Shotokan, Goju Ryu, and Judo: self-defense effectiveness

[bushido_man96]

goju is alittle more hardcore and direct. and i would also like to comment that most people think goju or shorin or whathave you have no grappling and that is a huge misconception. alot of the applicatations you learn from your kata will end with you on top of your opponent on the ground, maybe not submiting but you genarally use alot of joint manipulation in striking arts.

This may be the case, but the fact of the matter is that these applications are rarely approached with the methodology that they are in arts like Judo or BJJ. Training these applications with resistance is different, and is what makes it stand out in these styles.

However, your school may practice them regularly with resistance, and that is great for you, then.

[Adonis]

Out of all of them I find Judo more effective because of the "Aliveness" factor.

[tennenboke]

If you want to learn to defend yourself, try krav maga or defendo, those are your best friends. Judo, Karate and Aikido are great traditional ma's, don't get me wrong.

Out of those i find Judo the most effective.

[tenshinka]

I find that when it comes to general pugilistic ability, it VERY rarely comes down to the art being practiced, but rather the the individual practicing it.

I have met some so called "masters" in arts that I would consider quite effective in general, that could not fight their way out of a wet paper bag.

On the other hand, I have met, on many occasions, practicioners from systems that I personally do not see as generally being effective, that I would not want to be caught in a physical exchange with.

fwiw,

[tallgeese]

I do think that some arts are better suited to combat than others. Physiology simply makes certain things more effective than others, as does the chaos of a fight.

Still, the practitioner does make a world of difference. Usually, I think, this has to do with the training methodology incorporated by the school.

[quinteros1963]

Goju will give you some joint locks and striking. I'd go with goju.

[Traymond]

I am a aikidoka by heart and nature, i love the art, and I prefer the peaceful approach to the part where I put my fist behind someone.