Cross-Training in Martial Arts: How Different Styles Complement Each Other
Not all martial arts styles are the same; in fact, even to an untrained eye, different styles can look vastly distinct from one another. They often differ in terms of technique, their varying emphasis on different aspects of combat, their traditions, aesthetics, and more.
However, learning different styles and incorporating aspects of one style into another can be a great way to cover “blind spots” in different martial arts traditions. In fact, this is the underlying philosophy of mixed martial arts, and some of the greatest martial artists and combat athletes in the world learn multiple styles.
To understand this, it warrants going over some of the common types of different martial arts styles and how one can choose from these various categories to become a more well-rounded martial artist.
Strikes
When martial arts come to mind, most people immediately think of styles such as boxing, Taekwondo, or Karate that tend to emphasize strikes. These styles teach practitioners to punch, kick, and attack with their limbs, as well as how to block blows from opponents. Striking is an important part of many martial artists’ repertoire, and learning a style that emphasizes strikes, whether new or traditional, will help make you an effective striker.
Grappling
There is a claim that a high percentage of fights end up “on the ground,” and this is where the importance of grappling comes in. Whether it’s Jiu Jitsu, traditional wrestling, or mixed martial arts, grappling and groundwork are heavily emphasized.
Learning a martial art that focuses on grappling can give you a significant advantage in a street fight, as most people have minimal grappling experience. Grappling techniques are also relatively uncommon in many popular martial arts styles, making this skill set even more valuable in self-defense situations.
Conditioning
While virtually every martial arts style will get you a good workout, some lend themselves to much more intensive conditioning than others — and good physical conditioning is of the utmost importance for excelling in any martial art style or in self-defense. Kickboxing schools often emphasize fitness just as much as self-defense and will get you a dynamic workout.
The flashy dance-like style of Brazilian martial arts known as Capoeira will get you a good cardio workout and give you a great deal of upper body development, emphasizing techniques such as sustained handstands, slow cartwheels, and other body lifting techniques!
Acrobatics
When people think of martial arts, they often picture a fighter leaping over objects, jumping into the splits, doing a flip, or other acrobatic maneuvers. Many martial arts styles teach practitioners to control their bodies in ways beyond inflicting or avoiding damage.
For instance, some Chinese martial arts styles, such as those often dubbed “Wushu,” teach a system of acrobatics in tandem with self-defense. One learns to keep their body flexible and limber as well as how to do useful, and often beautiful, acrobatic techniques. Learning such a style will help you have better mastery of your body, retain mobility, and navigate space in a more dynamic way!
Combat
While almost all martial arts styles teach fighting techniques, some emphasize the importance of simulated or actual combat more than others. Traditional martial arts styles tend to emphasize forms and rehearsed techniques with some occasional emphasis on light sparring.
Other, usually more modern styles, such as boxing, mixed martial arts, or Sanda, put heavy emphasis on more intense sparring or outright combat, albeit usually with protective martial arts gear. Learning fighting skills helps, but nothing is a substitute for the hands-on experience of putting such skills to actual use. Taking up a combat-focused style will give you such hands-on experience and a psychological edge over those who lack it!
Survival
There are certain styles that focus on survival in a more expansive way. For instance, Krav Maga and Silat both emphasize a mix of strikes, grappling, and hands-on sparring, as well as preparation for real-life scenarios. They often teach things such as how to disarm a knife or gun-wielding opponent or how to use your surroundings or objects therein as deadly weapons to neutralize a threat.
Ninjutsu teaches the art of stealth as a survival and combat tool. Basically, with such a style under your belt, you will have a larger arsenal of self-defense techniques that can be deployed in common real-world scenarios or environments.
Following Your Own Path
Being a martial artist doesn’t necessarily mean rigid adherence to one style. Being adaptable, open, and willing to expand your arsenal by taking up multiple styles can make you a better-rounded martial artist. You can weave your own martial arts style by embracing different martial arts traditions with different emphases. That’s part of the art of martial arts!
