What are ranges of combat ?
There are many ranges to combat and each one of the FMA has its own method of labeling and numbering them. Some styles can have as many as 16 ranges defining all types of combat. Below is an example of two. The first is the four ranges which are commonly used to explain simple ranges in relation to other martial arts. The second is an example of ranges for stick vs. stick fighting. There are many different types of ranges in the FMA. Each style uses different types to utilize the style’s strengths and explain its method. TYPICAL EXAMPLE OF COMBAT RANGES 1) WEAPONS – No empty hand technique can hit therefore only weapons are used. 2) KICKING / PUNCHING – Typical range for Karate / Tae Kwon Do / Kung Fu. 3) TRAPPING – Trapping, close punching, elbows, head butts are used in this range. 4) GRAPPLING – Typical Wrestling / Ju-Jitsu / Chin Na / Aikido EXAMPLE OF WEAPON RANGES WITH STICKS 1) FAR – you can hit you opponent’s hand with the end of your stick as he strikes. 2) MEDIUM – you can no
