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Self Defence Classes

jp_bl_68

jp_bl_68

jp_bl_68

Soldato
Joined
3 Jan 2009
Posts
8,037
I'm thinking about taking a self defence class. Has anyone here taken one and did you find it useful?

Or do you think I'd be better off learning the basics to some form of martial art?


I don't want to be able to beat someone up, I just want to know what to do if someone swings for me or pulls a knife or tries to bottle me. I don't plan on getting in any fights but as I work in a pub it's certainly a possibility.
 
Self defense would be your best bet as they'll focus on defending. They'll also take from various arts to maximise their effectiveness.


ps 9/10 the best answer is to run :D
 
if you can find a class that teaches krav maga near you , that is one of the best but they are hard to find
 
There are a few places in London that offer krav maga tuition. I've ordered a krav maga guide/history book for the time being. If that appeals to me then I'll try to take one of those classes.

Thanks for the recommendations!
 
Unless you stick to it, it might wind up getting you into more trouble than not knowing anything at all...

Just be careful with your expectations - you're not (and I suspect you don't think you are) going to become Bruce Lee/Chuck Norris overnight, or perhaps even after a few months' training.

Jiu-jitsu (the basic form) was reintroduced in Japan under the guise of a self-defence martial art by a policeman in the 1950s or something, and a lot of the basic training is just that: defence from knives, bottles, koshes, punches, etc. and if you find the right club (as with all martial arts) it's very good.
 
Friend of mine was a UK champion of Krav maga, I did Choi Kwang do we had a little spa and he dominated me. Would recommend
 
In my opinion you want to find a martial art which is sparring heavy.

Boxing, Muay Thai etc. If you can find a Krav class which does a lot of sparring that will also be good.

Why do you need to spar? Performing a technique on a stationary or choreographed assailant is very very different to doing it on someone who is trying to punch you in the face.

Most classes that are advertised as "Self Defence" are normally fairly useless for actual self defence.

As most have said, the 100m sprint is probably the most effective self defence technique out there (if viable). :p
 
Speaking from experience...I'm a big guy 6ft 5....now normally you'd think that meant i don't get much aggro....but you'd be wrong.

The amount of times I've had guys start causing me hassle is beyond belief. Typically i just try and avoid it and it usually peters out but when they're in groups its not always that easy.

I started KFM early last year and found that it was hugely practical and effective fighting style, but i didn't intend to use it ever, really started it out of boredom initially and wanting to try something new that would help keep my fitness up.

Over christmas I was in the local pub by my work place and some guy was bothering one of my colleagues and i just went over to calm things down and pull her out of there. Anyway as I do the guy, with pint glass in hand swings for me, and instinctively i defending my head/face, he drops his glass, and elbowed him in the head. Now i know it sounds a little movie like (trust me it wasn't as sexy as it sounds), but it was really proof that, for me anyway, KFM really worked and was practical and useful.

All combat styles, including Krav Maga, can be useful when in the right scenario, but as most have said, just try to avoid the problem/situation in the first place if you can.
 
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