Self defence

[BristolDave]

I would say that any martial art or combat system/sport is a very good way to stay fit - which is important.

Secondly if you train regularly it will only be a week or two since you last had a fight. Training yourself to respond to threats is important and martial arts help to do that. You will find 'fight' becomes dominant over 'flight' response.

Thirdly martial arts training helps to build confidence. It is often this that is detected via body language by assailants that will avoid trouble. This is the foundation of 'fighting without fighting'.

Finally life or death combat situations are a state of mind. Are you prepared to gouge out another persons eyes or stamp on their throat to protect you and yours? Sorry to say that but you need to think about in what circumstances could you actually do this and having done it how you will live with yourself.

OP - take up something that you like the sound of and give it a go. Any skills you learn may prove useful and you will get a bit fit(ter) into the bargain

BD

[firepower]

Self defence starts with being aware of your surroundings at all times. Coopers color code is a system that should be used by everyone at all times. If you are switched on then all conflict can be pretty much avoided. This applies in everyday life as well as a SHTF event.

Any martial art which focuses heavily on kicks should be avoided. Try a high kick in normal footwear on a pavement and you may well end up on the ground, the last place you need to be in a conflict. That said most conflicts will end up on the ground within a short space of time so ground skills are important.

Punching without gloves is dangerous and can easily lead to broken hands. Knees and elbows are as effective and less likely to sustain injury.

Find a mixed martial arts club and concentrate on Boxing, Muay Thai and Jujitsu.


ATB Mick

[silverfox]

Ive read all the above comments and "state of mind" plays a huge factor when being confronted by a threatening and dangerous situation ! I started Judo at a young age but soon moved to Ju Jitsu which i have done for over 20 years. I have worked on the doors for over 15 years and been involved in many fights many of which have been people using weapons, some makeshift ie: bottles ashtrays etc and some knives, bats, chains and even a gun.

Point being you have to be mentally ready as you can not stop the release of adrenaline which how ever many times you have seen trouble can still start your body shaking, and you just have to deal with the fight or flight reaction your boby is preparing for.

Fighting is not always the answer but having someone shouting and screaming abuse at you while telling you all the ways they are ging to kill you still takes some getting use to. As some above have said whatever you choose to do find someone who will teach you as relistically as possible and find a handfull of techniques that work for you and that you can become used to doing as second nature.

Most men are capable of slogging it out untill one is on the ground without any training but not the case for women wishing to defend themselves. ......... The " i couldnt do that" attitude wont help when confronted by a violent situation. Theres a lot to be said for a thumb pushed to the back of an eye socket or a bite to the neck like you would take out a sandwich leaving the attacker needing hospital treatment and the police asking lots of questions...........and hopefully you still around to answer them

[firepower]

Ive read all the above comments and "state of mind" plays a huge factor when being confronted by a threatening and dangerous situation ! I started Judo at a young age but soon moved to Ju Jitsu which i have done for over 20 years. I have worked on the doors for over 15 years and been involved in many fights many of which have been people using weapons, some makeshift ie: bottles ashtrays etc and some knives, bats, chains and even a gun.

Point being you have to be mentally ready as you can not stop the release of adrenaline which how ever many times you have seen trouble can still start your body shaking, and you just have to deal with the fight or flight reaction your boby is preparing for.

Fighting is not always the answer but having someone shouting and screaming abuse at you while telling you all the ways they are ging to kill you still takes some getting use to. As some above have said whatever you choose to do find someone who will teach you as relistically as possible and find a handfull of techniques that work for you and that you can become used to doing as second nature.

Most men are capable of slogging it out untill one is on the ground without any training but not the case for women wishing to defend themselves. ......... The " i couldnt do that" attitude wont help when confronted by a violent situation. Theres a lot to be said for a thumb pushed to the back of an eye socket or a bite to the neck like you would take out a sandwich leaving the attacker needing hospital treatment and the police asking lots of questions...........and hopefully you still around to answer them

Couldn't agree more silverfox. Adrenaline hits you like a brick just as a situation escalates or happens suddenly. The latter is just a pile in and get dirty moment whereas when you can see it coming you can use the adrenaline more effectively, letting it build to a point where action is necessary and then letting the fight response loose.

I trained under one of Geoff Thompsons acolytes and although part of it would be classed as MMA it was all reality based and very upfront. One of the biggest problems with self defence "systems" is the lack of training in realistic situations, thus leaving the student high and dry when they discover that adrenaline can paralyse them and leave them defenceless despite their training. One of my favourite stories from Mr Thompson was the seminar he did with black belts. Part way through he asked them if they had brought their gum shields with them. He then said that in a while they would be having an animal day. He carried on talking while watching them sizing each other up nervously. Presently he told them that they would not be fighting each other and went on to explain that all of their training was useless unless they could actually get past the huge adrenaline dump they were experiencing. Genius.

Another problem with adrenaline is the loss of fine motor skills and a tendency to get tunnel vision. The mind will focus on the immediate danger in front of you leaving you defenceless from the sides. While the chap in front of you is ranting like a looney his pal to the side of you can knock you off the planet.

I could write a book but someone beat me to it

[Huntsman]

Self defence starts with being aware of your surroundings at all times. Coopers color code is a system that should be used by everyone at all times. If you are switched on then all conflict can be pretty much avoided. This applies in everyday life as well as a SHTF event.

Any martial art which focuses heavily on kicks should be avoided. Try a high kick in normal footwear on a pavement and you may well end up on the ground, the last place you need to be in a conflict. That said most conflicts will end up on the ground within a short space of time so ground skills are important.

Punching without gloves is dangerous and can easily lead to broken hands. Knees and elbows are as effective and less likely to sustain injury.

Find a mixed martial arts club and concentrate on Boxing, Muay Thai and Jujitsu.


ATB Mick

I have done kickboxing for about 10 years and frankly I would rather defend myself with kicks, so I can keep myself at range than at the close quarters required to fight with elbows and knees. Once, some little Chav tried to mug me with a knife, I grabbed the arm with the knife, sweep kicked him to the floor (in the process I used a pressure point t make him drop the knife) he then tried to use his fist and punch me and he promptly received a roundhouse kick to the neck. After that he ran off (hope I taught him a lesson) so as you can see, kicks keep you out of the range of there attacks and can be a lot more powerfull than elbows or knees

[Arzosah]

I like that post, the idea of kicks - to be honest, my hands have a fair old bit of arthritis, and the kicks do away with the squeamishness. And they still aren't expected (unless your first name is Buffy).

[Rogue Tactical]

I have found ninjutsu and ju-jutsu good also judo principles run on the same theme