FAQ-Martial Arts Tricks
Q: What is Martial Arts Tricking?
Martial Arts Tricking is a relatively new sport that has been evolving out of a mix of martial arts, gymnastics, and breakdancing.
It includes various flipping, kicking, and twisting moves which together create a spectacular visual display for anyone and
everyone lucky enough to see it.
It includes various flipping, kicking, and twisting moves which together create a spectacular visual display for anyone and
everyone lucky enough to see it.
Q: Who practices MAT?
Everyone! Martial Arts Tricking is not exclusive to anyone, in fact in the last four years or so performers have surfaced with no
gymnastics instruction and no martial arts experience, who can perform fantastic martial arts tricks! These so-called "backyard
trickers" are now perfecting many tricks which are considered "expert" in gymnastics, break dancing, and many martial arts. At
the time of writing this, the sport is most popular with martial artists of various styles because it has obvious advantages in sport
martial arts competition.
gymnastics instruction and no martial arts experience, who can perform fantastic martial arts tricks! These so-called "backyard
trickers" are now perfecting many tricks which are considered "expert" in gymnastics, break dancing, and many martial arts. At
the time of writing this, the sport is most popular with martial artists of various styles because it has obvious advantages in sport
martial arts competition.
Q: Where did MAT come from?
There is no identifiable event that sparked the explosion that Martial Arts Tricking is now, but there is something of an
identifiable timeline that pretty much leads up to where we are now. *To the best of my knowledge,* this sport originated in
Capoeira, and was brought to the world of sport karate during competitions by competitors like Jon Valera, Mike Chat, Jimmy
Pham, and others. From there, it was popularized by a combination of word of mouth, and great websites like Bilang.com which
featured videos of various performances of Martial Arts Tricks.
identifiable timeline that pretty much leads up to where we are now. *To the best of my knowledge,* this sport originated in
Capoeira, and was brought to the world of sport karate during competitions by competitors like Jon Valera, Mike Chat, Jimmy
Pham, and others. From there, it was popularized by a combination of word of mouth, and great websites like Bilang.com which
featured videos of various performances of Martial Arts Tricks.
Q: What can you do with MAT?
People who ask this question are generally asking two questions: "If this stuff is martial arts, do you use this in a fight?" and
"Does this get you into the movies?" The answer to the first question is no, the sport is somewhat broken off from it's martial arts
roots only in the sense that it is no longer based off of any combat system, but rather is intended to be visually reminiscent of
battle with kicks aimed at an invisible target. Tricks have, however, been successfully applied in sport martial arts sparring
matches. Given, those are very different from an actual fight but hey, maybe there's a future there too... The answer to the second
question is sometimes. Many martial arts trickers are employed as stuntmen in major Hollywood pictures and they are the generic
ninjas that conveniently are defeated by the hero and perform some fantastic fall that consists of three full rotations onto the
ninja's face. Some MAT performers have gone on to star in movies! Supposedly Star Wars Episode One's Darth Maul was
discovered by George Lucas on the beach where he was practicing Btwists.
"Does this get you into the movies?" The answer to the first question is no, the sport is somewhat broken off from it's martial arts
roots only in the sense that it is no longer based off of any combat system, but rather is intended to be visually reminiscent of
battle with kicks aimed at an invisible target. Tricks have, however, been successfully applied in sport martial arts sparring
matches. Given, those are very different from an actual fight but hey, maybe there's a future there too... The answer to the second
question is sometimes. Many martial arts trickers are employed as stuntmen in major Hollywood pictures and they are the generic
ninjas that conveniently are defeated by the hero and perform some fantastic fall that consists of three full rotations onto the
ninja's face. Some MAT performers have gone on to star in movies! Supposedly Star Wars Episode One's Darth Maul was
discovered by George Lucas on the beach where he was practicing Btwists.
Q: Where do you practice MAT?
MAT "trickers" practice anywhere and everywhere they can. If you've seen the new sport "free running," you've probably seen MAT
performers in practice, because many of us will throw on shoes and flip off the railing at the mall. When we're not there, we're
most likely in the park upside down on a patch of grass. If the weather is bad, many of us retreat to the dojos of various martial
arts instructors to use the mats there or into gymnastics studios to practice on their spring floors and mats. During sport martial
arts tournaments (which are generally held in hotels or other large venues), you will see us working on our tricks on the floor in
any open space we have. You will see us performing on stage in demos on tv, at conventions, assemblies, wherever a tricker's life
takes him you will see tricks.
performers in practice, because many of us will throw on shoes and flip off the railing at the mall. When we're not there, we're
most likely in the park upside down on a patch of grass. If the weather is bad, many of us retreat to the dojos of various martial
arts instructors to use the mats there or into gymnastics studios to practice on their spring floors and mats. During sport martial
arts tournaments (which are generally held in hotels or other large venues), you will see us working on our tricks on the floor in
any open space we have. You will see us performing on stage in demos on tv, at conventions, assemblies, wherever a tricker's life
takes him you will see tricks.
A:
A:
A:
A:
A:
© 2008
| © Copyright 2007 by Daniel Perez de Tejada |
Q: How can I get into Tricking?
Simply try it. Tricking is for anyone who is physically fit enough to jump into the air. There are many different places to begin
tricking, for starters www.TricksTutorials.com, where you can communicate with other trickers and learn helpful tips, or any of
the other great sites linked from here. It is a good idea to be SAFE when learning, which means start small (don't go out and try
your first backflip with no help!) and be sure to take precautionary measures whenever possible. A gymnastics facility is a good
place to get your bearings because they have foam pits and soft mats! Or, if you live in the Denver metro area you can always
click here.
tricking, for starters www.TricksTutorials.com, where you can communicate with other trickers and learn helpful tips, or any of
the other great sites linked from here. It is a good idea to be SAFE when learning, which means start small (don't go out and try
your first backflip with no help!) and be sure to take precautionary measures whenever possible. A gymnastics facility is a good
place to get your bearings because they have foam pits and soft mats! Or, if you live in the Denver metro area you can always
click here.
A: