What Martial art is best for self defence?

Answer 1

Golly! So many "best" martial arts are being recommended, how is that possible. Doesn't "best" insinuate the #1, singular supreme, above all others and yet so many people claim to know which style this is. The reason for this is that when people claim one style over another they are giving you their opinion based on their personal experiences.

I have trained for 13yrs and I have discovered a universal truth about martial arts. The quality and frequency of training far outweigh the style you train in.

Look for a good school to train at, not a good style to train in.
Never pay for rank tests and never sign a contract.

Answer 2

I would say Judo. It is a defence based martial art it trains you how to use your apponents weight and momentum against him. It includes throws, take downs, Arm locks Leg locks and Chokes. A 120lb woman can easily take down a 200lb man just by using his momentum against him. It is easy to lear and most Dojos do not start trainnig you in the arm/leg locks and chokes until you are and a certain level and age. Jiu Jit su is great too but kids can't really get into it because of the holds and it is better to already have a wrestling or judo background first.

Answer 3

Well, since I *teach* Aikido and have used it and have students who've used it and my teacher has students who've used it...

...well...

...I'd recommend Aikido.

But the only sure fire self defense is to not be there when the trouble starts. Be elsewhere. Since that isn't always possible...

The "best" art is the one you'll actually train in. If you take up an art and then discover you are not motivated to actually train (too violent, too soft, too loud, too much meditation, not enough meditation, whatever) it will never do you any good.

But just training in MA doesn't do anything unless you spend the time learning to be willing to use the art. This is one reason I *do* recommend Aikido; since I'm unlikely to hurt anyone using Aikido there is no hesitation when the need is there. If I trained in some deadly art form where my first, best option was to rupture their spleen I'd *always* hesitate and so the art just would never work for me.

Skills don't matter if you are unwilling to use them.

Answer 4

Krav Maga is the best for self defence it concentrates on close contact and grabs and how to get away,look it up its very good and can be learned in a few days.

Answer 5

There is no "Best" self defense in any Martial Art, each fighting discipline is going to have it's strengths and weaknesses.

Plus it all revolves around the person who is learning the discipline. If they have a poor attitude, or don't train often in what you learn, you won't get good results.

the best thing to do is to see what schools are local to you, look into their backgrounds as to find out if they have any national or world affiliations with known Martial Arts associations.

Once you narrow it down to a couple of schools that you want to learn from, and get into a trial period and see if you like it.

if you do like it, enroll in the full class.

Answer 6

gun-kata. Seriously though, a weapon is your best bet for self-defense. Realistically people are not waiting in the shadows to rob or harm you with thier bare hands and jump out screaming kiai's.

Knife-fighting or a firearm are a good bet but due to legal issues people may shy away. A short stick or a jutte can be mimicked by any variety of objects. However awareness is your first and best weapon in self-defence. Check out Dog Brothers seminars for more. Unarmed MAs are fun if you are interested in learning to kick the crap out of people in a bar fight or a fight you can walk away from, but is not going to help as much (if at all) in situations where you can't. Typically self-defence means self-preservation. The best way to do that is to train in a realistic portable weapon.

Answer 7

Hi. Any martial art is a good self-defence. It just depends on what one is right for you. I have a black belt in taekwon-do and kickboxing. Some other people train in three or 4 at a time. You just have to disidewhat one is write for you.

Answer 8

my advice to you is ask yourself what do you need, something that will work very quickly after a few lessons. first choice is wing chun , second choice russian self defence used by spetznaz, very effective. why do you need it , is there a personal problem that needs dealing with, if so try other methods first. martial arts are great for raising self esteem with the element of good quality instruction.

Answer 9

Kempo is good for self defence. I disagree with people that say you have to study martial arts for years and years to be able to defend yourself with it. Acourse the longer you study the better you get, but after 6 months to a year you will be able to defend yourself against the average person on the street.

Answer 10

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