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Martial Arts Dictionary

This dictionary is a collection of terms and definitions of various styles, phrases and concepts of the martial arts. We wish to make this the most authoritative dictionary on the web. So, if you see a term that is not present, please send the term with an acurate definition to webmaster@elite-fighters.com

Click on a letter of the alphabet to begin:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Sabom: "Teacher" or "instructor."

Sai: A pronged truncheon about fifteen to twenty inches long, used as a defensive instrument against various weapons such as the sword. It was developed from an Okinawan farming tool.

Sakotsu: Collarbone.

Sakotsu shuto: Collarbone knife-hand.

Sam: The traditional uniform of kung fu.

Samurai: The swordsmen of feudal Japan who were impeccably at a wide variety of martial arts practices, particularly the sword, and served and lord and fief. Masterless samurai were known as "ronin."

San: Three.

Sanchin dachi: Hourglass stance (derived from Sanchin kata).

Sangdan: "Upper" or "upper level." A directional term used in Korean martial arts.

San-Ho: (sahn hoh) "Three Rivers" or the collective energies of the conscious, subconscious and superconscious minds.

San-ju: Thirty.

Sankukai: A style of karate based on a combination of other systems, with an emphasis on escaping techniques and aikido-like defenses.

San-Wen: (sahn wehn) the "Three Stabilities" or phases of meditation

San-Yao: (sahn yah-oh) the "Three Powers" of earth, humans and heaven

Sappo: A method of attacking vital points of the body in order to cause a coma or death.

Savate: French hand and foot fighting. A method of fighting to the knockout, once popular with the aristocracy of France.

Saya: The scabbard of a samurai sword.

Seika tanden: Lower abdomen.

Seiken: Forefist.

Seishin: "Mind," "soul," or "spirit."

Seito: "Pupil" or "student."

Seiza: "Correct sitting." A full kneeling position used in many martial arts when performing the ceremonial bow or receiving formal instruction.

Sempai: "Senior." Usually denotes any senior by age, rank, position or social standing.

Sen i: "Fighting will" or "fighting spirit."

Seppa: The washers above and below the tsuba of a samurai sword.

Shaolin: "Young forest" or "small forest." A method of kung fu based on eight postures and five animal forms: dragon, snake, tiger, crane and leopard. A monastery built near Teng-Fon-Hsien in Honan Province

Shejak: Begin.

Shen: (shehn) the "Spirit energy" of the superconscious Self

Sheng-Ming: (shehng mihng) life-force of the individual human body

Shiai: A competitive match (contest) between Japanese martial artists.

Shibum: Demonstration.

Shihan: Master teacher.

Shihap: A bout or match.

Shikko: "Knee walking." A method of moving forward while keeping one knee constantly on the ground. Knee walking was originally a polite way of moving in a house, especially before a lord.

Shime: Choke.

Shimoseki: "Lower seat." In a traditional Japanese dojo, the area where students line up and face their instructor(s). Also known as "shimoza."

Shinai: A fencing practice sword, made of bamboo strips, and used in the practice of kendo.

Shinken: "Real sword." An actual life or death encounter.

Shintai: "Stopped mind." A condition in which one remains exclusively defensive.

Shisei: "Posture" or "stance."

Shitahara: Lower abdomen.

Shito ryu: A style of karate founded by Kenwa Mabuni. Shito ryu is one of the four major Japanese karate systems.

Shizentai: "Natural position." An encompassing term for numerous karate stances in which the body remains relaxed but alert.

Shomen: "Front" or "forward." Often refers to the front wall of a dojo.

Shoshinsha: "Novice" or "beginner." Any unranked Japanese martial artist.

Shotei: Palm heel.

Shotokan: A popular Japanese karate system founded by Gichin Funakoshi and influenced directly by the Okinawan style of Shuri-te.

Shun-Chan: (shoon chahn) in a clockwise direction

Shuai chiao: Along with chin na, this form of Chinese wrestling possibly influenced the formation of Japanese jujutsu.

Shubaku: A system of empty-hand combat similar to jujutsu which is considered the forerunner of judo.

Shuko: A type of feudal age brass knuckle used by the ninja. Besides the small metal plate that slipped over the knuckles, the shuko had spikes extending from the palm so an enemy's face could be raked. It was also useful for gripping when climbing walls.

Shuriken: Bladed instruments commonly used as throwing weapons by the ninja.

Shuri te: One of the three original Okinawan karate schools, which derived its name from the city where it originated.

Shushin: The chief referee in a judo contest or a Japanese-style karate match.

Shuto: "Knife hand" or "sword hand."

Si bok: "Older uncle." A title given to a senior ranking instructor in some styles of kung fu.

Sifu: "Teacher" or "instructor."

Silat: See "pentjak."

Simsa: Test.

Sogi: Stance or position.

Sojutsu: "Art of the spear." An armed combative practiced by Japanese feudal warriors who used many types and styles of spears.

Sokodo: Speed.

Sokim: "Fake" or "feint."

Sokuto: Foot edge or knife foot.

Sondabak: Palm.

Sondung: Backhand.

Sonkal: Knife hand.

Sooryon: Training.

Soto: "outer," or "exterior."

Soto age uke: Outer upper block.

Soto makikomi: Outer winding throw.

Soto mikazui geri: Outer crescent kick.

Soto shuto: Outside knife-hand block.

Soto ude uke: Outside forearm block.

Sparring: A form of martial arts training in which two opponents face one another and simulate actual combat.

Sport specific training: Conditioning of the muscles predominantly used in the sport in which the athlete engages.

Subak: A native Korean fighting system that enjoyed its widest popularity during the reign of King Uijong (A.D. 1147 - 1170).

Sudo: Knife hand.

Suki: "Opening." A gap in an opponent's defense or technique.

Sukui nage: Scooping throw.

Su-Hsiang: (soo shee-ahng) four elements of earth, water, fire and air.

Sumea gaeshi: Corner reversal.

Sumi otoshi: Corner drop.

Sumo: A basic Japanese form of grappling in which the participants are of gigantic proportions. Victory is either achieved by forcing the opponent out of the ring, or by forcing him to touch the floor within the ring with any part of his body above the knee.

Sumotori: Sumo wrestlers.

Sun: (soon) wind, trigram #4 of the I-Ching

Sung: (suhng) to relax, a peculiar state of relaxed tension

Suo: (soo-oh) to lock, hyperextension or torquing pressure applied to the joints.

Sute: Sacrifice.

Sutemi: Sacrifice.

Sutemi-waza: Sacrifice techniques.

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