David Brent Wolfe Dictionary of

English Martial Art Terms

- C -

• Centrifugal force is the force outward exerted by a body moving in a curved path.
• Centripetal force is a force acting on a body that is directed toward the center of a circle or curve.
• Charger is the term for the horse that a cavalry soldier rides.
• Check is a term used by American kempo instructor Ed Parker. It is used to mean an action taken against an opponent to restrain or hinder the opponent's movements. This is accomplished by pressing , pinning, or hugging the opponent's limbs, usually at the joints. Pressing at the joints minimizes the opponent's leverage and nullifies the opponent's actions.
• Chin is ago, , in Japanese.
• Clock principle is a teaching method taught by American kempo instructor Ed Parker. It is the concept of standing in the center of an analog clock facing twelve. The back is towards six. The right side to towards three and the left side is toward nine. All other times are in their respective positions. This permits the student to visually imagine the direction that he is asked to follow.
• Combination angle of attack is a concept taught by American karate instructor Joe Lewis. This occurs when any two or more angles of attack are combined in the same movement pattern or in the same offensive attack towards an opponent.
• Combination blocks are called awase uke in Japanese.
• Coup de grace is a French term used in English to mean a finishing sword cut. In Japanese, it can be known as nasake-no ichigeki or as todome-no ichigeki.
• Cover is something used to hide or protect somthing else. A boulder, a wall of a building, a tree, or another person's body can all provide cover.
• Cuirass is European style armor designed to protect the trunk and waist.

These are terms that I have been exposed to during my martial arts training over several decades. Some of the terms are generic martial art jargon. Other terms usages are martial art/style/organization/school specific.

Sources of information