Which martial art do you think is most "practical" for the street?

Question

I would say Krav Maga

Answer 1

Krav Maga or muai thai

Answer 2

It's depends on a number of factors.
If you are looking for something that comes "Street Ready" out of the box, then you should dabble in styles like Krav Maga, and/or self defense classes.

Other than that: Anything goes, but most people should be striving for what is more practical for them. Since that is hard to know most of time, ability on all fighting ranges should be a goal. That is not style dependent, however. One just has to find a good school(s).
The thing today that alarms me is that while some schools will teach techniques and tell you what part of the curriculum is practical and what is not (Or they will tell you techniques you learn are to be modified for a street situation [Like in Capoeira for example]), many do not. Most martial arts styles are best in street situations when you stick to the basics, and you add in physical attributes (Like speed, power, and stamina for example). That still depends on the person, however. Bruce Lee was quick, and while he knew that you could be knocked off balance easily when you do high kicks (Of which Jeet Kune Do is based around the principle of "No High Kicks." [But that isn't written in stone]), I'm sure he could defend himself with them without a problem. There's plenty of people that could do the same, or not.


I am 5'11", and I weigh about 155 pounds. My build is mixed, but my genetics have given me long limbs (My armspan is a good 6'2", and my legs aren't exactly short either :P). I take standup arts at the moment, but I know that I would do well when I combine what I know with a grappling style. More standup is not a bad thing either.

One of the concepts that you can grasp from the "Tao of Jeet Kune Do" is that you should really try to find your own way of defending yourself on all fighting ranges. One should take multiple arts (Or a good hybrid style), so they are prepared for all ranges of combat. Many styles teach you defense against weapons as well.

So I do think that Krav Maga is good, but I also think Kajukenbo, Chun Kuk Do, Hwa Rang Do, Jujutsu, Muay Thai, Tae Kwon Do, Kyukido, Bujinkan, Aikido, Karate, and so on are also good when put in the right hands... Every martial has perks and flaws, but no martial art is better than another. Training style has a big effect on whether or not a martial art is "Practical" or not.

Answer 3

Krav Maga is a good choice really.


But I can't say which is the most practical because there is no way to say. Krav is a good choice. Some Karate is a good choice. Boxing is a good Choice. Judo and Jiu Jitsu Can be a good Choice provided your using standing subs and using it to stay on your feet not to go to the ground(cause in a street fight it most likely is not one on one)


But really the best thing to have on the street is a Gun if you have the choice.

Answer 4

Im with Krav Maga as it focuses strictly on single devastating blows. Anyone who has mastered Krav Maga stands the best chance in a street fight.

Answer 5

I would defiantly agree with you, Krav Maga, is an amazingly practical form of defense, it utilizes different aspects of Jujitsu, Muy Thai, Boxing, Karate, and etc.
Therefore if you were to get into a fight, Krav Maga is the most useful for its versatility and knowledge of disarming an armed assailant

Answer 6

Throughout the years I took Hapikido, Kuk sool won, Jiu Jitsu & kenpo. All of them are good but I'm now taking Haganah, which is similar to Krav Maga and I feel it is the best and most practial art (defense) system for the "streets".

Answer 7

MMA is good if its only you and 1 other opponent. Hate to say this Aikido fans and practitioners but i tried Aikido for one year, i was on the street and i got beaten up by two boys and they took my money. Aikido is a dream, you only see Steven Seagal in movies rmr tht. His fights r all set up. I think Karate, MMA or Judo are the best for the streets.

Answer 8

I would say a combination of an effective traditional system and one of the practical Street Self-Defense combbat systems out there. Have the best of both worlds.

Answer 9

Forget it. People don't dabble in hand-to-hand contact on the street any more. That stuff's for the gym. You want to win on the street? A hand gun will beat a fancy move every time.

Answer 10

I am a practicioner of Shoot Jitsu. I have a Black Belt in Glock Fu. Failing that, I find that sometimes one must use the fine art of Quinton Jackson's system, Whup That ***.