What martial art is best for a beginner and can I teach myself?

[jobo]

No kiddin'

This new vein of people claiming martial arts or fighting skills in general arent for 'self defense' have apparently never been physically attacked and had to...self defend..

yes indeed, you can argue about the relative use of individual arts, but they should all increase you ability to defend yourself. If only by virtue of the fact you are now fitter and better co ordinated than you were

 

[JR 137]

And here comes another self defense vs fighting thread.

I'll really be looking forward to this one, because I've never read anyone's opinions about the differences here. This should be fun...

 

[marques]

Sorry OP, the initial subject is lost.
I think it is convenient to the second topic (and perhaps to the first):

 

[Martial D]

And here comes another self defense vs fighting thread.

I'll really be looking forward to this one, because I've never read anyone's opinions about the differences here. This should be fun...

Complete with the obligatory finger wagging.

 

[Tez3]

It's not a new argument by any means, and yes it does come up quite often. There's also interesting points made by both 'sides' of the argument, and as it was brought up by one poster it's worth having a look at.

 

[drop bear]

No kiddin'

This new vein of people claiming martial arts or fighting skills in general arent for 'self defense' have apparently never been physically attacked and had to...self defend..

Correct. Which in turn proves their method works you see?

And why I generally dont take self defence specialists all that seriously. There is too much sizzle and not enough steak.

 

[drop bear]

Ah so you don't know who Mark MacYoung is then. A lot of people agree with him, a lot don't but to dismiss it in the way you have is interesting. You don't care to elaborate?

Dog brothers kind of dont. I mean if peoples opinions of peoples opinions are factoring in.

Spike TV, the Dog Brothers Gathering Webisodes; National Geographic

 

[Martial D]

Correct. Which in turn proves their method works you see?

And why I generally dont take self defence specialists all that seriously. There is too much sizzle and not enough steak.

I haven't been attacked by random people on the street in many years. I attribute this to regular bowel movements. I challenge you to prove they aren't causally related!

 

[drop bear]

I haven't been attacked by random people on the street in many years. I attribute this to regular bowel movements. I challenge you to prove they aren't causally related!

A fibrous diet truly is the best defence.

 

[Gerry Seymour]

Are Martial Arts Self-Defense? Mark MacYoung's view.

Some valid arguments, but overstated. And doesn't really apply to MA in general, unless you use a definition of MA that only includes TMA, then maybe that's his target.

 

[Tez3]

I've no dog in this fight other than it's amusing that so many are dogmatic in their views. Reading other people's arguments and understanding them while not agreeing with them is the optimum way to expand one's horizons. I imagine the poster who brought it up has long gone, unable or unwilling to face the backlash his comment brought. As I said it's a fairly common thought, rightly or wrongly.

 

[Andrew Green]

I'm completely new to martial arts but want to learn something that would be best suited for self defence. I also want to know if I'd be able to teach myself using the internet or whether I should get classes. I'd rather not have to pay for lessons as I'm only 17, still in education and am already paying for a gym membership.

Learning by yourself won't get you very far. You need people, it's not a solo activity. It would be like trying to learn how to play football by yourself, you might be able to pick up some rudimentary skills in a couple things, but without other players you aren't even playing the game by yourself.

As far as what style, it's just a matter of taste. Any school of any style that is good at what they do will have a process of taking someone from beginner to advanced. Past that it's like asking what the best type of restaurant is. Some people will say Italian, others Mexican, others Chinese. Some will want traditionally made, others more modern takes. You got vegans, gluten free, organic, free range, etc. All sorts of things that matter a lot to some people and not at all to others. Go find something that fits your tastes.

 

[Jaeimseu]

Why does everyone want the best free lessons? Do you want the best? Or do you want free?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BrendanF]

I've no dog in this fight other than it's amusing that so many are dogmatic in their views. Reading other people's arguments and understanding them while not agreeing with them is the optimum way to expand one's horizons. I imagine the poster who brought it up has long gone, unable or unwilling to face the backlash his comment brought. As I said it's a fairly common thought, rightly or wrongly.

Thank you for so calmly responding in my absence Tez - I have in fact just been busy, not on forums much lately.

To clarify for the affronted - rest assured, I agree, martial arts training can help a person learn to fight better than they would, were they untrained. I just personally don't think (in the society I live in) that 'learning to fight' actually has much to do with 'self defence'.

Self protection/defence is such a complex, nuanced area, that there is room for understanding that yes, of course it is possible that martial arts training MAY help someone if they find themselves in a confrontation/combat with another person.. but of course it may well NOT. Alex Fairtex is the common example given, but that situation has played out repeatedly. Humans are tool users, and just about any tool beats any unarmed individual, any day of the week.

Be at ease, crusaders.. I love MA as much as you. Enough to recognise that the sensationalised cultural trappings, history and philosophy associated with the arts are valuable enough in their own right. We don't actually need to convince ourselves that we're training to save ourselves or our family as we've seen in MA movies. We can just admit that we enjoy the training for what it is.

Now I'm off to train in my martial art - a fifteenth century Japanese sword/weapon school. 'Self defence'? Maybe if someone comes at me with a sword one day...

 

[Old Judoka]

I'm completely new to martial arts but want to learn something that would be best suited for self defence. I also want to know if I'd be able to teach myself using the internet or whether I should get classes. I'd rather not have to pay for lessons as I'm only 17, still in education and am already paying for a gym membership.

I'm a bit jaded, because most of my experience is in grappling, judo specifically. I've been taking BJJ with my daughters for coming up on a year. You can get decent competence for the street after a year or two, and BJJ is almost a must know art for MMA. That being said I have to add a caveat, in that it somewhat depends on the focus of your academy. If you are interested in self defense, learn from a club that is focusing on self defense. While tournament focused sports BJJ clubs are good, you may end up with holes in your knowledge with regard to street defense. Visit some clubs and find out what their focus is. If a teacher in a sports club knows you want to learn it for the street he can probably adequately prepare you for the street, but he has to KNOW that's what you want. As far as a stand up art, all are good, but in all arts you must LIVE SPAR. If you think you are going to shadow box and do heavy bag work and be ready for a street fight, you are in for a let down. Boxing is probably a good start for self defense. You can get decent competence in a year. I boxed in the Army and its been many years, but I still have decent defense skills and can use it to set up for takedowns. I'm making my girls get their blue belts in BJJ, then there is a club that teaches Tang Soo Do near us. As young and flexible as they are, I think that will work well for them