The problem of choosing a type of martial arts for study is very relevant. It’s sad to see that people spend 20 years on martial arts just to be beaten up by those who have not spent a single day in the training room. Unfortunately, this happens often. However, there are many types of martial arts, doing which, you can get the necessary adequate skills.
The question of which martial art is the most effective and best suited for self-defense has been discussed for many years. This aspect is the most important when choosing one or another species. Unfortunately, not all martial arts are sufficiently functional and effective in terms of self-defense. In addition, it must be borne in mind that the needs of all people are different, so what works for one will not bring any benefit to the other. However, from all existing, the most effective types of martial arts can be distinguished. Choosing any of them will be useful for improving self-defense skills.
Aikido
This type of martial arts, according to many, has one of the worst reputations in terms of self-defense. This point of view has its reasons. On the one hand, aikido is almost useless against anyone who has decent martial arts skills. However, it can be very effective for people who must constantly monitor people who are aggressive and unskilled in terms of combat training.
Police officers, security officers are people who are more likely to benefit from aikido, as it focuses on controlling the enemy and redirecting attack energy. There are many arts that will teach you how to knock out an adversary, but not in every situation this can be done.
Aikido was created by Morihei Ueshiba, who combined his experience in several martial arts to create a self-defense system that is largely spiritual. Most tricks are based on the art of fencing. On the one hand, there are good grappling and throwing techniques in this system that allow you to confront a not-too-trained opponent without causing him much harm, however, it will be impossible to resist an experienced fighter with this technique.
Silat
This is a martial art that has influenced many martial arts or self defense systems. He is one of the most effective martial arts styles. This style of combat includes very quick strikes, manipulation of balance and tough pain techniques.
Silat is a martial art from Southeast Asia that is practiced in Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines. Around him there are many stories of origin.
What are its advantages? Silat is a self-defense system that covers a wide range of combat aspects. Weapons, the technique of strikes and grabs - all this makes it incredibly dangerous. Anyone who attacks a silat expert will eventually be defeated. For those who are trying to figure out which martial art is the most effective on the street, silat is one of the most suitable options.
Muay Thai
Also known as Thai boxing, it deserves a place on any list of martial arts that are suitable for self-defense. This is a combat system in the arsenal of which powerful kicks, fists, elbows and knees.
It was he who became the source of training for MMA fighters, although Muay Thai is equally excellent for street self-defense.
Thai boxing is a complex martial art, but it uses all the skills needed on the street. That is what makes him one of the most effective martial arts for self-defense.
This type of battle appeared a few hundred years ago, and many believe that it arose as a result of the migration of tribes from China. In the difficult conditions of almost constant wars throughout the history of Thailand and neighboring states, this art was used during the battles. Needless to say, Muay Thai has established itself both on the battlefield and in the sports arena.
Karate
Many experts consider karate one of the most effective martial arts. The reason for this is the nature of the system. Kicks, arms, blocks - these are all parts of a karate training program.
This style has fairly low requirements for beginners. Pupils are working on improving strong kicks and kicks. This style of martial arts is respected, however, compared to other martial arts, it lacks protective techniques.
The exact origin of karate is unknown, but it is generally believed that it was created on Okinawa, and due to various prohibitions on the use of weapons in the history of the islands, it was originally a style that used the empty-handed technique, although some were subsequently made improvements.
What is good karate for self-defense? One of the clear advantages of this style is the strong blows. Some of the disadvantages include overuse of hard blocks. However, the rigidity of karate is not always bad. It’s enough to recall some MMA fighters, for example, Lot Machida, who is very good at his job, using karate as a base.
In general, excellent physical fitness, powerful punches and kicks make karate one of the most effective martial arts suitable for self-defense. However, it should be borne in mind that there are different styles of it that are to varying degrees suitable for the purpose of self-defense.
Wing chun
This is the Chinese style of martial arts, which has gained immense popularity in recent years, largely due to the success of Ip Man films with Donnie Yen in the title role. Many people, answering the question, what kind of martial arts is the most effective, they call it.
The actual origin of Wing Chun remains a controversial issue, but there is one most popular theory of its origin. This is the story of a Buddhist nun, Ng Mui. They say that she was one of the five elders of the Shaolin Temple, who managed to escape before its destruction. Thanks to the high level of Shaolin martial arts, she created a form of self-defense that would allow her to resist an opponent that was superior in size and weight, which was especially true for a fragile woman. She drew inspiration for Wing Chun from animal movements, primarily crane. In relation to the human form, these delicate but natural movements required little strength, but allowed to effectively block and strike.
The first student of Ng Mui in an unnamed form was a beautiful young girl named Im Wing Chun, whom the head of the local gang tried to force to marry. Having mastered art, she was still able to protect herself and stop the onslaught of the bandit. It was in honor of her, as the first student of Nun Ng Mui, that a new type of martial art was named. With zero sports skills, Wing Chun is able to provide the necessary self-defense skills. Yes, as in any art, there are good and bad instructors, but this is a very reliable and practical system of self-defense for close combat.
