JmurrayAthletics

There are thousands of programs out there for self defense across just the United States, popular among people who maybe having a hard time in life. That is why so many fake systems exist, these systems provide no real effective techniques and theories on fighting from people who have never fought. It is here I have outlined Four Martial arts that have been proven effective through the years both in and out of the ring.

I chose these arts in particular because no matter where you go, the training taught is consistent with a specific set of standards across the world, and each of these arts is practiced with pressure testing aka Sparing/Randori.

Boxing

Boxing has its roots going back to Egypt in 3000 B.C., thats over 5,000 years for the art to prove itself. The art is a favorite among street fighters, as many try to replicate its strikes and movements by just watching and throwing. Boxing is also known as pugilism and is the art of striking with ones hands. In boxing you will learn to set up jabs, crosses, uppercuts, hooks and various combos of those strikes.

While boxing isn’t a complete Martial Art, meaning it doesn’t use take-downs, kicks, or grappling and only has limited clinch work. Boxing makes up for this with teaching fighters the importance of conserving energy use in a fight, maintaining proper distance for strikes, & closing distance.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu derives itself from Judo and Maeda, a student of Juguro Kano. Maeda traveled to Brazil in 1910 to spread the influence of judo or at that time “Ju Jitsu”. Maeda stayed with the Gracie family while in Brazil, and in trade for lodging taught them the greater art of Ju Jitsu (empty hand).

Brazilian Jiu jitsu first established itself after the original UFC which was an anything goes tournament established by the Gracie family in the early 90s. At the end of the tournament it was the legendary Royce Gracie who came out on top after fighting people from Sumo, Shootfighting, Kickboxing, Savate, Boxing, and American Kenpo.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu differs from Judo in that it focuses on using the leverage gained from taking an opponent to the ground, and keeping them there to take control of the fight.

Most Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Schools follow similar structure, and any legit school will be registered with an association ex. IBJJF, Gracie

Judo

Judo was one of the martial arts to come out of Japan during the Meiji Era restoration. The art takes from many of the techniques found in traditional Ju Jitsu. Jaguro Kano the founder of Judo intended on creating a more effective art for the era and to bring respect back to martial arts.

Kano succeeded in many ways by using constant pressure testing through sparing or also called Randori. Kano originally started with 70+ techniques, and eventually narrowed them down to the most effective 40.

Judo is an art that relies heavily on throws, take downs, and pins, however, some Dojo’s also apply submissions to their curriculum. There is a strong emphasis on technique and off balancing your opponents, this makes judo perfect for anyone uninterested in throwing hands.

Wrestling

No we’re not talking about WWE type stuff, but the stuff that dates back to ancient Greeks. Wrestling has been a dominate martial art throughout the world and favored by Americans as most high school and middle schools have a team.

Its effectiveness lays in its throws and take downs, though wrestlers are expected to be stronger than Judoka’s as force replaces the methods of of balancing.

Mixed Martial Arts

This one’s really a mixed bag of treats, as long as your using more than one martial art its technically mixed martial arts. Mixing a variation of grappling (wrestling/ Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) and some form of striking (Boxing, Muay Thai, Kick Boxing, Taekwondo etc). This will probably be the safest bet, but one that will require more time, dedication, money, and training to become proficient in.