Which martial art is the best for self defense?

Question

In particular, which is better suited to defense than offense?

Answer 1

Smith & Wesson

Seriously though, take a look at Aikido

Answer 2

There's no one marital art that is the best for self defense. It depends on the situation and the fighter.

Jujitsu advocates say they’re style is the best since most fights wind up on the ground. It is very true and they certainly have an advantage there. However, how many street fights are one on one? Sure you can tie up your opponent, but his friend will tee off on your head. Karate practitioners or boxers will thrive standing but will get eaten up against an experienced jujitsu player or wrestler. The bottom line is you need to know a bit about everything. Even in mixed martial arts competitions the styles with the greatest success have varied over the years with changes in the rules.

However, I wouldn’t choose a martial art by its effectiveness in self-defense. Because if you’re sole motivation is to prepare for the 30-seconds in your life when you need it, the odds are you’ll lose interest and quit. Choose because it’s something you enjoy.

I personally like judo because it’s a sport that you can play safely against your friends. Jujitsu is fun too because …well…frankly…there are so many cool ways to hurt people. Smile. Karate does have limitations because during practice you never experience using full force against your opponent (save kickboxing), which can hurt you when an actual situation arises. Judo (and later jujitsu) was invented as sport 100 years ago specifically to correct that problem.

That’s also an important consideration selecting a martial art for child development. Growing up, my karate was useless against any friend that wanted test me. My choice was to break their nose or not. That won’t make you the most popular. With judo or jujitsu you can make them scream uncle.

Answer 3

It is really a preference. and you should go with your body type. If your a bigger person you should stay with things such as judo. But another good idea would be things like Akido if your smaller its learning to use your opponents stability and balance against them. Using boxing, kung fu, or any offensive fighting style as a for of self defense is in itself pretty juvenile because you begin to think your stronger and better than everyone else. That's OK if you fight in tournaments or arenas, but judo or akido would be an excellent style to learn as there there are very little striking moves. Brazilian jujitsu is in essence the same thing but has more leg logs and ground work involved.

Answer 4

Krav Maga. An Israeili self defense class taught to their military. The class that I take will have instructors yelling the kind of verbal assaults that would be yelled at a victim. (I'm female) so you can imagine. We also train outside in street clothes as well as our clothes worn in business world ie high heels skirts etc. The best thing to do is look at their official website, I am 40 years old but could definitely do damage.

Answer 5

Find a place that specializes in MMA. Judo is worthless on the street. How many opponents are going to be wearing a Gi? I spent years in judo and I am getting tore the F^ up in MMA beause I don't know how to operate without a Gi. MMA is the closest thing to a street fight out there.

Also, judo, aikido, etc moves go out the window when you are getting punched in the head.

Boxing, and any kung-fu/karate goes out the window when the guy does any kind of wrestling take-down (think of how many ex-high-school wrestlers there are out there). You need to be well rounded in both stand up fighting and on the ground (or defending gainst it going to the round).

Agree with those that say "Smith and Wesson". The ultimate fight stopper.

Answer 6

Judo is said to be very effective as well as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu which is used in MMA, Mixed Martial Arts, tournaments. They Both work defensively as well as offensively.

Answer 7

There is no one martial art that's best for self defense. Martial arts are like a toolbox, the more tools you have, and the better you know how to use them, the better you can do your job, in this case defending yourself. Fill your toolbox, and use the right tool for the job.

Answer 8

There is no "best", but I would suggest To-Shin Do, a modernized version of ninjutsu, because you learn modern self defence techniques that are very practical. For more info go to http://www.skhquest.com

Answer 9

The 100 yard dash, followed by pepper spray, Tasers, clubs etc

Answer 10

Hapkido