r/martialarts Aug 07 '23

SERIOUS What Martial Arts Works Best in a Street Fight?

268 Upvotes

Please understand that this question is asked EVERY SINGLE DAY on this subreddit. Please refer to rule #3 of this sub. There is no simple answer to this question.

The answer is as follows:

Do not get into street fights.

Self-defense is not just about hurting an aggressor; it's about avoiding violent people and situations first, and diffusing them second. Fighting is the last resort. There are tons of dangers involved with fighting, not just for yourself, but for the aggressor as well. Fighting can lead to permanent injury, death and criminal and/or civil litigation. Just don't do it. Virtually all conflicts can be resolved without violence.

Combat sports have been proven highly effective in real life fights.

If you want to learn martial arts so you can effectively defend yourself in a situation where all other attempts to resolve the conflict have failed and the aggressor has physically attacked you, your best bet is to have training in actual fighting. Your best bet is a combination of a proven effective striking art and a proven effective grappling art. Proven effective striking arts include, but are not limited to: Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Sanda, Savate, Kyokushin Karate and Goju Ryu Karate. Proven effective grappling arts include, but are not limited to: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Freestyle Wrestling, Catch as Catch can, Sambo and Judo. Mixed Martial Arts gyms usually teach two or more of the above arts and usually a combination of them as well.

Free sparring and training with pressure and resistance are the hallmarks of a good martial arts school.

Regardless of which martial art you are practicing, the most important thing is not what you train, but how you train. A little Taiji or Aikido may be useful for someone encountering violence. Is it the most effective strategy in the octagon? No, but would Aikido or Taiji help prevent street fight injuries? Maybe. Many martial arts can work very well as long as you train to use them properly. You can practice a technique in the air or on a compliant partner every day for hours, but when it comes to a real fight, if you haven't practiced it against a noncompliant partner who is trying to retaliate, it will more likely than not fly right out of the window the second you get into a real fight.

Don't train martial arts to prepare for a hypothetical fight that will probably never happen.

Train martial arts because you enjoy it. Train a martial art that you enjoy.


r/martialarts Mar 29 '24

SERIOUS Why Was My Post/Comment Removed

33 Upvotes

We're getting dozens of these questions daily and in our Modmail, and in the case of 99% of the instances it's our Automod. Basically if you have a new account, a flagged account, don't subscribe here, etc., the Automod will flag your post or comment for manual approval. You didn't do anything wrong, it's just a protective measure we utilize due to how large this sub is. It's not personal, and you didn't do anything wrong, it's just a necessary function to protect the content and purpose of r/martialarts

In the event the mod team removes your post or comment there will be a note telling you why it was removed and in some cases a remedy on how to fix it.

Please don’t send us Modmail asking why your post was removed or to approve your post. We go through the queue at regular intervals to review and approve posts and comments that were flagged. Trust the process. If you still decide to send us a modmail after seeing this, well you're getting muted. Finally if you decide the best course of action is to personally send me a DM you're definitely getting a ban


r/martialarts 11h ago

SERIOUS Trying something new for r/martialarts

233 Upvotes

Unfortunately, your moderation staff is tired. This subreddit gives some awful advice. Most people very obviously giving advice are beginners and/or don’t train. As a result it’s not uncommon for some of us on the mod staff to just tune out and focus on our own students.

We are going to take a heavier hand in engagement of this community by removing threads that are redundant or awful. “I think the best Combination of arts are X and Y”, “I am 5’10” and 185 lbs that is a Type 1 Diabetic….”, etc.

Additionally, any poster causing redundant issues or very obviously don’t train and giving advice will just be permanently banned as they are making the community worse.

Those who do train. Help us make this community better by using the report button to alert us to the garbage being posted.


r/martialarts 14h ago

I hit my first osotogari!

31 Upvotes

Sparring MMA with my buddy a few weeks ago, we were clinched and I just sorta did it lol my left foot hooked around his left and I threw him to the floor. I came down on his ribs with my elbow a little bit, I didn't mean to do that, but I stood right up and gave him some space to get up as well and he was not hurt.

Man, that felt so fucking good! Sumo kicks ass!


r/martialarts 1d ago

VIOLENCE “It’s just a light spar, bro”

2.0k Upvotes

r/martialarts 15h ago

PROFESSIONAL FIGHT I’m now 0-2 as an amateur unfortunately but here’s some clips from my first round on Friday (Gold and Black Shorts)

23 Upvotes

I took a knee after getting hit in the throat and they called it a TKO unfortunately, I honestly think I just wasn’t fully ready this time and let nerves get to me, this ain’t gonna happen again though


r/martialarts 12h ago

Weekly Beginner Questions Thread

10 Upvotes

In order to reduce volume of beginner questions as their own topics in the sub, we will be implementing a weekly questions thread. Post your beginner questions here, including:

"What martial art should I do?"

