of their own heritage.

The martial arts have continued to grow in popularity in recent years, and the Russian martial art systema is no different. While it's mostly used by the Russian Special Operation Units, the form spread to the Western world when several soldiers left Russia after the Cold War ended.

Muay Thai Combinations You Need To Know To Win Your Fights.

I've got a confession to make. I like watching science programs and nature programs. I recently watched a National Geographic special on The Science of the Punch and learned a lot about martial arts that I hadn't considered before. I learned that the single most powerful punch – by a factor of 30% - was from good old fashioned Western boxing. I saw a lot about transferring energy from the back leg through the core of the body that I'd known before, and some really cool stuff from ninjitsu that I'd never seen before. But what impressed me most of all was watching their section on Mauy Thai, and how some of the combinations in Mauy Thay deliver the ultimate combination of economy of motion and force to the body.

This inspired me to check out some Mauy Thai instructional videos. Yeah, yeah, it's Yoshi talking about Yet Another Couch Potato Style Kung Fu Style, right? Not quite. The thing about Muay Thai instructional DVDs, since Muay Thai is, effectively, a mixed martial arts full contact sport, is that the DVDs are really about bare bones practicality. They're not going to load you up with lots of "Contemplate the caterpillar weaving its cocoon" philosophy – they get straight on with it, covering stances, blocks and traps, and how to combine them into combinations.

Muay Thai words from three basic stances – the closed stance, which is used for kicks, the side stance, which is used for traps and setting up joint locks, and the horse stance, which is designed for powerful punches, and combinations. There's a lot of emphasis in the Muay Thai instruction DVDs on good stance and good footwork; you have to be able to go from a grab-and-pull to a head grab to a knee to the sternum, and for that you need good balance.



I'll be honest – I had an easier time with this one than most will; I've worked with Wing Chung Kung Fu and jiu jutsu for years, and a lot of the concepts transfer over well; most of what I got out of Muay Thai was the focus on pure pragmatism. It's entirely about taking the block and setting up the counterstrike, be it with knee, elbow, fist or foot. I could see from the Mauy Thai instructional DVD that I got that real Muay Thai practitioners get hit a lot – there's much more contact in the DVD than I'm used to seeing in training or sparring.

Following along, I got a good workout, and was really glad it was just me and a freestanding bag rather than me and some kid who's 10 years younger than me. Seriously, that Muay Thai instructional DVD made me feel my years. My knees were aching when I was done, and I was soaked. It was a good workout, like most martial arts training is. I can say this – I'd never try this with another person without some serious protective gear on me!

Boxing Through The Ages

Boxing has been around longer than most would think, both as a sport and as a form of entertainment. It can be dated back to the antiquities where the beginning of sporting competitions was first referenced. There have been many punches thrown throughout the centuries, with many a bad intention behind them.

There is proof that the Greeks took part in boxing events. Of course, it was not referred to as boxing, but it was the first competitive fighting event where fighters wore gloves. They were not padded as we see in our more modern boxing matches. Rather, the gloves that were worn in ancient Greece were much simpler than what we see today. They were just simple, cloth wrappings around the hand, and that was it.

The first time the word boxing was used was not until the eighteenth century in England. The term boxing was derived to create a difference between competitive fighting, and fighting as a result of a problem between two or more people.

Currently, boxing as we know it, is a match between two people dressed in gloves, and proper protective gear. This may include a cup, a mouthpiece, and even padding around the head. There are very specific rules and goals to be followed in the ring where the boxing match occurs.

The boxers face each other in the ring for a number of rounds or until one boxer is knocked out before the other. There is a referee in the ring with the two boxers. His job is to make sure that all the rules are followed, and to insure that the match is conducted in a safe, sane manner.




Boxing has been primarily a man's sport, although there is evidence of female fighters as far back as the eighteenth century. It is still the case today; even though many more women are currently approaching it. What may be contributing to this is the changing reasons for engaging in the sport. It used to be solely a competitive sport rather than a leisurely one. Nowadays, people are taking interest in boxing for its physical benefits as a prime consideration.

Since the nineteenth century, boxing has stayed relatively the same. But we have seen the development of new and different competitive fighting organizations and sports. This has taken some practitioners away from boxing, as one has so many choices when looking to join a martial arts fighting league. There's Kung Fu, Judo, kickboxing, mixed martial arts fighting, wrestling, and many more to consider. What we have witnessed as a result is that far less people are choosing boxing, creating a decline in the number of competitive boxers out there.

