The most effective fighting style. The Best Martial Arts Styles for Self Defense. Why Muay Thai is one of the best martial arts
Among the huge variety of martial arts, several types stand out, which are rightfully considered one of the most dangerous. This post will introduce you to such martial arts.
Jeet Kune Do
The combat system developed by Bruce Lee is a complex hybrid of techniques united by one goal - to inflict maximum damage on the enemy as quickly as possible. This was Bruce Lee's streetwise response to all the tinsel that he felt adorned the ancient martial arts of China.
Bokator
In Southeast Asia, men studied combat techniques in animals - there are a great many of them there. It is not surprising that fighting styles copy the manners of animals and birds - there are techniques of snake, horse, eagle and others. However, the deadliest is “lion fighting”, or “bokator”. The technique is intended primarily for brutal battles - elbows, knees, throws and other techniques aimed at neutralizing the enemy as quickly as possible.
Aikido
Aikido technique is the ancient teachings of the East accumulated together. Aikido is based on the science of Qi - the control of earthly and human energies in their endless harmonious whirlpool of Yin and Yang. Merging with the opponent's attack, redirecting energy and painful holds, which can be carried out even by an opponent who is inferior to another in weight - all this makes aikido a dangerous weapon in the hands of a professional. Fortunately, aikido adherents rarely give vent to anger or aggression - they simply do not arise due to spiritual enlightenment.
Capoeira
Although today capoeira is more of a dance, in the past the art was a major street weapon in Brazilian ghettos. Initially, capoeira arose as a method of fighting fugitive slaves against human hunters - they managed to develop the technique to such heights that it became a truly deadly weapon and was prohibited by law. However, disguised as a dance, the deadly martial arts lives to this day.
Kajukenbo
Karate and ki Thai boxing- two components from which art was born in Hawaii in the 1940s, intended for war on the streets. Local residents used it to defend themselves against street gangs and rowdy sailors.
Sambo
Self-defense without weapons - a complex system, combining striking and wrestling techniques. Martial art appeared in the Red Army in the 1920s as a universal and simple technique battle. In sambo, all types of punches, kicks, elbows, knees, choking techniques and throws are allowed.
Bojuka
As in other non-combat sports, this hybrid fighting technique does not focus on sporting interest, but is aimed at defeating the opponent as quickly as possible. Created in the 1990s by Tom Schenk and used to train bodyguards.
GRU special forces system
The equipment is taught to military personnel undergoing training in special forces units. Experts say that this art has no analogues in the world - only Israeli Krav Maga approaches the System in efficiency and speed.
Jujutsu
Extremely tough and effective fighting jiu-jitsu today exists as a sports discipline, but the art began primarily with street fights, in which all means were used.
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is sometimes called the "Art of Eight Limbs" - this says a lot about the technique, which uses elbows and knees. It is not surprising that Muay Thai is deservedly considered one of the most merciless martial arts in the world.
The list below consists of the ten best martial arts for self-defense. If you are interested in choosing a martial arts for the most effective defense, then you should definitely read this rating to the end.
Kickboxing is a combat sport that originated in the United States in the 1960s. Based on punches and kicks along with techniques martial arts(sweeps, throws, etc.). It has quite a few branches, the most famous of which is Muay Thai - roughly translated as “the art of eight limbs.”
Karate is a Japanese martial art that uses precisely targeted, powerful punches and kicks delivered to vital points of the body to crush an opponent. This sport was invented in 1929 by Funakoshi Gichin, influenced by the ideas of Zen Buddhism. In Karate, special emphasis is placed on dodging.
In eighth place in the ranking of the best martial arts for self-defense is Aikido, a Japanese martial art whose peculiarity is the use of throws and grabs. It was founded by Morihei Ueshiba between the 30s and 60s of the 20th century. Aikido focuses on using the opponent's strength against himself. It is considered one of the most difficult Japanese martial arts to master.
