Whats your favorite martial art?

Question

I went to kickboxing for many years and want to start up some form of self defense again. Something that is suitable for street fighting and by that I mean real usefull stuff not fancy locks and poses.

Any ideas?

Answer 1

My favourite style has always been Wing Chun - when that starts to flow that is awsome. Other than that you probably want something with an element of grapling as a lot of fights going beyond that "lucky first punch" will end up on the deck.

TKD High kicks & all that jumping and spinning are fine but a lot of it is just for show - it is all about getting inside the defence. At the distance most real fights end kicking is pretty much useless.

Try a JKD school or a class teaching a mix of styles & work out what works for you

Answer 2

About any martial art is useful for self defense. It all depends on if you like the style and if you're willing to put in the time to become proficient with it. If you liked kickboxing, maybe you might want to return to it. Whatever you do, find something that YOU like, not just because someone on here thinks it's the best. All martial arts are both the best and the worst depending on the individual.

A little knowledge is very dangerous, and a little training can give a false sense of security.

Answer 3

I have trained with Geoff Thompson some years ago and I would say that his style of training, power punching and kicking, ground work and ambush training is the best. Something that has a all round training system. The line ups and pre-emtive striking is really worth knowing especially in the real world. Animal day was a real eye opener for anyone who takes part no matter on your belt grade. Try to go for some thing that isn't still fighting Samaria's on horse back, it needs to be real for the modern real world, today the sword has been replaced with bottles, knifes and baseball bats!
Try Jet-kane-do, that has about everything for the street and they alway trying new ideas in the training.

Answer 4

Well it depends, if u enjoyed kick boxing, perhaps go back to it, or even try Muay Thai/thai boxing. It has a lot in common with kickboxing but also allows the use of knees elbows, kicks to the legs and grappling making it a very destructive martial art.

Also the teaching style tends to b more fitness/free style based as apposed to katas, which i feel works better for some (especially me!!)

Answer 5

For more than 10 years, I studied Tang-Soo-Do in Dayton, Ohio with a Master instructor, Herman Dixon. He taught all that you needed to defend yourself in the streets in the dojo. Any good instructor would teach what it takes to defend yourself in the streets because what you learn in the dojo is what you would need to put into action in the streets. Another good way of knowing where you're at with your martial arts is to go to competitions and compete. Competing will allow you to build your confidence to know what it is that you need to do in the event that something different comes at you. Martial arts is a lifelong study, not just something to do now and let go tomorrow.....You have to stay consistent in competing, and always practice your Katas.

Answer 6

Taekwon-Do ITF style is magic.It will show you how to look after yourself on the street.The only problem is Taekwon-Do is powerful so you have to watch wot ur doin if you hit someone.We are trained for just 1 hit and ur opponent is finished.Can do hold and stuff as well but on the street if your attacked they could be a waste of space.We just take the attacker out altogether.Im a 4rth Dan and have been doing it for 11 years now and love it.Never got into any fights but thats probably cos of where i live and everyone knows me so they would think twice before starting a fight :-)

Answer 7

for me .speaking as a 58 year old ,i have been around a long time and have seen and experienced a lot of different styles and systems . 2 spring to mind straight off the bat , wing chun, no frills there , systema ,the russian self defence system,alternatively you could try krav maga,down to you buddy take a taste and see. good luck to you

Answer 8

krav maga,aikedo,pen sot salot(salot is real lots of elbows and knees but not like kick boxing) i think these would be good for a kick-boxer. Maga and salot are relatively new so alot of the dangerous stuff has not been drummed out of it.that is what has happens to the more ancient stuff

Answer 9

You 'must' try Krav Maga... as has been suggested already

http://www.kravmaga.com/krav01.html...

I bought DVD (copies) of e-bay for £10 sound investment, I still do karate for sport and the club support it all good just depends on what you want out of it, so be sure to enjoy

Answer 10

Taekwondo or hapkido or even mixed martial arts.I would check out the local schools,goto a class,talk to instructors,students,see what you like.