Glossary of Terms
Comprehensive glossary of martial arts terminology
Comprehensive system of formal manners, courtesy, and correct conduct inside a dojo.
JapanComprehensive code of etiquette, courtesy, and correct conduct in Japanese martial arts.
A judo concept of smoothly chaining one technique into another, in which a failed or blocked throw attempt immediately exploits the opponent's reaction to launch a second throw.
The concept of continuous, fluid, and aggressive counterattack in Krav Maga.
IsraelTraditional circle formed by participants inside which Capoeira is played.
BrazilSuffix and term designating a specific school, style, or lineage in Japanese martial arts.
Title for an instructor or master in Korean martial arts.
South KoreaRussian martial art and combat sport synthesizing Judo throws, leg locks, and striking.
RussiaJapanese number 'Three' (3) used when counting repetitions in a dojo.
Foundational isometric tension and breathing Kata in Goju-ryu and Uechi-ryu Karate.
Rooted, tensioned stance with toes turned inward, central to Naha-te and Goju-ryu Karate.
Official Chinese full-contact combat sport combining punches, kicks, wrestling takedowns, and sweeps.
ChinaTraditional French martial art combining Western boxing with precise kicking delivered in padded boots.
FranceThe last of the five master strikes, a long, straight downward cut delivered with extended arms to the opponent's head or hands, traditionally aimed at defeating the Alber guard.
GermanyA deceptive master strike that at first looks like a straight cut but at the last instant turns the blade into a thrust or a cut with the short edge, typically as the answer to the Pflug guard.
A chaotic, dynamic phase of ground fighting in which both fighters try to gain a dominant position.
United StatesStandard forefist striking surface aligning the first two knuckles of index and middle fingers.
Traditional Japanese formal kneeling posture sitting on the heels.
Tactical principle of striking the opponent simultaneously as they launch their attack.
Senior or more experienced student in Japanese dojo hierarchy.
Honorific title for a teacher or instructor in Japanese culture.
Iconic Judo hand throw where the opponent is loaded onto the attacker's back and thrown over the shoulder.
Korean native number 'Three' (3) used for counting in Taekwondo.
Solo combat visualization exercise moving and striking against an imaginary opponent in free rhythm.
Official competitive match governed by formal rules and referee scoring.
Honorific title awarded to senior master instructors within martial organizations.
A repeated ritual of crouching and staring down the opponent by which sumo wrestlers build psychological pressure before the actual clash (tachiai).
Wide, deep squat stance with toes turned outward at 45 degrees, inspired by Sumo.
Category of choking and strangulation techniques compressing the carotid arteries or windpipe.
Martial triad of Mind (Shin), Technique (Gi), and Body (Tai) forming balanced mastery.
Bamboo sword constructed of four slats used for full-contact sparring in Kendo.
Natural, relaxed standing posture with feet parallel shoulder-width apart.
First degree black belt rank (1st Dan) in Japanese and Korean martial arts.
Zen concept of 'beginner's mind' – maintaining openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions.
Pillar of Chinese martial arts encompassing takedowns, sweeps, and high-amplitude throws.
Ancient Chinese jacket-wrestling discipline focusing on rapid throws, trips, and takedowns.
Intense, rigorous, and austere training aimed at forging mind and body resilience.
Striking surface formed by the outer pinky-side edge of an open hand.
Dominant top ground pin position perpendicular to the opponent's torso.
Title for a master or teacher in Chinese martial arts.
Honorific title for the teacher of your Sifu in Chinese martial arts lineage.
Titles for senior (Sihing) and junior (Sidai) male classmates under the same Sifu.
Rhythmic double-stick striking patterns in Filipino martial arts resembling woven mat weaving.
PhilippinesBiomechanical motion in ITF Taekwondo lowering, relaxing, and dropping body weight into impact.
Razor-sharp elbow strike in Muay Thai executed at close range to inflict cuts or knockouts.
ThailandTitle designating the headmaster or founder of a traditional Japanese school (Koryu).
Outer razor-blade edge of the foot and heel designed for side thrust kicks (Yoko-geri).
Mid-level forearm blocks sweeping from outside-in (Soto-uke) or inside-out (Uchi-uke) at Chudan level.
A reversed boxing stance typical of left-handers, with the right foot and right hand forward.
Open guard system in BJJ utilizing sleeve grips combined with feet placed directly onto the opponent's biceps.