Self defence/martial arts/boxing?

[johnnyBv8]

Wasn't sure whether to put this in the Lounge or in Health. I do quite a lot of fitness - a weekly mix of gym, circuit training and running - but for quite a while have pondered adding in some form of combat training for the reasons set out below....

I read so much about people being attacked and of disproportionate aggression (e.g. road rage, stabbings in bars etc). I'm undoubtedly far less confrontational than I used to be in my youth...much more able to diffuse and/or walk away from situations.

Whilst I consider that I can 'look after myself" I increasingly feel that at some point in the future I may be put in a situation where I need to defend myself or my family, and wonder whether I am really adequately equipped for this.

Sooo, any suggestions of what would be a good skill/martial art to learn - anything from self defence classes, to karate, or boxing?

Thanks

[SirBlade]

All will help during the moment.

I chose Krav Maga as it specifically focuses on evade and verbal escalation before engaging.

Engagements are extremely violent and are designed to kill if necessary.

[johnnyBv8]

SirBlade said:

All will help during the moment.

I chose Krav Maga as it specifically focuses on evade and verbal escalation before engaging.

Engagements are extremely violent and are designed to kill if necessary.

Hmm, I'd rather not kill at this stage

I'll have a look into it though - thanks.

[Ordinary_Chap]

johnnyBv8 said:

SirBlade said:

All will help during the moment.

I chose Krav Maga as it specifically focuses on evade and verbal escalation before engaging.

Engagements are extremely violent and are designed to kill if necessary.

Hmm, I'd rather not kill at this stage

I'll have a look into it though - thanks.

Krav Maga is very good for defence although killing is truly, extremely unlikely. Any fighting art can kill on the face of it but it still requires the individual to want to kill, it doesn't happen by accident.

I mean have you ever heard of anyone killing with Krav Maga?

[johnnyBv8]

Based on a brief internet search it does sound quite good - will have a proper look into it.

Any other suggestions?

[BenM77]

I would have thought MMA or boxing would be worth a look.

[SirBlade]

Ordinary_Chap said:

Krav Maga is very good for defence although killing is truly, extremely unlikely. Any fighting art can kill on the face of it but it still requires the individual to want to kill, it doesn't happen by accident.

I mean have you ever heard of anyone killing with Krav Maga?

Its a military application, what do you think?

[MrB1obby]

I thought that Krav Maga was very hard to get into because of the lack of gyms/instructors able to teach it? Or has this grown considerably recently?

MMA or boxing would be very good in a bar fight situation and you will actually learn how to fight, properly...and of course you'd become super fit. Although you may get a few black eyes and what not practicing MMA is very expensive however.

Martial arts like karate, tae kwon do, judo etc would be good for self defence and some fighting, whilst being a bit cheaper.

Krav Maga is the 'best' for everyday situations IMHO.

[Ordinary_Chap]

SirBlade said:

Ordinary_Chap said:

Krav Maga is very good for defence although killing is truly, extremely unlikely. Any fighting art can kill on the face of it but it still requires the individual to want to kill, it doesn't happen by accident.

I mean have you ever heard of anyone killing with Krav Maga?

Its a military application, what do you think?

Just because you learn it, it hardly makes anyone a killer (I am ex military and have practiced it hence my recommendation).

There is a huge difference between a solider and a normal person practicing Krav Maga.

No fighting art/style can make someone a killer.

Edited by Ordinary_Chap on Monday 2nd April 22:34

[didelydoo]

Carry a knife or run off Lots of bother if you mess some one up, even if it is self defence.

[Hoofy]

Ordinary_Chap said:

No fighting art/style can make someone a killer.

Indeed. And no fighting art/style can make someone not piss their pants and freeze on the spot when the st hits the fan no matter how many times you practice a drill. But I await some MMA fanboy to state that 256% of all fights go to ground.

[Ordinary_Chap]

Hoofy said:

Ordinary_Chap said:

No fighting art/style can make someone a killer.

