what would yall recomend

[kseer]

im 17 i realy want to learn self defense and fast... just to know i have it on hand..i live in the kinda town where other kids will hit you at parties for not having a cig..or just for the hell of it...ya so anyways...would group training or personal training be better i have low strength and very bad stamina...oh and im very very shy... i was lean9n twords personal training

[Mike Brewer]

It's good to do both. You will never be as good with personal training or group training alone as you would be doing both. Besides, it sounds like the group interaction would do you some good in other areas as well, and might give you some confidence. The strength and stamina will come with training. Just train regularly and don't worry. If you're in a place where people play rough all the time, learn where to go and what to avoid. It never hurts to develop a good sense of humor and humility without becoming negative about yourself. In social situations, avoid problems by being well-liked, and by not sacrificing the things you really believe in just to fit in. The confidence will go a long way to achieving that end, and that's likely to take care of most of your needs right out of the gate. The self-protection stuff can only come with time (sorry, no shortcuts), but if you get good at the confidence part, you're far less likely to need it anyway.

Best of luck, man. Keep us posted.

[kseer]

well i was thinking of maybe going the MMA route and doing som competition fighting as well...and maybe a year or 2 later mixing in some jkd

[kseer]

i was specifically gonna train at rvolution dojo ..the guy who runs it is a well rounded dude named Yves Edwards...

[Mike Brewer]

Yves Edwards is an awesome MMA athlete. In all probability, MMA is all you'll ever need. It should be more than enough while you're still in your teen years. Just be aware that there are some pretty important differences between competing and fighting. At the early stages, it's not that important, and like I said, you'll likely find MMA fulfills almost all of your requirements. You'll definitely get fit, get strong, and you'll get past your shyness.

I'd still very much recommend a combination of private training and group classes, though.

[Happy Cat]

Kseer,

If you have low stringth, you probably have not been hiting the gym. Now is a good time to start. Have someone show you proper bench press form, and do not wory that others are pressing more weight than you. Exercise is not a competishion. Start slow and make sure you ask someone to spot for you.

Push ups are great to, and you can do them at home. The bullys probably percieve that you think you are weak, and they are taking advantage of it.
In my opinion, self defense is 85% + aditude.

In your situation, the style you study is not nearly as important as gaining some self confidence. You can defeate these guys if you study nothing more than ping pong, if you have the right additude. Go for it with the MMA.

[Tim McFatridge]

Kseer,

I have to agree with what Mike and Happy Cat said. Self confidence will take care of most of your problems. If you learn to carry your self right and learn to become more aware of your surroundings then you will avoid most problems. Happy Cat is right... bully's are able to pick up when people have low self confidence and low self esteem so when you take that away you also take away that target they are looking for.

I also think you should do group classes as well as personal or private lessons if you are able to. Make sure that you are able to spar at the classes. I am not suggesting that you spar right away but you will need to spar. When you are sparring don't worry about getting hit or taken down because that is all part of it and that is how you learn. Sparring is where you hone your skills and develop your timing and movement.

Good luck

[kseer]

haha nah you guys got me ALL wrong i have GREAT self confidence...and well mostly everybody likes me but i have been in a FEW altercations.... where i had to kinda get my freinds to back me up...cuz i couldnt handle em...anyways i think im gonna train at yves edwards dojo THANKS!!!

[Mike Brewer]

Must have been the comments about shyness, not being very strong, bad stamina, etc...

You'll probably get a lot out of Yves Edwards' place. If he's anywhere close to the teacher that he is a fighter, you've found yourself a great training opportunity.