Wing Chun is a Chinese martial art that uses a variety of fighting techniques. It is for this reason that Wushu is considered an applied direction. Characterized by effective departures from the line of attack, complemented by instant, straightforward strikes at a very close range. Often the fight ends with knees and elbows. An experienced fighter who masters the Wing Chun style is capable of inflicting up to eight blows per second on the enemy.
Jiu-Jitsu is the most versatile style on this list. This is a real hybrid, including elements of wrestling, hard strikes, choking techniques, locks, etc. Jiu-jitsu is one of the oldest types Japanese wrestling. The main principle of jiu-jitsu is not to engage in direct confrontation, but to yield to the onslaught of an opponent, directing his actions in the right direction until he is trapped, and then turning the enemy’s strength and actions against him.
Jeet Kune Do was created by Bruce Lee and translated from Chinese means “the way of the leading fist.” Today, this style of martial arts is considered one of the most popular in the world. It is taught in many countries. However, Bruce Lee himself did not call Jeet Kune Do a “style”, but preferred to call it a “method”. According to his philosophy, the Jeet Kune Do method can be used in any form of martial arts. Here the emphasis is on punch speed and combinations.
Boxing ranks fourth on the list of the best martial arts for self-defense. I think almost everyone knows that a boxer has the fastest, strongest and most accurate punch of any trained fighter in any other martial art.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a martial art that is an international combat sport, the basis of which is ground fighting, as well as painful and choking techniques. This art is based on the principle that a person with an underdeveloped physique can successfully defend himself and defeat a more powerful opponent using the appropriate technique ( painful techniques and strangulation).
Keysi Fighting Method (KFM) is a self-defense system based on the development of natural human instincts and a number of techniques taken from the arsenal of boxing and street fighting. KFM is based on a small arsenal of techniques adapted to a specific situation. The system was created in 1957 by the Spaniard Justo Dieguez and the Englishman Andy Norman, both of whom are Jeet Kune Do instructors.
The best martial art for self-defense is Krav Maga, an Israeli martial art developed by Imi Lichtenfeld for self-defense purposes. There are no exact rules in Krav Maga and there is no difference between training for men and women. The system is not considered a sport, it does not have a special uniform and competitions, although some organizations, as training progresses, award various levels and emblems. All techniques focus on maximum effectiveness in real conditions, as well as natural reflexes, simple movements and aggressive protective techniques. The main principles of Krav Maga are: do not take damage, quickly disable the attacker, quickly move from defensive to offensive techniques, use body reflexes, and vulnerabilities enemy, use any available item.
Many people wonder which martial art is best to take up in order to feel confident in a conflict situation on the street. It was this question that prompted me to write this short article to help beginner martial artists.
In this article I will not say anything about street hand-to-hand combat or about applied martial arts in general. We will talk exclusively about those martial arts that I consider the most effective for street fighting today and of which I am a fan.
I would like to immediately make a small disclaimer: martial arts, which have applied value, are inevitably associated with hardships and hardships training process. When you come to class, you will definitely get hit on the head, it will most likely be painful and hard for you, but the knowledge and experience that you will gain will be one hundred percent real. Once you start practicing one of the martial arts listed in this article, you are guaranteed to learn at least something; all that remains is to choose the optimal direction just for you.
I’ll start by announcing a truth that absolutely all people who are interested in martial arts know: if you have never done anything before and are starting from scratch, then BOXING is an ideal option for street self-defense. The thing is that boxing is a super-universal sport. Once you have a good foundation in boxing, further growth in the world of martial arts will not present any problems for you.
One of the main advantages of boxing, compared to other types of martial arts, is the relative simplicity and incredible effectiveness of the technical arsenal practiced. That is why, if you do not have a lot of time and you are faced with the task of learning to fight as quickly as possible, boxing, due to its hyperspecialization, provides the best ratio of the time spent and the knowledge and technical skills acquired during this time. Among other things, the methodology for training boxers in our country has been worked out quite well, so when you come to almost any gym you will receive high-quality training services.
