Sanda
Sanda is a hybrid martial art originating in China. Developed within the broader context of wushu, it combines elements of striking and grappling into a single competitive and training framework. Its focus is Chinese kickboxing integrated with throws and takedowns, meaning practitioners work with both stand-up striking techniques and the ability to close distance, off-balance, and bring opponents to the ground. This combination places Sanda in a category distinct from purely striking or purely grappling disciplines.
Training in a hybrid art of this kind typically addresses multiple ranges of unarmed combat. Because Sanda emphasizes both kickboxing and throwing or takedown skills, practitioners generally condition themselves for stand-up exchanges while also developing the body mechanics and timing needed to execute and defend against takedowns. Pad work, partner drilling, and controlled sparring are common features of hybrid arts that cover this range of techniques, as students need exposure to both aspects of the curriculum to develop functional competency in each area.
Those new to Sanda are encouraged to visit local schools in person, observe a class, and speak with instructors before committing to training. Atmosphere, coaching approach, and class structure can vary considerably between schools even within the same style. Other hybrid martial arts are linked below for further comparison.
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.