Brief descriptions of the main regional forms of martial arts, including their country of origin and ethos
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Brancaille | French: wrestling contest |
| Capoeria | Native Brazilian dance/martial art |
| Dim mak | Oriental: death touch, striking pressure points |
| Judo | Japanese: grappling, throws, strikes |
| Jujitsu | >750 styles in Japan |
| Karate | Japanese: strikes, kicks, punches |
| Kenpo | First American: strikes to vital areas |
| Kung fu | Chinese: range of techniques |
| Pencak silat | Indonesian: attacks legs |
| Pit fighting | American: street fighting/brawling |
| Sambo | Russian: grappling, submission techniques |
| Savate | French: kickboxing without knee strikes |
| Shootfighting | American: derived from vale tudo |
| Tae kwon do | Korean: “art of kicking and punching” |
| Vale tudo | Brazilian: “anything goes” |