How did you decide which martial art...

[bOoRadley]

was the one for you?

I am very interested in studying one of the grappling martial arts but I cannot seem to find definitive unbiased information on any one discipline and it's making it difficult to choose.

I am looking for something that will be a good workout, increasing strength, stamina, etc. I am not a scrapper and living in a mellow place like Vancouver Canada the need to defend myself is rare, however I want to be able to end a confrontation immediately and definatively. I have no desire to show off with fancy schmancy impressive kicks, jumps or flips. I just want it over with him on the ground and me walking away. While I do plan to make a serious commitment, I don't want to begin something that takes a decade of study and practice before I learn anything useful or practical. I want something with a shorter learning cure if that exists.

Your recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

[bigboywasim]

If you planning to take a Japanese art because this is the Japanese forum then the best two best grappling arts to take are Ju-Jitsu and Judo. In my opinion if I had to choose one of these I would chose Ju-Jitsu. It is better for the submission. The Judo is known and better for the throws. You decide what is for you.

[bOoRadley]

Yes I am interested in a japanese martial art.

Originally I was planning on studying Praying Mantis Kung Fu because my dad is a black belt and used to be an instructor. I used to watch him practice these amazing hand movements and was mesmerized by it. He would never teach me or my brothers because he saw too many of his peers teach their children and then have them turn into out of control scrappers. Constantly getting in trouble at school, with law, etc...he always said that if we wanted to learn we would have to wait until we were mature and disciplined to his satisfaction.

The reason I chose not to study Kung Fu was one that I stated above. It takes years and years of intense practice before it could be used effectively in a streetfight for self defense. I believe that there are other forms of martial arts, like the grappling techniques, that will give a person practical usable techniques in a shorter period of time. Maybe I'm wrong, I don't really know...you tell me.

My dad always said "if you want to be an instant fighter learn to box" which I did. But quite honestly I find boxing to be a little boring, and useful in a streetfight only if you feel like taking your chances trading punches. I would much rather just throw someone or dislocate something and be done with it.

Right now I am thinking either judo or jujitsu...any thoughts on which is better?

[bOoRadley]

After speaking with a few Judo instructors I've decided Brazilian Jujitsu is the way I am going to go. I was told that Judo is more sport than martial art, all the training is geared toward tournament competition and while it has value for self defense you will not learn specific self defense techniques. You wont learn how to deal with punches and kicks because punches and kicks are not allowed in competition.

I found a school that looks good and I am going to check out a class but I don't really know what to look for. Can you tell me what to look for?

This is the schools website, any opinions on it?
www.universalmma.com

[bigboywasim]

My friend if self-defense is one of your main purposes to learn a grappling art then in my opinion BJJ is the best. I am learning it as well. You know boxing which is good for the street as well. BJJ is an excellent grappling art. It was rated many times as the best for self-defense (grappling) on this site. You can end a fight quick by breaking someones arms, legs or making them faint by chocking them. Let me remind you that if you are attacked by multiple attackers then either run or if you can't then knock them out quick with your boxing. You can't use grappling to take two or more people that effecively. If you in such a situation then break bones as fast as you can.

[bOoRadley]

Thanks for the advice!

I am going to definitely give BJJ a serious look. I've read many people say on this site that "who teaches you is what is most important" there is an instructor near me with a very good reputation so I am going to go check it out....everything I've heard about BJJ sounds very positive and I'm not planning on taking on any multiple attackers anytime soon. At least I hope not

[Hardball]

was the one for you?

I am very interested in studying one of the grappling martial arts but I cannot seem to find definitive unbiased information on any one discipline and it's making it difficult to choose.

I am looking for something that will be a good workout, increasing strength, stamina, etc. I am not a scrapper and living in a mellow place like Vancouver Canada the need to defend myself is rare, however I want to be able to end a confrontation immediately and definatively. I have no desire to show off with fancy schmancy impressive kicks, jumps or flips. I just want it over with him on the ground and me walking away. While I do plan to make a serious commitment, I don't want to begin something that takes a decade of study and practice before I learn anything useful or practical. I want something with a shorter learning cure if that exists.

Your recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

What is your age, height, weight and type of build? Are you a weight lifter? Are your legs flexible?

Answer these questions and you may get better advice.

[bOoRadley]

I am 5/11 weigh about 185 lbs, not very good flexibility, good balance, average strength, which I'm going to improve.

Like I said I'm not really built for fighting, I need to learn how to successfully overcome opponents who are bigger and stronger than me.

[Hardball]

If I lived near you, I would recruit you for japanese jujitsu.

[bOoRadley]

I'm trying to look up Japanese Jujitsu but not having much luck finding info about it...lots on BJJ though.

[Hardball]

I'm trying to look up Japanese Jujitsu but not having much luck finding info about it...lots on BJJ though.

It's there. Go to the top of the page and type in japanese jujitsu after you bring up the search dialogue box.

[bOoRadley]

I thought I had my mind made up and now you've got me looking seriously at JJJ...I think you do live near me, I'm in Vancouver, Kitsilano to be more precise.

Do you know of a good JJJ school?

[Hardball]

I thought I had my mind made up and now you've got me looking seriously at JJJ...I think you do live near me, I'm in Vancouver, Kitsilano to be more precise.

Do you know of a good JJJ school?

I train in Baltimore, Maryland. My new york location is old. Japanese Jujitsu in awesome if you apply yourself.

[bOoRadley]

I read about some of the differences and I still think BJJ is the route for me...JJJ sounds great but more difficult to get to a level where it would benefit you in a self defence situation.

I really appreciate all the advice.

[Hardball]

I read about some of the differences and I still think BJJ is the route for me...JJJ sounds great but more difficult to get to a level where it would benefit you in a self defence situation.

I really appreciate all the advice.

Good luck, study hard and train twice a day minimum.