Best martial arts to learn?
- Thread starter Naff8000
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A coworker of mine has trained in judo for years. Black belt, so he's certainly competent. Years back, he asked his teacher, who was of course much better, about the best way of defending himself if attacked in the street. His teacher told him "kick them and run away" and explained that judo was useful in self defence because someone well trained in judo would probably be fitter than the person attacking them and thus better at running. That struck me as good advice. The best defence is to be out of range.
Tai Chi.
Excellent martial art (doesn't require you to be as flexible as others, mostly upper body work, no kicks over waist level) and also when you're not defending yourself it's a good exercise and relaxation technique.
Excellent martial art (doesn't require you to be as flexible as others, mostly upper body work, no kicks over waist level) and also when you're not defending yourself it's a good exercise and relaxation technique.
Your pretty much spoilt for choice in Bristol for MA schools. Just use google and find some that look interesting, contact them and go along and see how you like it.
Ask the instructor the same as your asking here.
Most schools do not charge for the first lesson, so all that you have to lose is an hour or so in an evening...
Ask the instructor the same as your asking here.
Most schools do not charge for the first lesson, so all that you have to lose is an hour or so in an evening...
This.
You'll just have to try different styles and see what works for you. Personally I do Wing Chun which is pretty good for self defence.
I'm not sure about Krav Maga, the only experience of Krav Maga I've had is some complete tit who teaches lessons down here telling people you can defend yourself against a gun, which is just ridiculous.
But as others have said, the best discipline to learn is to walk away. Any reputable MA school will teach this to their students.
Exactly, like most martial arts they are good on a mat or in a ring and that's about it.
we've been here already quite recently
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18193651
In short, learn to walk away, as no ammount of martial arts training will teach you to block a punch out of the blue from some random drunk nutter.
If you're expecting it, you might stand a chance. But if you're in a situation where you think it might happen, you can probably defuse it by other means without having to resort to fighting at all.
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18193651
In short, learn to walk away, as no ammount of martial arts training will teach you to block a punch out of the blue from some random drunk nutter.
If you're expecting it, you might stand a chance. But if you're in a situation where you think it might happen, you can probably defuse it by other means without having to resort to fighting at all.
Well, you cam defend yourself against a gun, if that gun is only being pointed at you. Of course you can't do anything to dodge bullets
I'm not saying that's it's impossible to disarm someone, because it's not, but to let people believe it's perfectly alright defend yourself against a gun without consequence is just plain irresponsible. Same goes for defending against a knife.
If you're going to do this sort of thing you have to resign yourself to the fact that you're likely to get shot/cut and quite possibly fatally injured.
I'm by no means knocking KM, as there are probably some very good schools out there for it and every MA has it's merits. I just don't like stupid, irresponsible teachers.
'Tis but a flesh wound !
Soldato
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Don't expect any martial art to prepare you for a real street fight. The closest you'll get is to have lots of full contact experience, as it does a lot for your fitness and trains you to keep a level head while taking hits. You can hone your technique for years in a controlled environment but if you've no experience of being attacked in earnest, it'll be of limited use in real life.
Remember that the best defence is always simply to avoid the fight altogether, or, failing that, to run away.
Systems like Krav Maga are good, but there needs to be a strong emphasis in the training on actual contact sparring, like I said. If not, your technique will fall apart instantly when you actually get jumped.
As for defending against weapons like knives and guns, it's all very well training in disarming techniques, but as Badgi said, the reality is that if someone threatening you with a weapon actually decides to use it, you're unlikely to come out unscathed (particularly with knives). All the instructors I've had have always said that if someone does pull a knife/gun on you, then you're usually best off just handing them your money. It's only if they don't leave you alone after that that you'll have to do something.
Remember that the best defence is always simply to avoid the fight altogether, or, failing that, to run away.
Systems like Krav Maga are good, but there needs to be a strong emphasis in the training on actual contact sparring, like I said. If not, your technique will fall apart instantly when you actually get jumped.
As for defending against weapons like knives and guns, it's all very well training in disarming techniques, but as Badgi said, the reality is that if someone threatening you with a weapon actually decides to use it, you're unlikely to come out unscathed (particularly with knives). All the instructors I've had have always said that if someone does pull a knife/gun on you, then you're usually best off just handing them your money. It's only if they don't leave you alone after that that you'll have to do something.
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This is very good advice.
But you will stand a FAR greater chance of winning a steet fight if you have some training. Just go along to a few classes and see what you enjoy.
Soldato
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Shotus gun