What's practical and effective for self defense?

    • hypercracker [he/him]
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      edit-2
      11 hours ago

      In all seriousness probably BJJ unless you're cool with head trauma in which case join a MMA gym. If you're actually in some kind of altercation that you can't just run away from for some reason, just knowing how to keep your balance & how to get on top then get away if you're somehow taken down to the ground is the main thing. BJJ will teach you that. Mostly though, it's just very very fun!

      • Frank [he/him, he/him]
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        11 hours ago

        Agreed. BJJ for all your folding people in to pretzel needs. Add a striking style and some kind of stick-fighting style to round out your options.

      • SorosFootSoldier [he/him, they/them]
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        11 hours ago

        Is it wise to cross train BJJ with a striking martial art like kickboxing or muay thai? Seems like most pro fighters cross train. Might be worth it for the OP.

        • hypercracker [he/him]
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          11 hours ago

          Sure but if you spar you're gonna get head trauma, and practicing techniques without sparring against a resisting opponent is not worth it IMO.

            • Frank [he/him, he/him]
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              edit-2
              4 hours ago

              100%. Firearms handling and shooting should be part of any serious martial arts repetoire.

              Seriously even if you would never use a gun even to save yourself you should have enough familiarity with them to know how to safely remove the magazine and clear the chamber of any firearm you encounter.

            • hypercracker [he/him]
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              9 hours ago

              Up to your risk tolerance. With the discovery of CTE we know that repeated minor head trauma still causes long-term problems. IMO it's too easy to overdo it especially once the blood gets pumping. I've gone to more BJJ classes than I can count thinking "ah I have a few injuries, I'll just roll light" and then it turns into repeated deathmatches.