What has not changed is boxing as a form of entertainment. Out of all fighting sports, boxing matches still bring in some of the largest audiences. Interest in matches hasn't waned much, even if interest in practicing the art is on the decline. Sadly, there have not been a lot of great champions in a while, capable of making people everywhere want to put on a pair of gloves and be a hero for a while. Where oh where is the next Mohammed Ali?

Unlock the Secrets of the Art of Judo

With the rapid expansion of interest in judo throughout the world today, there has developed a need for more understanding of the art and science of this sport. The terms jujitsu and judo are common to our knowledge, but the difference in their meaning is not too clear.

Judo is a derivative of jujitsu and is the correct term used to refer to that art in today's language. The word judo specifically explains the truer meaning of the art as it is practiced today. The "ju" part of the word means "gentleness" or "giving way" and implies a flexibility of techniques, while the "do" part means "way" and signifies the application of the "ju" principle in the execution of the techniques, not only in the physical exertions of the judoist but also in his mental attitude. The older "jitsu", which was replaced by "do", meant "technique" or "art".

We can say that judo is an art because it is a method of arriving at self-realization and true self-expression. We can further say that judo is a science because it implies mastery of various laws of nature: gravity, friction, momentum, velocity, weight transmission, and unison of forces. In its most important phase, it constitutes a kind of higher logic developed through practice and the ascension of the true personality: a realization of the spiritual self in the philosophic rather than the religious sense of the word.

The study of judo without the realization of its secrets - that is, its metaphysical side - leaves one in partial mental emptiness. We must first realize that the study of true judo is symbolic of mental attitudes and behavior. The subconscious mind is where our behavior patterns are collected in a vast reservoir of our years of experience.

When we are able to tap these resources we can build our personalities anew, developing positive attitudes and, in the end, mastering the purely physical. It has been said, in regard to a judo expert's level of mental development, that "the arms are an extension of the mind".



Training in judo disciplines the mind through physical-symbolic exercises, bringing about a maturity of the skill of higher logic. It is the use of this skill that characterizes the mental reaction of the judoist to a given situation when it arises. This serenity of mind is developed in proper judo practice, but the true reservoir of mental composure is built through Zen meditation.

Zen is a relative form of yoga, without the difficult gymnastic feats. Through correct breathing and proper postural discipline, one creates a mental state of reserved energy. Throughout the meditation period, the Zen student concentrates on "nothingness" and accepts no opposing force of any kind. He seats himself in a kneeling-sitting position in a state of relaxation as nearly complete as possible.

There seems, however, to be no serious reason for the Western judoist to adopt this practice, since the Zen effect is embodied in the exercises of judo itself.

The beginning judoist should realize that it is better to learn the basic techniques and principles well than to oversaturate the mind with hundreds of subsidiary techniques that cannot possibly be mastered in one lifetime. In other words, it is better for the student of judo to perfect himself in the basic techniques and principles in order to set an impression on his subconscious mind. This is the result most to be desired.

Once these symbolic exercises have been impressed upon the mind, the new, positive, expert attitude to situations begins to develop. Two good judo maxims illustrate the purpose of such training: Seiryoku zenyo means "the maximum efficient use of physical and mental energy" and jita kyoei, "mutual welfare and benefit".

Self-defense in judo is only one basic aspect of this art. The nucleus must be mental control, in order that mastery of the self-defense techniques may be achieved. It is important for us to realize that even though Zen originated in a religious environment, it is a philosophy and can be applied to any of our personal beliefs.

Now you understand some of the philosophy of judo, it is time for you to begin the practice!

How Did Jujitsu Becomes Judo?

Most people are no doubt familiar with the words jujitsu and judo, but how many can distinguish between them? Here, Mr. Kano, the founder of Judo, will explain the two terms and tell why judo came to take the place of jujitsu.

Many martial arts were practiced in Japan during the feudal age. The use of the lance, archery, swordsmanship and many more. Jujitsu was one such art. It was a system of attack that involved throwing, hitting, kicking, stabbing, slashing choking, bending and twisting limbs, pinning and opponent and defenses against these attacks.

