| people that do not an in-depth knowledge of | | | | that allows for quick disarming and ending the |
| multiple martial arts styles, will often decide what | | | | fight quickly should be a priority. |
| style to learn based solely on martial arts moves | | | | With a rise is mixed martial arts, there has been a |
| that they have seen. While this isn't an inherently | | | | lot of controversy surrounding whether or not |
| bad idea, especially if you want to learn martial | | | | MMA (sport martial arts) is better for self |
| arts for fun or to stay in shape, it also means | | | | defense On one side of the argument, sport |
| that a bigger decision must first be made. Every | | | | martial arts trains you to compete for a specified |
| form of martial arts has an underlying style or | | | | length of time, whereas defense-oriented martial |
| concept that will be reflected in all of the moves | | | | art forms want to help you end the fight as |
| that you will learn. That means that you first need | | | | quickly as possible. While sport martial arts is |
| to make a decision about the overall style that | | | | growing in popularity, it is not the right choice for |
| you want to learn. | | | | everyone |
| There are a variety of factors that you need to | | | | A Quick Review |
| consider to find a style that has martial arts | | | | While deciding which martial arts styles to learn |
| moves that you want to learn. If you have never | | | | based upon your favorite martial arts moves is |
| done anything like this before, then one factor | | | | not a bad idea, it is important to consider other |
| that you may want to consider is your age and | | | | factors as well. The first thing to consider is how |
| vulnerability to injury. If, under no circumstances, | | | | much contact you want to, or can, handle. If you |
| you cannot sustain an injury then choosing a very | | | | are older, injury prone, or simply do not want to |
| low impact style is a good idea. There are three | | | | endure high levels of contact, then a high impact |
| basic styles of martial arts moves: striking, | | | | art form like kick-boxing, is probably not right for |
| grappling, and weaponry. While many forms are a | | | | you. A second consideration is what overall skill |
| combination or two or three of these styles, it is | | | | set you want to learn. Do you want to learn how |
| important to decide what kind of martial arts | | | | to strike, grapple, use weapons, or a combination? |
| moves you want to focus on. | | | | Just because your favorite move in a certain |
| For example, if you want to use punches and | | | | form of martial arts is a throw, that doesn't mean |
| kicks then striking should be an aspect that you | | | | that all you will learning is different take-downs |
| focus on. If you prefer to learn throws and | | | | Finally, you need to take into consideration why |
| take-downs, then grappling should be your | | | | you want to learn martial arts. If you are |
| emphasis. Many people are learning different | | | | interested in general health, self-defense, or just |
| martial arts styles, not for sport, but for self | | | | want to have a good time, it can drastically affect |
| defense. If this is a case, then choosing a style | | | | which choice is right for you. |