Is there a martial art that could be considered "American"?

Question

I've always wondered that.

Brazil has BJJ and Capoeria, the UK has catch wrestling and Queensbury boxing, France has Savate, China has wushu, Isreal has krav maga, Korea has TKD and Hapkido, Japan has Karate, Judo and many other arts, Thailand has Muay Thai, and Indonesia has Penjak.

However, for a country that's 230 years old and has had much conflict in its history, there seems to be no martial art that could be considered truly "American".

The 2 arts that could probably be considered the closest to being considered American martial arts would be "Dirty Fighting" (Which are simply banned Queensbury boxing rules and a few rudimentry wrestling moves combined) and American Kempo, which has a philosiphy that is American, but it's hardly a widespread art in this country as TKD is in Korea and BJJ and Capoeria is in Brazil.

If I'm sounding ignorant about other fighting styles that are taking root in the USA, please correct me. Thank you :)

http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28561&page=3

How to disarm "Pistol-Fu".

Answer 1

There are a lot of "fighting systems" that have been springing up in America because of the growing popularity of MMA competitions. Militech Fighting System being a good example.

Answer 2

I don't believe that the US has it's own style of martial art. The dirty boxing to which you referred would not, in my opinion, qualify as an art because it lacks any historical or artistic value. As for the some of the previous answers, Tae Bo is simply an aerobics program made popular by a former martial arts competitor not an art. Second, neither Beretta nor Glock is made in the US they are Italian and German made respectively. If you are going to make ridiculous comments at least get your facts correct.

Answer 3

We have the Smith and Wesson 44, The Colt 45, the M-16, the M-92F Beretta, and the Glock19.
Any of these will work to combat an attack from most martial artists. Instead of "open hands", I prefer the ****** hammer!

Answer 4

Kenpo sounds right. It is an american MA system, started out in Hawaii with the "Black Belt Society" and then spread to the mainland thanks to people like Ed Parker and others.

go to this Faq from Judoinfo.com. use the contents to locate american kenpo and u can read some history about what i mentioned above. enjoy!

http://www.judoinfo.com/books/faq2.htm

i myself am a student of one of the original schools and training methods, i hate to say it, but other kenpo schools here in hawaii like "Universal Kempo" and Kajukenbo schools aren't as good. I've seen it myself when i visited friends kenpo classes, and they train a little too "soft". remember that the original purpose of the system was for "street-wise self defense" it;s mentioned in the faq. here in Hawaii, you can easily trace these kenpo roots and see if you're training under the orinal Emparado methods or someone else who's just making money.

Answer 5

What about BRUCE LEE that started JEET KUNE DO within the United States? Okay, he was Chinese and had his formal training there but it was in California that he started his school. And one of his students was Chuck Norris. Actually, ten years ago I met one of his former students who is older now and I'm sorry, but I don't remember his name, but he is very humble in everyday he has learned.

Answer 6

sorry, i dont think so that america got any martial arts. as u said that they are capable to do dirty fighting. bcoz martial arts should be learnt from the childhood and so, there's no real master to teach.

Answer 7

america has no martial arts style to call its own....none at all...tae bo is simply a workout thing..never meant to be considered a real martial art...

Answer 8

I may be totally wrong....But did Billy Blanks invent tae bo?
Would that count? I guess now I'm the one who needs the answers!!

Answer 9

boxing? lol seems like it
but america shudn't feel left out veitnam is one of the only asia contries without a martial arts of their own XD

Answer 10

Chuck norris!