realsmoothie said:
I'm interested in some kind of confidence-building self-defense. I'm wondering what kind of style fits me.
The thing is, I am 5'11" and 145 lbs. Not very strong, but have just recently started going to the gym. Is there a style that might be more appropriate than others?
I am initially attracted to jujitsu because it is more defensive and based on getting your opponent to submit. I like that Buddhist pacifist crap
I was also wondering about simple boxing... I'm also feeling it might be good to punch the crap out of something (agressions OUT) and learn how to take a punch.
Someone fill me in.
Yes, try to find a "credited" Jeet Kune Do school. Our Sifu learned from Kevin Seamen. He learned it from Dan Inosanto, who learned directly under Bruce Lee. Make sure it's JKD concepts, you'll gain more.
While I agree that Muay Thai and BJJ are good, you can learn the same and more with JKD. I also agree with what someone said in here... Grappling isn't enough. As a sport yes, as self defense no. One simple reason, as badly as you're going to hurt or disable your opponent, the second you take him to the ground his friends are going to beat the **** out of you. I don't care who you are, if you get kicked in the ribs or in the face, you're done.
But back to JKD. You learn under the basic guidelines, but you're free to change them as you see fit. If it doesn't work, don't use it. With traditional karate, you're taught "animal" forms to fight off an attack. Have you ever been in a real street fight? Neither have I. But I know that they're over pretty quick if you A) Know what you're doing or B) Don't know what you're doing.
This is why you see a lot "karate" guys get their ass handed to them in a street fight vs a guy who knows how to bob and weave, and follow through with some good punches. The other stuff is too restrictive of the mind. Good in tournaments where you're facing someone of equal experience. But in the real world, you have no idea of what the other guy is capable of.
I another post I stated that my school incorporates Kung Fu, Boxing, Muay Thai, Ju-Jitsu, Aikido, Filipino Kali (weapons), Wrestling, and Judo. People are quick to discredit JKD, and they're main statement is "If it's so great, why isn't it in UFC." Well UFC is a tournament, not a walk home where someone trys to mug you. At the seminars, we see a lot of SWAT instructors, military, and police officers. They're there for JKD/Krav Maga. The truth is you can be as brutal or as forgiving as you want, but they put a strong emphasis that there is no "fair fight" when you're in danger. Deception will play a huge part in your favor. I'm a small guy, 5'10" about 140 lbs. I'm not jacked, but fit. People would look at me and think weakling. I think to myself "Make a mistake with me, I dare ya."
For instance, the trapping aspect of Kung Fu. You basically look for holes in his defense and exploit them. Find the hole, and land your attack. Not many people put their hands and arms up in the guard position expecting one to be disabled while he gets clobbered with a backfist, hook, jab, elbow, whatever.
See where deception plays into your favor? It's really a leathal shock and awe. Or how if a guy grabs your shirt, like he's holding you in place so he can land a ghetto hook. When he does that, you can pop him easily, or break out the Aikido and introduce him to a wrist lock. Trust me, he'll let go faster than you applied it.
I know this may sound harsh. But you have to be willing to really hurt people. I don't mean going out and looking for it. But if you do find your self in a situation one day, you have to think "ok is this guy going to get up and pull a gun on me?" If he attacks you, you have every right to ensure your safety. Better safe than sorry.
Make no mistake about JKD. It's not ment to be fancy, or something to show off to your friends (well some aspects are ok.) It's deceptive, it's quick, it's brutal, and it will provide you with self defense in all aspects. There are no belts, uniforms, or tournaments. Although they do train with contact. Best of all, it's very easy to learn and beginner friendly. After my first week I felt that I learned more than I did studying Kenpo for 3 years.
