Today, self defense is a very popular discipline among the French public. However, it turns out that very few people really know this practice. The common objective is clear: to learn how to defend oneself. However, not all instructors teach the same disciplines. It can be quite difficult to choose between boxing, Mae Thaï, Krav Maga, Pencak Silat, and many other disciplines. So, what does each of these disciplines promise, exactly?
Some athletes claim that combat sports and self defense are two very distinct entities. Everyone has their own opinion on the subject. Who is right, who is wrong? How to make the difference and how to choose the self defense sport that suits you best? Here is my answer!
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Reminder: what is self defense?
To put it simply, self defense is a teaching that allows anyone who wants to, regardless of their age, to learn how to defend themselves to react to an aggression. In other words, in the long run, the practitioner will be able to react to all potential situations, whether the aggressor has a weapon or not. The objective is to develop reflexes so that in case of physical aggression, you will be able to defend yourself against your aggressors, always respecting others and within the limits of legitimate defense.
Thus, depending on the discipline chosen, the combat techniques will not be the same and the weapons to defend yourself will also vary. For instance, Kravmaga uses only everyday objects, while Kali Eskrima (a traditional Filipino martial art) includes mainly sticks or knives.
But most importantly, self defense is a generic term that refers to a practice that encompasses different methodologies with a single intention: to protect your loved ones and yourself. Simply, some self defense disciplines are better known than others, which may explain the confusion.
Which self defense sport is the most efficient?
All combat sport practitioners will praise the merits of the one they discipline. You’ve probably heard that boxing or MMA is more powerful and effective, but that’s not the point. The real question is: which discipline is more useful in dealing with armed attackers?
Unfortunately, combat sports are synonymous with rules. Actually, in the street, there are no rules. No referee will be there to stop the fight if it gets out of hand. Someone who practices boxing in competition will fight according to the imposed rigor, with a proper equipment (mouth guards, boxing gloves and special shoes, etc.) time limits and on a ring. Well, it goes without saying that a violent assault has nothing to do with the safety you find in the gym or in the dojo.
Indeed, fighting with bare hands, without protection, in everyday clothes and on a sidewalk has nothing to do with what happens in a training session.
Which are the different self defense sports?
Even if you are prepared, you should know that poor stress management can cause you to lose up to 60% of your physical and mental capacities. Being a black belt in karate or a world champion in boxing does not mean that you will be able to defend yourself in a real situation, because you will instantly forget everything you have learned during your group training. self defense sports are actually a mix of several martial arts and combat sports.
To name a few, here is an overview of the main self defense sports practiced in France:
- Krav Maga, Israeli self defense method practiced by many armies in the world. It combines various techniques that can be found in sports such as boxing, judo, Muay Thai or Ju-jitsu.
- Some styles of Pencak Silat (considering that there are several hundreds of styles in the world), mainly western variants focused on self defense like Charles Joussot’s Pencak FISFO, or Franck Ropers Academy’s Pencak Silat.
- Systema, is of Russian origin, notably used by the Spetsnaz, an elite corps of the Russian army.
- Specific self defense methods, which evolve outside the conventional framework but which are based on one or more disciplines in particular, such as the Mastro defence System (which is inspired by Silat)
- Close combat, considering that there are several disciplines that claim to be close combat, such as street boxing for civilians, or TIOR and C4 for soldiers.
These disciplines are generally inspired by several martial arts and combat sports, removing all their “traditional” aspect (rituals of greeting, kata, technical perfection, etc.), as well as the “competition” aspect.
These martial arts or combat sports are diverse and varied, notably:
- Jiu-jitsu is an ancestral hybrid martial art that allows you to neutralize an opponent very quickly. This practice is less conventional since it uses arm locks, bites or even blows in the eyes of the attacker.
- Karate is very straightforward. This discipline does not hesitate to get into close combat with short and precise strikes in order to disrupt the attacker. You can also use your legs to hold a distance from the aggressor.
- Kickboxing aims at being very dynamic and at taking people by surprise. It is particularly effective in self defense, because it uses both fists, knees and legs. Moreover, you learn to deal with blows and to overcome the pain.
- Aikido consists of letting the attacker give the first blow in order to deliver a counterattack in the sensitive parts of the human body. By maintaining a defensive posture, this martial art offers the opportunity to be always out of reach.
- Boxing, of course! Make sure you limit your power when defending yourself, because regarding the law, your hands are considered as natural (and deadly) weapons. The principle is very well known so there is no need to say anything more, the idea is merely to hit the aggressor with your fists.
It should be noted that some martial arts integrate, by their very nature, a self defense approach. We can cite the following:
- Some methods of Karate aim at getting closer to the notion of self defense, such as Street Karate or Karate Defense Training
- Kajukenbo is a discipline that gathers 4 styles in 1: Karate, Judo, Kenpo and boxing.
- Hapkido is a Korean martial that is often confused with Aikido, which is Japanese and has a common ancestor, Daitoryu Aikijujutsu. Unlike Aikido, however, Hapkido is much more dynamic and the aim is not to “peacefully” neutralize the opponent but to minimize his threat by destroying him if necessary.
- Jeet Kune Do is a martial art that was founded by Bruce Lee and which is based on many disciplines that have evolved over time, after being developed and promoted by his own trainees.
Give them a try!
To make the right choice, the best you could do is to try all the disciplines that may interest you. Then you’ll be able to know which self defense sport suits you and which discipline will allow you to learn how to defend yourself in the street. It is an excellent way to gain self-confidence! If you want to learn at home, feel free to check out all my free videos, maybe it will help you decide!