The power of Wing Chun lies in its direct approach. In this martial art, the practitioner becomes very strong and delivers very targeted biting blows. Thus, this is truly one of the most effective martial arts, which was created specifically for self-defense.
Brazilian jiu jitsu
This art is quite effective as a system of self-defense. However, he has weaknesses when it comes to defense against weapons and group attacks. The basis for ju-jitsu was judo. Accordingly, most of the attention is paid to the technique of struggle, painful and asphyxiation techniques, and to a lesser extent - to strokes. This style has been used by many MMA fighters.
Currently, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has become more a sport than a self-defense system. However, there are enough techniques that can be effectively used for self-defense.
MMA
This sport has already become a global phenomenon. His arsenal consists of knockout blows, strangulation, captures. The disadvantage of MMA in terms of self-defense is the need for serious physical training.
A big plus with these workouts is the rapid growth of skills in all areas. Thus, over time, you can become a very experienced adversary for any attacker. The disadvantage of this is that the practitioner is more focused on sports with all its limitations, and not on self-defense. For example, there is completely no protection from the knife. But despite this, its parts are included in the list of the most effective martial arts.
Krav Maga
This is perhaps one of the most famous and effective self-defense systems in the world. The word Krav Maga in Hebrew means “contact fights,” and this is the official system of the Israeli Defense Forces.
The origin of the Krav Magician can be traced back to Czechoslovakia (modern Slovakia) even before the outbreak of World War II. Its founder was a young Jewish athlete named Imi Lichtenfeld. They was a well-known national and international boxer, wrestler and gymnast. Beginning in the mid-1930s, fascist and anti-Semitic groups came to power in Czechoslovakia, which led to oppression and violence against Jewish communities. Lichtenfeld organized a group of young people to patrol and defend against potential attackers. However, he quickly realized that his training in martial arts could not be compared with gang methods. Fighting for points in a match and fighting for your life in a street fight require a different mindset and different techniques. They began to synthesize their knowledge in the field of martial arts and began to pay special attention to attacks that quickly turned off and neutralized the threat.
Thus, this type of martial arts was originally created as the most effective martial art.
When Lichtenfeld moved to Palestine in 1942, he joined Haganah, a pre-Israeli Jewish paramilitary organization with a mission to protect Jewish settlers from local residents who did not welcome the new arrivals. Israeli military leaders quickly noticed Imi’s combat skills and his ability to teach others about them.
After Israel gained statehood in 1948, Lichtenfeld was appointed chief physical fitness instructor at the IDF's School of Combat Training. It was in this role that he developed what is known today as the Krav Maga.
This type of martial art, the most effective, according to many experts, is a tactical system of mixed martial arts and self-defense, which combines boxing, judo, jujitsu and aikido. In recent years, elements of other martial arts such as Muay Thai and Wing Chun have been included in Krav Maga.
Principles of Krav Maga
In fact, they form the basis of this martial art.
- Neutralize the threat. The main goal of the Krav Maga is to neutralize the enemy as quickly as possible. She governs all the other principles of the Krav Maga. It is to dominate and disable the attacker as quickly as possible.
- Be more simple. Krav Maga has simple strikes, deductions and blocks. This system has been designed so that it can be used as quickly as possible.
- Simultaneous defense and attack. Many martial arts consider defensive and offensive movements as separate and discrete actions, for example, first a block (defensive mode), then a strike (attacking action). The disadvantage of this approach is that it is reactive, and ultimately the fighter is drawn into a cycle of endless defensive movements. The Krav Maga combines offensive and defensive movement: the fighter simultaneously seeks to disrupt the attack and counterattack. It should be noted that Wing Chun has a similar principle of simultaneous defense and attack.
- Continuous movement. Associated with the principles of simultaneous defense and attack is “retse”, the Hebrew word “continuous movement”. Its goal is to neutralize the attacker with continuous consistent aggressive defense and offensive movements. Rettsev demands that the fighter work instinctively, rather than relying on a pre-installed routine technique.
- Using the capabilities of weapons. Krav Maga may use firearms and knives. Besides these traditional weapons, the Krav Maga also teaches practitioners to improvise and use any item at their disposal as a weapon. Keys, handles, belts and chairs can be included in the Krav Maga technique to neutralize the enemy as quickly as possible.
- Protection against weapons. In addition to learning how to use weapons, the Krav Maga also shows how to protect yourself from an armed attack.
- Focus on vulnerable soft tissue and pressure points. A well-known principle of the Krav Magician is his emphasis on attacking vulnerable soft tissues and dots. Many counterattacks include exposure to the eyes, groin, and throat.
Thus, Krav Maga is tough, but at the same time the most effective martial art in the world.