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Will learning karate enable you to defend yourself?

R

Riprorin

Banned
I've enrolled both my kids in a karate program. My 9 year old daughter has been studying for 3 years and has a green belt and my six year old son just started this fall.

One of the reasons I enrolled them is that I want them to be able to defend themselves.

I just wonder how much this training would actually help them if they were ever in a situation where they were at risk of physical harm.
 
In a situation where your safety is concerned karate will not help. There are various "street fighting" techniques that will, however. Not sure if this is something for your kids.
 
Disclaimer: I know nothing about karate, so I'm assuredly talking out of my ass.

At their ages, they're probably too small to mount an effective defense against an adult. However, they could probably stand up to their peers just fine... even without the karate moves and just the confidence that the classes should give them.

As a teen, I wanted to take karate not for the defense thing, but for the mental aspect. I firmly belive that it'll do your kids a world of good mentally.

But as I said, what the hell do I know.
 
They basically tell them to yell "fire" and run away or if necessary, get a good shot in and then run away.

I've watched some of the Black Belts spar and I definitely wouldn't want to mess with them.
 
Nope, if you want a real martial art to defend yourself try Jiu Jitsu. If you want proof that it works watch UFC 1. Royce Gracie uses Jiu Jitsu to defend himself against kick boxers, karate, all kinda stuff. He wins all the way. That is what you call self-defense.
 
Originally posted by: Nocturnal
Nope, if you want a real martial art to defend yourself try Jiu Jitsu. If you want proof that it works watch UFC 1. Royce Gracie uses Jiu Jitsu to defend himself against kick boxers, karate, all kinda stuff. He wins all the way. That is what you call self-defense.
Click to expand...

Royce choked everyone out.... granted it's an impressive win... but i wouldn't really call "choking out" an effective martial art.

and stay away from standard forms karate... it's as usefull in a real fight as "tae kwon do" ... they're exhibition martial arts.

go for a legit art, like akido, judo, jiu jitsu, kung fu (or jeet kune do).

 
Karate won't help. My bro is a black belt, and I can still beat the crap out of him (that and he's 5 years older than I am). I am an avid runner, get your kids into track and field so they can run away.

Only way a form of martial arts will help in any way is so that the the person being attacked can take the weapon from the assaulter (whether it be a gun or a knife).

Originally posted by: uncJIGGA
Buying a gun might be the more effective and economical route...
Click to expand...

Nah, at least get them some pepper spray.
 
Originally posted by: guyver01
Originally posted by: Nocturnal
Nope, if you want a real martial art to defend yourself try Jiu Jitsu. If you want proof that it works watch UFC 1. Royce Gracie uses Jiu Jitsu to defend himself against kick boxers, karate, all kinda stuff. He wins all the way. That is what you call self-defense.
Click to expand...

Royce choked everyone out.... granted it's an impressive win... but i wouldn't really call "choking out" an effective martial art.

and stay away from standard forms karate... it's as usefull in a real fight as "tae kwon do" ... they're exhibition martial arts.

go for a legit art, like akido, judo, jiu jitsu, kung fu (or jeet kune do).
Click to expand...


You don't think that submission fighting is effective? I would say it's pretty effective.

Jeet Kune Do: go Bruce! One of my political science professors is really into this and promotes it regularly. Go figure.
 
Get them into that Brazilian thing.. um, that champion dude uses.
Click to expand...

Pride Heavyweight Champion-Antonio Rodorigo Nogueira

UFC-Heavyweight Champion-Ricco Rodriguez

Both are trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighters
 
Originally posted by: Riprorin
I've enrolled both my kids in a karate program. My 9 year old daughter has been studying for 3 years and has a green belt and my six year old son just started this fall.

One of the reasons I enrolled them is that I want them to be able to defend themselves.

I just wonder how much this training would actually help them if they were ever in a situation where they were at risk of physical harm.
Click to expand...

Yer kinds are so small I don't think it will help them defend themselves now. But hopefully it will develop into something they truly enjoy and study for the rest of their lives. It's kinda like anything involving small kids, are they good at it. Probably not but it could very easily be a building block so as they get older they get better at it.

It also depends on the school. The school I used to attend was very good because it mixed a traditional style of teaching karate w/real world applications. We probably spent at least half of the classes learning what to do in real world situations.


Lethal
 
Originally posted by: snik
Originally posted by: guyver01
Originally posted by: Nocturnal
Nope, if you want a real martial art to defend yourself try Jiu Jitsu. If you want proof that it works watch UFC 1. Royce Gracie uses Jiu Jitsu to defend himself against kick boxers, karate, all kinda stuff. He wins all the way. That is what you call self-defense.
Click to expand...

Royce choked everyone out.... granted it's an impressive win... but i wouldn't really call "choking out" an effective martial art.

and stay away from standard forms karate... it's as usefull in a real fight as "tae kwon do" ... they're exhibition martial arts.

go for a legit art, like akido, judo, jiu jitsu, kung fu (or jeet kune do).
Click to expand...


You don't think that submission fighting is effective? I would say it's pretty effective.

Jeet Kune Do: go Bruce! One of my political science professors is really into this and promotes it regularly. Go figure.
Click to expand...

