What Martial Arts/Self Defense Do You Know?
- Thread starter MrStab
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I used to Box when I was in high school, so I try to keep some of that in my reflex list just in case. I know a little bit of self-taught Muay Thai but I've never actually gotten to use it on anyone so I don't know how I'm doing there...
I've also considered learning Krav Maga or possibly Tae Kwon Do.
I've also considered learning Krav Maga or possibly Tae Kwon Do.
I used to do some kickboxing, more for the exercise than anything else, but the guys I used to train with were all M.M.A. fighters, and I still work out on a mostly regular basis. I can also be pretty scary when I want to be, or so I'm told.
No true training, but I know the self defense techniques :
Pull gun, shoot murderous crazy
Pull knife, la di da.
SELF DEFENSE IS GREAT!!! XDDD
But being serious,
I really wanna learn Kendo.
Pull gun, shoot murderous crazy
Pull knife, la di da.
SELF DEFENSE IS GREAT!!! XDDD
But being serious,
I really wanna learn Kendo.
I'm a 7th level master of ty-quan-crowbar. I can kill ya before you even hit the ground!
I also have 200 lbs of raging fury I can unleash, when provoked to.
I also have 200 lbs of raging fury I can unleash, when provoked to.
Instinct? I've never had any formal training in self defense. I just do what comes naturally at the time. I fought sometimes in school but that's about it. Not worth a whole lot if you're fighting somebody will real training (as I've learned on a few occasions)
No real training. Come to think of it I haven't even been in a fight since 2nd grade (and those fights were considered violent if slaps were thrown around). Basically my form of self defence is looking somewhat like a 250-pound half deranged hobo.
But I do have some knowledge of popular fighting stiles and favor Krav Maga. Here's why:
Krav Maga isn't what you'd actually call "martial arts". Martial arts are fairly ritualized (especially japanese/chinese ones) and focus on form, technique and are somewhat adapted for competitions, making them safer for both involved. Krav Maga on the other hand is all about survival. Generally, there are no rules in Krav Maga, as it is a defense fighting technique which is not regulated, but utilized to keep the user safe and incapacitate the opponent by any means necessary. There is nothing holy (half the moves I've seen involve a hard part of your body and your opponent's balls, usually in comedic and eye-watering combinations). It's also considered the easiest and most efficient form of self defence since anyone, regardless of age, sex, prior training or physical condition can learn it very fast. It relies on short, efficient movement (none of that fancy jumping around, just a plain old elbow to the face and knee to the groin, thank you very much) and details many ways to remove and defend yourself against many common weapon threats(knives, guns, blunt weapons, etc)
Boxing is probably the most useful background to have if you want to pick up Krav Maga since it emphasizes punches as basic strikes which are useful in almost any situation
As a form of self defence I really consider Krav Maga to be the best choice out there. Other martial arts have, of course, other things in their favor: discipline, physical training, philosophy, but for pure self defence, you can't beat Krav Maga.
But I do have some knowledge of popular fighting stiles and favor Krav Maga. Here's why:
Krav Maga isn't what you'd actually call "martial arts". Martial arts are fairly ritualized (especially japanese/chinese ones) and focus on form, technique and are somewhat adapted for competitions, making them safer for both involved. Krav Maga on the other hand is all about survival. Generally, there are no rules in Krav Maga, as it is a defense fighting technique which is not regulated, but utilized to keep the user safe and incapacitate the opponent by any means necessary. There is nothing holy (half the moves I've seen involve a hard part of your body and your opponent's balls, usually in comedic and eye-watering combinations). It's also considered the easiest and most efficient form of self defence since anyone, regardless of age, sex, prior training or physical condition can learn it very fast. It relies on short, efficient movement (none of that fancy jumping around, just a plain old elbow to the face and knee to the groin, thank you very much) and details many ways to remove and defend yourself against many common weapon threats(knives, guns, blunt weapons, etc)
Boxing is probably the most useful background to have if you want to pick up Krav Maga since it emphasizes punches as basic strikes which are useful in almost any situation
As a form of self defence I really consider Krav Maga to be the best choice out there. Other martial arts have, of course, other things in their favor: discipline, physical training, philosophy, but for pure self defence, you can't beat Krav Maga.
I can box. Currently taking a break from training, but no one expects a chubby short woman to be able to punch.
So... I guess that makes me a stealth boxer?
So... I guess that makes me a stealth boxer?
Lesson number one.
I'm not saying that it works... but it works.
But in all seriousness, there really isn't a martial art being taught anywhere near I live worth learning. If someone corners down in an alley, 9 times out of 10 you're gonna get hurt if you try anything.
