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What Are the Best Martial Arts for Self-Defense?

Based on my research, the best martial art for pure self-defense is Krav Maga.

If all you want to do is learn how to defeat someone, then Krav Maga is the one for you.

The best martial art for health and live-sparring, while also learning self-defense is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).

If you want to learn some useful self-defense skills along with improving your health and being able to spar with others, then BJJ is the best.

Here’s the rundown of all the ones we’ve considered:

Mixed Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a new sport that came into being in the 1990s. They shouldn’t be regarded as a separate martial art, however. It’s a sport more than art. It includes striking, throwing, grappling, etc. 

The official beginning of MMA (1) goes back to the establishment of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). With the first championship held in 1993, and Royce Gracie demolishing the competition, a new chapter in fighting began. 

MMA gained a lot of popularity in the 90s and has become one of the highest paying sporting events in the world. At this point, some of the most famous fighters include Khabib Nurmagomedov, Ronda Rousey, Connor McGregor, and Georges St. Pierre.

MMA has blurred the lines between fighting styles. It has allowed fighters to experiment with different techniques and blows to counter restrictive fighting styles. Due to the relaxation of rules, MMA has resulted in fighters melding techniques and finding the combinations that best work for them. As a result, the sport has garnered a lot of notoriety.

Pros and Cons

The most significant benefit of learning Mixed Martial Arts is the exposure to different forms of martial arts. The best part about MMA is that it doesn’t restrict you to one fighting style. That’s the point of learning fighting: to open up to as many techniques as possible.

By training MMA, you can learn the disadvantages and problems with each martial art.

As far as cons are concerned, MMA is a particularly violent sport, according to the National Institute of Health. BJJ has an injury rate of up to 38.6 per 1000 contact or fight participations. Compared to that, MMA has an injury rate of 28.6 per 100 fight participations. It’s particularly detrimental to the face, with nearly 48% of all injuries being facial lacerations.

According to a study conducted by the University of Toronto, MMA fighters get traumatic brain injuries in one-third of professional bouts. Others have reported that brain injuries aren’t as common. One study done by the University of Alberta revealed that it’s much safer than boxing. 

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or Jiu-Jitsu, is a modern martial art. It was developed in the early 20th century by the Gracie family in Brazil. Though its roots lie in Japanese Jujitsu and Judo, it has become a wholly different martial art.

In 1909, Japanese Martial artist Geo Omori began teaching Judo. Judo itself was supposed to be a much less militarized form of Japanese Jujitsu, developed for disarmed Samurai. One of his students, Mitsuo Maeda, traveled to Brazil and opened his dojo in 1914. There, he began to teach Carlos Gracie, the son of a friend.

Other members of the Gracie family learned Judo as well and made improvements to the form.

It was improved upon so that smaller people could defeat bigger people.

Thus Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) came to be.

Through training and hard work, the Gracie family became more and more famous.

In the 1990s, with the establishment of UFC, they achieved global fame. There, Royce Gracie, a descendant of Carlos, demolished the competition. This feat brought BJJ to the world stage.

Pros and Cons

Hailed as a sport that has changed the game for martial arts, BJJ is considered one of the most effective martial arts in the world due to the lack of dependence on strength.

BJJ practitioners can be tall, short, fat, thin, etc.

Since BJJ emphasizes groundwork and involves the development of flexibility in muscles, it’s considered a very healthy sport. It’s also a very safe sport since the chances of injury are significantly less than boxing, MMA, or Judo.

There is no striking in BJJ, so you wouldn’t be learning how to punch or kick.

Tae Kwan Do

Tae Kwan Do, or Taekwondo, originates from Korea. It originated as a combative sport in the 40s and 50s. The name came from fighting schools that originated in the time called Kwans. The schools opened up in Seoul (South Korea) after the WWII Japanese Occupation ended. 

Teaching martial arts was forbidden during the occupation.

Hence, reopening these schools was seen as a return to tradition and freedom. Tae Kwan Do thus became a sport that combined a lot of martial arts traditions from Korea.

These included Taekkyon, Subak, and Gwonbeop. These three styles emphasized head-height kicking, jumping, and fast kicking techniques.

Pros and Cons

Tae Kwan Do, mainly a striking sport, teaches the identification of specific pressure points on the body. It is an excellent sport for self-defense in this regard. It also helps to improve agility and reflexes and strength and stamina.

However, since it barely focuses on punching, it does leave you open to an opponent’s close-range attacks. 

Karate

Karate is one of the most well known martial arts in the west. The film ‘The Karate Kid’ popularized the sport in the United States. Karate originated in the 14th century in Okinawa, Japan.

