Newbie folks asking what art is best for self-defense…

[Holmejr]

And what they don’t typically consider.

I believe virtually any legitimate martial art is good for self defense, supposing the fighter is well trained. I believe what is typically missing in the question is the surprise factor. After attempting to de-escalate and if truly physically threatened, we don’t go into sparring mode, striking our best stance with fists clenched. We don’t give ourselves away, but explode as needed. They don’t know what we know and we don’t show them beforehand. Of course there are extreme exceptions like fighting a whole gang in south central or when the perpetrators girlfriend jumps on your back…

Whatcha think?

 

[skribs]

The more I see it asked, the more I think it's a silly question to ask online.

So you do your research and you think that Baguazhang Kung Fu is the best martial art for you. Then you look up, and the nearest Baguazhang school is 300 miles away.

Then you look at what is actually available near you, and you ask online, "What martial art is best? I have Jiu-Jitsu and Taekwondo." The vast majority of folks say "Jiu-Jitsu is better". So you go to that school, even though when you walk in you get a bad vibe. Then 3 months later some scandal comes out and the gym is turned upside down.

What people should be doing is trialing classes until they find a school they like. That's the most important. And then over time if there are things you don't like about it, or things you see online that you wish you could do, you can make the change then.

 

[wab25]

The best art for self defense is the art that you will be the most motivated to train.

If you won't show up and train, it does not matter how effective it could have been, had you actually trained. The art that you train the most in, will be the most effective for you. So, pick the school that you will go to, on a regular basis and train at.... that will be the most effective art.

 

[drop bear]

And what they don’t typically consider.

I believe virtually any legitimate martial art is good for self defense, supposing the fighter is well trained. I believe what is typically missing in the question is the surprise factor. After attempting to de-escalate and if truly physically threatened, we don’t go into sparring mode, striking our best stance with fists clenched. We don’t give ourselves away, but explode as needed. They don’t know what we know and we don’t show them beforehand. Of course there are extreme exceptions like fighting a whole gang in south central or when the perpetrators girlfriend jumps on your back…

Whatcha think?

I do.

I don't see the the point in fighting in a sub optimal way just because it is self defence.

 

[drop bear]

The best art for self defense is the art that you will be the most motivated to train.

If you won't show up and train, it does not matter how effective it could have been, had you actually trained. The art that you train the most in, will be the most effective for you. So, pick the school that you will go to, on a regular basis and train at.... that will be the most effective art.

People hate the process that makes them good at something.

That is a common theme for elite athletes.

 

[isshinryuronin]

People hate the process that makes them good at something.

The "process" is intelligent, dedicated WORK.

Don't really hate it, but not crazy about it either. Why do I still do it? Because I hate not training even more.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

I believe virtually any legitimate martial art is good for self defense,

I don't like the term "self-defense". I prefer to use the term "combat". When you use this term "self-defense", you assume you are the good guy and everybody else are all bad guys. If you assume you are the bad guy and everybody else are all good guys, the world will be a loveable place to live.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

Can you just learn few self-defense skills and be able to defense yourself? IMO, without strong MA foundation, nothing will work. But if you have developed strong MA foundation, you are learning MA and you are not learning self-defense.

 

[Holmejr]

I do.

I don't see the the point in fighting in a sub optimal way just because it is self defence.

Yes, I know you do!! It’s a good thing. My comment was of course aimed at the noninitiated.

 

[skribs]

People hate the process that makes them good at something.

That is a common theme for elite athletes.

How many MMA fighters are elite athletes?

 

[drop bear]

How many MMA fighters are elite athletes?

I would say most of them.

 

[Prince_Alarming]

Within reason, the best is the one you will keep going to. Not that I see the point of fighting unless absolutely necessary. I'm something of a puss- the idea of actually harming another person is fairly repugnant to me, and I know a few martial artists who talk about winning fights that they would not have been in were it not for this attitude of 'I can handle myself'. The caveat 'within reason' is an important one though IMO. Without getting into specifics or name calling, there are quite a few charlatans out there.

 

[skribs]

I would say most of them.

I don't mean professional MMA fighters. Just MMA fighters in general. Those who train it.

Most people at the high level in any martial sport are going to be elite athletes.

 

[drop bear]

I don't mean professional MMA fighters. Just MMA fighters in general. Those who train it.

Most people at the high level in any martial sport are going to be elite athletes.

Those who fight. Are generally training 5 to 6 days a week. Even at an amateur level.

Which they do because they don't want to get their heads kicked in in front of their friends and family.

Which goes back to self defence. If you don't want to get flogged in a street fight. You probably should do some things you don't want to do to train to stop that.

 

[Gyakuto]

Have many of you actually been in an altercation ‘on the street’? I never have and I’m a short, bespectacled, well-spoken, brown-skinned person living in an increasingly right-wing country!

If you are quite regularly roughed up, I’d suggest that perhaps analysing what your body language, demeanour and general behaviour is conveying to others and attracts that kind of attention. It’s a better use of your time, than is spending inordinate amounts of it learning to fight.

If it rarely, if ever happens, spend your self-defence training time on something more useful. Learn a language, to cook…or some science

The fear of violent encounters far outstrips their occurrence.

 

[Prince_Alarming]

I have, but I knew what to do with my hands, I was far fitter and stronger than my opponent and it was over quickly

 

[Gyakuto]

I have, but I knew what to do with my hands, I was far fitter and stronger than my opponent and it was over quickly

It sounds like you knew you attacker?

 

[Prince_Alarming]

Vaguely, not very well. This was back in my junkie days. Nobody was seriously injured, I consider that a win considering he had a knife. A punch travels along the shortest distance between two victims.

 

[Prince_Alarming]

Also, if you get in situations like that you need to look at your lifestyle

 

[isshinryuronin]

The fear of violent encounters far outstrips their occurrence.

I believe this fear to be true, and whether voiced or not, is the reason most take up MA. I think many of us have a level of, if not fear, at least a low self-confidence level in this regard. Confidence has a broad effect on one's ego and affects many facets of their life.

Low confidence often shows and signals predators that you may be suitable prey. A good amount of MA training, while not totally erasing this condition, can boost this level to the point that will not attract predators, thus reducing the chances of a violent encounter.

People don't buy life insurance thinking they will die soon, but to have the peace of mind that if it happens their loved ones will be taken care of. MA skill leads to life assurance, the peace of mind knowing they have a much-improved chance of defending themselves and loved ones. Unlike life insurance which only works when you die, MA life assurance assures one of a better quality of life due to the increased confidence one has on a daily basis, even if you never get in a fight. (Ed Parker told me of this comparison during one of our talks, and I have to agree.)

One must, of course, not have a false sense of confidence. We must remain realistic and objective regarding where we are on the spectrum of over-confidence/lack of confidence. But I think a little more is better than a little less.