Mixed Martial Arts - MMA Explosion

By Clark A Swihart

There is a lot of talk about what martial art is the toughest and which masters of the art could beat all the rest, but never has that question been tested so thoroughly as in the field of Mixed Martial Arts, more commonly known as MMA. This full combat, nearly no-holds-barred type of fighting pits one competitor against another and the results, while occasionally brutal, go further towards declaring a fighting supremacy than anything short of full-out warfare.

More and more, people are discovering that Mixed Martial Arts holds more appeal than simply going to the gym to pump iron. This raw and vital application of their strength, their speed and their stamina has become a rallying point for people around the world, and it cannot be denied that ,other segments of this rarefied society is taking note.

Mixed Martial Arts is turning into a real proving ground for the Holy Grail of the sport, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and while there are some clear favorites and some near-sure bets there is still plenty of speculation who is really going to be entering the ring every year. If you are interested in Mixed Martial Arts, there is no better time to start than now, but keep in mind that being prepared is one of the most important factors when it comes to avoiding catastrophic injury.

The full contact nature of Mixed Martial Arts sets it far apart from the sterile and regimented stylings and posturing of other martial arts, and the high velocity and sheer strength that is behind the moves of this activity are legendary. Make sure you don't go into it unprepared and that goes for your protection as well as your mind and your body. Make sure that you find MMA gloves and shorts that fit you appropriately. Your MMA gloves and shorts are an integral part of helping you move and bend appropriately, so make sure you don't forget this very simple, but altogether vital factor.

Take some time and really learn about this sport. Mixed Martial Arts has quite a pedigree; it stretches back to ancient Greece and the Olympic games. In 2005, more than ten years after the activity's creation, the US Army began to allow Mixed Martial Arts when the first annual All Army Combatives Championship was held. While some continue to complain about the sport not being as raw or as real anymore, head to a tournament, and you'll soon see different!

Clark Swihart is the Founder & President of CAS Enterprises, LLC. For more information, please visit Boxing Gloves and MMA ShortsMMA Gloves & UFC GearBoxing Gloves

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Clark_A_Swihart

Martial Arts Attacks - Defending Your Long Range

By Keith Pascal

Distance Attacks
Sometimes, real fights start with your attacker at a distance. Not all fights start with your enemy right on top of you. Fortunately, some of the time, you get a little advanced warning.

Your aggressor may try to get past your long range defenses, for an in-fight attack.
Or maybe he (or she) is a long-range fighter -- someone who will start with distance kicks. Your attacker’s kick may come flying through the air, follow a giant step toward you, or just reach with a long leg.

How to Defend Against a Long-Range Kick
Whichever long-range kick you have to counter, you still probably have a situation where your aggressor’s kick is reaching you, but you can’t get in to reach your attacker.

So, what do you do?
The answer is you don’t go after your attacker ... yet.
Instead of reaching for your attacker, think in terms of protecting your own body space. Stop the limb that is approaching.

Ala Bruce Lee, you want to reach with your weapon -- maybe a shin kick -- to the closest part of your opponent. In this case, you kick your attacker’s shin.

As the kick comes in, you kick the kick.

By the way, kicking the kick with a low kick is technically known as a stop kick. And that’s what it needs to do -- it has to be able to stop your attacker’s kick.

Completely.
This means that your low shin kick should be completely locked. Straight at the knee. You need to offer a solid structure for your opponent to be stopped.

If your leg is bent, you could get toppled by the force of your attacker’s kick. His or her forward energy will knock you over, if you aren’t set in place.

You need to time it, so your kick locks out straight at the knee, just a hair before contact.
Be Prepared for Attacks at Any RangeOf course, a long-range kick, followed by your stop kick is not the only way a long-range attack could progress. Your enemy could break through your defense, and come in close, for “hand-to-hand combat.”

Your attacker could even be close enough for a solid elbow strike. At this point, a stop kick probably won’t work the way you’d need it to.

Would you know how to counter an elbow strike?

Would you like to?
Download my Free ebook on how to counter anyone who tries an elbow strike on you. This is the type of in-close tactic you need. It works. And it delivers a painful counter to your attacker.
Click here to get the edge in martial arts and self defense with this elbow strike counter (It’s Free)

Keith Pascal has been a martial-arts writer for eight years and a martial arts teacher for 25 years.

Arts and Crafts for Kids - How to Make a Glasses Case or Purse

By Lyn Bell

Whether you are a camp director, teacher, or parent looking for new arts and crafts for kids, try this idea – it’s sure to be a hit. The glasses case can be used, given as a gift, or converted into a necklace purse. The crafting idea can be used in a group situation or for individual children.

To make the glasses case, you will need some simple materials such as a square of craft foam, plastic or large blunt needles, lanyard lace or thick yarn and a hole punch. In place of needles you could use a bobby pin (hair clip or grip) especially for younger children it is certainly a safe alternative.

Cut two rectangles from the foam, each 9 cm (3-1/2 inches) by 15 cm (6 inches). With the hole punch, make holes on three sides of each rectangle. Be sure to leave one short side un-punched. Make the holes 1.5 cm (1/2 inch) apart and allow at least 1 cm (1/4 inch) between the hole and the edge of the craft foam. The holes need to line up so that the two pieces can be laced together. If you are preparing the craft for small children, you should make the holes yourself.

The young crafters can then cut decorative shapes from other colors of craft foam, or you can buy sets of ready-cut foam shapes. If the craft is being done for a special event, choose shapes that echo the theme of the event. For example for a cowboy theme, you could find boots, cowboy hats, and stars that fit in well. Let the kids choose the shapes they like and glue on as desired. You might also like to provide beads or sequins to glue on as well, especially for older kids.

The kids will then need to thread the plastic needle or bobby pin with the yarn or lanyard lace. Yarn might be a little easier to handle, but lanyard lace is shiny and attractive. If the kids are using a bobby pin, loop the yarn through the opening and use the open end as if it were the point of the needle. The children can now begin to lace the front and back of the glasses case together.

To turn this arts and crafts idea into a necklace purse, simply attach a piece of lanyard lace to each corner making a long handle. Kids will enjoy using this case as a place to store secret notes and small objects. They can even give the glasses case as a gift to a parent, grandparent, or friend who wears glasses. Or they can sell the finished cases at the school fair to make some money for more craft supplies.

Arts and crafts for kids teach the children new fun skills and helps develop imagination or even the budding entrepreneur.

Lyn Bell has been in the finance industry for more than 30 years and is a Certified Financial Planner. Arts and crafts is one of her hobbies which she enjoys sharing with others. For other fun arts and crafts for kids ideas visit http://artsandcraftsforkids.weebly.com/ or http://craftideasforkids.weebly.com/