[RichyFrench]

I really want to get into Krav Maga, the self-defence martial art which is used by the Israeli army.. Unfortunately I can't find anything close to where I live. Has anyone got recommendations of something similar that I could try?

I'm not fussed on kick/boxing or MMA or anything that's particularly attacking oriented, like more of a sport. I'm more keen on a self-defence 'art' as I enjoy the discipline side of it, and just having it under my belt if needed.

I was a brown belt in karate when I was 11, and picked it up so easily, but it's not the kinda thing I'm interested in now. The movements are too rigid and I don't think it's that versatile to be used in the street for example.

Any suggestions guys?

[Kennedy7697]

Muay Thai.

[SEHughes]

Krav Maga is based on boxing and wrestling; moreover it's very much "attacking oriented" so I don't see what you're getting at.

Of course there are differences to sport environments that need to be addressed, but the big issue is being able to punch, kick and grapple effectively. Everything else is tactical, i.e. not deliberately going to the ground, not trying to clinch in a multiples situation, etc.

Have a read of Geoff Thompson's 'Dead or Alive' or Rory Miller's 'Meditations on Violence'. Then go find a gym that teaches you how to punch like a tank.

[Killuminati1989]

Win Chun or Jeet Kune Do (Bruce Lee's Fighting Style)

[RichyFrench]

(Original post by SEHughes)
Krav Maga is based on boxing and wrestling; moreover it's very much "attacking oriented" so I don't see what you're getting at.

Of course there are differences to sport environments that need to be addressed, but the big issue is being able to punch, kick and grapple effectively. Everything else is tactical, i.e. not deliberately going to the ground, not trying to clinch in a multiples situation, etc.

Have a read of Geoff Thompson's 'Dead or Alive' or Rory Miller's 'Meditations on Violence'. Then go find a gym that teaches you how to punch like a tank.

I'm not particularly interested in beating the crap out of people by knowing how to 'punch like a tank', I just wanna know how to disarm someone or block an attack and do enough to stop them attacking.

Punching someone rock hard in the face is a sure-fire way to break your knuckles which isn't what you want if you're in a fight. Using the palm of your hand is much safer and just as effective. I don't want to be a brute, I want to be able to analyse the situation and use techniques to give me the upper hand in that situation.

[Clip]

This has been done to death a million times, and you can see from the other threads that there is no agreement whatsoever. Some people will tell you that the combat sports like Judo, BJJ, MT and wrestling are supreme and proven to be so. Others will go on about their oriental death magic. There's really no point discussing it as the opinions are so polarised and there is nothing new.

One thing I would say about Krav Maga, however - there is nothing special or unique about it whatsoever. It's a RBSD (Reality Based Self Defence) and they are ten a penny. What you learn is a series of dirty tricks, and this is no different from generations of things like Japanese Jiu Jitsu.

One piece advice which might be taken on board is very simple - never mind the opinions - give the schools a chance. Find an RBSD school, some Chunners, a Filipino JKD school and a Judo or BJJ school. Give them each one lesson, and see what you feel is most realistic for yourself.


+++++

[Bubblyminty]

Kung-fu is a good defensive martial art. Depending which style you choose to learn it can be lethal.

[SEHughes]

And you don't think that in a violent situation, "enough to stop them attacking" might have to be repeated strikes to the head? You need that stopping power.

Plenty of people with no hand conditioning spark people out with fists every Saturday night in this country. The founder of Krav Maga also didn't seem to shy away from using his fists.



That being said, learning to use the palm to the head is one of those differences that needs to be addressed as it's certainly a better option when you can't get a clear shot on the jaw.

And you think that in the thick of it you're going to have the capacity to "analyse" anything? It's hugely stressful and extremely physical. Everything rests on your ability to hit hard and grapple if you need to. Just watch the IDF training in the system you're seeking out.

[Clip]

(Original post by Killuminati1989)
Win Chun or Jeet Kune Do (Bruce Lee's Fighting Style)

JKD was not BL's fighting style. It was his ex post facto fighting philosophy. None of the JKD schools teach anything remotely resembling what BL did - almost all of them are Filipino based nowadays.

