by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Sep 30, 2015 | Blog, Martial Arts, Martial Arts History
Karate is one of the most popular forms of martial arts practiced around the world today, but have you ever wondered where it originated and how? If so, you’re in luck, because we’ve created an infographic to show the history of karate and how it got to be...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Mar 27, 2015 | Blog, Martial Arts, Martial Arts Benefits, Martial Arts History, Martial Arts Moves
Arm locks are simple but effective Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques for blocking attacks and causing submissions and we look at two of the best below. Two Methods for Performing Arm Locks 1. Standing Arm Lock This is effective against a bottle or hammer fist attack....
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Mar 15, 2015 | Blog, Martial Arts, Martial Arts Benefits, Martial Arts History, Martial Arts Moves
Leg locks are a controversial topic in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Practitioners are often told that leg locks are dangerous – causing you to turn your back, which is not recommended and should only be practiced by experienced martial artists. Indeed, leg locks were...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Mar 11, 2015 | Blog, Martial Arts, Martial Arts Benefits, Martial Arts History, Martial Arts Moves
Gi chokes are effective on even the best martial artists, but newcomers to the world of Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu often perform their chokes using the wrong technique. Two Gi Choke Tips 1. Avoid a Shallow Grip If you have a shallow grip on your opponent’s gi lapels,...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Mar 7, 2015 | Blog, Martial Arts, Martial Arts Benefits, Martial Arts History, Martial Arts Moves
An estimated 95% of street fights finish on the floor, which means your ground fighting skills need to be in honed. Obviously, taking your opponent down is only a good idea in a one-on-one situation. Here are a few basic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu positions: Four BJJ Positions...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Mar 5, 2015 | Blog, Martial Arts, Martial Arts Benefits, Martial Arts History, Martial Arts Moves
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is associated with submissions, so we look at some of the most commonly performed submissions below. Four Effective Submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 1. Armbar This is a favored submission because it can be applied in a number of different combat...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Dec 25, 2014 | American Kenpo, Blog, Martial Arts, Martial Arts History
Kenpo refers to a number of Japanese martial arts and is known for being a very open system of fighting; as a result, its techniques vary depending on the preferences of the instructor and practitioner. Ed Parker famously created American kenpo after honing his skills...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Sep 18, 2014 | American Kenpo, Blog, Martial Arts, Martial Arts History
At one time, Kenpo Karate was known as the Ed Parker system, as he trained a significant number of Kenpo instructors directly. However, it was Parker’s instructor, Professor William K. S. Chow, who is the modern founder of Kenpo Karate; this is the name he gave to his...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Feb 15, 2014 | Blog, Martial Arts, Martial Arts History, Martial Arts Infographics
Here’s a great infographic created by Stefano Manca (view original) that illustrates facts relating to karate practitioners, equipment, Japanese styles/disciplines, history, and Japan’s role in forming karate. Infographic: Some Facts About...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Feb 11, 2014 | Blog, Martial Arts, Martial Arts History
There are those who suggest that learning the history of Japanese martial arts, namely karate, is not that important since it will not improve your skills. Yet teachers all over the world believe that having knowledge of karate’s past is necessary for further...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Jan 15, 2014 | Blog, Martial Arts, Martial Arts History
China is legendary for its range of martial arts, which are known collectively as kung fu, Gung fu, or wushu. These are today’s most popular fighting styles that have developed over centuries in China and have gained attention all over the world. Even in modern China,...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Oct 25, 2013 | Blog, Boxing & MMA, Martial Arts, Martial Arts History, Martial Arts Infographics
Below is a collection of ten of the greatest submissions that have occurred in mixed martial arts over the past couple of decades. If you have a submission that you feel should have made this list, please do us a favor and submit your pick using the submission form...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Oct 14, 2013 | Blog, Martial Arts, Martial Arts History
Those with a genuine interest in martial arts understand that it is not just about fighting. Practitioners are aware of a deeper mysticism and wisdom that can be derived from the study of their chosen martial art and seek to find inner peace and strength. This is why...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Oct 7, 2013 | Blog, Martial Arts, Martial Arts History, Taekwondo
Those with limited exposure to martial arts may believe that Japanese karate and Korean taekwondo are almost the same or very similar, but this is incorrect. While it’s true that there are several similarities, they are ultimately disparate fighting systems which each...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Aug 26, 2013 | Blog, Boxing & MMA, Martial Arts, Martial Arts History
When it comes to naming the greatest boxers of all time, names such as Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson, Marvin Hagler, Joe Louis, Carlos Monzon, and Henry Armstrong dominate discussion. The trouble with this is that modern day fans really lack an opinion of these...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Jun 3, 2013 | Blog, Martial Arts, Martial Arts History
Although Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) seems to be a relatively new phenomenon to the general population, it is a combat form that has been used by the US Military for decades. Just over 10 years ago, the military made it mandatory for every soldier to learn Asian martial...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Jul 3, 2012 | Blog, Martial Arts, Martial Arts History
There are many different types of martial arts, and each has a ranking system. Most rankings go from beginner to experienced master. Rankings vary widely between the many arts. Belts and belt colors vary even more than rankings do. Belt colors will almost always be...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | May 15, 2012 | Blog, Kickboxing, Martial Arts, Martial Arts History
Kickboxing is a form of martial arts that involves stand-up fighting where punches and kicks are the main form of attack. The sport of kickboxing was first developed from karate, quickly adopted by Thailand martial artists who introduced Muay Thai, and later modified...
by Sandoval Freestyle Karate | Mar 17, 2012 | Blog, Martial Arts, Martial Arts History
Karate is a martial arts form dating back several hundred years to Okinawa, a main trading island in Japan’s chain of Ryuku Islands. The word “karate” is actually a term in Japanese – “kara” (empty) “te” (hand), meaning to fight hand-to-hand without weapons. Today,...
