Open Question: Self Defense: Which Martial Arts should I go for?

[Knowledge Bot]

What type of Martial Arts should I learn? This is a list of the top 10 international Martial Arts. In no particular order: 1. Karate 2. Tae Kwon Do 3. Judo 4. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 5. Kung Fu (Wushu) 6. Capoeira 7. Arnis / Escrima / Kali 8. Muay Thai 9. Krav Maga 10. Jeet Kune Do Other

[SixFootFeather]

Just out of curiosity, where did you find those rankings?

Honestly, it seems pretty accurate.

Isn't it odd--even ironic--how the art of the most famous martial artist of all time is the last on the list? It's even more ironic that Bruce has become recognized as the "father" of MMA, yet many of his concepts and principals (especially for stand-up) are missing from the games of most MMA fighters.

Anyway, my opinion is that if you REALLY want to get into self-defense, find yourself a reputable Jeet Kune Do school that teaches "Jun Fan JKD" as a starting point (i.e. where Bruce Lee left off before his death) and then moves into the JKD "Concepts" branch incorporating Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kali/Escrima and MMA-style sparring.

Now, it may prove hard to find a school that offers all of these things, and you may have to do it the "JKD Way" and train at several schools to put together your own "program." Honestly, I don't think that Bruce would've wanted it any other way! Southern California is a hotbed of great JKD schools. You've got Dan Inosanto, Paul Vunak and several first and second generation teachers stemming from original Bruce Lee instruction.

The reason that I truly recommend JKD over, say, Krav Maga is because of its emphasis on being dynamic and efficient. Any good JKD school will get right down to business in teaching you really important principals in self-defense. Bruce Lee developed JKD not as a sport, but as a street style for life or death situations. And if you look at a very good JKD practitioner and compare them to a very good Krav practitioner, you will likely see how much more fluid and dynamic the JKDer is--better footwork, more efficient strikes and an overall more fluid approach.

Good luck.

[Tant01]

That's a good post. Sadly the so called Knowledge Bot is just a cyber entity that collects topics from other forums on the net.

Good to have you here...

Enjoy.

[prowler]

Just out of curiosity, where did you find those rankings?

Honestly, it seems pretty accurate.

Isn't it odd--even ironic--how the art of the most famous martial artist of all time is the last on the list? It's even more ironic that Bruce has become recognized as the "father" of MMA, yet many of his concepts and principals (especially for stand-up) are missing from the games of most MMA fighters.

Anyway, my opinion is that if you REALLY want to get into self-defense, find yourself a reputable Jeet Kune Do school that teaches "Jun Fan JKD" as a starting point (i.e. where Bruce Lee left off before his death) and then moves into the JKD "Concepts" branch incorporating Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kali/Escrima and MMA-style sparring.

Now, it may prove hard to find a school that offers all of these things, and you may have to do it the "JKD Way" and train at several schools to put together your own "program." Honestly, I don't think that Bruce would've wanted it any other way! Southern California is a hotbed of great JKD schools. You've got Dan Inosanto, Paul Vunak and several first and second generation teachers stemming from original Bruce Lee instruction.

The reason that I truly recommend JKD over, say, Krav Maga is because of its emphasis on being dynamic and efficient. Any good JKD school will get right down to business in teaching you really important principals in self-defense. Bruce Lee developed JKD not as a sport, but as a street style for life or death situations. And if you look at a very good JKD practitioner and compare them to a very good Krav practitioner, you will likely see how much more fluid and dynamic the JKDer is--better footwork, more efficient strikes and an overall more fluid approach.
Good luck.

Very well said...I should have read your post before I posted on the JKD vs. Krav Maga Thread. Exactly why I'm switching styles to JKD.

[Ginvera]

What type of Martial Arts should I learn? This is a list of the top 10 international Martial Arts. In no particular order: 1. Karate 2. Tae Kwon Do 3. Judo 4. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 5. Kung Fu (Wushu) 6. Capoeira 7. Arnis / Escrima / Kali 8. Muay Thai 9. Krav Maga 10. Jeet Kune Do Other

Well, it depends on you.
Do you want to be practical? Krav Maga and Jeet Kune Do teaches you skills that you can apply in real life situation, like for self defense. KM and JKD do eye jabs and groin shots.
For TKD, Karate, Wushu and MT, they are more for entertainment and yes, you can use them in real life situation but, by doing those high kicks or those high end stunts, don't you feel your energy consuming where by doing KM, you can end the fight rather fast.

[Dokan]

What type of Martial art should you go for? I guess that depends on what you want from martial arts. Ask yourself do I want street type self defence, or a way to live my life, do I want flashy or practical. Something else to consider is do you have natural abilities, like are you flexible, big or small, strong and slow or really quick and not so powerful. My personal experience tells me that someone just starting out in the martial arts should check out a variety of local schools and see which one intrigues you the most.Afterall 1 or 2 years of checking out differant styles is not alot of time to spend when you are considering a lifetime of training.

[Ghost]

Karate....

[blanker]

If you want to learn self defence then go to a self defence class. some people to check out would be eddie quinn dave turton, bob spours, rich grannon, mick coup, geoff thompson, nick hughes and many others. for real self defence its more tactics and approach rather then techniques so any of those arts could be good or totally worthless depending on how thay are focussed.

its not about gimmicks like eye shots ect if your not learning things like the fence, pre emptive striking adrenaline response the flinch response awereness drills ect your just learning how to sparr.

[Ghost]

agree with above im a big fan of bob. but its also limited in a way, its good to combine wiht something more complete as well.

[fire cobra]

Guys Guys,your talking to a robot!.

[Ghost]

dont hate on robots, robots have feelings too you know

Guys Guys,your talking to a robot!.