The sport is a striking art that includes punching, kicking, knee striking, and elbow striking.

Pros and Cons

Karate is a very safe martial art and is great for learning self-defense. It is much less injury-prone than Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, and even Aikido. 

A major con of the sport is that you will have trouble finding legitimate instructors. Most dojos in the west teach the sport for point-scoring.

You’ll need to find an instructor that also teaches self-defense techniques.

Boxing

Boxing is a striking sport without a doubt. It involves a lot of bobbing and weaving, but it’s mainly about throwing punches.

The first signs of boxing were seen in the 3rd Millennium BC in Iraq. There, depictions of fights with fists are shown in caves. Other representations of the sport are seen in Classic Vedic scripts like the Ramayana. 

However, the sport, as it exists today, was popularized in London, England, in the 16th century. There it became a sport taught in schools and universities. Boxing champions were touted as heroes and were labeled strong men. It’s one of the most popular sports in the world today, having gone through a golden age in the 20th century. 

Pros and Cons

Boxing is one of the most disciplining sports around. It requires an extensive buildup of muscle, a strict diet, and agility. It’s not for nothing that Muhammad Ali’s motto was “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” Boxing, of course, makes you tough. However, there are just too many cons to the sport to ignore. 

Boxing is considered as one of the most violent sports in the world. It is proven without a doubt that it causes traumatic brain injuries and has even ended in fatalities. In1995, an estimated 500 boxers had died in the ring. The injury rate in boxing is 17.1 per 100 boxer matches. The majority of these injuries (51%) are facial lacerations. 

While that injury rate may be lower than MMA, boxing is still considered the more physically damaging sport. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 90% of all boxers sustain a brain injury. If you’ve watched any of the Rocky films, you’ll know that’s a topic that comes up regularly. 

Muhammad Ali, arguably the greatest boxer that ever lived, also got Parkinson’s disease as a result of boxing. If you are taking up the sport, know the consequences that you will probably endure. 

Krav Maga

Krav Maga is a fighting style that isn’t as popular as other sports. It was invented specifically for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). It’s a form of unarmed combat that is designed to disable the opponent. The Hebrew phrase Krav Maga translates to contact combat.

While Krav Maga is designed to produce maximum force and impact, it is not a unique type of martial art. It was created by combining various aspects of wrestling, boxing, Aikido, Karate, and Judo.

Pros and Cons

Krav Maga is considered a practical art for self-defense. Its emphasis on aggression and takedowns helps practitioners become adept at fighting larger opponents. However, one legitimate con is that there are very few genuine instructors of the sport outside the IDF.

Another benefit of Krav Maga is that it can be learned in a very short time. The art has been designed so that soldiers can learn it very quickly. For instance, some schools even offer a two-week training course within the army.

A legitimate con of Krav Maga is that it is designed to hurt opponents. Due to its use in the army, it’s not intended for point-scoring. It’s intended to hurt enemies seriously.

This is why the sport allows for hits on the groin, hair pulling, biting, and spitting. Gouging and pinching are even allowed. This makes the sport very violent and not suitable for community sport.

If you live in a particularly violent area and want to learn how to defend yourself, Krav Maga is the best. However, if you’re going to learn a sport with your children, give this a pass. 

How to Choose the Best One for You

If you’re asking me which one you should choose, I’m going to be biased and say BJJ. I can back it up with all the statistics you want, but my bias will stay.

So instead, I’ll tell a simple truth. The best martial art that you can choose is the one you’re most comfortable with. 

I’m not saying don’t do your research and go in blind; I’m saying work for it. If you want something, you can enjoy with your kids and learn self-defense simultaneously, go for something you love.

If you’re going to learn self-defense to beat an opponent, learn Krav Maga. If you want to learn a sport that will help your health and fitness, any martial art will do.

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What Are The 3 Best Martial Arts For Kids In 2019?

I wanted to get my kids into martial arts, so when I started doing some research, I came across a lot of different styles. I narrowed it down to the 3 best martial arts for kids.

I’ve also started training with them. It’s made for some excellent quality time together. I get the best of both worlds: getting fit and playing more with my kids.

Plus, it teaches them positive things like: self-defense, discipline, empathy, teamwork, and fitness.

The 3 Best Martial Arts For Kids

I narrowed my choices down to these 3, mainly because of their popularity and techniques that are taught.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was born in the early twentieth century when Geo Omori opened the first school in 1909. It was developed specifically for people with short heights or smaller statures to overpower bigger opponents. It’s a grappling martial art that deals with takedowns, throws, and headlocks rather than strikes.