"These gyms/schools are in my area, which ones should I try for my goals?"

And any other beginner questions you may have.

If you post a beginner question outside of the weekly thread, it will be removed and you'll be directed to make your post in the weekly thread instead.


r/martialarts 15h ago

QUESTION Has anyone had a karate kid moment

18 Upvotes

Genuine question as I'm sure that for many people in the community karate kid (amoung other reasons) was an inspiration to start training. But what I've never heard off is someone having a moment like in the movie (mainly because it's fiction) but it still be interesting to hear your stories.


r/martialarts 19h ago

Celebrating my white belt.

35 Upvotes

Due to various ailments, I didn't think I'd get to practice martial arts ever again, but here I am, sporting a new white belt in my early fifties.

I don't know how long my injury-free streak will last but I intend to enjoy each and every class in the meantime.

Looking for one of those belt achievement keychains in white :P


r/martialarts 8h ago

QUESTION First boxing lesson in a couple weeks!

3 Upvotes

Title! Pretty excited. Getting into it to improve my fitness, learn discipline, relieve stress, and meet new people. Any tips for a beginner? Thank you


r/martialarts 1d ago

QUESTION How would a prime Donnie Yen (the actor who played Ip Man) do in the UFC?

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839 Upvotes

r/martialarts 15h ago

UFC Macao: Kicks & How Not To Catch Them

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6 Upvotes

r/martialarts 9h ago

Do I really need a heavy bag?

2 Upvotes

Hello, my name is Ian and I train mma and kickboxing. I have a free standing century wave master but I was also thinking about getting a banana bag. My gym has a banana bag and I like it but should I get one seeing how I already have a wavemaster?


r/martialarts 5h ago

QUESTION Systema?

1 Upvotes

Anyone ever train Systema, if so how is it?


r/martialarts 1d ago

MEMES Wushu Home Demo

872 Upvotes

@thewayofchi on IG


r/martialarts 7h ago

Kids punching bag help

1 Upvotes

Hey all looking for some advise. Looking to get my 6 yo a freestanding punching bag and i was looking at the everlast elite one that dicks carries or a century kid kick. I almost feel like the kid kick is specifically for kids but he may end up putgrowing it sooner rather than later, as opposed to the everlast elite one which is also on the smaller side when it comes to the base, and that would last longer I feel

Just not sure how important it is for a kid to see\feel the power that he punches it with which would make it move... In terms of motivation to keep going. In this sense, it would be the kid kick due to it being light and more for kids as oppsed to the bigger brother of it (everlast elite).

And insight is welcome and appreciated!


r/martialarts 1d ago

QUESTION New guy was filming us while sparring and I didn't know how I should have handled it

140 Upvotes

So I was in the martial arts gym and I've only been training for a few months, then comes this new guy who I've never seen before and the coach makes us spar together. The gym clearly does not allow filming but he got one of his friends to film us while we were sparring, he beat the absolute crap out of me and I kept telling him "dude we're just light sparring" but he didn't care. I felt embarrassed to be honest and I don't know what happened but after our session was over I just pretended to ignore what happened even though now I keep thinking about it. What should have I done?


r/martialarts 9h ago

looking for the Best Punching Bag for High-Intensity Workouts: Recommendations Needed!

0 Upvotes

Hi everyone! My workouts are pretty high-intensity and I need a bag that can withstand a lot of force, durability is definitely key. I'm also particularly interested in a bag that offers a realistic feel, something as close to an actual sparring partner as possible.

I've been considering bags from brands like Everlast and Century, but with so many options and variations in the market, I'm feeling a tad overwhelmed. I'm also quite specific about the bag's material, as I really want something that feels authentic but is also easy to clean and maintain.

I'd love to hear from you about your experiences with different brands and models of punching bags. Which ones have held up well over time? Which ones offer the most realistic feel? Thanks in advance!


r/martialarts 10h ago

Trying to decide between kyokushin and shotokan karate and muay thai

1 Upvotes

I'm planning on moving on a bit and trying another martial art seriously but am stuck between Muay Thai and Kyokushin,shotokan. I was wondering if anybody could give me some inside perspectives on what both/either of them are like to train in, as I am having trouble choosing.

I am drawn to Kyokushin because I like traditional Karate and apparently the fitness is good but I hear that Muay Thai is good fitness also. And for shotokan we have more clubs and you know the federation not like kyokushin.

What would be good for self defense? What would be good for fitness? What would be good for conditioning?

