help me choose a grappling martial art.

[Kensai]

Kirves, I agree, Aikido is never going to compare with BJJ or Judo ground work. Just trying to tell Venezolano that Aikido does however have a wide spectrum of techniques.

 

"Aikido attacks - now there's one more oxymoron! (just foolin' around)" This is strange perconception that people have about Aikido that I dont really understand. You'll just have to take it on faith that if you get caught with my Yokomenuchi (sideways throat strike) then you going to know about it.

 

Kirves, just out of interest what do you study?

[Bhayl]

If you're comfortable with your standup and are strictly interested in what to do on the ground then try to find some judo or bjj schools in your area and sit in on them. When my wife's class schedule and mine don't conflict I sit in on her bjj classes and they practice ground based grappling pretty much 90-100% of the time.

[Kirves]

This is strange perconception that people have about Aikido that I dont really understand.

 

Well, first of all, I was mostly fooling around, but I see your point too. Yes, in Aikido you have stuff to attack with if you want. But most people interpret the O-Sensei's philosophy as one of not attacking and if attacked your self, not damaging the attacker if possible.

Kirves, just out of interest what do you study?

 

Well, at the moment I'm a bit confused. My previous training was "The Inosanto Blend" mostly composed of Kali/JKD/Silat in that particular order. Most of my training was with Kali techniques, using JKD Concepts as a filter with which interpret the martial arts as a whole, and some Silat thrown in for a measure.

 

Later, once I moved, I started Karate but now after a few months I have grown to dislike the school I'm in. Now I'm on the lookout. I have found a Hapkido school that looks interesting, but am also looking into this Hokutoryu Jujutsu school I found today. Hokutoryu is a very modern all round self defence art and seems very promising. I still have some JKD interests and feel like I inspect everything I see with a JKD filter on my eyes, so I am contemplating on a possibility of studying JKD and some other arts mixing them up in the future.

 

I need realistic self defence, because of my line of work (security) and that's why I'm less interested in tradition and lineage and more interested in how much bang-for-the-buck I get AFA self defence is concerned.

 

PS. I might add that because of my JKD past I have ran into lots of people from different arts and even I don't train most of the arts, I have been thrown around once or twice by many of them and have at least superficial knowledge of them.

[Kyle-san]

I need realistic self defence, because of my line of work (security) and that's why I'm less interested in tradition and lineage and more interested in how much bang-for-the-buck I get AFA self defence is concerned.

 

If that's what you're looking to concentrate on, I'd go with the Hokutoryu Jujutsu. I'm assuming it has similarities to Ketto Ryu Jujutsu (another modern variation on Jujutsu it's been around for 20 years or so), which is the style I'm involved with at the moment. It'd be much more complete in terms of self-defence than Hapkido, but Hapkido is a good choice as well.

[Kirves]

If that's what you're looking to concentrate on, I'd go with the Hokutoryu Jujutsu. I'm assuming it has similarities to Ketto Ryu Jujutsu (another modern variation on Jujutsu it's been around for 20 years or so), which is the style I'm involved with at the moment.

 

You're probably right. Hokutoryu was founded by a Finnish body guard / security professional (who had Juko Ryu Jujutsu, Kyokushin Karate, Kickboxing, Boxing, Wrestling, etc. experience), and the style is popular in Scandinavia, Western Russia and the Baltic countries. It is very well known for it's realistic approach and is the art of choice for most police officers, guards and military personnel around here, especially in Finland. Hokutoryu has empty hand techniques for all ranges, police baton techniques, methods for submissing the opponent for easy hand-cuffing and weapon disarming. Of course other arts have them too, but these are the focus of Hokutoryu training so it does seem tempting for me.

 

Hokutoryu uses full contact bare knuckle sparring from green belt on and the style has a good record in the local NHB/Submission Wrestling/Freefighting tournaments.

 

Yeah, I think I'll talk to the instructor today.

 

PS. If you want to compare the styles, there are some Hokutoryu video clips at http://www.finjutsu.com/Videoleikkeet/videoleikkeet.html tell me what you think.

[TKDMASTER]

I definately have to say Bjj.

[jiu-jitsu fighter]

BJJ focuses alot alot of time on the ground it wouldn't interfere with your stand-up training

[yellowsnow]

BJJ!!!!

 

YS

[CatchGuy]

I also think it may be worth mentioning Catch as Catch Can. If you can find a good instructor, it is actually a great grappling style.

[cavalera]

as a matter of fact, i do not reccomend aikido. i watch them train sometimes and i would never waste my time with it, it's pathetic. On the other hand, i would reccomment Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.