How to Create Your Fighting Style

Co-authored by Derrek Hofrichter

Last Updated: February 5, 2025

Have you ever wanted to practice a martial art, but it was too out of your grasp? Do you want to create a fighting style of your own? This excellent guide will show you how.

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This can include how you kick, your throws, punches, ducks, etc. Try to focus more on them.
Then practice until you get a feeling of which moves work for you and until they come out naturally.

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Be sure to make the moves yours and not something you saw off of Naruto or something.
In order to be balanced, you must have a lighter side. A perfect example is Yin and Yang.

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Can I start my training young?

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Yes. In fact, you should start as young as you can.

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Can I start my style at age 13?

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Yes! You can start at any age, although I recommend not before 9 years of age.

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I am creating a unique way of fighting called clavus gladii, which means nail swords, for this screenplay I'm writing. Do you have any recommendations on whether I should use sword techniques or karate?

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You should try to make a mixture of both if you are not sure. Since it has the word "swords" in the title many people would expect you to be using swords at some point.

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Tips

Train in your fighting style and have an eager sparring partner for ready sparring matches.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Derrek Hofrichter
Self-Defense Specialist

Expert Interview}

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Be persistent in your training.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Derrek Hofrichter
Self-Defense Specialist

Expert Interview} Practice makes perfect.

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Imagine developing your own Skill Tree is like Bonsai Tree Trimming. Let the Branch grow freely, then trim off unnecessary branches.

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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

It's best to learn from example. Watch fights using different styles and see how you can improve your own technique.
Try weight training to practice your basics. This really helped strengthen my strikes.

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Warnings

Do not have the illusion that having made up a fighting style means you're particularly good at fighting now, or that your own style is on par with serious martial arts that have stood the test of time. Stay out of trouble if you can avoid it.

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When you're training, be sure there are no furniture or objects in your way.

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Don't be a show-off, don't just start showing your moves out of nowhere.

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Avoid the thinking that you will automatically jump into a fighting stance; your brain will always resists the urges of muscle memory.

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Feeling a bit of soreness? Don't overdo your training! This would be a perfect time to meditate and unwind.

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Avoid focusing too much on one aspect; for example karate focuses too much on boxing techniques and possesses no speed in reversing back attacks.

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