What is the best martial art for self-defence?

**Terry** · 10-24-2005, 12:31

I know people practice different ones but I'm just looking for some recommendations. There's so many that I don't know where to start. I've heard Jujitsu and Thai boxing are really good. Also I've been told that training for competition doesn't really help 'cos in a proper street fight situation they don't hit properly or something? I don't know if this is true and I don't want to offend anyone who does competition. I'm a novice on martial arts and I'm wondering if anyone can help? Also I gather classes vary a lot in quality?

**Rasputin** · 10-24-2005, 13:32

I am a big fan of traditional Japanese jujutsu for self-defense.

1. It is usually trained against realistic attacks: fast punches, kicks, grabs and tackles.

2. Most programs cover all ranges of techniques, from close-quarters grappling to kicks and strikes, to some groundwork.

3. You learn different levels of force: from how to control a person without injury, all the way to joint destruction and possibly death (dropping them on their head onto concrete).

4. The techniques do not require you to be in fantastic shape or fully stretched out to perform.

**wab25** · 10-24-2005, 13:47

Very easy to answer this. The best martial art for self defense, is the one you are willing to practice the most. If you aren't going to practice it regularly, it really doesn't matter how effective it could be.

**khujo78** · 10-24-2005, 17:40

gun fu...works well, but has some consequences

**lazancot** · 10-25-2005, 08:28

I would agree that Jujitsu is a very effective self defence style as would be Aikido if you are not looking to destroy someone because they spilt your pint. It would depend greatly on whether you want to defend or attack.

**sonic** · 10-25-2005, 17:00

I like william's answer to this dangerous question
especially since i've seen untrained fighters beat the snot out of blackbelts.
its really up to the individual and how they train.
arts which include joint locking tend to be able to resolve the situation without too much legal issue or permanent damage (although that depends on how far you push the locks) however in a multiple attacker situation I think keeping with minimal grappling and mostly striking would be best (given that if you hold on to one person, you're commited to them straight up and are likely to get a good gang beating). this is partially why I practice my art, Hapkido. I involves some striking (a pretty comprehensive kicking system, think about similarity to tae kwon do) and a respectably sophisticated grappling and join locking system (think of a mix between judo and aikido but not as comprehensive as either). but like I said, it depends on you as the person, what are your strengths and how can you emphasize them while simultaneously downplaying and making up for your weaknesses. I grew up with my dad teaching me boxing and western wrestling so I understand how they work and use some of their training ideas.
hope this all helps hombre

**shevbo** · 10-25-2005, 17:43

In my humble opinion it really does not matter what martial art you choose. As long as you have a good instructor (who is also a great person out of class) then your sorted.

It would depend greatly on whether you want to defend or attack.

I reckon there is no such thing is a defensive martial art. In order to defend you have to attack. So wouldn't that just mean that all MA's can be viewed as attacking? Or some MA's have both aspects (largely attacking though).

**Musubi Dojo** · 10-25-2005, 19:52

What William said.

Also consider location of the training. If it's an hour drive away your enthusiasm will wear out quickly.........

Cheers
c

**Nin** · 10-25-2005, 20:20

Originally Posted by Musubi Dojo

What William said.

Also consider location of the training. If it's an hour drive away your enthusiasm will wear out quickly.........

Cheers
c

I agree.
I'd add that most (if not ALL) of MA can be applied to street combat or self-defense if you prefer.
But very few trainers prepare their students for "real fights". Mostly because training for real fight would involve "fighting as real" involving injuries etc... "Regular" students coming to Dojo do it for fun, for leisure, in a "friendly" environment mainly to relax.
For "real life" combat the training must be almost (if not equally) "dangerous as real life combat is".

So to find the best MA for you: try them out (usually you can try for free), see if your professor seems serious, come back here and ask if you have any question.

But about "real life" self-defense, it depends on the situation. You can see some Karate Black Belts kicked in the street by guys more experienced in street fighting. It's also a matter of experience. And never forget there's a canyon between combat at the safe Dojo and combat "outside" where your health is the outcome.

**rockatear** · 10-26-2005, 01:21

Originally Posted by Terry

I know people practice different ones but I'm just looking for some recommendations. There's so many that I don't know where to start. I've heard Jujitsu and Thai boxing are really good. Also I've been told that training for competition doesn't really help 'cos in a proper street fight situation they don't hit properly or something? I don't know if this is true and I don't want to offend anyone who does competition. I'm a novice on martial arts and I'm wondering if anyone can help? Also I gather classes vary a lot in quality?

