Bartitsu
Bartitsu is a hybrid martial art originating in the United Kingdom. Its training focus draws from a Victorian combination of jujutsu, boxing, and cane fighting, blending both striking and grappling elements alongside the use of a handheld implement. As a hybrid style, it incorporates techniques and principles from more than one distinct martial tradition, bringing them together into a single integrated approach to personal defence.
Hybrid martial arts of this kind generally place emphasis on cross-disciplinary training, requiring practitioners to develop competence across multiple ranges of engagement. Students in such systems typically work on both stand-up striking skills and close-range grappling or controlling techniques, as well as any weapons handling relevant to the system. Conditioning, timing, and adaptability across these varied areas tend to be recurring themes in hybrid training environments.
Individuals who are new to martial arts and curious about Bartitsu are encouraged to seek out local schools or clubs where the style is taught, and to observe a class before committing to training. Speaking directly with instructors and current students can help in forming a realistic picture of what regular practice involves. Other hybrid martial arts can be found listed among the related styles linked below.
Gear to expect. Hybrid training typically calls for gloves and a mouthguard for striking work plus a rashguard for the grappling rounds — your school will tell you exactly what, and when. New students rarely need to buy anything for a trial class.
Find your martial art →Related hybrid styles
Classification and facts from our open-data taxonomy (Wikidata CC0 base + our editorial classification). Where a fact (like origin) isn't recorded, we leave it out rather than guess. Methodology.