What is the best type of martial arts ?

[LIL G]

I do realize this is a pua forum but since the motto is "your not a man unless you can portect yourself and loved ones" so I thought I'd ask anyway. What are the best martial arts for self defense ? I'm thinking ninjutsu , keysi , krav maga , aikido , let me know what is the best and if you know a place in LA let me know
Thanks

[Jay-T]

Firearms. Best martial art.

[Bravo]

moving this to THE ARMORY section, where there have been quite a few threads about stuff that is along these lines

[Xerces]

Lil G,

Out of what you list I would say krav is the most practical and you will be able to use it soon. Im unfamiliar with the others.

Stay away from anything that dosen't have live sparring. Doing kata's and moves against the air will get you killed/beat up.

My suggestions
Boxing,BJJ,wrestling,thaiboxing,kickboxing,MMA,pancration also just being in shape will make you more able to defend yourself. Crossfit,kettlebells,powerlifting etc...

[BJJ_Playa]

It really depends on if you're looking to become a life long martial artist or simply want to learn to defend yourself quickly?

If it's the latter then your best bet is a mixture of western boxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. In about 6 months I'd say you'd be competent in a fight with just training 2 to 3 times a week.

This is also great for inner game. The better I became as a fighter the more I projected true confidence which I think lots of women pick up on.

You're never going to use kicks too much in a real street fight and they take more time to perfect than punches or grappling (IMHO) so there's no need to study them, unless you're serious about becoming a martial artist, in which case I'd say Muay Thai is a great choice.

Good luck.

[Xerces]

BJJ Playa,

Im curious how many street fights have you been in? How many sanctioned fights?

People I know would disagree with you on kicking. I agree high kicks in a street fight are uneccessary. But do you know what a structure break is?

Also thaiboxing teaches a very effective use of standing clinch. I would argue that when it comes to a street fight thaiboxing is more usefull than BJJ. If you triangle someone from your back on the street and they pick you and slam you...you are fucked! What if they just bite you leg?

The gym is one thing. The street is another.

[madmax]

The one that kills you.

[kosmos]

I'm going to obviously have to support the Aikido, but I think Bjj player said it best, it depends if you want to be lifelong or not. Problem with Aikido is that it takes a life long dedication to be proficient at it, and if that's what you're into go for it. Because how great of an art it is, is worth that life long dedication to some people.

Personally, myself I have a real interest in boxing at the moment, I'm really liking the idea of sparring a lot.

[vigilante]

Definitely some great advice here. In a street fight there are so many variables so a big thing is awareness of your surroundings. The guy could have a friend or two in waiting to hit you in the back of the head with a bottle so you need to do as much damage as you can and get out of there. No one martial art will work for every situation.

I would disagree on the kicks... a kick is unexpected in a street fight and a well place leg kick will put someone on the ground maybe make them think twice. A soccer kick will end a fight in a survival situation.

Unfortunately in a street fight you could end up on your back but you don't want to stay there but you also don't want to take any punches, kicks, stomps. BJJ can be useful for that and getting back to your feet and getting awareness to grab their arms to get back to your feet but I would never try a submission from your back like xerces said you want to avoid locking up with them period. This is not theoretical I have actually ended up on my back by not having full awareness of the guys friends.

Boxing/MUAY THAI is definitely good for learning how to defend punches catch angles to and throw properly to end a fight. Most street fights I have been in involved drunk guys so it feels like you have all day to get out of the way of a drunken haymaker compared to crisp punches from a good boxer.

I have always done a combination of different martial arts to handle the different situations. Krav Maga has some good concepts of where to strike someone and I would learn the vital spots because in a street fight it may come to that. Krav Maga I believe has some strikes that are meant to take out their eyes.... Not a whole lot of people can fight if they cannot see you... See Bravo's Article on carrying a flashlight

[vigilante]

Lil G,

Out of what you list I would say krav is the most practical and you will be able to use it soon. Im unfamiliar with the others.

My dad did some Krav Maga with a private instructor before he went to Russia and the guy made some situations realistic and did some live sparring and had a way to practice strikes to the throat and such.

Stay away from anything that dosen't have live sparring. Doing kata's and moves against the air will get you killed/beat up.

100% agree here you need to have the full awareness of what it is like to get a punch thrown at you or grabbed by your shirt.

My suggestions
Boxing,BJJ,wrestling,thaiboxing,kickboxing,MMA,pancration also just being in shape will make you more able to defend yourself. Crossfit,kettlebells,powerlifting etc...

Good list and great advice... Being in shape will make a big difference. Whatever you decide to get into I just highly recommend you stick with it.