Indeed. And no fighting art/style can make someone not piss their pants and freeze on the spot when the st hits the fan no matter how many times you practice a drill. But I await some MMA fanboy to state that 256% of all fights go to ground.

Thats true, the person's own mental courage and strength is ten times more important than the style/art.

I've seen all sorts of failure in the real world when it comes to this stuff.

The best method is either escape or hit first and hard!

[Hoofy]

Ordinary_Chap said:

Thats true, the person's own mental courage and strength is ten times more important than the style/art.

I've seen all sorts of failure in the real world when it comes to this stuff.

The best method is either escape or hit first and hard!

I recommend watching YouTube videos... for instance, I have a triple black belt in Pun Fu having watched all of Tim Vine's stand up routines. I'm hoping it will destroy all negative vibes in the room.

[Efbe]

johnnyBv8 said:

Based on a brief internet search it does sound quite good - will have a proper look into it.

Any other suggestions?

boxing.

but not for the reason you will expect.
The hardest hurdle to get over to be any good in a fight whatsoever, is being used to, and capable of taking a direct hit to the head.

I have done Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Wing chun, kung fu, tried a few others, and when I was quite a bit younger, some boxing.
I didn't actually get hit in the head with any force in anything else than boxing.

Having done some boxing, I know what I will be able to take in a fight, and how it will affect me. I also know from this experience how to minimise the damage from the hit, and react back to defend myself instinctively. you can't rely on thought processes after taking a hit to the head. muscle memory is the only way to fight back.

In my experience, the first you will know about a fight developing, or being involved in a mugging/ random street fight is a punch to the head. Fall over, and you're in trouble, not able to get your hands up for the secong punch and you're in trouble.

[Lost_BMW]

Ordinary_Chap said:

Thats true, the person's own mental courage and strength is ten times more important than the style/art.

I've seen all sorts of failure in the real world when it comes to this stuff.

The best method is either escape or hit first and hard!

My 2p worth.

Get used to being hit - i.e. need to spar and react calmly to sudden shocks, pain... blood!

If it looks like you will be hit, hit first. Better to deal with the law later than be the one in a coma or a box imho.

Boxing!

[Ordinary_Chap]

Boxing can be useful, especially if you've got some weight behind your punches!

I think boxing is very useful when brawling!

I remember as a 20 year old, 11 stone military guy thinking he was invincible because of the Krav Maga training and the first time I really hit (he was wearing gloves) it was pretty shocking and I was very close to being knocked out, greyed out vision, wobbly legs and all of it!

If he wasn't wearing gloves he would of caused serious damage to me.

[Halb]

Ordinary_Chap said:

The best method is either escape or hit first and hard!

Best advice!
In fact, best to tt them silly before they even know you exist!

http://munkton.tripod.com/llapgoch/

[Efbe]

Ordinary_Chap said:

Boxing can be useful, especially if you've got some weight behind your punches!

I think boxing is very useful when brawling!

I remember as a 20 year old, 11 stone military guy thinking he was invincible because of the Krav Maga training and the first time I really hit (he was wearing gloves) it was pretty shocking and I was very close to being knocked out, greyed out vision, wobbly legs and all of it!

If he wasn't wearing gloves he would of caused serious damage to me.

This is exactly why is suggest boxing as a first one to learn.

after you are sorted with that though, there are plenty of other martial arts to choose from which all have differing focuses and strengths as well as weaknesses.

See what you enjoy. i found BJJ great fun, though less useful in a sober fight! Wingchun was also a good one, though you have to be quite good with it to utilise it at all which is a bit annoying. never tried krav maga though.

[Ordinary_Chap]

Halb said:

Ordinary_Chap said:

The best method is either escape or hit first and hard!

Best advice!
In fact, best to tt them silly before they even know you exist!

http://munkton.tripod.com/llapgoch/

[Halb]

Boxing and krav maga then...I would throw in submission wrestling as well since being on the floor and knowing how to rip out someone's clavicle could be useful.

I live in an area with large polish immigration, and the amount of them that sport krav tee-shirts is interesting.