Sage Arts Unlimited - Student Section - Glossary of Martial Arts Terminology

A	Glossary
Abang	Tagalog term used in the Filipino Martial Arts meaning to wait defensively.
Abaniko sa Itaas	Tagalog, Upper flywheel also spelled Abanico sa Itaas.
Abaniko (also Abanico)	From the Spanish word for fan, this term is used in the Filipino Martial Arts to describe a method of striking with the stick in which the power of the strike is generated by the supposition or pronation of the wrist, rather than the force of the arm at the elbow.
Abecedario	From the Spanish for "a-b-c's," a term is used in the Filipino Martial Arts, Abecedario drills are the basics which create and foster the skills and coordination essential for fighting with and without weapons.
Abierta	From the Spanish, this term is used in the Filipino Martial Arts to refer to meaning Open or Open Position.
Advantage Of The Sword	English, Fencing term. A fencer has the advantage of the sword when his blade is situated in such a way as to enjoy the mechanical advantage of the lever when intersecting the opponent's. Key: when the two blades intersect, the one that is met closer to the hilt has the advantage. Example: if fencer A places the second part of his blade against B's third part, A enjoys the advantage of the sword. The advantage of the sword is extremely important in classical Italian rapier, and all the attacks, defenses, guards and counterguards depend on this subtle hinge-point.
Aenken	Thai, Anklet, protecting instep and shin.
Affondo	Italian, an extending step thrust (a form of lunge).
Agaw	Tagalog term used in the Filipino Martial Arts meaning to seize, disarm or take away.
Agaw-Sandata	Tagalog, Disarming and retrieval of the weapon.
Age Uke	Japanese, Rising block. Also known as a high or upper block.
Ago Ate	Japanese, a term describing a ballistic form of Irimi Nage, where the palm is extended to lever or strike against the opponent's chin.
Ahop	Korean, Nine.
Ai	Japanese, sponsoring harmony, a harmonious relationship.
Aiki	Japanese, Harmony meeting. When one combines an opponents' energy with their own for control.
Aikido	Japanese, Literally, "Meeting spirit way." A Martial Art developed by Uyeshiba Morihei in the 1930's. Based on Aikijutsu, Aikido is considered a non-aggressive art, using the opponents' energy against them. An Aikidoist in practice attempts to involve his partner in turning around his center axis.
Aikidoist	Japanese, See Aikidoka.
Aikidoka	Japanese, One who practices Aikido, sometimes referred to as Aikidoist.
Aikijutsu	Japanese, Technique of harmonious spirit. A branch of ancient Jujutsu from which Aikido was developed.
Aikinage	Japanese, A throw used in Aikido, see Kokyonage.
Aite	Japanese, "Opponent" or "partner. An adversary in a contest. American Karate- hybrid form of traditional Karate founded in the United States which adopts techniques from all styles and develops them to meet the indigenous needs of the American practitioner.
Aiuchi	Japanese, Mutual striking down or simultaneous point. A simultaneous score by both competitors in the sport aspects of Japanese Martial Arts.
Al La Macchia	Italian, A less formal rough-and-tumble duel "out in the woods" often by groups as well as individuals.
Ala Mazza	Italian, See Al la macchia.
Aldabis	Tagalog, Diagonal Cut, Strike or Uppercut.
Allez	French, fencing term, see Fence.
Allez!	French, (al-LEY) Literally, "Go!" The referee's command for fighters to begin fighting.
Alphabeto	From the Spanish, Literally; Alphabet - The Basics. Sometimes spelled Alpabeto.
Alt	Italian, see Halt.
Alto	Spanish, see Halt.
Alto y Bajo	Literally, "high and low," this term is taken from the Spanish, and refers not only to lines of attack, but also, more symbolically to a level of skill in training where the combinations and concepts become more complex than in the initial stages of training.
Amarra	Short count striking combinations used in the Filipino Martial Arts to teach students how to efficiently harness the momentum of the stick in striking.
Amassa Pao	Portuguese, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu term, thrusting choke, from the mount.
Americana	Portuguese, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu term, V-Armlock, sometimes referred to as a Key lock.
Anak Harimau	Bahasay Indonesian, Literally, Son of the Tiger. Usually referring to either a sub-system or a definite posture (usually kneeling and/or lower to the ground).
Andap	Thai, term used in Thai Boxing meaning Ratings.
Angling	English, The act of evading strikes through proper footwork and body movement.
Anim	Tagalog, Six
Anino	Tagalog, Shadow
Anj Yo	Korean phrase, Come to kneeling position, used in Tae Kwon Do.
Ankyo	Japanese, a wrist locking technique used in Aikido.
Annelets	Referring to parts of a sword. One term for the Arms-of-the-Hilt, protective Quillons rings over the Ricasso
Anneu	Referring to parts of a sword. The side-ring (Ring Guard or Port) on a Compound-Hilt sword.