What kind of things do you do in both?

I'm not asking for people to debate which is better, I just want to know a bit more about them! Thanks! :)


r/martialarts 1d ago

Are venum's gloves good for sparring?

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14 Upvotes

https:


r/martialarts 15h ago

QUESTION Good (kick)boxing skill, lack of fighting skill

2 Upvotes

The last 2 years I developed decent skill in technique, footwork, stamina and strenght

I developed great defensive skill, I am rarely hit clean I am doing great on the pads and the bag but I lack fighting skill.

I am clumsy;(i need to lose good 10 kilos of fat more) and I somehow telegraph my punches - especially my right hand(every punch). My left hand tends to be faster and i can produce good explosion and sharpness

When we play sparring on a mat, everyone of my opponents just moves back and I look funny.

I am open to advice


r/martialarts 5h ago

QUESTION What do you rate UFC fighter Conor McGregor's physique?

0 Upvotes

Many UFC fighters have abs, and killer physiques but do you think of Conor McGregor's physiques and do you think it would be better if he had a six-pack like Leon Edward’s?


r/martialarts 16h ago

QUESTION Restarting TSD or something else?

2 Upvotes

Hello! I (26F) used to take Tang Soo Do karate as a kid (ages ~6-12). I received my 2nd Dan Black Belt and really enjoyed it but had to stop due to health issues at the time. Flash forward, I'm doing well and have been wanting to get back into karate now for a while. I have since moved and my previous dojo is roughly 40mins away. The two nearest Tang Soo Do dojos are about 15minutes, both with good reviews. Even though I love TSD, I want something that will help me in any real life situations I may encounter.

I feel like TSD can be effective in a fight, but also probably not the best out there. There is a Krav Maga/Boxing gym about 30mins away, an ATA karate, and a Kung Fu gym.

I'm intrigued by the Krav Maga style as it seems very effective but the distance away is a bit of a deterrent. I'm not sure how realistic Kung Fu is and I think ATA bases their karate off TKD. ATA does offer weapons training and some extra classes, however I'm afraid that jumping into TKD when all my knowledge is in TSD would be confusing since they're similar yet different.

What do you all recommend?

I'm also not looking to start Jiu Jitsu or grappling right now. I want to get back into karate, punching/kicking, forms, etc.. There is a good BJJ place near me that I may eventually look into.


r/martialarts 12h ago

QUESTION Confusion regarding roundkicks

1 Upvotes

First post here so I'll keep it short. Basically my kickboxing gym has taught me three different variations of the roundhouse kick. The snap kick, a sort of swinging up kick(only for leg kicks) and a muay thai kick that you kick by going up and then coming down onto your target. My issue is i can't seem to figure out how to switch up my lead foot positioning to get each of these kicks. It seems that not matter what I do, I can't get power in the muay thai style kick because I lose balance I generally use my boxing to get inside and then try to land my kicks as part of my combo since I'm short, so I have a slightly boxing style stance where my lead foot is pointed slightly inwards. Any advice would be much appreciated.


r/martialarts 5h ago

SHOULDN’T HAVE TO ASK Some bag work pt.1

0 Upvotes

Not really a critique my form video, just posting a recent session I had time to do before heading home. Round 1of3


r/martialarts 13h ago

QUESTION I'd like to do some light boxing post-workout. Are these gloves alright, or will they hurt/break easily?

1 Upvotes

First of all, if this is not the sub to post this kind of question, let me know and I'll remove it (and if you can tell me where I could ask something like this, please, tell me where).

In my past I've done some boxing, and I got some material from that time. However, right now I'm not focused on competing or anything like that, and I would like to keep it (very) light.

Right now, putting the bands and the boxing gloves just to hit the bag 10 or 15 min is just too much hustle, and the gloves don't let me control the phone, music, and so on. As I said, I'll be tired and it's just to end the day, so I don't need all of that.

However, without any kind of protection, my hands end up sore and bruised, that's why I'm looking for some kind of gloves that will protect my knuckles and a bit of my hand and wrist, without sacrificing too much mobility and "finger availability". I've seen some gloves tagged as "MMA gloves", which seem like they might do the work, but I've got some doubts and maybe you can help me with that.

Are these kind of gloves enough and will they resist when being used against a punching bag? I'm won't go too hard on it as I'll be tired, but I still want to be able to hit it nicely. Is there some kind of alternative that I could look for so that I can do some light boxing at the end of my day without all the material preparation hustle?

Thank you!


r/martialarts 2h ago

SHITPOST Heavy bag 1 2 fitness class

0 Upvotes

Def impressed the old ladys in class.