List of the Best Combat Sports for Beginners
If you are planning to start practicing a combat sport, then you are at the right place. Here is an article with some best combat sports for beginners to help you find out the best one for you.
Combat sports, also known as fighting sports are the contact sports that involve one-on-one fighting or combat. In many sports, a contestant wins the match either by disabling the opponent or by scoring more points. Moreover, the main techniques used in these sports are divided into three main categories: Grappling, Striking, and Weapon Usage. Continue reading the article to find out more about some common combat sports.
Best Combat Sports
Combat sports are becoming more and more popular day by day. There is a wide range of combat sports, but if you are new to this world, then below mentioned are some best combat sports for beginners.
Boxing
Boxing is one of the most popular combat sports. There are various boxing rules that players need to follow to fairly play a match. The main object of this sport is to jounce the fellow player. In simple words, boxing is a game in which you have to hit the other player while not getting hit.
Boxing matches are organized in a boxing ring, and the tile limit is fixed. There are referees who oversee the match. The boxing bout includes a set of different rounds for a time interval of one-to-three minutes.
In case if a player is unable to continue the fight, the opponent is disqualified or resigns, then the referee is free to decide the winner before completion of all the rounds. However, if both the participants fight till the last round, then the judge’s scorecard decides the winner.
Wrestling
A wrestling match is held between two rivals who try to attain a superior position and then manage to retrieve it. Some main tactics of wrestling include throws, joint locks, clinch combat, pins, and other types of grappling.
There are different types of wrestling matches like freestyle wrestling and Greco-roman wrestling. Wrestling is popular across the globe and is used to test strength. Various wrestling tactics have been introduced into many martial arts.
MMA
What is MMA? Mixed Martial Arts or MMA is one of the most popular combat sports. It is a full-combat sport that includes grappling, striking, and ground fighting. Moreover, it includes techniques from different combat sports and martial arts around the world.
The main intent of mixed martial arts is to defeat the opponent player utilizing the right techniques. In this sport, fighters of martial arts, wrestling, boxing, karate, jiu-jitsu, and judo compete under certain rules that allow kicking, punching, and grappling.
MMA fights are organized inside a cage; therefore, it is also known as cage fighting. The match is supervised by a refresh. Submission or knockout are the common ways to decide the winner of the match.
Fencing
This one is a category of three linked combat sports. In contemporary Fencing, three main disciplines include the saber, the foil, and the epee. There are three types of Fencing, and each of them includes different types of weapons and rules. The winning points in Fencing are made through the contact of the player with an opponent. Fencing was one of the first events that were included in the Olympics. It has been a part of the summer Olympic games since 1896.
Judo
It is an Olympic sport and Japanese martial art. Judo combines physical activity and self-defense skills, which makes it one of the best combat sports. Judo is currently included in the list of modern martial arts. The origins of this game are from jujutsu.
The most popular aspect of judo is its competitive aspect. In judo, the main aim is to either take down or throw the opponent player to the ground. The player can also subdue the opponent with a pin or can also force the opponent to submit with the help of a choke or joint lock. Some common parts of judo include thrusts, hand and foot attacks, and weapons defenses. However, these parts are included only in pre-arranged ways.
Muay Thai
It is another amazing sport among combat sports. In this fighting sport, the main emphasis is put on kicking especially using shin. This sport includes striking along with various strategies for clinching. This sport was initially the national pastime of Thailand. However, it gained remarkable popularity in the 70s and 80s when the fighters of Muay Thai became popular for defeating the kickboxers of other disciplines.
It is differentiated from the other sports by the integrated use of elbows, fists, shins, and knees. This sport is also known as the “art of eight limbs.” Muay Thai is related to different styles of martial art in the sphere of Indian culture. A person who practices Muay Thai is also known as Nak Muay.
Kickboxing
Kickboxing is a mixture of western boxing, Japanese karate, Muay Thai, Korean Taekwondo, and french kicking art. This one is a punch and kick-based stand-up fighting game. It was traditionally derived from karate integrated with boxing. Kickboxing is usually practiced for general fitness, self-defense, or as a combat sport. The objective of kickboxing is similar to that of relative boxing. The player has to beat the opponent using punching or kicking techniques. A player can win the game by knocking out the opponent player. One of the most common knockout techniques is the kicks to head.
Taekwondo
It is one of the best combat sports, and there are various Taekwondo forms. In this game, there are particular scoring zones on the body of the players. The objective of Taekwondo is to land kicks and punches on these particular areas of the opponent. The main scoring zones include the head and torso.
In order to score a point, the player has to use powerful kicks and punches as light ones are not counted. The attacks in Taekwondo include kicks to the head, spinning punches, or both. The game is differentiated by jumping spinning kicks, techniques of rapid kicking, and head-height kicks.
Sumo
Sumo wrestling is full contact wrestling in which the objective is to force the opponent out of the circular ring. Apart from this, the other objective is to lead the opponent into touching the ground with any part of the body other than feet soles. This combat sport originated from Japan, where it is the national sport.
Brazilian Jiu-JItsu
This one is a martial art of self-defense that is focused on submission, ground combat, and wrestling. The game is based on submission holds and grappling. In Brazilian JiuJitsu, the main objective is to take an opponent to the ground, control the opponent, and gain a dominant position while using a wide range of techniques in order to force the opponent to submission.
The main concept of BJJ is that a small and weak person with flexibility and agility can defend a heavier and stronger opponent by using a number of submissions and holds.
Final Words
Hopefully, now you have a better idea about combat sports. These sports have gained remarkable popularity over time, and many of them have gained a position in Olympic sports. Tell us about your favorite combat sport by dropping a comment.