Global Martial Arts University

Muay Thai Clinching: The Plum

Muay Thai / By Joel Williams / August 28, 2023 / Clinch, Combat Sports, Combatives, distance learning, Double Collar Tie, Fighting, Global Martial Arts University, GMAU, Kickboxing, Martial Arts, Muay Thai, Muay Thai Clinch, Muay Thai Plum, online learning, Self-Defense, Self-Protection, Thai Clinch, Thailand, Train At Home

Attacking and defending “in the clinch” is fundamental to Muay Thai. Unlike Western boxing, and other kickboxing styles, grappling with an opponent in Muay Thai is legal. The Plum (a.k.a., Muay Thai Clinch, Muay Thai Plum, Thai Clinch, Double Collar Tie) is a clinch position where one fighter wraps both hands behind the neck and pinches their forearms in front of the neck of an opponent. This technique can be used to control the posture and movement of, set up knee strikes to, and trip or throw an opponent. Read on to learn more about The Plum!

A Brief History of Taekwondo

Taekwondo / By Joel Williams / August 17, 2023 / distance learning, Global Martial Arts University, GMAU, karate, Korea, Kukkiwon, Martial Arts, Olympic Sports, Olympic Taekwondo, Olympics, online learning, Republic of Korea Army, ROK, ROK Tiger Division, Tae Kwon Do, taekwondo, Train At Home, Vietnam War, World Taekwondo

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art. The word “Taekwondo” consists of three parts: “tae,” meaning foot, “kwon,” meaning fist or hand, and “do,” meaning way. Although Korea had its own native martial arts for thousands of years, Taekwondo, as we know it today, originated in the 1950s. In this blog, post I provide a concise history of the art.

Krav Maga Grappling: The Side Clinch

Krav Maga / By Joel Williams / August 8, 2023 / Combatives, distance learning, Global Martial Arts University, GMAU, Imi Lichtenfeld, Krav Maga, Krav Maga Instructor, Martial Arts, Military Combatives, online learning, Self-Defense, Self-Protection, Train At Home

In combat sports, or self-defense, “clinching” refers to a category of close-quarters techniques. There are multiple types of clinches: the Muay Thai plumb, the body lock, etc. All of these are used in a standing grappling situation and can be used offensively or defensively. The most common clinch taught in Krav Maga is the “Side Clinch”. This particular technique can be very effective in controlling (and defending oneself against) an attacker and useful in setting up combatives (offensive maneuvers), such as the groin kick or knee strikes. Read on to learn more about the Krav Maga Side Clinch!

Bruce Lee & Nunchaku Pop Culture

Nunchaku / By Joel Williams / July 29, 2023 / Bruce Lee, distance learning, Enter the Dragon, Fists of Fury, Game of Death, Global Martial Arts University, GMAU, karate, Martial Arts, Nunchaku, Nunchuks, Train At Home

The nunchaku may be one of the most widely known Okinawan Kobudo weapons. Nunchaku were popularized in the 1970s thanks to Bruce Lee and his wildly popular martial arts movies. Read on to learn more about how Bruce Lee was introduced to the weapon and incorporated it into his movies.

Kobudo: Okinawan Weapon Arts

Nunchaku, Ultimate Bo / By Joel Williams / July 19, 2023 / bo, distance learning, Eku, Global Martial Arts University, GMAU, Hanbo, japan, Kama, karate, Kobudo, Kuwa, Martial Arts, Matayoshi Kobudo, Nunchaku, Nunti Bo, okinawa, online learning, Ryukyu Islands, Ryukyu Kingdom, Ryukyu Kobudo, Sai, Sansetsukon, Surujin, Tanbo, Tekko, Tonfa, Train At Home, Yamanni Ryu Kobudo

Okinawan Kobudo is a traditional martial art from Okinawa, Japan, that focuses on using various weapons for self-defense. “Kobudo” translates to “ancient martial way,” and it encompasses the practice and techniques of weapons such as the bo, sai, tonfa, nunchaku, kama, and other lesser known weapons. Read on to learn more about Okinawan Kobudo!