Which martial art/s r the best for street self- defence?

Question

I'm a 31-year-old man,I work with the homeless,there is a VERY real risk of being attacked at work.Can anyone tell me the best ways to defend myself in real situations(no fantasists please!)THERE MUST BE A REALISTIC STREET SELF-DEFENCE SYSTEM OUT THERE!

Answer 1

It's your alerting the mind on the street that is the best defense. Sometimes avoiding being stuck with a knife in your ribcage or being bang on the side of your head with a baseball bat or being jammed with the "Club" in your face only takes an alerting street-smart mind but most of the cops learn submission and control arts like Aikido, Judo, Juijitsu in combination with striking arts like Taekwondo or Karate.

Answer 2

There are a few that are good for real life self defense.
Karate - Punches and blocks with some kicking (don't use kicks on the street) This art lets you end the situation before it gets out of control and goes to the ground.
Aikido - An all defensive at that involves using the attackers force against them. You throw or guide them past while putting them in arm and hand locks to immobilize them. It has no offensive moves and is very effective.
Brazilian Ju-Jitsu - If the fight gets out of your control and ends up on the ground then theres no better ground art than BJJ.
Don't be fooled by ads or signs saying that "My martial art is the best for defense" Most places just want you to sign a lengthy contract to make money. These three are the best for real life situations. I would try Aikido if I were you because you can get control of the person without hurting them unless you want to.
Go to a local training hall and watch some classes. Have Fun!

Answer 3

Soooooo many people ask this same question!!!! This is my last attempt and I cannot be bothered explaining this again....

Put grappling before Striking...

study Sombo Wrestling, Freestyle Wrestling, Brazlilian Jiu-Jitsu, and last but nor least.... Submission Fighting.

Combine these arts together and you will know how to look after yourself. Remember, that these classes mostly teach you their rules and competitions.... so some of them may 'limit' certain submission holds.

Learn to turn them into 'devastating' holds. Lear how to bite, gauge, and rake... etc!! This is the truth to street fighting. Dont forget the attack at the balls --- wherever POSSIBLE!!!

As for striking, learn kick boxing or Jeet Kune Do.... but you must perfect your grappling because many people dont have a clue when on the ground.

Again.... I have indetified some 'sadistic' techniques here and you should only use them for life or death situations. I am not a violent person, or a bad person for that matter.... but I prepare for reality... not Karate!!!

I know how to fight and I can tell you now that grappling is more important.

Some people may disagree with me and say

"Yeah but if your against 3 people, the last thing you should do is grapple them to the ground!"

Who said to take them to the ground? If you know how to grapple.. youll be in control from any position.... and if you know that particular position... include striking when nessersary!!!

(Also you would be very stupid to fight 3 people. Grappling can also play a part to get out and run away from them. Look at this from many scenarios)

I think you get the idea... but always avoid a fight unless you have no other alternative!!!!! Walking away from the fight means you are a better man!!! Thats the truth!!!!

Good luck with this info and hopefully noone will post this same question again for a looong time!!!

All the best!!!!

Answer 4

It sounds like you need a quick solution, which the martial arts will not give you. And I say this as a martial artist. Yes, you can learn to defend yourself with any of the arts, but this entails long periods of training.

I don't care if you are learning karate, aikido, ju-jitsu, krav marga, systema, or whatever, there is no martial art that is going to be as quick a solution as going out and buying pepper spray.

To put it another way: all martial arts contain some effective self-defence techniques, but obviously, they have to be learned. That means you have to have a teacher -- a good one. You also have to have the time and willingness to practise. You have to be able to execute the moves under countless variables, and as you can imagine, this skill takes a long time to develop and there is never any guarantee.

I say this not to discourage you, but because a lot of martial arts school boast of teaching effective, "guaranteed to work" self-defence techniques, I only want to keep you from falling into a false sense of security.

Answer 5

Some guy has created a system called R E A C T which is specifically designed for response in realistic situation. Another very interesting approach is the S P E A R system, check out Tony blauer's web site.

Because these are systems and NOT martial arts, they will gives you simple tools that you can use without having to spend hours to learn techniques that may be useless in a real combat situation.

Answer 6

Check out the schools in your area ( see other questions about best styles and best schools for details on this).
I believe a true, time tested, battle tested martial is what you may need.
no matter what you choose you must practice everyday.
If you are a student who simply goes to class for a martial art it will fail you in that critical moment. It is a lifestyle not something you go to two or three times a week.

Most situations can be avoided, walk with confidence, know your surroundings, do not put yourself at risk.

Answer 7

Best advice I ever received was:-

1. In 99.99% of situations it is best to get out of it by not becoming involved in violence. Talk, walk or run your way out of trouble if at all possible.

2. If you literally have no option but to fight, you must have a few practised "moves" that you can use. Your aim is to disable your attacker (hopefully only temporarily but you must recognise that you could do permanent damage) so that you can run away.

Its nice to think you could subdue someone by using a clever lock or choke, but unless you are very skilled and practised at these techniques you would be doing well to use them in a real situation.

"Moves" for a real situation can be learnt at any self defence class - doesn't need to be a specific martial art. The important thing is that the moves are right for you (different people will be more comfortable with different things).

Most important of all is that you practice the moves regularly to get them into your "muscle memory".

Answer 8

Ninjutsu. It teaches agility, how to fall (even on hard surfaces such as your average city street), and how to fight close-up.

Yeah, punches, kicks and throws are still a big part of it, but I always favoured the joint-locks. These are great when some nutter is charging right at you and you don't have room for a 'traditional' blow, with the added benefit that most people will stop moving when their arm is so twisted that if they keep moving their own momentum will snap their bones. This means that most people will stop before any real damage is done, another plus as I guess you don't want to alienate the homeless people you work with after one of their number lashes out at you.

I learnt in the UK, but the net should help you find an acredited training cenre.

Answer 9

You should take up Kickboxing or Muay Thai learn some elbow strikes and clinch work knees etc... and add MMA Mixed MArtial Arts which is Jujitsu based grappling and submissions incase it goes to the deck that with Kickboxing should stand you in good stead in case a scruff tries to do you over.

Dont get sucked into McDojo Martial Arts.

PS if you get done for hurting some homless bloke dont tell the jury you do MMA you will get tortured

Answer 10

There are many, many to choose from my friend... but in the work that you do, you are best looking for something that teaches you ‘Control & Restraint Techniques’ such as Aikido or Judo: rather than how to kick/punch the living daylights out of you client!!

& Just hope you find one that the other guy does not know… lol!!

You also must be ‘VERY’ careful whenever you use any self-defence: as you could leave yourself open to assault charges… ‘Minimum Force’ is a very grey area!! Also do not use/or be caught in possession of ‘Any’ weapon at all, such as a baton… and certainly not pepper spray or cs gas… these are classed as ‘firearms’ and carry charges as such!!

The best self-defence is still to run in the opposite direction from you attacker as fast as possible: while dialling 999… it holds the less risk to yourself & others: there is less chance of recriminations: and it involves less time & paperwork!!

God bless & stay safe.