Poll: Which is better in self defense?

[Jharry5]

Plus, martial arts is an eastern invention, so they know their stuff when it comes to this...

Unless the concept of fighting originated in the Far East, you're utterly wrong there. Any systematic form of combat, be it Wing Chun or Jousting, can be considered a martial art.

Martial Arts originally started as unarmed combat, so the idea of jousting being a form of martial arts isn't strictly true...
By saying that martial arts is an eastern invention, I meant that the earliest known forms of the modern definition of 'martial arts' originated there.

 

[Amnestic]

Plus, martial arts is an eastern invention, so they know their stuff when it comes to this...

Unless the concept of fighting originated in the Far East, you're utterly wrong there. Any systematic form of combat, be it Wing Chun or Jousting, can be considered a martial art.

Martial Arts originally started as unarmed combat, so the idea of jousting being a form of martial arts isn't strictly true...
By saying that martial arts is an eastern invention, I meant that the earliest known forms of the modern definition of 'martial arts' originated there.

Bolded the important parts.

Fencing and jousting could be considered martial arts now, even if originally it was unarmed combat. The fact that things like gun-katas exist is a testament to martial arts not being restricted to unarmed combat.

 

[Logan Westbrook]

Plus, martial arts is an eastern invention, so they know their stuff when it comes to this...

Unless the concept of fighting originated in the Far East, you're utterly wrong there. Any systematic form of combat, be it Wing Chun or Jousting, can be considered a martial art.

Martial Arts originally started as unarmed combat, so the idea of jousting being a form of martial arts isn't strictly true...
By saying that martial arts is an eastern invention, I meant that the earliest known forms of the modern definition of 'martial arts' originated there.

I hate doing this, but it appears I must. Dictionary time!

[HEADING=3]Martial[/HEADING]
-adjective
1. inclined or disposed to war; warlike: The ancient Romans were a martial people.
2. of, suitable for, or associated with war or the armed forces: martial music.
3. characteristic of or befitting a warrior: a martial stride.

[HEADING=3]Art[/HEADING]
-noun
(a few defintions trimmed away)
1. skill in conducting any human activity: a master at the art of conversation.

Break down the term 'Martial Art' and it clearly means any method or system that can used in combat, be it unarmed or armed.

 

[Avatar Roku]

I'm assuming Israel counts as East? Because I think Krav Maga is best, so I'll say east.

 

[ElephantGuts]

None. A good old shotgun will solve any of your problems.

Though if you insist on Martial Arts, Krav Maga for the win.

 

[xitel]

I would have to say that the best thing for self-defense is a weapon and ingenuity. I have several ways I can think of to defeat an opponent with a cup full of soda and a knife (long story as to why I was thinking about it), even one armed with a gun. Really, the ability to think on your feet will defeat any form of attacker.

 

[Di22y]

Horses for courses!

 

[fix-the-spade]

I have been looking at Krav Maga on Wikipedia, and I find myself asking, "what's the big deal?" It really doesn't seem that different from other martial arts. Am I looking in the wrong place?

I'm assuming Israel counts as East? Because I think Krav Maga is best, so I'll say east.

Isreal is West! It shares a border with Egypt.

I think Krav Maga's reputation is partly due to the Isreali armed forces reputation, that and Jason Bourne.

 

[Beowulf DW]

Western Martial Arts are alive and well today. Let's not forget that "Martial Art" is a western term meaning art of war. Western Martial arts include Savate-a brutal French fighting style, fencing-a descendent of European swordsmanship, as well as various methods of stick fighting like Jogo do Pau. There's also catch wrestling, and of course there's Greek Pankration which can trace its origins to the original Olympic games.

Western miliatry forces also continue to use Western martial arts to varying degrees. For example, U.S. forces use a bayonet stabbing technique that was used by Roman soldiers.

Western martial arts are alive and kicking, all ye nay-sayers. Also, just want to put this out there, no style is inherently better than another.

 

[axia777]

I think Krav Maga's reputation is partly due to the Isreali armed forces reputation, that and Jason Bourne.

The other martial art used in the Bourne movies was Pekiti Tirsia Kali, not just Krav Maga.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pekiti-Tirsia_Kali

If a person knew both of these to black belt level it would be deadly indeed.