However, this direction also has disadvantages, which are the reverse side and continuation of its advantages: due to a rather narrow technical arsenal, the boxer remains vulnerable to a huge range of techniques used in hand-to-hand combat, such as throws, kicks, elbows, knees, wrestling technique, close combat technique, etc…. However, this is not a reason to worry: in my experience, about eighty percent of the techniques used in street fights are hand-to-hand techniques. middle distance. It’s rare that the average fight’s arsenal exceeds a few crooked punches and a couple of simple kicks. By learning to defend yourself from basic kicks and counterattack with a standard boxing combination, you will protect yourself for the rest of your life.
In order to confidently master the boxing technique, you only need to spend about 3 years studying it, after which you will not have problems communicating with people with a reduced level of culture.
Second in order, but not in importance, in my personal ranking of the most effective martial arts for a street fight is Thai boxing, or as it is also called, Muay Thai. The advantages of this martial art are that the technical arsenal used is as close as possible to that in a street fight. Strikes are delivered with all parts of the body (except the head), work is carried out both at medium and long distances, and in the clinch.
The Thai clinch is a strong thing. It is a set of simple twists, cuts and throws, which, in organic combination with percussion technique Muay Thai, become incredible effective weapon and a way to create a lot of problems even for experienced mixed martial artists! In my deepest conviction, this is the technical arsenal closest to real, applied hand-to-hand combat, and this is exactly what the application of wrestling elements should look like in practice, in real life. In my opinion, the amplitude throws and takedowns that are popular in wrestling circles are not suitable for street fighting.
Despite the significant role of the ground game in competitions mixed martial arts, it is extremely undesirable to take the fight to the ground in a street fight. And if you do find yourself on the ground, which is quite likely, your main task is to get back to your feet as quickly as possible. Don’t even think about messing with anyone, otherwise you may not be able to get out of an extreme situation alive and well, since the rules governing your safe stay on earth are sports competitions, do not work on the street.
However, in order to sufficiently master the technical arsenal of Muay Thai, you need to spend significantly more time than if you took up English boxing. The combination of striking techniques of the arms and legs requires greater coordination and motor aptitude, which is why the required frequency of visits gym to obtain reliable self-defense skills will be higher than that of boxing.
For those who don’t want to bother and spend a lot of time on martial arts, this option is not ideal. However, if you feel enthusiastic, have a craving for martial arts and have enough time to attend training regularly, then Thai boxing is your choice.
And finally, if you want to take martial arts seriously and get the maximum practical value from your training, then I would strongly recommend that you go for combat sambo. Combat Sambo is the most comprehensive combat system of all the ones I know. It has absorbed all the best and has shown itself to be extremely effective not only within our country, but also in the international arena. It is an open, flexible system hand-to-hand combat, which continuously evolves and improves, cultivating in itself everything possible techniques martial arts and conducting competitions according to the most free rules.
The technical arsenal of Sambo is inexhaustible. It is impossible to master it fully. It includes both fighting techniques and percussion technique arms and legs, techniques of painful and choking techniques, a special section for special services, a section for working with weapons, techniques for total combat, detention, escort, etc.…. In general, if we briefly summarize all of the above, sambo is an encyclopedia of the best knowledge available to a person in the field of sports and applied martial arts today. If you decide to take up combat sambo, then be patient, because you simply will not conquer this peak.
By practicing sambo, you will not gain highly specialized skills, as you would in boxing, but a fairly wide range of knowledge, which you will be able to apply in a wide range of situations.
However, if we are talking about the self-defense option and you are interested in solving applied problems on the street, winning fights, then the combat sambo arsenal will be redundant and not optimal for you, since it contains many techniques specialized for the conditions of conducting a competitive fight that are not Desirable for use in a real fight. What you can do painlessly on the carpet, in good lighting, after warming up and stretching, is guaranteed to cause you a lot of trouble when trying to do the same thing on the street, where the surface is most often uneven and hard, and there is not much space to perform the technique. , the enemy may not be alone or armed, and temperature changes and “cold” muscles are guaranteed to lead to injury when trying to show off a “beautiful” technique. Well, this is not the fault of Sambo as a system: the point is, as I have already said, that the selection of the most effective and efficient technical actions in any combat sport is based on the conditions and rules of the fight. With the same success, a sambo fighter will experience difficulties entering the cage at a mixed martial arts competition, where he does not have his usual wrestling jacket, which makes it difficult to perform many techniques. But it’s worth making a reservation: eighty percent of the technical arsenal practiced in combat sambo, suitable for universal use in any street situation.