The sport was developed by the Gracie Family who is credited with its chief development. Many members have gone on to dominate martial arts tournaments including MMA fighting.

Karate

Karate is one of the most popular martial arts in the world. It was invented in Okinawa, Japan, during the 14th century. The earliest accounts say that its proliferation was the result of banning weapons in the 15th century.

Karate is very different from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu because it’s a striking art. It involves learning to master kicks and punches and using your entire body as a weapon. There’s very little groundwork or throws involved. However, it’s very beneficial in close quarters combat, much more so than BJJ.

Tae Kwan Do  

Tae Kwan Do or Taekwondo, whichever you prefer, was invented in Korea and is an amalgamation of many different fighting styles. It emphasizes head height kicks and jumping as well as fast kicking. Hence, it’s a striking art.

The name of the sport originates from the schools that taught it initially; ‘kwans.’ A modern martial art, it was invented in the 1940s after the Japanese occupation of the country ended.

What Is the Best Martial Art for Kids?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the best martial art for kids because it’s the most effective for self-defense and for competitions.

Which is the Most Effective Martial Art for Kids’ Self-Defense?

To teach your child to defend against bullies or predators, I believe that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the most effective.

Here’s why:

Kids learn takedowns and throws

How to fall correctly in a fight

How to stand correctly in a fight

How to submit someone without doing permanent damage

How to defend against common punches, kicks, and techniques like headlocks and throws

The methods can sometimes be effective against someone bigger and stronger

Why Should Your Kid Do Martial Arts?

There are several benefits to teaching children martial arts that go beyond the clichéd self-discipline and self-defense. Martial arts allow children to identify their strengths and weaknesses and other positive things.

Early exposure to martial arts allows children to improve their reflexes and shape their bodies for flexibility. This allows for better physical fitness and health benefits later in life.

Another great benefit of teaching children martial arts is exposure to the community. Joining a dojo or a group of students makes children learn the importance of staying together. This allows them to see the benefits of doing things together as a group rather than alone.

In today’s world, where being competitive and getting ahead of everyone is given importance, the community is more important than ever.

Fighting, learning, growing together, and teaching each other helps your children become better people. These are mental and emotional lessons that children can only gain when they learn to trust others.

It’s a trust-building exercise like no other. It’s quite similar to how soldiers tend to trust each other with their lives. This way, your children won’t have to face the brutality of war to learn the importance of teamwork.

While these lessons may seem like they are steppingstones for every child, they’re really not. Most children go through life without a robust support system. Today’s generation needs a guiding hand more than ever. Isolation seems like the new normal in the age of social media and smartphones. With martial arts, they’ll learn all the lessons that aren’t given out on Facebook and other social media forums.

What Is the Best Age to Start Martial Arts?

There are varying ages at which children can start learning martial arts. You shouldn’t hesitate to get your kids started when they begin to go to primary school. However, if they’re already in their teens, there’s no need to panic. You can still enroll them in a beginner’s class if you want.

For instance, Bruce Lee only began to learn martial arts when he was 13 years old. He went on to become the most celebrated martial artist of the last century.

The starting ages for martial arts students can range from 7 to about 22. However, you may want to start very early if you want them to earn a black belt. Students from about age 6 and up can begin learning. Or if you would like to wait a little longer, then the age of 10 is the latest.

However, don’t push your children before they’re ready. By the age of 5, children start to skip and run and fall down on their own. Every one matures at different ages. If your kids are feeling a little ambivalent before getting on the mat, that’s okay.

However, if they’re opposed to violence or the sport of martial arts altogether, there’s no point in pushing them. Different cultures teach their children martial arts at 8-11 years old or 4-10 years old. Hence, you don’t have to worry about it if your children aren’t ready when they’re toddlers. Remember, martial arts are as much about growing as people as they are about learning to fight.

Which Martial Arts Is Best for Discipline?

All martial arts teach you how to lead a disciplined lifestyle. It’s how much you commit to training.

If you want to lead a lifestyle that emphasizes fitness, exercise, learning, and teamwork, I also recommend BJJ. From my experience, there is a strong sense of community in the school. My kids have learned how to be role models to younger kids and how to teach and work with kids with less experience without hurting them.

Why I Chose Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for My Kids

Now you may be asking why I chose BJJ for my kids. It’s because BJJ is more about movement and less about fighting. BJJ helps you overpower your opponent without hurting them too much, and it is relatively safe.