It's effective in the controlled, sport environment that it's used in, but I don't think the tactics used inside the ring would translate well outside of the ring. Of course I'm not a big guy, nor am I a fighting badass so my tactics will probably very from those of a world class athlete. 😉

If I got into a fight my goal would be to end it as soon as possible and then get the f**k outta dodge (I'm not gonna stick around for some guys buddies to wander outta the bar and find me kicking their friends @ss). And the way I plan on ending it as soon as possible is breaking the other guys arm and/or blowing out his knee. Fast and brutal. That's my goal.


Lethal
 
I took TaeKwonDo, Kung Fu, and Gracie Jui-jitsu and each had their strengths and weaknesses. It was a great mix for my over-all self defense. Karate is like TaeKwonDo in that is not as practical as some others, but it serves a very good purpose. It gives discipline and a good foundation to martial arts, being easy to learn and teaching straight-forward moves. Contrary to some it does provide some self defense. Kung Fu is much more difficult, but it helps smooth out your techniques and quite frankly is pretty brutal when used properly. They are right, probably the best self defense is Jui-jitsu.... but only for 1 on 1.

Though really it does depend on the person. You can't have just anybody take this stuff and then they can defend themselves. There has to be some natural ability (either inherant, or brought out from the classes), or they have to be very determind to excel at it.

I've seen black belts that sucked and wouldn't stand a chance, but I have also seen a student who I never would have thought could be good (because he was so awkward and clumsy) but now he reminds me of one of our best black belts.
 
jiu jitsu will definitely help you in a street situation also...it is not necessary to choke out a guy to win, there are plenty of moves taught which involve busting the wrist/elbow, shots to the back of the neck, hard throws etc. However, these are taught at a higher level so you will have to train for a while before they will be shown to you. There is a form of jiu jitsu which involves only deadly moves...I think my sensei called it thau jitsu or something?
 
Originally posted by: LethalWolfe
Originally posted by: snik
Originally posted by: guyver01
Originally posted by: Nocturnal
Nope, if you want a real martial art to defend yourself try Jiu Jitsu. If you want proof that it works watch UFC 1. Royce Gracie uses Jiu Jitsu to defend himself against kick boxers, karate, all kinda stuff. He wins all the way. That is what you call self-defense.
Click to expand...

Royce choked everyone out.... granted it's an impressive win... but i wouldn't really call "choking out" an effective martial art.

and stay away from standard forms karate... it's as usefull in a real fight as "tae kwon do" ... they're exhibition martial arts.

go for a legit art, like akido, judo, jiu jitsu, kung fu (or jeet kune do).
Click to expand...


You don't think that submission fighting is effective? I would say it's pretty effective.

Jeet Kune Do: go Bruce! One of my political science professors is really into this and promotes it regularly. Go figure.
Click to expand...

It's effective in the controlled, sport environment that it's used in, but I don't think the tactics used inside the ring would translate well outside of the ring. Of course I'm not a big guy, nor am I a fighting badass so my tactics will probably very from those of a world class athlete. 😉

If I got into a fight my goal would be to end it as soon as possible and then get the f**k outta dodge (I'm not gonna stick around for some guys buddies to wander outta the bar and find me kicking their friends @ss). And the way I plan on ending it as soon as possible is breaking the other guys arm and/or blowing out his knee. Fast and brutal. That's my goal.


Lethal
Click to expand...

That rarely works, blowing out a knee is hard to do unless the guy doesn't know how to lift his leg a little... breaking an arm means you have to get a hold of his arm first, not the easiest thing to do either...

When i get into a fight i just try to land a good punch to get him off balance and then keep punching until he's lying down...
 
Originally posted by: guyver01
Originally posted by: Nocturnal
Nope, if you want a real martial art to defend yourself try Jiu Jitsu. If you want proof that it works watch UFC 1. Royce Gracie uses Jiu Jitsu to defend himself against kick boxers, karate, all kinda stuff. He wins all the way. That is what you call self-defense.
Click to expand...

Royce choked everyone out.... granted it's an impressive win... but i wouldn't really call "choking out" an effective martial art.

and stay away from standard forms karate... it's as usefull in a real fight as "tae kwon do" ... they're exhibition martial arts.

go for a legit art, like akido, judo, jiu jitsu, kung fu (or jeet kune do).
Click to expand...

If you win, it's effective... if you loose, it isn't... obviously as he won, it was effective...
 
couldn't hurt

and in the situations they're likely to get in as kids it'll help a lot

hmmm... gopunk is about to re-enter the top 10...
 
Kenazo is right. Jui-jitsu (at least I know Gracie is) is specifically designed for street fighting. Most street fights end up on the ground (and if it doesn't happen, then you can always do a take down) and this is what it teaches. You would be surprised how most people cannot defend themselves well on the ground. I have beaten men bigger and stronger than me because of Gracie (not in a controlled sport environment). The shortcomings are that it doesn't provide for weapons or more than one person. We actually had a couple of the Gracie brothers come to our school and teach a few times. It was pretty cool. If I remember correctly Hurion and Royce (spelling?) were the ones that came.
 
One thing that is often missed is that you can be the best trained fighter in the world. If you're facing just one or two thugs, you can deal with them. If you're facing a half dozen, you can't.

Unlike in the movies where Segal uses Akido to fight off a dozen bad guys who attack one at a time, they will assualt all at once in real life. You can't block, defend, then attack in six directions at once.

Hopper
 
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