Morning all,
I've been looking into starting martial arts again (last did it 18 years ago - Ju Jitsu at uni). Tried judo last night, and while it was good fun (and holy hell am I sore today!), it didn't seem to have much practical application if the worst came to the worst (ie. You aren't allowed wrist or leg locks etc), so it's more competition based.
I'm after a martial art that firstly suits my size (6ft 5, 18 stone) and secondly provides a genuine self defense aspect (i.e. Not just performing kata all the time with no sparring).
I'm naturally not a violent bloke, so something 'reactionary' would be good. BJJ seems too focused on tackling larger opponents, so that's out...
Anyone have any suggestions?
Comments
MMA would be a good choice surely?
I never got on with the more traditional Karate, Tae Kwan Do, Judo styles personally. Nothing against them I just enjoyed the more relaxed and less form dependant ones.
There's a reason a lot of countries have police forces trained in judo, also a lot of real door security staff will be judo trained.
To defend in a street fight I'd choose Krav Maga I think.
I can't help about the shape I'm in, I can't sing I ain't pretty and my legs are thin
But don't ask me what I think of you, I might not give the answer that you want me to
The reality of it is best defense would to be to train in 800m running, as getting away is always the best form of defense.
That's why I go back to judo being the best option, you could have a huge punch, a deadly wrist lock or the reflexes of a cat, truth is once someone is within striking/stabbing distance there's not enough room to use most techniques correctly and a "lucky blow puts you in the floor and likely to get hurt. Being able to dump that person on the floor, kick them in the balls and get out of there will leave you much more chance of being unharmed.
I watched a YouTube clip where a guy compared judo vs BJJ, and he summarised it -
- judo focuses on standing form
- BJJ focuses on groundwork
- 90% of all fights end up on the ground
- 100% of all fights start standing up
Quite a useful perspective I think.
Have messaged a local MMA trainer as well. Will see what he says - not into the hardcore roid rage training, so hopefully it's not like that...!
Cheers all.
Also you have the advantage of fighting against someone rather that practising with a compliant partner.
Fully understand why, just didn't seem practical in a real world sense.
For an honest to god street fight, get the guy on floor while you remati standing if possible, hit him hard somewhere soft and painful, get ready to run or protect yourself against another threat. I'd not wanna be rolling around trying to choke someone out.
Ive done judo in the past and I think its fine for self defence, arm locks and strangles are legal although wrist locks are not but in reality just burying someone in the floor is going to immobilise most people.
It's more in the style of Krav Maga than 'traditional' martial arts, you spend a lot of time punching, kicking and defending, lots of multiple attacker scenarios but it's all done in quite a realistic way. There is groundwork in there too, takedowns, holds, that kind of stuff.
I really enjoyed it, and it really boosted my confidence. Basically its a good system designed to help you get out trouble and cause a bit of damage on the way if you have to. My lad has been doing it too, and watching him spar with the instructor is awe inspiring - It has definitely helped him become a very confident young lad.
Could be interesting!
With no contact at all?
Er, no ta.