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Online Martial Arts Lessons-Free Martial Arts Lessons Online

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Online Martial Arts Lessons-Free Martial Arts Lessons Online

There are many sites and pages you can visit that offer free online martial arts lessons. This is a bit different however. This page is for people who can't afford to throw a lot of money away on an instructor. It is also a good way for someone who is preparing to take Martial Arts to start his training. Many Martial Arts teach the union between Mind-Body-Spirit. For this reason I have made them into three sections. Mind will cover strategy and ways of attack as well as the necessity to study many arts. Body will cover warming up as well as different combat techniques. Spirit will cover that which most American Dojo's deny. Take caution not to deny the Spirit because in the end it is Spirit that wins the fight and not advanced technique. Spirit will teach you how to let your techniques become second nature so you can flow in a real combat scenario.

You will find lots of good free information here. If you want to really learn self defense and understand what it really means to take care of yourself in a street fight than I recommend getting The How To Fight And Win Self Defense Guide. It's a true self-defense guide that explains why most traditional approaches to martial arts don't work. I am an advocate of learning to fight on your own and this guide is perfect for those looking to do the same thing. Martial arts lessons will cost you thousands of dollars by the time you are actually proficient in them. I recommend getting this guide and studying what I have to offer and I assure you that you will be able to defend yourself better than many of the martial artists out there.

The Way Of The Body

You may start wherever you please but understand that if you only study one area it will be like mistaking a lake for an ocean. The three together form a complete set of online martial arts lessons. Here Are All The Free Online Martial Arts Lessons Here Choose Your Path Wisely And Do Not Deny The Others.

The Way Of The Mind

The Way Of The Body

The Way Of The Spirit

Preliminary Preparations

You do not need to spend hundreds of dollars on martial arts lessons. You can train to play guitar through information you acquire in books and the internet. A teacher can help but it is you who must figure things out for yourself. Do not be unscientific in your approach. Do your research and practice whenever and wherever you can to the point where your art becomes second nature.

You can find hundreds of videos online that show you how to throw a punch, or how to kick, or how to grapple, or many other martial art techniques. I have compiled the ones that are easiest to use and most effective in a fight. Study these videos and any other materials you can get your hands on. First we must start with stretching and warm-ups so that we do not hurt ourselves when training.

Stretching and Warm-Ups

It's important to stretch before any physical endeavor. It warms up the muscles and helps prevent injuries. You will hurt yourself if you do not warm up first. You will not be able to warm up before a real fight so it's important to stretch even when your not practicing your martial arts routine. It's good to do in the morning, evening, and before your routine. This is not practical for everyone so try to stretch at least Once a day for about 10-15 minutes. The more you stretch the better you will perform and the less likely you will injure yourself. Here is a 2 part video showing various stretches. You do not have to do all of them, but rather use the ones you feel are most beneficial to your routine.

"Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless and add what is essentially your own."
-Bruce Lee

Stretching and Warm-Ups Part 2

The Ready Stance

This video is an example of the ready stance used in Jeet Kune Do. Your ready stance should not be too wide or too narrow. Your ready stance should not be too stiff or too loose, but just right. A lot of the fancy stances used in other Martial Arts are useful in developing power and balance but they are not something you would necessarily use in a fight. The ready stance is also sometimes called the on-guard position.

"The on-guard position is that position most favorable to the mechanical execution of all the total techniques and skills. It allows complete relaxation yet, at the same time, gives a muscle tonus most favorable to quick reaction time."
-Bruce Lee

Techniques-The Jab/Straight Lead

This is a video about the most important punch in boxing as well as many other martial arts, the jab. In the video they talk specifically about the left jab, but it is also applicable to the right jab. When throwing any punch you must be able to put your body into it and not just your hand or arm or shoulder. You have to learn how to put the whole thing behind it. If you notice in the video, the boxing stance is almost identical to the JKD stance. The instructor also makes a very good point on practicing your jab as as straight lead. A straight lead is basically a jab but without turning your wrist. When throwing a straight lead your fist is vertical instead of horizontal. You can learn both ways but it is best to start with the straight lead jab so you can learn proper form. Once you have your form down you can proceed to practicing the traditional boxing jab. Use your shoulders when throwing your jab to help protect your face from a surprise hook. The Jab and Straight Lead are one of the most important offensive and defensive techniques you can use.

"The straight lead is the blow that, whether used in attack or defense, leaves it's exponent in hitting range for a shorter period than any other."
-Bruce Lee

"No one punch, not even the efficient straight lead, can be an end in itself, though there are styles that use nothing but straight line punching. The straight lead is used as a means to an end and definitely should be reinforced and supported by other angle punches(and kicks), making your weapons more flexible without confinement to any one line. After all, a good man should be able to strike from all angles and with either hand(or leg) to advantage of the moment."
-Bruce Lee

Techniques-The Cross and The 1, 2

The following two videos are an example of the cross punch and the 1, 2 combination. The cross punch is like a jab thrown with your rear hand. The one two combination is a lead punch followed by a rear punch. This is a very basic yet very effective combination, and should be learned with both your left hand leading(like in boxing) and with your right hand leading(like in JKD). The goal is to become an efficient fighter from any stance and not to rely on any one too much. You can confuse your opponent more easily if he cannot read what your stance is. If you have an equal amount of power on either side he will have a much harder time finding an opening.

