Types of martial arts

There are many types of martial arts in the world. Here is a simple way you can classify it. It is important to know any one of these martial arts can fall into many categories. For instance, Judo can fall into Grappling, traditions and sport. Important note, that this is not a full comprehensive list. There are so many martial arts in the world, there wouldn’t be enough time.

Striking martial arts

Karate

Boxing

Muay Thai

The striking martial arts is pretty intuitive to understand. It involves striking. Weapons martial arts fall into this category as well. Striking martial arts are slightly longer range than grappling martial arts because grappling requires to have your hands on your opponent.

Grappling martial arts

Judo

wrestling

bjj

Grappling martial arts use techniques to control your opponent. Different arts have different rule sets how one gets awarded and in what positions. In judo, you get points for slamming your opponent on their back. In sumo, it is by pushing your opponent outside the ring and or making him touch the ground.

Hybrid

Combat Sambo

MMA

Shootboxing

This is a mix of striking and grappling. A lot of martial arts have both elements. Like Traditional Japanese jiujitsu. Combat sambo is the perfect example for a hybrid martial art because it looks like kickboxing, wrestling and judo mixed all into one.

Standing

Kung fu

Kickboxing

Judo

Some martial arts types specialize in mostly standing and incorporate no ground attacks. Take for instance boxing. Once you hit the ground, the referee jumps in. Judo is listed here because you spend most of your time on your feet.

Ground

Judo

Bjj

Sambo

The ground is important because most fights end up on the ground. Very useful for truly one to one settings as you see in the cage fighting that you may see on tv. Ground martial arts tend to be grappling arts and use your body to control another. Many times submissions are involved. Like chokes and arm locks. But it is important to note that chokes and arm locks are not limited to ground martial arts.

Traditional

Tai chi

Aikido

Wingchun

Lots of philosophy. The way they do things have been passed down for generations. Effectiveness in self defense sometimes takes a backseat in order to do things the way that things were done. But there is a place for this. Also, important to know martial arts and fighting are two different things.

Modern

Krav maga

MMA

Tradition evolved into a synergized art. Modern doesn’t always mean best. Modern is such a hot term in the world of martial arts types because people associate it with effectiveness. A lot of times the traditionalists will wear uniforms but in modern martial arts, those get abandoned.

Sport

Taekwondo

Judo

Bjj

Martial arts that have been sportified and have a unified competition circuit with consistent rules puts this category in a special place. If you look at two of these, there is an Olympic event for it.