What is the best martial art to study in order to be able to defend one's self in real life without weapons?

Question

I am not interested in the philosophical, psychological, or cultural aspects, I simply want to learn to defend myself effectively without weapons.

Answer 1

While mostly a matter of opinion, a martial arts style's success is dependent on two major factors: Training, Style-Body compatibility.

The US Army uses Brazillian Jujitsu, since it relies on ground fighting (IE wrestling on the ground) and has several skeltal locks (bending joints in opposite directions to break them). It is good for all around survival in most unarmed fights.

The Isreali style, known as Krav Maga, is designed without specific stances, focusing instead on striking points and utilizing your body's natural kenetics to maximize impact against your target. It is likely the easiest, and fastest way to learn unarmed defense.

Jeet Kun Do, though very philisophical in nature, is utilizing natural momentum and adaptibility, in concert with timing and mental focus (more so that traditional Kung Fu). This style is amazingly fast and has a great deal of potential, but it takes a very lon time to master and has many 'fake' schools, that lack the full depth in training.

Lastly, you have Federated Sambo, this relies a great deal on body strength, as it is a combination of over 200+ forms of cultural wrestling from Russia, used by Spetznaz (Russian Special Forces) it is similar in effect to Brazillian Jujitsu in use of skeletal locks. It is a very brutal form and can devistating in close quarters against an untrained opponent.

So to answer your question completely, you have several factors to consider in your choice of martial art, the best way to decide is to look at local schools, and sit in on a session or two as an observer (most credible schools have no problems allowing this) and find th estyle that fits your needs and capibilities.

I hope that helps.

Answer 2

There is no best martial art for defense. I have trained with a tai' chi instructor who demonstrated the self-defense applications of the movements. With first hand knowledge I can tell you that if you attacked someone with true knowledge of tai'chi you will be gasping for breath and thinking twice before you try again.

The real question actually is with the dojo. Some dojos do not teach self-defense practically, and some are just belt factories. Word of advice...if you can get a black belt in two years with the art you are in then you black belt is a joke. Not to say the art is a joke, but it takes years and years of real training in order to be able to successfully defend oneself in almost any situation.

I personally study Nihon Goshin Aikido. It is considered a very hard form of Aikido that incorporates jiu-jitsu, judo, and karate as part of the system. It is very self-defense oriented. The things you see in MMA fighting are not always the best things to do. In the octagon you cannot bite, scratch, poke out eyes, or twist groins. I have been studying for about two years and although against an average attacker my skills are surely better I understand that my technique is no where near that of a true martial artist.

Also, you want an art that at least studies modern weapons such as knives, guns, and clubs so that you may defend from them.

Lastely, pick an art that interests you and follow your intincts. You must travel the road before you know it's path.

Answer 3

I was just browsing the answers to familiarize myself with some of the arts out there when I saw this absurd assertion above ... "defend yourself against guns" !!??!!
Son, if your opponent has the drop on you with a gun, and knows anything at all about the use of said firearm, you can best defend yourself by surrendering or running away. To enter combat unarmed against an opponent holding a firearm is a quick way to die.
Yadda yadda "master so&so can do thus and such". Bullcrap.
God didn't make all men equal, Colonel Colt did. John Browning invented the ultimate equalizer in the .45 ACP. The Walther PPK is 11 ounces of absolutely dependable lethality.
If your sole aim is self defense, without all the Asian philosophy that goes with the Okinawan and Korean and Japanese martial arts, get a carry permit, get a gun, and learn to use it.
There are plenty of courses in armed self defense offered. Check your local gun shop.
And happy hunting.

Answer 4

I learned some Okinawan karate for a while. It was fun and I learned how to defend myself. I think most forms will teach defense as a first though.

My friend did Aiki jujitsu and it's supposedly really good with defending yourself.

To learn though you will have to also learn about the culture and all those other aspects. Your heart isn't in it. Maybe you should just start going to a gym. You don't need martial arts to learn how to defend yourself. Join the Marines. They'll teach you to defend yourself, break someone's arm 15 different ways, and disarm your opponent no matter the weapon.

Answer 5

It's one of the biggest questions of which martial art is the best. If you are looking for defense I would suggest Judo or Ju-jitsu. They are similar martial arts that work around grappling and breaking holds.

Now the best way to defend one self is to train the mind and ones attitude. You must be ready for anything and everything. Be aware of your self and your surroundings. Do not be complacent in even the busiest of places. Do not act timid, but don't be overly bold. This with a proper training will help

Answer 6

I can say first hand that Tae-Kwon-Do would suit you really well. I am a 1st degree Black Belt, which took me realistically 2 years of hard work and dedication to achieve. I am also a disabled veteran, so my challenges were many. I also took a little Judo when I was a young boy. I would definitely recommend Tae-Kwon-Do, but you need to try and find a school that teaches your preference..if you want to compete and learn aggressive style, you should look to the Olympic style. If you are looking to just learn and have the opportunity to possibly compete, then I would suggest researching your schools in your area.

Answer 7

JKD or Krav Maga. I prefer JKD because it is a blend of many different older arts with the intent being to learn what you can from any style and apply it to yourself. Fights is the "real world" are not held in rings or on mats, your opponent does not wear pads, and you sometimes fight more than 1 opponent. My JKD training involved striking and ground fighting, as well as full-contact training (no pads). You need to find an art that teaches you not only how to mount a good offense and defense, but also get you ready for when you do get hit by someone that is trying to hurt you and when you fight more than 1 opponent.

Answer 8

I was taking Tang So Do. Form of Tae kwon do. All martial arts are great for self defense. But the best thing to do is visit some of the local studios in your area. And see how the Masters/Instructors interact with their students. See if they instill values or just fight fight fight mentality. Most will allow you to take one class to see if you are interested.

Answer 9

If none of those things interest you then it seems you don't want to learn a "martial art" because they involve things other than simply fighting. Perhaps you could find a place that teaches street fighting or something along those lines.

Answer 10

I wanna tell you Muay thai would be great for that.. but lolerz.. it's really not. If you get a really proficient roundhouse.. the only thing you really end up learning is that you can't use it. I'm 215 6'1" and now that I am very confident in my striking abliliity the only think i know is that in a self defence situation, i would have to use Jiu Jitsu, because a that kick to someone's head on the street who was trying to rob you, could result in them falling on their head and dying and me goign to prison for use of "exessive force"(CALIFORNIA LAWS BLOW).. i know.. **** excessive force if someone is mugging you.. but people go down for it all the time so be careful unless you are like 175 or below.. then you might get away with it. But i'm big and football made me pretty built back in highschool.. so the addition of muay thai over the past three years has kept me in a state where i just hope i'm not attacked because i won't know how to defend myself without getting in trouble with the law. That's why i started taking Jiu Jitsu classes because that way.. you can control someone, take them down, submit them, and if necessary disable their movement, without risking as much lethality as other art forms. I'm not walking around thinking i'm super powerful with my kicks, i merely mean, what if one of these kicks results in someone's head hitting concrete.. are you ready to accept that kind of weight on your soul.. killing someone.. whether they were attacking you or not.

p.s.. but if they were attacking with a knife.. then **** em.. hope they do die.. long as it's got THEIR fingerprints on it.