Best to just buy a gun.
I'm not saying that it works... but it works.
But in all seriousness, there really isn't a martial art being taught anywhere near I live worth learning. If someone corners down in an alley, 9 times out of 10 you're gonna get hurt if you try anything.
Best to just buy a gun.
Dragon Kung fu - 2.5 years - still doing it.
'effective' shaolin kung fu - 6 years. I say 'effective' because I learnt via my dad and he learnt in a temple. So when teaching me he just took out the pattern memorization, gave me the technique and the practicality and moved on....
Done basic muay thai...brutal but hard.
Currently doing hapkido, and I hate it. I'm mainly there because it's my girlfriend's first martial art and she wants company.
Krav Maga and MMA, boxing and kick-boxing-to a degree, are NOT martial arts. They're either sport systems and fighting systems. Not to say they're any less effective, but they arent martial arts. Except ba gua - kung fu is designed for 1 v 1 encounters, so you'll need to expand and understand if you want it to be effective against multiple people.
Taekwondo in my experience isnt very good practicality wise, but I never focused on it for too long so dont count my opinion.
karate i hate but when you do kung fu for almost a decade, the prejudice comes in
'effective' shaolin kung fu - 6 years. I say 'effective' because I learnt via my dad and he learnt in a temple. So when teaching me he just took out the pattern memorization, gave me the technique and the practicality and moved on....
Done basic muay thai...brutal but hard.
Currently doing hapkido, and I hate it. I'm mainly there because it's my girlfriend's first martial art and she wants company.
Krav Maga and MMA, boxing and kick-boxing-to a degree, are NOT martial arts. They're either sport systems and fighting systems. Not to say they're any less effective, but they arent martial arts. Except ba gua - kung fu is designed for 1 v 1 encounters, so you'll need to expand and understand if you want it to be effective against multiple people.
Taekwondo in my experience isnt very good practicality wise, but I never focused on it for too long so dont count my opinion.
karate i hate but when you do kung fu for almost a decade, the prejudice comes in
Jeet Kune Do
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
These were both very fun, and teach very good skills.
I took a few classes in college. Nothing too advanced, just beginner level classes to introduce you to the different fighting techniques. But I really enjoyed it, and if I had the money I would try to find a gym near me now.
Jeet Kune Do is probably the best practical fighting system, because it focuses on learning the best strategy for any situation. It's not about specific moves, but about learning the best move to use for the fight. And if someone learns a better technique, then you add that to your Jeet Kune Do practice. So it is literally the most effective martial art if taught correctly. I really enjoy it cause you learn a lot of different techniques to deal with many different situations (standing at kicking and punching range, knees elbows and headbutts for closer range, take-downs and grappling, weapons, multiple opponents, and more)
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a great take-down and grappling system. It is what we used for Jeet Kune Do, so getting extra practice in it was really cool. (most street fights will end up on the ground, so having a game plan for either staying safe while down there, or how to get away and back on your feet is very good for you) And my favorite part of Jiu-Jitsu is that you can really spar with it while staying safe and not needing a lot of safety gear. Because you don't do strikes in strait Jiu-Jitsu, you don't have to "hold back" when sparring, and it can be a lot of fun.
So yeah, I would recommend those to you if you can find a good gym that teaches them.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
These were both very fun, and teach very good skills.
I took a few classes in college. Nothing too advanced, just beginner level classes to introduce you to the different fighting techniques. But I really enjoyed it, and if I had the money I would try to find a gym near me now.
Jeet Kune Do is probably the best practical fighting system, because it focuses on learning the best strategy for any situation. It's not about specific moves, but about learning the best move to use for the fight. And if someone learns a better technique, then you add that to your Jeet Kune Do practice. So it is literally the most effective martial art if taught correctly. I really enjoy it cause you learn a lot of different techniques to deal with many different situations (standing at kicking and punching range, knees elbows and headbutts for closer range, take-downs and grappling, weapons, multiple opponents, and more)
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a great take-down and grappling system. It is what we used for Jeet Kune Do, so getting extra practice in it was really cool. (most street fights will end up on the ground, so having a game plan for either staying safe while down there, or how to get away and back on your feet is very good for you) And my favorite part of Jiu-Jitsu is that you can really spar with it while staying safe and not needing a lot of safety gear. Because you don't do strikes in strait Jiu-Jitsu, you don't have to "hold back" when sparring, and it can be a lot of fun.
So yeah, I would recommend those to you if you can find a good gym that teaches them.