I wanted to help my kids learn useful self-defense skills. I also wanted to train with them.

In BJJ, you can spar (roll) with partners and practice your techniques in live scenarios. To prevent injuries, you or your partner can tap out. This signifies the end of the round, and then you can start again.

BJJ also helps equalize the playing field. In most situations, my kids can defend themselves against someone bigger and stronger.

Further, I chose BJJ because of its emphasis on flexibility, movement, and thinking rather than striking. It’s like playing chess using you and your sparring partner’s body. 

I want them to think for themselves, be flexible, and to adapt to different situations. That intuitive knowledge is given to them through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

No matter which martial art you choose, I recommend training with your kids. It’s a great family exercise, and it will teach them a lot about life.

One of the best benefits is that it will help develop a stronger relationship with your kids.

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Judo vs. BJJ vs. Jiu-Jitsu

I wanted to start martial arts as a way to stay fit and to learn a useful skill. But, when I started researching, there were so many that I got confused, especially since they sound so similar. I came across three close types of martial arts: Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), and Japanese (traditional) Jiu-Jitsu.

There are a couple of benefits to each. Here is everything you need to know about Judo vs. BJJ and Judo vs. Jiu-Jitsu. 

BJJ vs. Judo

Both Judo and BJJ are grappling martial arts. They don’t utilize striking as much as knocking an opponent down with throws and grabs. Hence, they emphasize flexibility and fitness much more than brute strength.

Here are a few key differences between the two:

Judo 

Judo was created in 1882 in Japan by Kano Jigoro. 

Judo is mainly concerned with controlling an opponent using takedowns, chokeholds, and limited grappling. Armlocks and chokeholds are used to submit an opponent.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

This form of jiu-jitsu was developed in Brazil in the early 20th century by Geo Omori. BJJ emphasizes groundwork more than Judo and is designed to help smaller, and weaker practitioners defend themselves against larger opponents.

While it may not seem very exciting, you can see here that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a great way to defend yourself:

Marcus Buchecha vs. Bernardo Faria in 2013.:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oIrfoAkHTk

Which Is Better – BJJ vs Judo?

As you can probably guess, both Judo and BJJ have far more similarities than differences. Since both martial arts are based on groundwork and takedowns, they influence each other. You’ll learn Judo moves like the osoto-gari (a simple takedown) in BJJ and vice versa.

I like BJJ because I prefer to focus more on grappling rather than takedowns and throws.

Will Judo Help my BJJ?

The true spirit of martial arts is to learn as much as you can and open yourself to knowledge. Closing yourself to any style can be detrimental. So, yes, Judo can help your BJJ. In fact, according to Neil Adams, a decorated Judoka, training BJJ with Judo can help you transition into the ground game by getting better at takedowns and throws.

Judo Gi vs. BJJ Gi

The gi of both Judo and BJJ are quite different. 

The Judo gi tends to be more traditional, which means that your color of choice is typically white with little to no patches.

A typical BJJ gis has sturdier collars because of the pushing and pulling involved. BJJ gis can come in much more flashy colors and designs than Judo gis. 

The hard dropping, rolling and pulling characteristic of BJJ techniques require a very tough gi. Modern BJJ gis feature rip-stop pants and extra stitching with polymer and cotton blends which helps durability. 

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu vs. Judo

Judo and Japanese Jiu-Jitsu may not sound related to you, but they are. 

Which Came First: Japanese Jiu-Jitsu or Judo?/Is Judo and Jiu-Jitsu the Same Thing?

Japanese Jiu-jitsu can be traced back nearly 2500 years by some accounts, with some records dating back to 880 AD. Samurai learned jiu-jitsu as an unarmed supplement.

The practice was more aggressive because soldiers were taught to kill and injure rather than to disarm. It was developed to be more of a last resort than a stand-alone style. 

However, in the 1880s, as samurais were dying out, Judo was born. It took selected techniques from Japanese Jiu-jitsu and further developed them. 

A traditional fight between Judo and Japanese Jiu-Jitsu in 1912: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foW5D7luSXU

How Is Judo Different From Jiu-Jitsu? 

The main difference between the two philosophically is that Judo is a way (do) and Jiu-Jitsu is a war art (Jitsu). Jiu-jitsu means gentle art which was designed for warriors to fight without weapons. Judo came about as a way to revive and modernize Jiu-Jitsu techniques.

Did Jiu-Jitsu Come From Judo?

No, Judo came from traditional jiu-jitsu as a way to adapt to changing times.

Which Is Better – Judo or Japanese/Traditional Jiu-Jitsu?

