HUDDERSFIELD Giants are returning to the fighting arena as the club begins the countdown to Super League IX.
Head coach Jon Sharp's first-team squad already train regularly in the boxing ring.
But the players can now also be found on the martial arts mat at the Colne Valley Black Belt Academy in Linthwaite.
Under the expert eye of martial arts instructor Tony Sykes, the Giants have been put through their paces learning various `fighting' skills which should help them on the field.
And the former karate world silver medalist believes the sessions will soon reap their reward.
"The aim is to teach a variety of martial arts techniques which will hopefully make the Giants even better all-round players," said Sykes.
"For instance, I can teach basic grappling techniques in order to get the better of an opponent in the tackle and hold them down.
"There are also various ways I can help players get off the ground as quickly as possible so that they can achieve quick play-the-balls.
"It's early days, and they'll be having a number of other sessions with me before the season starts.
"But I'm already convinced the sessions will pay off and that it will be of great benefit to every single player."
Sykes is one of the most experienced martial arts coaches around, having spent 25 years as a fighter and 15 years as a coach.
But the fact he has studied rugby league in detail before agreeing to coach the Giants makes him the ideal man to take charge of the sessions.
"It all started because I do kick boxing sessions with Giants chief executive Ralph Rimmer," he added.
"I've been working with Ralph for about four years, but it wasn't until last year that he approached me to help the squad out.
"Before I agreed I asked to borrow as many match videos as possible so I could study techniques in minute detail.
"I didn't miss a Giants home match last season, but I still felt I needed to know a lot more before I took the plunge.
"Now I'm at the stage where I feel I know enough to put together constructive sessions that will genuinely help every player.
"But what makes me more convinced it will work is the way the lads are all prepared to listen and learn.
"They are not professional sportsmen for nothing.
"They are there because they are prepared to put in the hard work and are willing to do whatever it takes to get to the top.
"I have to say that in the short time I've been working with them I've been blown away with their overall fitness and with the serious way they have taken the sessions.
"In my opinion it bodes very well for the Giants."
But Sykes also believes that the obvious spirit that exists inside the camp will also help Huddersfield when the going gets tough.
"I've never seen such a togetherness in a team," he continued.
"I've toured around the world with international karate teams and felt I was part of a close-knit group. But compared to the Giants, it's nothing."
