Martial Arts Training - Best Practices For Self Defense

If you're thinking about picking up some kind of martial arts training, it'd be good for you to know exactly what type of styles exist and which one would be the best one for you. There are literally hundreds of different arts around, and each have their own different qualities along with strengths and weaknesses, to suit different people. There isn't one best martial arts technique because the best style or technique is the one that suits you and your style. Follow below as I give a brief outline of the different types of arts training, and depending on what you need this for, you can find one that may be right for you.

MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) - has been abbreviated to MMA, and is actually a combat sport where difference people are fighting against each other. There are now many MMA gyms available to the public since MMA is so popular now, thanks mainly to the UFC. Mixed martial arts would give you a variety of skills if you ever needed to defend yourself. Among the skills are a mix of Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, boxing, wrestling, and other fighting skills.

Kung Fu - there are so many different types of styles and traditions when it comes to kung fu, it's actually very hard to assess. Kung fu actually isn't a type of martial art at all, it is a name that is given to any type ofl art from China. If you are looking for a type of kung fu that is best for self defense, Wing Chun Kung Fu is the most popular style in the West. It was developed mainly for smaller and physically weaker fighters to be able to beat a bigger and stronger opponent.

Jiu Jitsu - Jiu Jitsu martial arts training is mostly designated for grappling and restraint techniques, as opposed to boxing, striking, and so forth. It is used by military trainers, and police in many different countries, and is ideal for security guards, and bouncers. Grappling is usually ideal when you have to defend yourself against only one person. But when faced with multiple opponents grappling simply isn't feasible and you have to bring in other techniques. If you're worried about gangs, or attacks from multiple people, this is probably not the best practice for you.

Muay Thai - this is another arts training that is more of a sport rather than a method of self defense. A decent or good class will include some self-defense applications. This is also good if you want to get a balance between self-defense and fitness.

Karate - karate is a traditional type of martial arts, and has a much greater emphasis on self-defense. Karate training is good because it gives you an idea of what it's like to be in an actual fight. This is one of the best training techniques if you are looking for something that will give you a blend of both self-discipline and confidence. If you consider yourself as kind of a wimp or lack self-confidence, karate may be a good choice for you.

Unconventional Personal Self Defense Weapons

Many of us believe in the importance of personal self defense. But we may not have skills or training in karate, boxing, or other systems we normally associate with personal self defense, and rely instead upon the advantage of weaponry.

Weapons are intended to give us extra power and leverage, but they are not always where we need them when we need them in an emergency personal self defense situation. Many who own firearms, for example, leave them locked up at home. Others buy personal self defense products like pepper spray, but don’t have those weapons with them 24/7. So it is an important part of any personal self defense mindset to learn to recognize and use improvised weapons.

For example, here are 5 improvised weapons that can be used for personal self defense:

1) A rolled-up magazine or newspaper can be used to block or strike.

2) Entire personal self defense schools are dedicated to using walking sticks and canes as weapons.

3) Cell phones for calling and camera phones for taking pictures, can be important personal self defense tools when reporting crimes.

4) Pencils, pens, forks, and spoons are often readily available for personal self defense, in lieu of knives.

5) The belt worn to hold up your pants can be used as a powerful personal self defense weapon, to lash or strike.

Look around yourself and ponder objects in your everyday environment. Make a mental list of personal self defense weapons you can identify, and then begin to practice using these familiar objects in unfamiliar ways. You may be surprised how many ordinary household items are actually extraordinary personal self defense weapons right there at your fingertips.

Street Fighting and Self Defense Kicking Attacks - What Are the Most Effective?

     The majority of martial arts schools that specialize in the striking aspects of martial arts all have various kicking techniques varying in number and their emphasis on their use, however, when we are considering the kicks to use in the real life, no rules street fighting or self defense situations we must limit kicking to high probability of execution kicks that cause maximum damage and do not leave us vulnerable to being countered.

     In Addition, the kicking targets must be limited to low line targets and avoiding kicking any higher then the legs and groin in street fighting and self defense.

With these parameters in mind the most effective kicking attacks for the street self defense situation are:

     1) The straight thrusting front kick to the groin executed in the manner of the Savate front thrusting kick and using the shin as the striking part with plenty of follow through.

     2) Rear leg cross stomp to the knee joint to dislocate the knee and smash it into the ground, preventing the attacker from standing and destroying their ability to move.

     3) Low round kick to knee joint, inside or outside and to the groin executed in the manner of Muay Thai with the shin and good body biomechanics for follow through and destructive power. In addition, the same kick should also be used, to the head, to finish a downed opponent.

     4) The knee to the groin or, to the head if the attackers' head is pulled down. I include knees under kicking attacks as they are an extremely effective mid to close range striking tool. Again the Muay Thai manner of executing knees is the best way to execute this attack.

I have not included the side kick to the knee for several reasons; 1) they are too slow and hard to set up, 2) they require a degree of accuracy that is difficult to achieve in the chaotic turmoil of a real fight, 3) if you miss you are very vulnerable to being attacked.

     The kick discussed above will give you the ability to do maximum damage to an attacker and reduce your chances of being hit, during their execution, in real life, no rules, street fights or self defense.