How to choose a self defense class?
Hi guys, so for a while now I've had a growing interest to learn self defense. The thing is.....which one do I choose? Kung-fu, Karate, Tae Kwon Do or just self defense classes?
If it helps at all, I'm 16, female, average height and weight. I'm not really flexible but I am quite agile lol.
Thanks x
Comments
Since your interest is mainly self-defense then you should shop the instructor and really concern yourself with those aspects of any school and the approach the instructor takes. Styles of martial arts are one thing but sometimes they and the promotion aspect together with generating money dominates all other things including self-defense for its students.
A good self-defense program should teach and stress awareness and avoidance techniques like pausing before walking out the door of the mall and surveying the area around your vehicle and the path you will be walking to it. Not parking next to something like a van or large truck that shields you and what happens to you from the view of others. What to do when someone stops and asks you for directions or the time and a whole host of other things that really form your first line of defense against becoming a victim.
Along with this it should also teach you ways to strike to the facial area for maximum effectiveness and for striking, kneeing, and kicking to the groin. It should also teach you how to dislodge someone that is on top of you even though they are as much as twice your weight as well as the weakest part of a person's hand and grip and ways to break their grip.
While karate will tend to teach more of these aspects it really comes down to the instructor and their background and experience. There are some karate instructors whose students can't fight their way out of a wet paper bag hardly much less deal with a street thug on any level and/or how to best maybe even avoid that to begin with.
I also have seen some pretty poor self-defense classes-one was even taught by an officer who was expounding on the value of leg kicks and how you could break someones leg with one. You can kick on my legs and it won't phase me a lot or most other men unless you have a pretty wicked or strong one and that comes from training in something like Muay Thai for years; not from a self-defense class for a few weeks.
So take your time-shop the instructor and program carefully. Talk to some of the female students and see if they feel confident in what they are learning and if it holds good value also and ask them for examples of what they mean by that.
Other aspects that should be also covered in any good self-defense program are the use of mace or pepper spray, stun guns and tazers as well as personal alarms and whistles. The presence of training concerning those aspects has indicated to me in the past that a program is generally more thorough in its approach and carries a higher standard for its students which is really what you want I think.
Check with your local community center or Parks & Rec office (even a YMCA or local college). They often have self-defense courses (a lot of times for free or cheap) and they won't require you to do Bruce Lee noises. They'll teach you basic things like how to wiggle out of a headlock and whatnot, probably teach you a few punching and kicking moves too. And if you're worried about somebody attacking you, carry some mace. Just a word of advice though... mace has an expiration date, so make sure you have a fresh can, otherwise the pepper mixture will just dribble out and not do any good, haha.
When you decide to begin training in martial art you have some questions you have to answer for yourself. Are you looking for a sport to play, an art to dedicate a lifetime to, or a quick fix method of self defence? Some combination of that perhaps? Most of us are, or were all three at times. Where do your priorities lie? You must first decide martial art , or fighting sport. The two are worlds apart, although they overlap in several areas, their mindset, and intent are opposite. You have to know also what is available to you. If you have Uechi-Ryu, and Bak Mei in your area, wanting to do TKD would not help you. Of the available options you must decide which one(s) interest you. Then you have to decide (take your time, it's important) which available instruction is the one for you. You can change or quit if you don't like it, but better to stay with the program right through (providing the program is a good one) for the best training. Style-hopping has in my experience cost many a martial artist their potential, so choose wisely, nobody here can tell you what to do for you. So do your homework well. Talk to instructors and students, watch classes, take 'free introductory' classes, make your decision. One more thing, good luck
I agree with QM. The problem with self defense classes are:
1. They are usually for a set amount of time, not ongoing. Therefore, you learn something but don't repeat it for an indefinite amount of time so you forget it. By not getting a chance to repeat what you have learned, week after week, month after month, you don't commit it to memory and have more of a chance of "freezing".
2. You often learn techniques in a vacuum. So you learn technique A, then B, but you never really put them together to learn a multiple movement combination.
3. You learn, do this, then do this. But usually don't have a number of variables. What if something hinders you from doing A, then B, then C. You're lost, don't know what to do and freeze.
Martial arts would be a better option. There is no best martial art.
Visit the schools in your area to get a sense of the teachers and teaching methods. Then study the styles available in your area, learning about their principles and training methods. Remember that some schools are geared towards tournaments and some towards practical self defense. They are pretty clearly divided in that way. Do you want to win tournaments or do you want to be able to defend yourself?
Also some styles are based on principles also applicable to health and to living with other people in a harmonious way. Others are just about fighting. What are you interested in?
If a school emphasizes getting belts (or shashes), it is probably not a serious school. If it promises to teach you "the best of all styles" it is probably not a serious school. Sometimes an individual teaching in his own house may be a better teacher than a storefront school.
Examine the style, the school, the teacher and the attitude of the teacher. I'm sure you will find one you know is right for you.
I don't suggest choosing self defense classes.
I'd suggest training some martial art. Karate would be a good start.
But any Martial art would work well. As long as the Dojo is not a joke or "McDojo".
I am not saying it doesn't matter which martial art you choose, I'm saying there is no better martial art. There are Dojo that there better than some other, though.
Martial arts bring wonderful things into your life so I think you should go for it!!!
If you're interested in self defense, then choose a self-defense class, not karate or Tae Kwon Do or another traditional martial art. Self defense is different. Sure, some moves from traditional martial arts can help you, but you'll also spend a lot of time on things that--while important for that martial art--are worthless in self-defense.
Let's be blunt. A good self-defense class is going to teach you how to kick a guy in the groin. It'll teach you how to injure his eyes. It'll teach you some effective, dirty techniques that aren't allowed in martial arts. It'll teach you how to use items like umbrellas as weapons. It may teach you things like heel hooks--that aren't allowed at all in BJJ and only at upper levels in grappling.
Bottom line: For self defense, choose a pure self defense class.
Now, how do you choose one? Look for an instructor who teaches self defense classes, not one who thinks that because he knows a martial art, he can teach self defense. There are self defense classes just for women, and that might be your best choice. Check with your local police department and ask if they know of any self-defense courses. (Lots of police officers are trained in special self-defense techniques. Those programs often are taught by martial artists who know what they're doing, and who usually have a military or law enforcement background.)
Hope that helps.
I recommend a specialized and professional class. Such as the ones taught by Rory Miller, Tim Larkin, or Peynton Quinn/Tony Blauer.
I am training in wing chun for one and a half year it teaches you really good stand up fight and little ground fight,it good in street for self defense, its easy to learn,go what you think is best for you.
BJJ is all about a weaker person being able to beat a stronger opponent, you should start there. Not a bad idea to carry some pepper spray either: www.fendwise.com