"It is important to recognize that no amount of science can compensate for the lack of striking power, and powerful hitting is terribly discounted unless it's well-timed, rapid and accurate."
-Bruce Lee

Techniques-The Cross and The 1, 2 Part 2

Techniques-The Hook Punch

The Hook punch is one of the most common punches thrown in a fight. If you have ever seen a fight or watched any of the fights on Youtube, you will notice most untrained fighters throw wild hook punches. The real hook punch is actually very powerful and is not thrown in a wind-up fashion. The point of the hook is to hit horizontally but without making it obvious. For that reason your opponent should not be able to tell whether you are going to throw a jab or a hook. The point they make in the video is that you should use your lower body to support the punch. This is done by pivoting with your lead leg and using your hips to put some power behind your hook.

"If you hope to understand my strategy you must study as many martial arts as you can and never veer from your chosen course."
-Miyamoto Musashi

Techniques-The Hook Punch Part 2

Another important thing to remember is that the hook punch is like a bent arm jab. It is a very short punch and you should avoid using wide arcs to throw the punch. The video below shows two different types of hooks. One hook is used for speed and elusiveness while the other is used for power. It would be wise to learn both. In both videos the sensei/sifu makes good use of their lower body to torque the punch and make it more powerful.

Techniques-The Uppercut

The uppercut makes use of the hips to derive it's power. It's a punch seen often in boxing and JKD. You want to remember to crouch a little and rotate upwards like in the video. The power should come from the springiness of your back foot as well as the rotation of your hips. The mechanics are the same when using the elbow as an uppercut. All that changes is the surface that you strike with.

The Uppercut is valuable angle to have in any fight because it is a short distance from the target. You cannot rely solely upon the uppercut but when mixed together with different punches with different angles, it can be a very surprising attack for an opponent.

Techniques-The Elbow

The Elbow is a tool that comes from Muay Thai. The mechanics of the lead elbow will be the same as the lead hook. The leg and hip will be where your power comes from. You will be throwing it on a horizontal line. One of things most beginner students miss about the elbow is the rear hand. The rear hand should be raised to guard the face in case of an attack. This is similar to the way boxers guard there face sometimes when they throw a jab. The elbow can be used in an uppercut fashion or any other angle as well. When striking with the elbow try to use the point of the elbow as the striking surface. When you use the point it acts like a knife. Different schools teach different parts of the elbow to strike with. The elbow is one of your most powerful moves and one of the most deadly techniques. It is most useful when you lose your range and combat becomes very close.

Techniques-The Elbow Part 2

Techniques-The Backfist

The Backfist is a technique used in Kung Fu, Karate, Jeet Kune Do, and other various martial arts. The Backfist is not the strongest punch but it is like a whip so therefore much different than other punches. A backfist hits horizontally instead of straight on. As seen in the Shaolin backfist you can use it as a counter punch in case your jab is blocked. Because of the snapping motion, the backfist can be one of your fastest attacks and a good counter to the fighter who would normally expect a jab. The backfist is a good weapon to train because it also functions as a defensive maneuver. A backfist has a similar snapping motion as with a block. Practice using the backfist as both offensive and defensive.

Techniques-The Hook Kick

The hook kick is sometimes called a roundhouse kick in other martial arts. In JKD it is called a Hook Kick because it follows the same horizontal line as a Hook punch. The Hook kick is not as devastating as other kicks but it is much faster and is very useful whether using a high, medium, or low hook kick. Remember that a low hook kick would be the most practical in a fight and medium and high would be the most damaging.

Techniques-The Hook Kick (Muay Thai Style)

This is a variation of the hook kick. The Mechanics are the same but the striking surface changes. Instead of using the foot as the striking surface you will be using the shin. The shin is used in Muay Thai because it's surface is much larger and it's much more damaging to get hit with than the foot. You can also practice in doubles too, as shown in the video.

Techniques-The Side Kick

The Side Kick is probably the most powerful kick in martial arts. You will be using your hamstring muscles to drive the heel of your foot into your target. The most important thing to remember with the side kick is your back foot. It may seem awkward at first but you will want to have your back foot facing the opposite way of which your going to kick. Watch the feet of the people doing the side kicks in these videos. The back foot always pivots. This helps give the kick more power and more reach. Bringing the knee in first helps make the kick more like a spring. Also remember to keep your left and right hand ready to block. Always keep your guard up with any technique.

Techniques-The Side Kick and The Crescent Kick

Here is another video on the side kick as well as the crescent kick. The crescent kick can be used defensively as a block or as a offensive attack, although it is not the strongest offensive weapon. Crescent kicks can be done from the outside or from the inside. The hips give this kick it's power.

Techniques-The Crescent Kick Part 2

Techniques-The Front Kick

The front kick is the same as a groin kick. It can be very devastating and more damaging than a side kick if done right. The mechanics of the footwork are similar with all the other kicks. The groin is one of the critical strike zones that will take almost anyone down even of the kick is not very powerful.

These are only a few techniques but these are common in various martial arts and are efficient enough to use in a real combat scenario. More techniques will be added as time moves along. If you want to learn about trapping, grappling, and strategy in combat than proceed to The Way Of The Mind. If you wish to learn how to make these tools and weapons become second nature so that you become a human weapon than proceed to The Way Of The Spirit.

"While attacking, you should look as boldly aggressive as a beast or prey-without becoming reckless-in order to bring pressure at once upon the adversary's morale. Possess the eye of an eagle, cunning of a fox, the agility and alertness of a cat with the courage, aggressiveness, and fierceness of a panther, the striking power of a cobra and the resistance of a mongoose."
-Bruce Lee

Jeet Kune Do Concepts With Dan Inosanto

Dan Inosanto is one of three people that was Certified in Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do and he was the first to be certified. He was Bruce Lee's main student who he trained and developed combat theories with. This video shows different concepts that are used in multiple combat systems. These drills are designed for partners.

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Online Martial Arts Lessons-Free Martial Arts Lessons Online