Martial Arts Training Techniques

Basic, core martial arts training techniques will enable you to thrive in any fighting environment. Martial arts training does not have to be about fighting in some Octagon. Martial arts training is first and foremost about protecting yourself. Martial arts training is also about physical fitness, of course. But when you study martial arts techniques, your main objective is to become better able to defend yourself against hostile and usually unexpected attack. There are numerous martial arts disciplines and styles, needless to say. So let’s just look at some core martial arts techniques that can be used by anyone regardless of style, discipline, or formal training.

1. The “hammer” punch. Yes, for all the sophisticated martial arts techniques and weapons out there, the punching fist, a basic boxing technique, is still one of the deadliest basic techniques. Making a fist to thrust out at an enemy is also one of the most instinctive self-defense methods, so it comes naturally. The hammer’s only drawback is that it can rob you of speed, so precision striking is of great importance. This technique is typical of disciplines like Tai Kwan Do and Karate.
2. The “jab” punch. Clearly related to the “hammer”, this is another basic boxing technique that makes for some superior martial arts training. The jab is a quick strike with the fist or open hand. It does not have the raw power of the hammer punch, but it leverages the principle of “speed kills”. You will find this kind of strike used often in disciplines such as Wing Chun. Many of these “soft” hits piled up at once in rapid succession will create serious harm done to the enemy, who will be too overwhelmed by your speed to strike back.
3. Elbow striking. This is not some mysterious Ninja-like martial arts. In fact, many consider it “dirty”. But if you’re under attack, why not use the sharp bones of your elbow to hit the enemy right in the face or head or abdomen--especially if you’re a “little” person who probably lacks size but has knife-like elbows?
4. Knee striking. You can use this martial arts fighting technique for an unexpected move. You can use it in conjunction with the quick and sudden grabbing of the head; done fast enough, a knee to the face can rarely be defended against. More commonly, you’ll strike the enemy in the stomach or groin with your knee. Knee strikes are often used in combination with punches, too, making your whole body a potential weapon.
5. Grasping. Grasping is a martial arts technique often called the “claw". You can use grasping around the enemy’s wrists, ankles (if they attempt to kick you), forearm, and even neck, among other ways. None other than Bruce Lee outlined some basic, important grasping techniques. Grasping shuts down the enemy’s ability to move. You must train your hands to become strong in order to use grasping among your martial arts methods.

These are just a few of the basic martial arts techniques. But, they are among the most important in the basic, elemental sense, especially for the self defense aspect.