A question about Martial Arts?

Question

I need to learn to defend myself, So can you guys recommend a martial art suitable for fighting both single and multiple targets?

No "Get the pebble from my hand" stuff please.

I need to be a little realistic.

Answer 1

All fighting styles are effective in their own ways. Don't look for a particular art as much as who is teaching it. If you don't agree with your teacher's philosophy there's a good chance you won't agree with a lot of their technique.

That being said, some of the previous suggestions are excellent places to start asking around and meeting some of the instructors. I've taken numerous styles, Isshin-Ryu (a hard, striking art) being one of them. My instructor taught completely different from others due to his personal beliefs. Technically they were the same styles, but two entirely different approaches.

Regards.

Answer 2

Okay, I'm going to recommend something thats a system more than a martial art.
Try Krav Maga.
It's an Isrealy fighting system that deals with real life situations and doesn't use any moves. Instead, it uses what comes to you naturally and use your instincts as your weapons. Since you don't seem to have any experience in any kind of martial arts, I think this style will be the best for you.
Other than that, I'd say that you as a human being already know how to fight. You just need to take those fighting skills and sharpen them into something effective. And that comes from keeping yourself in shape and refining your body and mind. (I know that sounds like get the pebble from my hand). But I'm sure that you already know how to throw a punch or a kick.
Knowing how to fight someone is more of a mental state of being than a physical.
Having said that, you can't really possibly know which martial art to learn unless you go out there and try it yourself.
I'd suggest that you go out and try the 1 or 2 day trial classes that most schools offer for free. This will give you an idea about which martial art is more like what you want to learn. Since everyone is created different, everyone has different preferences about what they like. Trying these classes will also give you a basic understanding of what martial arts is all about. There isn't that much difference between each one.
I would also recomment reading some books on martial arts. I'd personally recomment Tao of Jeet Kune Do by Bruce Lee.
Good Luck.

Answer 3

Kenpo,Gojo-ryu karate, Shito-ryu karate, Shotokan (if they teach ground fighting and use of the elbow and knee, and open handed striking techniques early). In many karate styles the instructor teaches just the punch, kick mid or long range aspects and not short range aspects till much later after you reach black-belt. So shop around for a school and instructor that does teach those aspects before then.

With multiple targets or opponents you need to be able to also fight at close range where knees and elbows are better or finger strikes to the eyes or open handed strikes to the ribs, back of the elbows, neck and throat, and facial area are used. As targets become available and move into different ranges you have to literally adjust and react. Your choice and how you employ these tools becomes very important. Take for example my reverse punch-I can break most peoples ribs with it or easily knock the wind out of them at full extension, mid range. Put yourself closer to me and while I can shorten the distance for that it will not be as effective as maybe an elbow strike to your face or a chop to your floating ribs, neck or throat which I can easily break a couple of boards with at close range when you are too close for my reverse punch.

So shop around, watch some classes, and you may find some very good instructors that don't get bogged down with teaching you twenty four katas and basic kick, punch, striking aspects only and other useful things until much later.

Answer 4

Brazilian jiu jitsu
krav maga
Muay Thai

any "traditional" style like kung fu, aikido, etc... are not about street fighting. The modern fighting styles are. Or any style that is used in real full-contact sport competition (not tournaments, I mean pro fights). Judo is sort of an exception, but still needs a modern twist to handle a boxer or kicker.

Answer 5

Go for Krav Maga classes.
It's an Israeli based martial art, taught to the special forces (you see a lot of it practiced in the 'Bourne Identity' movies.

I studied it for 3 months, and it not only improved my close up striking techniques, it allowed me to use one of my opponents as a weapon against another opponent in a conflict.
Check your area, or kravmaga.co.uk or the ever present Google for local classes.

Take care and good luck

Answer 6

Muay Thai - its all about striking. The art of 8 limbs will teach you how to destroy your attacker with kicks, punches, knees, and elbows.

Jiu-Jitsu - face it most streetfights end up on the ground because people don't like to get punched and just tackle their opponent. This will do wonders for you when you get on the ground.

Judo - similar principles of BJJ but incorporates alot more throws.

Answer 7

well, if you watch on t.v the UFC on spike channel. everyone watches it which means that street fighting has evolved because alot of people are wanting to be like the fighters on t.v. take downs etc... my best bet is to learn something thats more up to date on feet and on the ground. you wanna be well rounded. suggestions would be jujitsu(for take downs and basics) and if you can any MMA gym in the area (only because thats what everyone is doin on the streets.) when i teach a martial arts class. i teach jujitsu by the way, but 6 of my students are police officers and i asked them" y are you here." they said ever since they started broad casting UFC on t.v people on the streets are getting harder to take under custady because they fught back and they are doing moves like you would see in the octagon. you wanna be street smart and up to date with the way people fight on the street so you know whats commin for ya. thats all

Answer 8

Check out the schools in your area. The quality and frequency of your training will far outweigh the style you train in.
You should never sign a contract and you should never pay for rank testing.
You should take free classes. Ask to observe their contact and sparring drills.

Answer 9

shotokan karate, incorperates fighting/ balance and strength.
Its a really good martial art to learn, as you build your stregth up gradually. My sensei also shows how the moves could be adapted for self defence.

I wholly recommend it :)

Answer 10

For striking: muay thai, san shou, boxing, kyokushin and shidokan karate.

For grappling: judo, brazilian jiu-jitsu, wrestling, sambo.

For self-defense: krav maga

good luck!