What Are the Different Types of Martial Arts? Where Does Kumdo Fit?

Martial arts can be grouped by how they are practiced: striking arts like taekwondo and Muay Thai, grappling and wrestling arts like ssireum, weapon-based arts like Kumdo and arnis, forms-based practice like taijiquan and wushu taolu, and mixed martial arts (MMA). Kumdo is a weapon-based art: two players in armor strike set targets with a bamboo sword.

These groups are a simple way to compare arts, not an official classification. Many arts fit more than one group.

1. Striking arts

Taekwondo. Olympics.com says hands and feet can both be used, but the trademark of the sport is its combination of kicks. It has been an official Olympic medal sport since 2000.
Taekkyeon. UNESCO describes this Korean art as using fluid, rhythmic, dance-like movements to strike or trip up an opponent.

2. Grappling and wrestling arts

Ssireum. Korean wrestling in which two players grip each other's fabric belts and try to bring the opponent to the ground. UNESCO inscribed it in 2018.

3. Weapon-based arts

Kumdo. A Korean sword sport. Players wear hogu armor and use a jukdo (bamboo sword); points count on the head, wrists and waist and for a thrust to the throat. See What Is Kumdo?
Arnis. The national martial art and sport of the Philippines under Republic Act No. 9850 (2009), described in the law as using swinging and twirling movements with striking, thrusting and parrying techniques.
Fencing. The Compendium of Physical Activities lists general fencing at 6.0 METs.

4. Forms-based practice

Taijiquan. UNESCO describes relaxed, circular movements with breath regulation.
Wushu taolu. The International Wushu Federation defines taolu as the set routine, or form, part of wushu.

5. Mixed martial arts

The Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports publishes the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, first approved in April 2001. Under these rules, a professional round lasts five minutes.

Why choose a weapon-based art like Kumdo?

In Kumdo, both players wear armor that covers the head and face, wrists, chest and body, and waist, and a point only counts when it is a clean strike with good posture and full spirit. The Korea Kumdo Association says the training builds concentration and patience along with whole-body fitness, and that its first purpose is courtesy. The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture says people of any age or gender can practice it for life.

Martial arts around the world, by country

Many countries have their own martial arts, and several are now protected as cultural heritage. Taijiquan from China (2020), silat from Malaysia and pencak silat from Indonesia (2019), Kun Lbokator from Cambodia (2022), capoeira from Brazil (2014), and Taekkyeon and ssireum from Korea (2011 and 2018) are all on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Taekwondo, wushu and Muay Thai are also organized as international sports.

China

Wushu. The International Wushu Federation (IWUF), founded on October 3, 1990, governs wushu worldwide and was recognized by the International Olympic Committee in 2002. Competitive wushu includes taolu (forms, see above) and sanda, a modern unarmed combat sport that uses punches, kicks, throws and wrestling.
Shaolin. The IWUF says the Shaolin Temple, long recognized as a touchstone of certain styles of Chinese wushu, was built on Song Shan Mountain in 495 AD.
Taijiquan (tai chi). UNESCO says taijiquan originated in the mid-17th century in Wenxian County, Henan Province. The U.S. National Institutes of Health notes that tai chi began as a martial art and has become more focused on health over the years.

Korea

Kumdo, taekwondo, Taekkyeon and ssireum are described above. For their history and more Korean arts, see Korean Martial Arts History and List.

Southeast Asia

Silat (Malaysia) and pencak silat (Indonesia). Both were inscribed by UNESCO in 2019. Malaysia alone has more than 150 known silat styles, many named after animals and plants. UNESCO says pencak silat also covers mental-spiritual, self-defense and artistic aspects.
Arnis (Philippines). The national martial art and sport of the Philippines (see weapon-based arts above).
Kun Lbokator (Cambodia). Inscribed by UNESCO in 2022. UNESCO says it builds mental and physical strength and discipline through self-defense techniques and a philosophy of non-violence.

Brazil

Capoeira. UNESCO calls capoeira an Afro-Brazilian cultural practice, simultaneously a fight and a dance. The capoeira circle was inscribed in 2014.

FAQ

What are the main types of martial arts?

A simple way to group them: striking, grappling and wrestling, weapon-based, forms-based, and mixed.

What type of martial art is Kumdo?

A weapon-based sword art and sport, practiced with a bamboo sword and armor.

Which martial art uses a sword?

Kumdo is a Korean sword martial art. Haidong Gumdo is another Korean sword art.

How do I choose a martial art?

Think about what you want to train (kicks, throws, a weapon, forms), then visit a class. See How to Choose a Kumdo School.

Which martial arts are recognized by UNESCO?

Examples on UNESCO's Representative List include Taekkyeon (2011), capoeira circle (2014), traditional Korean wrestling (2018), silat and pencak silat (2019), taijiquan (2020) and Kun Lbokator (2022).

What is the national martial art of the Philippines?

Arnis, under Republic Act No. 9850 of 2009.

What is the difference between taolu and sanda?

Taolu is forms practice. Sanda is a modern unarmed combat sport. Both are part of competitive wushu.

Try Kumdo at US Hwa Rang Kwan

US Hwa Rang Kwan Kumdo teaches students 7 years and older in Chantilly, Virginia and Ellicott City, Maryland. New students at the Chantilly, VA dojang can start with 3 semi-private lessons for $19.99. For Ellicott City, please contact us before you visit.