This list includes 34 Martial arts that start with S, from “Sambo” to “Systema”. These styles range from traditional cultural systems to modern competitive sports, useful for self-defense, fitness, and study.
Martial arts that start with S are combat systems, sports, or regional traditions whose names begin with the letter S. For example, Sambo developed in the Soviet Union as a practical grappling system and later became a competitive sport.
Below you’ll find the table with Style, Origin, Focus, Founding period, and Notes.
Style: The common or formal name of each martial art; you use this to identify and compare styles quickly.
Origin: Country or region where the style originated; you use this to understand cultural roots and historical context.
Focus: Primary emphasis such as Striking, Grappling, or Hybrid; you use this to match styles to training goals.
Founding period: Approximate year, decade, or century when the art became distinct; you use this to gauge historical development.
Notes: Brief clarifications, alternate names, and disputed origins; you use these to resolve ambiguities or find related styles.
Martial arts that start with S
| Name | Origin Country | Primary Focus | Founding Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sambo | Russia | Grappling | 1920s |
| Savate | France | Striking | 19th century |
| Sanda | China | Hybrid | 1970s |
| Systema | Russia | Hybrid | Traditional; modern revival 1990s |
| Silat | Indonesia | Hybrid | Centuries-old |
| Silambam | India | Weapons | Ancient; centuries-old |
| Ssireum | South Korea | Grappling | Centuries-old |
| Sumo | Japan | Grappling | Ancient; codified by 8th century |
| Shotokan | Japan | Striking | 1936 |
| Shito-ryu | Japan | Striking | 1931 |
| Shorin-ryu | Japan | Striking | Early 20th century |
| Shorinji Kempo | Japan | Hybrid | 1947 |
| Shukokai | Japan | Striking | 1945 |
| Shidokan | Japan | Hybrid | 1978 |
| Shintaido | Japan | Hybrid | 1960s |
| Shuai Jiao | China | Grappling | Ancient; centuries-old |
| Shaolin Kung Fu | China | Hybrid | 6th century |
| Shooto | Japan | Hybrid | 1985 |
| Shoot wrestling | Japan | Hybrid | 1970s |
| Sikaran | Philippines | Striking | Early 20th century |
| Sipalki | Korea | Weapons | Traditional; centuries-old |
| Silek | Indonesia | Hybrid | Centuries-old |
| Shinkendo | Japan | Weapons | 1980s |
| Shodokan Aikido | Japan | Hybrid | 1967 |
| Small Circle Jujitsu | USA | Grappling | Mid 20th century |
| Seidokaikan | Japan | Striking | 1980s |
| Shootfighting | Japan | Hybrid | 1990s |
| Shuri-ryu | USA | Striking | 1940s |
| Shorei-ryu | Japan | Striking | Early 20th century |
| Southern Praying Mantis | China | Striking | 19th century |
| Southern Dragon Kung Fu | China | Striking | 19th century |
| Shindo Muso-ryu | Japan | Weapons | Early 17th century |
| Soo Bahk Do | South Korea | Striking | 1957 |
| Shinden Fudo-ryu | Japan | Grappling | 16th century |
Descriptions
Sambo
A Soviet-era grappling system blending judo, wrestling and self-defence, with both sport and combat branches widely practiced internationally.
Savate
French kickboxing that evolved from street fighting into a codified sport emphasizing agile footwork, precise kicks and tactical striking.
Sanda
Modern Chinese combat sport combining punches, kicks, throws and takedowns; developed for military training and high-level sport competition.
Systema
Russian combat system focusing on breathing, relaxed movement and adaptability across striking, grappling and improvised weapons.
Silat
Umbrella term for Southeast Asian martial arts featuring strikes, joint locks, throws and weapons; deeply regional and culturally diverse.
Silambam
Classical South Indian weapons art centered on long staff techniques, footwork and rhythmic training used in tradition and sport.
Ssireum
Traditional Korean belt wrestling emphasizing hip throws and balance, with strong festival and cultural roots as a competitive sport.
Sumo
Japan’s ritualized heavy-weight grappling sport focused on balance, powerful throws and ring control, with centuries-old traditions.
Shotokan
Major karate style founded by Gichin Funakoshi, noted for long stances, linear techniques, powerful strikes and extensive kata practice.
Shito-ryu
Karate style created by Kenwa Mabuni combining Shuri- and Naha-te traditions; recognized for a large kata repertoire and technical diversity.
Shorin-ryu
Okinawan karate lineage emphasizing natural breathing, quick footwork and light stances; a foundational influence for many modern styles.
Shorinji Kempo
Philosophical martial art blending self-defence, strikes, locks and throws with group training and moral education.
Shukokai
Karate offshoot known for speed, conditioning and efficiency in power generation via specialized stances and biomechanics.
Shidokan
Full-contact karate style called the “triathlon of martial arts,” combining knockdown karate, kickboxing and grappling elements.
Shintaido
Modern movement discipline blending karate, aikido and expressive movement; emphasizes body expression, health, kata and performance.
Shuai Jiao
Chinese jacket-wrestling tradition focused on throws, trips and sweeping techniques; practiced both as folk sport and combative art.
Shaolin Kung Fu
Legendary monastic system from the Shaolin Temple, known for broad striking methods, weapons, forms and intensive conditioning.
Shooto
Pioneering hybrid fighting system and sport combining striking and grappling; a forerunner of modern mixed martial arts competition.
Shoot wrestling
Competitive art fusing catch wrestling, submission grappling and striking into the shoot-style events that influenced modern combat sports.
Sikaran
Filipino kicking art from Rizal province emphasizing powerful foot strikes, competitive sport forms and integration with arnis traditions.
Sipalki
Classical Korean weapons tradition teaching multiple armed methods—sword, spear and polearm techniques used in historical military training.
Silek
Minangkabau form of silat from West Sumatra focused on low stances, evasive footwork, strikes and traditional weaponry.
Shinkendo
Modern kenjutsu system teaching practical sword techniques, kata and battlefield skills derived from classical sword schools.
Shodokan Aikido
Also called Tomiki Aikido; blends aikido technique with competitive randori and a sportive rule set for practice and tournaments.
Small Circle Jujitsu
Wally Jay’s refined jujitsu system emphasizing small-radius joint manipulation, leverage and smooth transitional techniques for self-defence and sport.
Seidokaikan
Full-contact karate organization founded by Kazuyoshi Ishii, known for kyokushin-derived knockdown competition and connections to professional kickboxing.
Shootfighting
Combat sport combining striking and submission grappling under unified rules, popularized through international promotions and tournaments.
Shuri-ryu
Karate system founded by Robert Trias in the United States drawing on Okinawan/Shuri-te traditions adapted for Western students.
Shorei-ryu
Okinawan karate lineage emphasizing rooted stances, close-range power and conditioning; often paired historically with Shorin traditions.
Southern Praying Mantis
Southern Chinese style focused on close-range power, trapping, short-range strikes and a compact, rooted structure.
Southern Dragon Kung Fu
Also called Lung Ying; Guangdong style teaching low stances, bridging hands and internal structure for powerful close combat.
Shindo Muso-ryu
Classical Japanese jodo (staff) school teaching structured kata and battlefield-inspired staff techniques with long lineage.
Soo Bahk Do
Korean martial art taught by Hwang Kee under the name Soo Bahk Do, emphasizing traditional hyung (forms), strikes and self-discipline.
Shinden Fudo-ryu
Classical jujutsu school teaching battlefield grappling, throws and close-quarters techniques preserved as a koryū tradition.