Self Defensive Martial Arts

[Whitestar]

When I was a kid I used to study Judo in New York but I quit after I received my yellow belt. Then by the time I was in high school, I decided to give karate a shot. The class I took was way under budget because my instructor was unable to provide his students with uniforms. Anyway, once I graduated high school, I moved with my family to Florida, but my interest in martial arts never faded.

 

Now after many years, I am seriously considering taking up martial arts once again. The thing is, there are literally hundreds of martial arts out there that it can be a bit overwhelming as to which one to choose. I understand all too well that there is no such thing as "the best martial art" or the ultimate technique. The only thing that is effective is the martial artist/fighter, not the martial art itself.

 

I do know that the type of martial art I would like to learn is simply self-defense. I am not interested in philosophy or enlightenment, until I know how to efficiently defend myself first. I made up a list of things I'm interested in studying:

 

Judo, Brazilian Ju Jutsu, Kempo, Kali, Muay Thai, Wing Chun, Jeet Keen Do, Ba Gua Zhang, Krav Maga and Haganah.

 

1) What are the pros and cons of the martial arts I just listed?

 

I'm also very interested in cross-training because no martial art is the best or complete. Therefore, it's impossible to know the hundreds of martial arts out there.

 

2) How many martial arts can a person hope to learn?

 

Whitestar

[pineapple]

I don't want to be part of the which art is better debate.

 

As far as how many styles you can learn. You can learn as many different styles as you have the time for, however you should pick one art as your favorite and make a lifetime commitment to it so you can become highly proficient in that art and use the other styles to supplement yours.

[Lenny]

I can’t say anything about the others, but I just started Krav Maga and it is completely geared toward self defense. No uniforms, forms, tournaments or any spiritual stuff. Just how do deal with someone and make them real sad real fast if they decide to mess with you. I like it...a lot.

 

Good luck and research. I researched and visited places for months before I went with KM and I think I made the right choice for me.

[Kaminari]

It also depends on what kind of self-defense you prefer. Do you like in-close fighting? Ground? Grappling? Weapons? I'd say pick a select few that you're really interested in, check out the dojos in your area, maybe take a few free classes or watch classes, and pick which one interests you the most.

[Whitestar]

It also depends on what kind of self-defense you prefer. Do you like in-close fighting? Ground? Grappling? Weapons? I'd say pick a select few that you're really interested in, check out the dojos in your area, maybe take a few free classes or watch classes, and pick which one interests you the most.

 

I would like to train in a martial arts that deal with multiple opponents. Which one/s would be the best choice?

 

Whitestar

[jackhammer]

I would like to train in a martial arts that deal with multiple opponents. Which one/s would be the best choice?

 

Whitestar

Aikido is one traditional style which if known for dealing with multiple opponents (any style can, of course, but I am assuming your looking for some which have a sort of focus on multiple opponents). Krav Maga and similar styles also deal with this, but military options have their own problems. One of the problems of MMA-type styles is that they tend to train to fight in the ring (full contact of course, which is pretty intense), and no ring puts three against one. If you want to cross train, I would combine new and old age, as well as striking and grappling. In other words, try a formula like:

 

BJJ/wrestling, muay thai/karate/TKD/etc, aikijujitsu/jujitsu/aikido, and some form of southern chinese style.

 

or whatever suites you. I must admit, your interested in a somewhat strange variety.

[karlberg]

I would say that Krav Maga seems to full fill you wishes and your needs.

 

I dosen't have any filosphy, it's just pure selfdefence, no bullshit.

 

It also deals with multiple opponents, not only in a military way of thinking, it's addapt to be used as a civilan aswell.

 

KM is not a sytem that you will enjoy watching for it's artistic beauty.

 

You will enjoy the usefullness of it. It's simple and effective, it's real life tested way too many times.

 

But thats why they keep changing and develop the system to improve it.

 

KM does not train you to fight in a ring. There are no ringfighting at all.

 

I don't know how you compete in a selfdefence system:

 

It would look something like this.

 

you have two guys, one in each corner.

 

As soon as the they hear the bell they both run out of the ring and hide.

 

They both win.

 

I hope you find a system that you like, I found KM.

 

karlberg

[jackhammer]

KM does not train you to fight in a ring. There are no ringfighting at all.

Perhaps you misunderstood me (my fault for awkward phrasing). When I said

Krav Maga and similar styles also deal with this, but military options have their own problems. One of the problems of MMA-type styles is that they tend to train to fight in the ring (full contact of course, which is pretty intense), and no ring puts three against one.

I wasn't linking mma with Krav Maga. They are quite seperate, and one tends to train for competition, the other is designed for combat.

 

Also, although Krav Maga may not have a traditional philosophy, there is quite a lot of "theory" behind the techniques. It is not as straight forward as it may appear, partly because of the civilian adaptation. When I was in Israel they were showing methods of using a garrot and silent sentry removal techniques. Many of the original techniques were specifically designed for use against assault rifles or even grenades. Most of the Israeli SOF (special operations forces) are trained for counter-terrorism. This system was intended for use by special ops police and military. However, the theory behind the techniques allowed for the civilian adaptation you speak of. A rifle can be made into a stick. I'm not trying to be critical of Krav Maga, as I regard it highly. But it was designed to be a course, one of many, to train military and paramilitary forces in emergency use of hand to hand combat. True, it has evolved, but Krav Maga lacks not only some of the "artistic beauty" of traditional martial arts, but also some of the more advanced techniques. The advanced techniques of Krav Maga were highly specialized for combat. So while Krav Maga may be a terrific guide to basic self-defense, it is essentially just that, and somewhat limited to that. I guess it depends on what you want to know. Most of the Krav Maga instructors I know don't do very well in the ring against mma practitioners (suprise suprise), but I would hold them better prepared in a mugging.