Annun Sogi	Korean, Sitting stance, also referred to as Riding stance, used in Tae Kwon Do.
Antas	Tagalog, Level or Degree, having to do with Rank.
Antaw	Tagalog, Long Range
Antei	Japanese, Balance, stability, or equilibrium.
Anyo	Form. Dance-like techniques practiced in the Filipino art of Arnis.
Ap	Korean, Front.
Ap Chagi	Korean, Front kick. Also known as Apcha Busigi (front snap kick.)
Apat	Tagalog, Four
Apcha Busigi	Korean, lead leg front snap kick.
Apcha Munchugi	Korean, front checking kick.
Apcha Olligi	Korean, front rising kick.
Araw	Tagalog, Sun or Day.
Arbir	An Indonesian halberd weapon of Pentjak-Silat approximately five feet in length that features a shallow groove in the plane of the blade running the length of the shaft.
Arbitre	French, Referee, term common to Savate.
Arco	A strike used in Doce Pares Eskrima which harnesses the momentum of the stick moved in a circular manner (inward to inward) to add power to the strike. Also sometimes spelled Arko.
Arit	An Indonesian term for a common sickle-like edged weapon with a pronounced half-moon blade shape, sometimes used in pairs.
Arms-of-the-Hilt	English, Referring to parts of a sword. The finger rings extending from the Quillons to the blade, often attached to a ring guard, they are mistakenly often called the Pas d'ane although this has long been proved incorrect
Arnis De Mano	From the Spanish, meaning "Harness or Seize the Hand" referring to the system of Filipino Martial Arts known as Arnis. This term references the methods of trapping characteristic of this system.
Arnisador	From the Spanish, Stick Fighter.
Aroon Sa Wadee	Thai, Good morning
Arrebatar	Spanish, a fencing term referring to the use of powerful strokes with a cut and thrust sword, where the power of the stroke is delivered from the shoulder, rather than from the elbow or wrist (long arc).
Arrête	French, see Halt.
Arriere	French, Rear, Behind, Backward motion.
Art of Fence	English, See Fence.
Ashi	Japanese, Leg or foot.
Ashi Ate	Japanese, Foot strikes or leg strikes.
Ashi Barai	Japanese, foot sweep.
Ashi Dome	Japanese, foot stop, using the sole of the foot to check the forward momentum of an attacker's kicking leg or body.
Ashi Gatami	Japanese, Leg lock.
Ashi No Ura	Japanese, Sole of the foot.
Ashi Sabaki	Japanese, Footwork or foot movement.
Ashi Waza	Japanese, Foot techniques.
Assaut	French, Light contact contest emphasizing technical skill.
Atajo	Spanish, A term used in the Spanish fencing schools, the idea of taking control of the opponent's blade, essentially a Prise de Fer.
Atama	Japanese, Head, or more specifically, top of the head.
Ate	Japanese, a strike with the hand.
Atemi	Japanese: to strike, a strike.
Atemi Waza	Japanese, Methods or techniques of striking, a term used in Judo, Aikido, and Japanese Karate systems.
Atras	From the Spanish, to retreat or move backward.
Attaccare Di Spada	Italian, Attaching swords. In fencing, the act of pushing forcefully against each other's blade in order to eventually shove the opponent's sword out of the way. This, according to Fabris, is a very poor technique that can make a sword bout degenerate into a wrestling match. For this (and many other reasons), Fabris advocates never to make contact with the opponent's blade unless forced to parry.
Attack-from-Compound	English, A compound attack, to deliver an attack following a quick succession of prior ones.
Attack-from-Counter	English, A counter attack, a retaliatory attack in reaction to one initiated by the adversary and timed to take advantage of the opening thus created.
Attack-from-Inaction	English, An attack delivered quickly from a relatively still position without prior action or preparation.
Attack-from-Preparation	English, An attack delivered following a prepatory action (Feint, Beat, Cut-Over, etc).
Au	To encounter an opponent in any Japanese Martial Arts contest.
Au Centre!	French, (oh SON-trh) Literally, "To the center! The referee's command for fighters to leave their corners and meet in the center of the ring.
Autorise	French, Allowed, authorized.
Avante	From the Spanish, to Advance or Move Forward.
Avertissement!	French, (ah-vehr-teess-MON) Literally, "Warning! The referee's way of telling a fighter he has received a warning. Warnings can be given for a variety of reasons, including the use of blows which are not proper savate or insufficient aggressiveness.
Azioni Volanti	Italian, a fencing term referring to the act of avoiding blade contact on the attack and instead thrusting by deceptive motion, as in camineering (may involve Troumpement - avoiding a parry or the blade as you attack, or.

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