Miscellaneous Forum

Just toying with the idea of taking up martial arts for self defense. Do you think it really does help when an attacker approaches? In the form of a snatch thief, kidnapper or just someone who seems threatening. Never learnt any for even an hour . I guess those who took it up do feel empowered and more confident? What's best..taekwando, karate-do and whatever's out there?

Even Tai chi is a handy defence system. The more you do it the more automatic your defence moves happen, or so they tell me.

Carole.

I did martial arts most of my life ( Karate, Judo when I was younger), my daughter is currently a black belt. This is the way it is: if you know something like Karate ( that would be my pick, if you do it), and are GOOD at it (which takes MANY years), yes you can defend yourself in a fight against just about anyone that does not know martial arts ( or fighting in some other way).
BUT: 2 people that both know Karate, pretty much the larger, heavier one wins, if the skill level is equal
Last comment: I pick my .357 Ruger ANY day of martial arts when it comes to defending yourself. A bullet stops even the largest, fastest black belt, despite what you might see in the movies:-) ( Jackie Chan dodging bullets)

I studied one form (Gojuryu) for about a year and a half, eventually stopping because there were some stances that were problems for my knees, and I'm really, really bad at following orders. Some of the guys who had been doing it for a long time could have used it for self-defence, I could not have. It's a great thing to study, but I probably wouldn't go into it just for self defence.

I took a several-week self-defence course later that incorportated some elements of martial arts, and that has been useful, both for the confidence and certain moves that I've had the occassion to need.

a little bit of learned knowledge/quick moves come very handy indeed

in agreement here with Florida about the usefulness of at least some karate, not only does this martial art discipline equips you with a certain psychomotor psychophysiological preparedness but an enhanched courage wrapped around a back-up self-confidence out of which surprisingly can also teach one to keep humble

a good gesture of it when at crucial moment is better than spitting out a cursed word

Though I haven't taken any martial arts courses myself I know lots of people who have. I agree that it takes not only years and years to become excellent at it but also it takes dedication that most people end up not wanting to give

I don't know where you are from, but here there are classes in "street self-defense" offered that give useful skills for the average day to day type thing a person might encounter. It doesn't take long, but seems to be pretty effective. You might look into that type of class.

A big part of self defense is simply being confident and aware. Most attacks are made on those who "look" vulnerable.

I can't answer your question, but I would like to brag on my wife a little. She was attacked by a man outside her office a few years ago and she flat-out kick his azz the old-fashioned way. She beat him so badly that she had to go to court and testify it was her who put all the bruises and the broken rib on him, as he was claiming police brutality.

My wife ROCKS!!!

And it seems, She KICKS!!!

Good for her!

I would look for a Mixed Martial Arts that offers many different stances. You're likely to not be in your Martial Art's stance when being suddenly attacked. A style like Krav Maga will teach you many moves which are illegal in an MMA ring (such as eye gouging and crotch kicks) but could quickly disable your attacker.

Also learning some kind of ground fighting technique (Ju Jutso or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) could very effective against a larger attacker or to defend against being raped.

I also wouldn't underestimate the power of practicing boxing. You will learn how get inside an attacker's punches and do some serious damage.

Studying martial arts may even give you enough confidence that a mugger would not approach you in the first place, preferring to find an easier looking target.

First lesson in self defense is to run away as quickly as you can.

Actually, I think the advice was "run like hell!". Advice given to me by my judo Sensei, when I was a teen.

There's always a danger that the attacker will claim (probably successfully) to be the victim....

Yes - escape quickly; and personal security advice given when I was in work was "don't make yourself a possible target", e.g., keep walking if somebody asks you for the time, answering "about 10 past", which will prevent your wrist being grabbed, etc. Any potential villain will (sadly) look for somebody more likely.

A sad reflection on life

<<<A style like Krav Maga will teach you many moves which are illegal in an MMA ring (such as eye gouging and crotch kicks) but could quickly disable your attacker. >>>>

You make a very good point here! If you do want to use Karate or whatever you learn as self defense you have to find the right type of class! If they are mostly teaching it as a "sport" like Taek won do in the Olympics for example, where you just have to score points, but you really don't learn how to defend yourself , it's no good. Our class here is taught by a ( now ex) police officer and we learned to actually fight, and did a lot of it ( that is why I finally quit, too many sparring injuries). I remember sparring in the gym parking lot once with street clothes on, just " to see what it would be like" and things like that. ALso, some not so reputable classes sort of " sell" black belts, that make the people feel good, but they really should not have them at all. If they try to tell you , you can get a black belt in a year, walk away fast...

Thanks,i have read but will re-read again. Need to find classes on 'street smart' self-defense. Color of belt is the last thing. It's just being able to take control of the situation and be less vulnerable. Flight yes but sometimes when you're walking on the street and they're on a bike etc. Fast smart thinking while being out-numbered is tricky.

While the colour of the belt is unimportant, what is important (and the colour of the belt really is connected here), is that unless you have trained and practiced for a considerable period (I'm thinking several years), your basic training won't be enough. You really have to be on "autopilot", having faced the situationj in class so many times, that you instinctively react to the attack.

Anything else all you will do is make your attacker(s) angry and you will have to run even faster...

I agree. I have been attacked twice both happened so fast, and the second time i was harmed. :(