(Original post by RichyFrench)
I'm not particularly interested in beating the crap out of people by knowing how to 'punch like a tank', I just wanna know how to disarm someone or block an attack and do enough to stop them attacking.

Punching someone rock hard in the face is a sure-fire way to break your knuckles which isn't what you want if you're in a fight. Using the palm of your hand is much safer and just as effective. I don't want to be a brute, I want to be able to analyse the situation and use techniques to give me the upper hand in that situation.

Well, you don't seem to need any advice as you appear to have all the answers.

Don't you see the irony? "Don't punch someone as you will break your knuckles" - but there's no danger attached to trying disarm someone?

[JollyJelly]

One thing you'll learn if you watch any 'street fight':

They always end up on the ground.

BJJ, Judo and wrestling are therefore very good. I've sparred with mates who box and if you can dodge/survive punches and kicks to grab them. It's easy to get them on the floor in a headlock or armbar. (I practice Judo)

That being said, even the biggest guy will go down with a good punch/kick to the sweet spot. (Kimbo Slice = great example). And I've seen fights in the street end in one punch. But if you're in for an actual fight it will always end up on the ground.

[SEHughes]

(Original post by JollyJelly)
They always end up on the ground.

And I've seen fights in the street end in one punch.

But if you're in for an actual fight it will always end up on the ground.

Do they all end up on the ground or don't they?

[RichyFrench]

(Original post by Clip)

One piece advice which might be taken on board is very simple - never mind the opinions - give the schools a chance. Find an RBSD school, some Chunners, a Filipino JKD school and a Judo or BJJ school. Give them each one lesson, and see what you feel is most realistic for yourself.

This is something I'm considering. I'd probably even take up 2 arts at the same time if I found 2 that I liked.

(Original post by Bubblyminty)
Kung-fu is a good defensive martial art. Depending which style you choose to learn it can be lethal.

Which styles are considered to be lethal?

(Original post by SEHughes)
And you don't think that in a violent situation, "enough to stop them attacking" might have to be repeated strikes to the head? You need that stopping power.

Plenty of people with no hand conditioning spark people out with fists every Saturday night in this country. The founder of Krav Maga also didn't seem to shy away from using his fists.



That being said, learning to use the palm to the head is one of those differences that needs to be addressed as it's certainly a better option when you can't get a clear shot on the jaw.

And you think that in the thick of it you're going to have the capacity to "analyse" anything? It's hugely stressful and extremely physical. Everything rests on your ability to hit hard and grapple if you need to. Just watch the IDF training in the system you're seeking out.

I understand that street fights are stressful and just reacting in the moment, but if you've got a strong base of combat knowledge to refer to, that you've practised again and again, you can take a lot of the adrenaline-fuelled flailing and jumping out of the equation, and give yourself a fighting chance (pun intended).

(Original post by Clip)
Well, you don't seem to need any advice as you appear to have all the answers.

Don't you see the irony? "Don't punch someone as you will break your knuckles" - but there's no danger attached to trying disarm someone?

I'm not going to walk up to people and try to fight them, but someone could easily come at you with a knife, and I'm not one to simply give them my phone/wallet and walk away knowing that I'm not safe walking the streets as that can happen on a repeat basis. Even if they don't have a knife, I'd like to know how to deflect a punch coming towards me and counter-attack.

[JollyJelly]

(Original post by SEHughes)
Do they all end up on the ground or don't they?

Fights that don't end after one punch do.

In my experience, any fight that is an actual fight for dominance ends up with grappling (usually drunken sprawling actually haha ) on the floor.

I've seen (first hand now) one fight end without going to ground. One guy did nothing and was punched square in the jaw: KO'd

the rest are a few punches thrown followed by grabbing and going to ground.

So without being pedantic, all fights (The word fight meaning two people fighting for more than a few seconds) end up on the floor.

[Bubblyminty]

The tiger style. It would not be one to use in everyday life unless you were in real danger. You should check out the tiger claw move. There was an experiment a few years back where a man used this move on a dummy simulated to have realistic flesh and bones. His hand tore out a large chunk of his throat and almost his trachea.

I doubt the crane, monkey, or snake could kill someone unless provoked.

[Becca]

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