 

[neoman10]

shoalin kempo karate, how many times must i say this

 

[Caliostro]

Really... This thread makes me wanna lacerate my own face with a rusty tin can...


No 1 martial art is the "best for all occasions". The more you know the better, and in a tight situation, you need to use all you know and screw the "pretty" [useless] acrobatics.

A guy's about to stab you and you can't run from him? Hit him in the face with something... A nearby brick, put a rock inside your jacket's pocket and swing it at him, a lead pipe, a broken bottle, throw sand at his face... anything. It's your life on the line.

Stuck in a fist fight? Swing at the jaw, right bellow the ear. Hit it hard enough and it's an instant knock out. Hit the balls. Hit the nerves in the forearms and thighs that temporarily paralyze the muscles. Tackle the guy against a piece of metal. Bite him till you rip out chunks of flesh. WHATEVER it takes to save your ass.

And remember, always go after the biggest guy first and foremost. Not only does it surprise the rest of the gang (as they're generally waiting you go for the smallest one first), but it removes the biggest threat from the start. If you're gonna get hit by anything, would you rather that anything be small or big?

 

[MagnetoHydroDynamics]

Aikido + Kendo + Judo.
Infatry combat + Sword skills + Disarmament.

Oh, and coming hove from a kendo lesson at 8 pm with a sharp katana in your bag, makes you feel lots safer .

 

[D.C.]

putting aside using weapons i would have to go for Judo.
When ever i get into a fight its just become instinct for me and it's easy to learn.
there is no complicate punches or counter punches to learn its simple stuff which is very effective at stopping somebody attacking you.

 

[The Wooster]

Muay motherfucking Thai. Even the most complex move eventually boils down to elbowing someone in the face.

 

[axia777]

Really... This thread makes me wanna lacerate my own face with a rusty tin can...


No 1 martial art is the "best for all occasions". The more you know the better, and in a tight situation, you need to use all you know and screw the "pretty" [useless] acrobatics.

A guy's about to stab you and you can't run from him? Hit him in the face with something... A nearby brick, put a rock inside your jacket's pocket and swing it at him, a lead pipe, a broken bottle, throw sand at his face... anything. It's your life on the line.

Stuck in a fist fight? Swing at the jaw, right bellow the ear. Hit it hard enough and it's an instant knock out. Hit the balls. Hit the nerves in the forearms and thighs that temporarily paralyze the muscles. Tackle the guy against a piece of metal. Bite him till you rip out chunks of flesh. WHATEVER it takes to save your ass.

And remember, always go after the biggest guy first and foremost. Not only does it surprise the rest of the gang (as they're generally waiting you go for the smallest one first), but it removes the biggest threat from the start. If you're gonna get hit by anything, would you rather that anything be small or big?

This is all very great advice.

 

[Avatar Roku]

I have been looking at Krav Maga on Wikipedia, and I find myself asking, "what's the big deal?" It really doesn't seem that different from other martial arts. Am I looking in the wrong place?

I'm assuming Israel counts as East? Because I think Krav Maga is best, so I'll say east.

Isreal is West! It shares a border with Egypt.

I think Krav Maga's reputation is partly due to the Isreali armed forces reputation, that and Jason Bourne.

Holy crap! Jason Bourne used Krav Maga? He's now much cooler in my eyes.

 

[Saskwach]

I have been looking at Krav Maga on Wikipedia, and I find myself asking, "what's the big deal?" It really doesn't seem that different from other martial arts. Am I looking in the wrong place?

From my limited understanding Krav Maga's appeal is that it was designed with brutal efficiency and real-life combat situations in mind. Whereas karate assumes that an enemy won't bull rush you, for example, KM takes such a (reasonable) threat seriously and has a counter for it. Where karate wasn't (and couldn't have been) designed for the possible situation of having a gun pointed at you, KM has ideas. Loud noises? Check. On the ground? You betcha. Multiple attackers? That too. Any and every combat situation you can think of (within reason) KM has a response for. There's no impressive flips, no funky flying kicks, just vicious economy of motion.
This all comes from KM being a practical fighting system for getting the job done - and fast. No holds are barred, no weak spot is out of bounds, because KM was designed from a very different view of fighting: if you're in a fight, you're there to end it as soon as possible and then get the hell out of dodge. This ain't no Marquis of Queensbury bullshit.