By definition, the art of Japanese Jiu-Jitsu is more aggressive because it was developed for soldiers at war, while Judo was developed as a sport. However, since Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has undergone far more development in the last hundred years, it’s considered a more modern martial art. BJJ techniques are proven to be successful in MMA matches.

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu still relies on the techniques that were handed down through generations. This has made the art stale and much more prone to countering. Martial arts are made resilient by their evolution through different times.

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu vs. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

If you know a little bit about martial arts history, you’ll know that Japanese Jiu-jitsu inspired Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. However, when it came to BJJ, the techniques of groundwork were much more emphasized. The Gracie Family, credited with the development of BJJ, were not large people with big muscles. Hence, they worked on using positioning and leverage rather than brute strength. 

What’s the Difference Between Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu is a far more aggressive form of martial arts. It was meant to aid the Japanese Samurai in unarmed combat. Hence, it was much more offensive. However, BJJ was meant to overpower a much more physically intimidating opponent. Since that wasn’t possible through sheer strength training, technique, leverage, and positioningreceived more emphasis.

Is Jiu-Jitsu the Most Effective Martial Art?

This is a debate that will rage on until time immemorial. However, both martial arts have their weak and strong points. 

BJJ is more popular, and there are more places to train BJJ compared to traditional Jiu-Jitsu.

Further, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu hasn’t evolved through time. Most practitioners teach their students techniques that developed hundreds of years ago. 

Japanese Jiu-Jitsu 2013 Baku Championship: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD_99UNWOZE

Is Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Good for Self-Defense?

The Gracie family is considered to be the first family of BJJ. They developed BJJ into what it is today. BJJ can be great for one on one self-defense. The only thing is, being on the ground with someone that has friends around can end poorly for you.

You can train BJJ either for self-defense, competition, or both. Talk to your professor (teacher) and visit different schools to see what’s better for your needs.

Is Japanese Jiu-Jitsu Good for Self Defense?

You may find several arguments for and against traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu as a practical self-defense art. While many agree that it was great for its time, critics have emerged over time saying that the techniques have become stale. The reason behind it is a lack of innovation and development over time. 

Why I chose BJJ

I knew that all three would be comparable for self-defense and getting back into shape.

I chose BJJ because:

It’s more popular, which makes it easier to find schools. The professors, coaches, and community at each school are different, and it’s important to try several to see which one fits you.

I wanted a martial art where I could apply the techniques without getting injured too severely. Of course, you can still get hurt (I sprained my shoulders). But, one of the great things about BJJ is that you can roll (practice) live with different people without getting punched or kicked.

People of all ages, sizes, and body types can use BJJ techniques. I plan to train for a long time.

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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Tips that Every Beginner Should Follow

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can be one of the most difficult combat sports. This is especially true for beginners, for whom every position and technique is foreign, challenging and often confusing.

In order to master these techniques, practitioners are required to dedicate ample time and effort on the training mat to successfully incorporate them in the game.

Here are some essential tips that every beginner should follow to ensure speedy learning in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu -

Qualified Instructor

In recent years, the growing popularity of Jiu-Jitsu as a combat sport has resulted in the opening of many academies that provide professional BJJ training to practitioners.

While it is easy to get overwhelmed with the numerous choices available, it is essential to find a reliable teacher having the requisite certification from a Jiu-Jitsu confederation. An unqualified teacher might not be able to properly guide learning, which increases the chances of injuries.

Cleanliness and a competitive environment in the academy are some qualities to consider when selecting a BJJ academy.

Consistency

When it comes to securing success in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or any other combat sport, consistency is the key. Most beginners are often too enthusiastic about practice sessions in the first few weeks of BJJ training, but as the initial energy subsides, they become inconsistent in their approach.

BJJ involves a lot of muscle memory, thereby, frequently missing out on training sessions may cause practitioners to forget the techniques and moves. It should be kept in mind that BJJ champions like Roger Gracie, Ricardo Vieira and Mackenzie Dern did not make it to the top overnight, but they trained intensely for years before establishing themselves internationally.

As BJJ requires ample training to master the basic movements and techniques, it is also necessary to maintain the balance between exercising and rest for good health and fitness.

Repetition

Repetition of BJJ techniques will eventually ingrain a reflex-like reaction and application, allowing the practitioner to fluidly perform all moves during a combat. It is better to practice a BJJ move multiple times against a resisting opponent than attempting to learn over thousand different moves all at once. Therefore, it is important to first learn the basic skills and positions such as guard, side control and mount through continual repetition before moving to the advanced levels in BJJ training.

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