In jiu-jitsu, having a training partner is pretty much the bread and butter of getting better, right? We drill, spar, and compete,...

The perception of muay boran as the ancestral form of Thailand Martial Arts muay Thai is widespread yet flawed. This view overlooks two...

The digital revolution has touched nearly every aspect of our lives, including the way martial arts are taught and learned. Kendo, the...

Most famous individuals have an inner circle of friends and trusted advisers who are standing by in the shadows and are willing to...

There’s no denying that Jim Arvanitis is a skilled martial artist. He moves like a 30-year-old both on his feet and on the ground, where...

Martial arts embody the quest for balance, encompassing both the internal journey and community integration. Historical precedents...

by Don Warrener Photos by Rick Hustead Ever since 1945, Okinawa, a tiny island in the Pacific, has been familiar to Westerners,...

In the diverse and dynamic world of martial arts, the dojo serves not just as a training ground for physical prowess but also as a...

Throughout his career, Ernie Reyes Sr.,  the founder of the West Coast Demonstration Team and Black Belt’s 1981 "Instructor of the Year,"...

As a striking coach, I try to make sure my fighters have the best and most efficient training possible. As such, I’ve designed a martial...

Strength and conditioning form the backbone of Muay Thai training, yet their importance often goes unrecognised. This oversight is...

As we gear up for the big game, we are celebrating those gridiron warriors who not only had a passionate dedication to martial arts, but also served as ambassadors for martial arts.  These professional football players recognized early in their careers that the techniques learned in martial arts would also help them excel on the field! Here are 12 very skilled martial artists who made careers in the NFL: The Dangerous Dozen

In the span of the last seven decades, the global growth, achievements, and heightened awareness of Martial Arts owe much to the contributions of numerous Masters, champions and stars featured on this list. The editorial team at Black Belt acknowledges that, for many years, the magazine lacked diverse coverage across race and gender. While this list doesn't alter historical oversights, it serves as a recognition of the past.  Moving forward, there is a commitment to embracing

Shadows. Revenge. Honor. Stealth. Ninja movies are characterized by their intense and skillfully choreographed portrayals of ninja...

In the 1960s, the relationship between mainstream and marginal cultures was shaped by mutual borrowing and rejection. The 1960s was a...

Black Belt Publisher George Chung sat down with Jesse Enkamp who calls himself “The Karate Nerd.” Jesse is a  #1 Amazon.com best-selling...

by Floyd Burk Managing belt ranks and promotions would appear to be a straightforward part of running a martial arts school, but for many instructors, the process is not easy to implement and keep up with. If you’ve owned a school for long, you might have discovered that for yourself. You probably also know that for many who train at your dojo, earning rank is important. For that reason, you need a good rank-advancement program. Many people fail in this area, and that can be

Po Eun 포은 Hyung 형 by Eric San Jose Black Belt form Po Eun 포은 Hyung 형 is done as if the practitioner had their back to a wall.   The fast...

Counting down the World's Greatest Martial Arts Training Inventions from ancient times to modern day, these innovative ideas took shape...

“Judo isn’t really good for self-defense.” “Traditional karate competitions that don’t have any contact aren’t very exciting.” “Tai chi...

Dan Inosanto's August 1984 Cover The cover story featured a young Dan Inosanto who would later become a national martial arts treasure,...

Sifu Harinder Singh is a speaker, author and high-performance coach. He specializes in training the trainers and has worked with black...

If you are competing in sport karate or have been following the expansion of traditional karate on the open circuit over the past few...

FEATURED ON: The Master’s Way BACKGROUND: Black Belt Hall of Fame, former point-karate champion, founder of the West Coast Demonstration...