In addition, if you do not have sufficient time resources to deeply immerse yourself in this martial art and thoroughly master it, it is better to take a closer look at one of the options listed above.
Therefore, to summarize, it is necessary to outline the main features of the above styles of hand-to-hand combat: take up boxing if you are short on time and want to learn how to fight..., if you have more time (about 3 free evenings a week), choose Muay Thai, but if you are a fan martial arts and are going to get carried away with it seriously and for a long time, then combat sambo is your choice!
The truth, in my opinion, always lies somewhere in the middle. Speaking of solving applied issues (winning on the street), I personally would lean towards training in Thai boxing (Muay Thai). In my opinion, training in hand-to-hand combat is a rather labor-intensive and complex activity that requires regularity and consistency. By practicing Muay Thai a little more often, you will gain incomparably more experience and master a much more diverse technical arsenal than in English boxing, and at the same time not redundant, as in combat sambo. That is why in my personal ranking of the most effective martial arts for a street fight, Thai boxing takes first place!
Let's start with the fact that the most best school- the one that suits you personally, your physical fitness and seeing yourself in martial arts. You can succeed in any of them if you have the desire - but to master the heights of sumo, an asthenic person, for example, will have to spend more time. In the end, martial arts are the same training, only with striking or throwing techniques.
Different types of martial arts develop different qualities and even muscle groups. Some of them teach you to use the opponent’s energy, others are aimed at practicing powerful punches, others - with legs, and others will build up endurance or develop jumping ability.
In some ways, martial arts are reminiscent of yoga: in them you can find your spiritual path, or you can take only the technique and learn to stand up for yourself. Below is a description of the most popular types martial arts, which will help you decide on the choice of school.
Jujutsu
This martial arts is suitable for those who want to learn self-defense techniques. Jiu-jitsu emphasizes the fighter’s skills on the ability to defend himself, free himself from holds, and use tactics not of attack, but of using the enemy’s strength to his advantage.
Kicks and punches are present, but the technique does not descend into hand-to-hand combat. The main thing here is the effective use of energy (your own and others), which allows you to defeat a larger and stronger opponent. Jiu-jitsu is not an aggressive type; this martial art improves dexterity and dexterity.
Taekwondo
This Korean martial art is so popular that in 1988 it was included in the program Olympic Games. Translation of the name into Russian: “the path of the hand and foot,” which clearly hints at the upcoming mastery of the art of striking with all limbs. Taekwondo combines both offensive combat and self-defense techniques; moreover, it is an exercise, an official sport, meditative techniques and an entire Eastern philosophy.
In the modern state of taekwondo, the emphasis is on defense and control. The emphasis is placed on kicks from a standing position, since legs can reach further and cause more damage than hands. Martial arts techniques include various sweeps, painful holds, open palm strikes and grabs.
Aikido
One of the youngest martial arts in Japan. Just like many martial arts of the Land of the Rising Sun, Aikido includes physical and spiritual practices. It is also effective in developing strength, agility, and the ability to stand up for oneself - regardless of physical characteristics. Aikido is an art of defense for everyone, because there are no restrictions on age or physical development.
Aikido techniques mostly involve using an opponent's attack, controlling his energy, strength and movement, which ends with throws or grabs. The name itself reflects this: “aiki” means “connection with power”, “do” means the path.
Wushu
A very spectacular full contact sport. This Chinese martial art has a lot of strength, acrobatics, jumping, balancing, beautiful poses and strikes (like in the movies). Another name is kung fu, since the term “wushu” itself refers to all traditional Chinese martial arts.
There are hundreds of subtypes of wushu, in some places there is more acrobatics and “stagecraft”, in others there are powerful strikes and techniques, sweeps and “twirls”. The main thing you need to know before choosing this martial art is that wushu develops strength well, and the fighting styles taught in Russian kung fu schools are reminiscent of Thai boxing.
