Karate for self defence

[Safroot]

Hello,

Just wanna know what is the best Karate style to learn for self defense ?

Thank you

[Harkon72]

Any style of martial art can offer good self defense training, some claim to be custom made for it such as Krav Maga, Combat Hapkido or Russian Sombo. Other styles are tested at full contact and have stood the test, such as Muay Thai and Kaiyokoshin Karate. Some softer styles are remarkably effective too such as applied Aikido and Tai Chi. My style is Okinawan Karate, which can vary greatly in effectiveness, depending on how it is taught. I have had one life threatening encounter that I survived thanks to my training. Karate too was derived for self defense, but I feel, if you train with a good Sensei, who takes time out to test and make you feel the fear of a real situation; you are on the right track whatever your style.

[Safroot]

Thanks Harkon 72 so much

[Harkon72]

Any Time

[MasterPain]

Find a school that trains for self defense with a level of contact appropriate for learning combat sports. The style isn't as important as the training method.

[Safroot]

thanks MasterPain, i will try to find one. It will be hard as I have only 2 schools around my home (GKR and Chitō-ryū) ...

[wagnerk]

thanks MasterPain, i will try to find one. It will be hard as I have only 2 schools around my home (GKR and Chitō-ryū) ...

I've posted my answer in your previous thread, if those two styles are the only ones available to you, then I would suggest going for Chitō-ryū.

[sensei8]

Hello,

Just wanna know what is the best Karate style to learn for self defense ?

Thank you

Imho,

There's no such thing as the best, especially when it concerns the MA. What works for you; this is the best, for YOU!!

I could say Shindokan. I could say Shotokan. I could say BJJ. I could say Goju-ryu. I could say TKD. I could say Shorin-ryu. I could say JKD. I could say a plethora of styles of the MA. Each has their advantages, but they also have their disadvantages, depending on whom you talk to.

Visit as many schools of the MA within your allowed drive time. Watch many different classes to get the feeling of its worth. Speak with many of these instructors to see if you'll fit together as student and instructor. Then once you find the school of your choice, train hard and train well.

In that, I can only strongly advise that you should stay away from schools of the MA that don't do a lot of sparring. Why? In any self-defense situation, you're going to have to know how to engage and disengage. The only way to learn how to do this, is to spar A LOT with different students, and of different ranks. Timing, focus, transitions, balance, posture, power, and so on and so forth. Learn to lose the fear of contact because contact happens and it will happen in a self-defense situation.

Good luck with your search. It's a lifetime journey, in and of itself.

[sensei8]

Find a school that trains for self defense with a level of contact appropriate for learning combat sports. The style isn't as important as the training method.

Solid post!!

[Safroot]

Thank you for advice sensei8 and wagnerk