Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat. Though studied for various reasons, broadly speaking, martial arts share a single objective: to defeat a person physically or to defend oneself from physical threat. Some martial arts are linked to spiritual or religious beliefs/philosophies such as Buddhism, Daoism or Shinto while others have their own spiritual/non-spiritual code of honour.

Martial arts are commonly associated with East Asian cultures, but are by no means unique to Asia. Throughout Europe there was an extensive system of combat martial arts, collectively referred to as Historical European martial arts, that existed until modern times and are now being reconstructed by several organizations while Savate is a French kicking style developed by sailors and street fighters. In the Americas Native Americans have a tradition of open-handed martial arts, that includes wrestling and Hawaiians have historically practiced arts featuring small and large joint manipulation, a mix of origins occur in the athletic movements of Capoeira that was created in Brazil by slaves, based on skills brought with them from Africa.

While each style has unique facets that makes it different from other martial arts, a common characteristic is the systemization of fighting techniques. Methods of training vary and may include sparring or forms (kata), which are sets or routines of techniques that are performed alone, or sometimes with a partner, and which are especially common in the Asian and Asian-derived martial arts.

The word 'martial' derives from the name of Mars, the Roman god of war. The term 'Martial Arts' literally means arts of Mars. This term comes from 15th century Europeans who were referring to their own fighting arts that are today known as Historical European martial arts. A practitioner of martial arts is referred to as a martial artist.

The Phoenix-Forums - Martial Arts Collection contains:

1. 100 Deadliest Karate Moves
2. A. Kim - Ninja Mind Control
3. Aikido - Pressure Points
4. Aikido - The Art Of Fighting Without Fighting
5. Andrew Nerlich - History and Philosophy of Wing Chun Kung Fu
6. Ashida Kim - Ninja Hands of Death
7. Ashida Kim - Secrets Of The Ninja
8. Benny Meng - The Origins and History of Shaolin Weng Chun
9. Benny Meng - Understanding the Wing Chun Punch
10. Bruce Lee's - Chinese Gung Fu
11. Bruce Lee's - Speed Training
12. Bruce Lee's - Strength Training
13. Bruce Lee's - Training Secrets
14. Bruce Tegner - Pressure Points
15. Don Pentecost - Knife Fighting Manual
16. Dr. Ted Gambordella - Mastering the Bo
17. Dr. Ted Gambordella - Mastering the Knife
18. Dr. Ted Gambordella - Mastering the Sai
19. Dr. Ted Gambordella - Mastering the Staff
20. Dr. Ted Gambordella - Mastering the Tonfa
21. Dr. Ted Gambordella - Mastering the Yawara
22. Dr. Ted Gambordella - The Complete Book Of Karate Weapons
23. Erle Montaigue - Dim-Mak Death-Point Striking
24. Garrett Gee - Seven Military Criteria
25. Hagakure - Book of the Samurai
26. Hand Combat And Pressure Points
27. Hand To Hand Combat
28. Hand To Hand Combat - Krav Maga
29. Jin Jing Zhong - Kung Fu Training Methods - 72 Arts Shaolin
30. Jon Chananie - The Physics Of Karate Strikes Vol. 1
31. Keith Pascal - Bodyguard Training
32. Kirik Jenness - The Fighters Notebook
33. Kung Fu - Fitness Training
34. Kung Fu Movements
35. LiL Moma's - How To Kill - Really Detailed
36. Martial Arts - How To Become a Ninja Assassin
37. Master Lam Kam Chuen - Chi Kung Way of Power
38. Michael E. Peters - Knife Throwing Techniques Of The Ninja
39. Pressure Points - Military Hand To Hand
40. Rex Applegate - Kill or Get Killed (1943)
41. Rex Applegate - Kill or Get Killed (1991)
42. Sun Tzu On Art Of War
43. Text Book of Close Combat
44. The Japanese Fighting Arts - Karate, Aikido, Kendo, Judo
45. Wing Chun Kung Fu Breathing
46. Wing Chun Kung Fu The Centerline Theory
47. Lu Shengli - Combat Techniques of Taiji, Xingyu and Bagua (DjVu)
48. Sheikh Shamsuddin - The Malay Art of Self Defense (DjVu)
49. The Art of Aikido - Kisshomaru Ueshiba (DjVu)

Info: Use the WinDjView apps added in the collection to read the DjVu-file's