Judo
Translated from Japanese - “soft (flexible) path.” Judo is based on throws, painful holds, and choking. Movements should be economical physical strength, there is less waste of energy, but more improvement of the spirit, more self-defense, more sports training. More than 20 million people practice judo around the world because it is a good educational character and teaches harmony of soul and body.
Unlike boxing, karate and other striking styles, judo explores hand-to-hand combat techniques only for throwing and grappling. This martial art formed the basis of other modern martial arts: the creators of aikido, sambo, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practiced it.
Despite the sports orientation and adherence to the rules of the competition, no one would want to meet a judoka in an extreme situation. These are always prepared people who will repel any villain in a dark alley.
Sambo
Sambo is a system of self-defense without weapons, which was developed in the USSR. The martial arts are based on judo, Armenian koch, Tatar kuresh and many other martial arts.
Practical sambo is based on a set of effective defense and attack techniques that have already been practiced over centuries of donor martial arts. It is noteworthy that sambo is constantly developing, incorporating new techniques and techniques into its arsenal. The philosophy of martial arts resembles the principles of the GTO: physical development, readiness for self-defense, detaining the enemy, instilling moral fortitude.
Karate
Or karate-do, translated from Japanese as “empty sleeve.” From 2020, martial arts will become Olympic form sport, although initially it was a hand-to-hand style for self-defense.
Nowadays karate is incredibly popular, in part due to spectacular demonstrations. Masters at demonstration performances show the strength and power of practiced blows, breaking thick boards with a palm strike or splitting blocks of ice.
Unlike many Japanese martial arts, karatekas do not use holds, painful and choking techniques. But they know how to hit the opponent in vital points of the body with precise and powerful blows. Crushing and biting urakens, spectacular and swift ura-mawashi-geri... Perhaps you cannot find a more Japanese style.
Boxing
Boxing is a classic that there is no point in talking about in detail. It is only worth mentioning that this sport produces fighters who REALLY know how to work with their hands, and it is difficult to compete with them in a street fight. By the way, everyone remembers the star’s fight UFC Conor McGregor with professional boxer Mayweather? Same thing.
If you want to sign up for a boxing class, you should know about some nuances. Firstly, it is difficult for a boxer to cope with an armed opponent, and secondly, with kicks. The third point is that in an extreme situation you will not have gloves, a referee, ropes or a girl with a sign. On the other hand, dodging punches and knocking out is in the blood of boxers, so attack and defense are balanced here.
Thai boxing
Muay Thai is a martial art in Thailand; it is very popular all over the world and competes with karate, judo and sambo. Perhaps this is the art of combat that is closest to a real fight. The rules are tough here, but the blows are the same. Here there is full contact, striking techniques with hands and feet, and the targets are the most vulnerable places on the body.
Grappling and throwing are also important, especially chokes. If you master this martial arts, you will be able to confidently walk through the most dangerous areas of the city (but it’s better not to anyway), because the training will be harsh. The Thais are preparing real fighters without rules who can withstand any opponent.
You may find it difficult to balance training and public speaking at work, as you will sometimes have bruises on your face and grab marks on your neck.
Kickboxing
Another type of martial arts that prepares you for real fights. Kickboxing was formed by karate masters who did not want to obey sports rules martial arts The new style incorporates kicking techniques from several eastern directions and fist technique boxing
Kickboxing is popular in culture because it is spectacular, dynamic and somewhat “bloody” - full contact leaves cuts and bruises, so athletes usually use a mouthguard, a helmet (to protect the head from kicks) and a groin (for girls - a cuirass).
Kickboxers are similar to CrossFitters in that they build strength, endurance, coordination, speed and flexibility.
Professional boxers, Muay Thai, judokas, sambo wrestlers are always dangerous opponents. Choose the martial arts you like, but don’t forget: best fight- the one that did not take place. In this sense, running can also be called a martial arts for real pacifists.
