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Kickboxing

Kickboxing is a modern martial sport that combines the hand techniques of Western boxing with the kicks of the Asian martial arts. Although it can be used for self-defense, it is primarily a ring sport. Legends of kickboxing, most of whom rose to star status in the 1970s and 1980s, include Bill "Superfoot" Wallace, Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, Kathy Long, Don "The Dragon" Wilson, and Dennis Alexio. Kickboxing techniques have been adapted for use in various exercise programs that have nothing to do with fighting.

Kobudo (Okinawan)

Kobudo literally means "ancient martial ways." It generally refers to those traditional Okinawan weapons whose history and practice has been linked to Karate. Most Okinawan styles have at least some Kobudo/Kobujutsu curriculum. In addition, there are at least two major Okinawan organizations whose primary focus is these weapons arts: the rRukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinko-kai and the Okinawa Kobudo Renmei. The most common kobudo weapons (and the ones most often taught by Okinawan Karate systems) are: "bo" staff, usually a rokushakubo or "six foot staff," although 4, 9, and 12 foot staffs are also used; "sai" three-tined iron clubs, usually carried as a set of 3; "nunchaku" two short tapered wooden clubs connected at the narrow ends by a short rope or chain; "kama" a sickle, used singly or in pairs; and "tonfa" a club with a hand-length perpendicular handle, the ancestor to the police PR-24, usually used in pairs. Less common weapons are: "koa" a hoe; "eku" a boat oar; "tekko" essentially brass knuckles; "shuchu" a small stick about 5" long; "san-setsu-kon" the 3-section staff; "surujin/suruchen" a weighted chain with a spike or blade on one end,similar to the Chinese chain whip or the Japanese manrikigusari; "tinbe" actually, this is two weapons, the tinbe itself, which is a small shield traditionally made of the shell of a sea tortoise, and the "rochin," which is a short spear with a cutting blade; "kusarikama" a kama on the end of a rope or chain; and "nunti" a short spear.

Krav-maga (Israel)

Krav-maga "contact fight/battle" was developed in Israel in the early forties when the underground liberation organizations were fighting for the independence of the State of Israel. At that time, it was illegal to possess weapons. The founder was a champion heavy weight boxer, a Judo champion, an expert in Jijutsu, a trapeze acrobat, and a well-known dancer. After the establishment of the State of Israel, Krav-maga was adopted as the official martial art taught in the defense forces, especially in elite police and army units. It was integrated into army training by Imi Lichenfield, a career IDF officer and chief instructor at the army's physical training facility at the Wingate Institute. Over the years, the Krav-maga has became an integrated part of training in many disciplines such as educational institutes. Today, it is taught in many Israeli public schools.

Krav-maga was developed with the perception that classic martial arts were developed to combat weapons different than those of today. Therefore, new unique defensive techniques against weapons as pistols, guns, and hand grenades were developed. It has no patterns or specific sequences that must be followed. Students use the basic moves in conjunction with any one of a number of other moves to fend off an attack, the key idea being adaptability to new situations through improvisation. Training is for practical usage and no contests are used. Emphasis is on speed, endurance, strength, accuracy, and co-ordination.

Since Krav-maga by definition is for self defense, it does not have any constitution and judicial rules, so therefore there are no contests and exhibitions. The training is for practical usage in the every day reality. There is a color belt system with a black belt typically granted after 8 to 10 years of practice. Spiritual and philosophical aspects are studied only at the black belt level.

Lua (Hawaii)

A Hawaiian form of combat that resembles Jujitsu. In the 1800's, the royal Hawaiian family decreed that the art would be restricted to members of the royal Hawaiian family, in  fact, it is still illegal to practice the art in the state of Hawaii. Since the 1980's, the veil of secrecy to non-Hawaiians has started to lift with the open teaching of the art in Southern California by Alohe Kolomona Kaihewalu. Lua is a form of combat which resembles Jujutsu in some of its moves. The primary emphasis of the art is joint dislocation.