Extreme martial arts

Extreme Martial Arts, often referred to as XMA, is not a martial art in itself, it is a combination of made up martial arts kata or forms, acrobatics, and gymnastics, [cite book|title= The Complete Guide to American Karate & Tae Kwon Do |first=Keith D. |last=Yates |coauthors=Jhoon Rhee, Chuck Norris |year=2008 |publisher=Blue Snake Books |page=p190|isbn=1583942157] with an emphasis on showmanship. The brand "XMA" and a plyometrics/skills-based method of training was developed by World Champion Michael Chaturantabut,also called, Mike "Chat"] , but the concept of "tricking" or adding gymnastics-like tumbling moves was seen by other peer martial artists of Mike Chat. In fact, many soft-style martial arts use moves (i.e. butterfly, double leg 540) as key components of their art.

Often accompanied by dramatic dance or programmatic music, extreme open hand and weapons divisions are often part of many hard style martial arts tournaments. Difficulty for martial arts practitioners and judges alike arises when extreme forms are performed along side traditional forms. The reoccuring question is "Can one accurately compete/judge two fundamentally different styles with the same criteria?"

Extreme martial arts as a method for improving athleticism, body awareness, and control is a concept many martial arts schools are considering. While, realistically, 1-5% of young martial arts students (ages 5-20ish) can proficiently execute extreme martial arts moves, there is a strong, potential benefit from teaching many young martial artists the training and drill techniques that are used by extreme martial artists. Mike Chat has systematically incorporated the use of plyometrics to improve a student's ability to "explode" off the mat in a kicking or tumbling sequence. This strengthening/training of fast-twitch muscle groups can have an overall positive effect - not to mention the motivational effect of doing something as "cool" as extreme martial arts.

Criticism

*Uses lighter weight weapons which are more easily spun about.
*Often does not emphasize foundational martial arts concepts of focusing on target when striking or moving from "the core" of the body to elicit more power.
*Attention grabbing colours for both uniforms and weapons instead of more traditional versions.
*Lack of real-world application (techniques that work) leads critics to argue that "martial arts" is a misnomer for XMA.
*however, the term XMA is looked down upon in the martial arts tricks world.

In popular media

*2008 Discovery Channel Television Series 'Fight Quest' [ [http://www.nvidia.com/object/nexus_success.html Film & Entertainment: Nexus Digital Studios and Motion Analysis Studios] ]
*1985 motion picture "Gymkata".
*EMC Monkeys - Are NOT an XMA group but a martial arts stunt team that does much freerunning.
*Team FS
*cfc
*Loopkicks
*Team Osu Be
*Team Chinese Box
*Strike Team
*Strike from Britains got Talent

ee also

*Tricking
* [http://blogs.dion.ne.jp/kidsguitar/ Xtreme Martial Arts World!! - Japanese fan site]

References