ACROBATIC COMBATIVE
American football’s offensive and defensive linemen - as well as the forwards in rugby - enter hand-to-hand combat every time they interact with each other. So, teaching and training them in ways that ensure they are prepared for combat is often more beneficial than just making sure they are big and strong. Typically, they are all big and strong. Technique and being strong within that technique is what sets apart the good athletes from the very good and great athletes.
A little known story about martial arts legend Bruce Lee - at least to the general public - is that Lee’s first job after immigrating to the United States from Hong Kong was as a dance instructor. Lee was a dance champion in Hong Kong, often practicing it more than kung fu. There should be little surprise that one of the world’s best martial artists was also an elite-level dancer. The movements are often the same. One is to look graceful while expressing an emotion; the other is remaining graceful while protecting one’s self or inflict pain on another.
Acrobatic
The ability to be involved in, or to perform, dexterous and high-level neuro-musculoskeletal feats consistently with deliberate mobility and stability.
Combative
The ability to be involved in or perform activities employing the use of the body in stylistic and rhythmic movements aimed at providing self defense or lethal force.
Primary Sport Examples
Acrobatic/Combative athletes include: Dancers, Cheerleaders, Football Offensive and Defensive Linemen, Martial Artists, Boxers, MMA Fighters, Springboard and platform divers, Trapeze Artists.
Other athletes include: Swimmers - sprints, middle distance, long distance and open water, Freestyle- Greco-Roman, Freestyle and Sumo wrestlers, Gymnasts, Boxers, Contortionists