Kajukenbo forever

! It was developed specifically for street-fighting. Of course, it's my choice so naturally I'm biased. But for those who don't know it stands for:

Ka-Karate and Kung fu
ju-Judo and jujitsu
ken-Kenpo
bo-Chinese boxing

It also has weapons training, etc.

It covers lots for me and it's the first American martial arts as it was developed in Hawaii.

But I would think your other concern would be location. What's in your area or how far are you willing to travel. Let me echo some others and suggest you visit the different schools in your area and if you see something and say to yourself, "hey, that's for me", I'd give that one a try.

**Eliz** · 10-27-2005, 08:47

For self defense I am more a fan of the locks and take-downs of Hapkido, although harder fighting styles certainly have their place too.

In considering a school, take a close look at the students. Some schools attract adults serious about self defense, others may attract adults looking more for exercise, others yet may cater more towards younger participants. It's a little difficult to practice self defense when your partner is only just going through the motions, or worse yet is 8 years old and weighs 65 pounds!

**beauty_in_the_sai** · 10-27-2005, 11:30

I've come to believe that there is no "best" martial art. As martial arts were created and founded by people, who all have their own strengths and weaknesses, so does each martial art. I think the best defense is to cross-train and do what works for you. I favor TKD, but that because I'm a kicker and it's got me out of a few scrapes in my life already. I know though that TKD isn't a superior art to all the others just because I practice it and it works for me. What works for me may not work for someone else as JKD, though I love the founder, didn't work for me. I think you should consider your body type, your strengths, and your weaknesses before you choose an art. I cross-trained into ninjutsu for hands and weapons training, though TKD had some, I didn't think it was enough. I think cross-training, finding the right art and instructor, and training hard and long are the best self defense you can get.

Rebecca

**poetic misjustice** · 10-27-2005, 12:03

for on the streets i'd have to say wado-ryu karate, but if you've got a few years experience behind you then my favorite is chut sik wushu, but if not then karate, though kickboxing is good for beginners

**Terry** · 10-29-2005, 20:28

Interesting. Cheers guys. I'll take these points on board.

**Taekwondo** · 10-30-2005, 21:20

Definatly Muay Thai, I train with a buddy and his father and it will definetly handle any street "thug"

**MMAfighter** · 10-31-2005, 12:05

i don't believe in "better" style, but i do believe in styles that can be more realistic, and styles which cause the person training in them to be more dominant, example, i think if someone who trained in wrestling went up against a muay thai dude then the chances are the wrestler could win, but that doesn't make wrestling better, if you want to compare wrestling to something compare it to judo, BJJ, sambo, ect. In stand up i think anything can work but it depends on how you apply it, i think too many people are too caught up with thinking if he comes at me i gotta get into this form then jump and do a spinning kick, i think thats what causes so many people to bash TMA's because a lot of the practitioners of a certain style are too into the i train in this and i HAVE to get into this stance, in reality, no ones gonna sit around and wait for you to get into some stance, you take what you learn and use it, whether its just stand there and throw a punch or sit there then eye gouge him.

**MMAfighter** · 10-31-2005, 12:07

for recommendations do something like kickboxing, muay thai, boxing, kyokushin, and if you wanna do groundfighting then i would say whatever there is

**BSG** · 11-01-2005, 20:32

I'd really have to say Bruce Lee's, Jeetkunedo, or the Isreali combat system, Krav Maga. Both are very good and are geared torwards street combat.

**gr455h0pp3r** · 11-01-2005, 21:47

The Wing Chun I do is self protection. Which is more serious than self-defense.

Also I hear alot about the weakness of Karate on the streets, are you sure its not just weak Karatekas not weak karate ?
Remember black belt is only the beginning..

**Nin** · 11-02-2005, 06:25

Originally Posted by gr455h0pp3r

Also I hear alot about the weakness of Karate on the streets, are you sure its not just weak Karatekas not weak karate ?

In France we have a proverb: "there's no such thing as "bad tools", there are only bad craftsmen."
The main problem in MAs (not only Karate) is that people aren't trained much to apply what they know outside the Dojo. If you aren't trained to manage real-stress situation, whether you're a BB or a yellow belt it doesn't change really much.
Just my opinion.