Although the techniques of jujitsu were known from the earliest times, it was not until the latter half of the sixteenth century that jujitsu was practiced and taught systematically. During the earlier period (1603-1868) it developed into a complex art taught by the masters of a number of schools. In Mr. Kano's youth he studied jujitsu under many eminent masters. Their vast knowledge, the fruit of years of diligent research and rich experience, was of great value to him. At that time, each man presented his art as a collection of techniques. None perceived the guiding principle behind jujitsu. When he encountered differences in the teaching of techniques, he ofter found himself at a loss to know which was correct.

This led him to look for an underlying principle in jujitsu, one that applied when one hit an opponent as well as when one threw him. After a thorough study of the subject, he discerned an all-pervasive principle: to make the most efficient use of mental and physical energy. With this principle in mind, he again reviewed all the methods of attack and defense he had learned, retaining only those that were in accordance with the principle. Those not in accord with it he reflected, and in their place he substituted techniques in which the principle was correctly applied. The resulting body of technique
The resulting body of techniques, was named judo to distinguish it from its predecessor, is what is taught in Japan.

The word jujitsu and judo are each written with two Chinese characters. The jujitsu n both is the same and means "gentleness" or "giving way." The meaning of jujitsu is "art,practice," and do means "principle" or "way," the Way being the concept of life itself.



Jujitsu may be translated as "the gentle art," judo as "the Way of gentleness," with the implication of first giving way to ultimately gain victory.

The name of the main institute in Japan is, literally, "the school for studying the Way." Judo is more than an art of attack and defense. It is a way of life.

To understand what is meant by gentleness or giving way, let us say a man is standing before me whose strength is ten, and that my own strength is but seven. If he pushes me as hard as he can, I am sure to be pushed back or knocked down, even if I resist with all my might. This is opposing strength with strength.

But if instead of opposing him I give way to the extend he has pushed, withdrawing my body and maintaining my balance, my opponent will lose his balance. Weakened by his awkward position, he will be unable to use all his strength. It will have fallen to three. Because I retain my balance, my strength remains at seven. Now I am stronger than my opponent and can defeat him by using only half my strength, keeping the other half available for some other purpose. Even if you are stronger than you opponent, it is better first to give way. By doing so you conserve energy while exhausting your opponent.

This is but one example of how you can defeat an opponent by giving way. It was because so many techniques made use of this principle that the art was named jujitsu. Let us look at a few other examples of the feats that can be accomplished with jujitsu.

Suppose a man is standing before me. Like a log on end, he can be pushed off balance -- frontward or backward -- with a single finger. If at the moment he leans forward, I apply my arm to his back and quickly slip my hip in front of his, my hip becomes a fulcrum. To throw the man to the ground, even if he greatly outweighs me, all I need do is twist my hip slightly or pull on his arm or sleeve.

Let us say I attempt to break a man's balance to the front, but that he steps forward with one foot. I can still throw him easily by merely pressing the ball of my foot just below the Achilles' tendon of his advancing leg a split second before he places his full weight on that foot. This is a good example of the efficient use of energy. With only slight effort, I can defeat an opponent of considerable strength.

What if a man were to rush up and push me? If instead of pushing back, I were to take hold of his arms or his collar with both hands, place the ball of one foot against his lower abdomen, straighten my leg and sit back, I could make him somersault over my head.

Or suppose that my opponent leans forward a bit and pushes me with one hand. This puts him off balance. If I grab him by the upper sleeve of his outstretched arm, pivot so that my back is close to his chest, clamp my free hand on his shoulder and suddenly bend over, he will go flying over my head and land flat on his back.

As these examples show, for the purpose of throwing an opponent the principle of leverage is sometimes more important than giving way. Jujitsu also includes other forms of direct attack, such as hitting, kicking and choking. In this respect, the "art of giving way" does not convey the true meaning. If we accept jujitsu as the art or practice of making the most efficient use of mental and physical energy, then we can think of judo as the way, the principle, of doing this, and we arrive at a true definition.

In 1882 Mr. Kano founded the Japanese institute of Judo to teach judo to others. Within a few years, the number of students rapidly increased. They came from all over Japan, many having left jujitsu masters to train with him. Eventually judo displaced jujitsu in Japan, and no one any longer speaks of jujitsu as a contemporary art in Japan, although the word has survived overseas.