Well? Which of these directions did you like? Maybe it's time to go for a trial training session? Book a lesson with our free mobile application Sport Priority is near your home or work in your city, plan your training schedule and learn useful facts and stories from the world of sports in your free time.
The idea that with the help of a secret and deadly martial art you can kill a person with your bare hands or has always warmed the hearts of nerds around the world. And, of course, the idea of fighting like Jackie Chan, breaking boards with his bare hands. The debate about how realistic or unrealistic it is to kill everyone with your bare hands runs like a red thread through all holivars in many forums. We are writing this only to tell you something interesting.
1. Sambo. Country of origin: Russia
An interesting observation: the more often a country has to defend itself and attack various neighbors, the more often it all results in an interesting martial art. Russia is just such a country. After the revolution, all the numerous experiences of fighting with bare hands were combined into “Self-defense without weapons” or sambo. Both government agents and ordinary soldiers were trained in this type of fighting.
And here is sambo in action.
2. Muay Thai. Country of origin: Thailand
Thailand's borders were also often violated, so it is not surprising that they developed their own martial art. Another name for Muay Thai is eight-limb fighting, or Thai boxing. What are these extra limbs? Elbows and knees, of course! Wrestlers use them like clubs, expertly beating their opponents with them. The power of the blow in this type of martial arts is simply amazing. One smart person once said that Muay Thai is “Kill the bull with one blow.” And he was damn right.
As is always the case with good things, there are many legends associated with Muay Thai. the most famous and partially true one dates back to 1774, when the Kingdom of Burma captured Thailand, which was then Siam. Against the great Muay Thai master Nai Khanom Tom, who was captured, the king of Burma, for the sake of general jubilation, put up a great master of the Burmese martial art, called lethwei. They say that dude lasted 10 seconds against Tom and was brutally killed. But the judge decided that Tom was cheating by distracting his opponent. Being a true gentleman, the Muay Thai master agreed to nine(!) battles that he won with amazing ease and cruelty. The King of Burma was amazed at Tom's skill and offered him, along with the freedom to choose, two rewards: two very beautiful girls and a bag of money. Tom refused the money (happiness is not in it), but he took the women. And he rode off into the sunset with them on a horse.
3. MCMAP - Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. Country of Origin: USA
Martial art for Marine Corps USA was invented in the eighties. Its special feature was the ability to use a pistol, a bayonet-knife, or a rifle with a bayonet as an improvised weapon for close combat. Most often, the program is used to neutralize an enemy by breaking a couple of bones, immobilize him with hellish pain, but you can also kill him with it.
4. Silat. Country of Origin: Malaysia
Malaysia also suffered a lot at one time. Pirates, Portuguese, British, and even the Japanese - all these dudes tried to screw over the Malays. But they didn’t whine and invented silat.
Many martial arts were invented to improve the body and spirit, to find oneself and to complete one's spiritual quest. So, silat does not apply to them. The first masters of this martial art used it to beat the enemy to the point of inability to stand with lightning attacks in 10 seconds, and then finish the half-dead man with something heavy. Silat masters encourage various sneaky attacks and tricks.
The most brutal and vile methods of fighting are still taught in the jungles of Malaysia. Rumor has it that such masters, aged 7-10 years, once beat an adult half to death. Dudes who were taught silat spent years in dark caves in which they could not see anything beyond their noses. If the Shaolin monks learn restraint, the madmen of Silat learn from a young age to tear flesh like animals.
By the way, silat masters actively use a kris - a wavy dagger that rips pieces of meat out of the victim. Often a deadly poison is literally melted into the kris, which is very easy to kill a person - just a scratch is enough.
5. Excrima. Country of Origin: Philippines
Excrima is an ancient Philippine art that involves beating opponents with wooden sticks at stunning speeds. Until 1521, Filipinos practiced extreme martial arts on each other, but then Magellan arrived, and foreigners experienced the hard way of what Filipino martial art means.
Excrima became the main protection of the peasants who grew rice. The most famous victim of this art was Ferdinand Magellan, who was beaten to death with sticks. For 450 years, excrima was banned and survived only because it was disguised as a dance.
