Self-defense is an important skill to have in today’s world. Whether you’re walking alone at night or facing a potentially dangerous situation, knowing how to protect yourself can give you peace of mind and the ability to handle any situation.
In this blog post, we’ll be taking a look at the top 10 martial arts for self defense, discussing their pros and cons, and giving you a better understanding of which martial art is best for you.
| Martial Arts | Self Defense Effectiveness | Pros | Cons | Score/10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) | High | Emphasizes technique over brute strength, making it accessible to people of all sizes and ages. | Can take a long time to become proficient in the art, not effective in standing self-defense situations, does not teach striking as much as other martial arts. | 8 |
| Krav Maga | High | Focus on real-world self-defense situations, uses many techniques from other martial arts | Usually not much actual sparring, not as much emphasis on physical fitness and conditioning. | 8 |
| Muay Thai | High | Develop striking power, effective in close-range combat. | Less emphasis on grappling and ground fighting, physically demanding. | 8 |
| Aikido | Moderate | Emphasis on redirecting an attacker’s energy and avoiding harm. | Difficult to master, may not be as effective against larger or stronger opponents. | 6 |
| Wing Chun | Moderate | Close-range combat techniques, efficient movement, using an opponent’s force against them. | Less effective in long-range situations, less emphasis on grappling and ground fighting. | 7 |
| Boxing | High | Powerful punches, footwork, useful against multiple opponents | No grappling and ground fighting | 8 |
| Judo | High | Throws, joint locks and pins, emphasis on control | Less emphasis on striking, not very useful against multiple attackers | 7 |
| Taekwondo | Moderate | Powerful and fast kicks, emphasis on fitness and conditioning | Lacks grappling and ground fighting, kicks aren’t always useful in self-defense situations | 6 |
| Karate | High | A great variety of striking techniques, discipline and control | Less emphasis on grappling and ground fighting, some schools don’t allow full contact sparring | 7 |
| Eskrima/Kali/Arnis (Filipino martial arts) | High | Weapon techniques, improves reaction time, hand-eye coordination, and overall body control. | Requires specialized training and equipment, techniques may not be legal in all self-defense situations. | 8 |
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a grappling-based martial art that focuses on using leverage and submission holds to control and defeat an opponent. BJJ is considered one of the best martial arts for self defense because it allows a smaller person to defend themselves against a larger, stronger attacker. BJJ also teaches practitioners to fight from the ground, which is a position many real-world altercations end up in.
One of the biggest advantages of BJJ is that it emphasizes technique over brute strength, making it accessible to people of all sizes and ages. BJJ also has a strong focus on live training, or sparring, which allows practitioners to apply what they have learned in a realistic, high-pressure environment.
However, BJJ does have some downsides when it comes to self defense. One potential drawback is that it can take a long time to become proficient in the art, and it can be difficult to learn the techniques without regular training and practice. Additionally, BJJ is not as effective in standing self-defense situations and does not teach striking as much as other martial arts.
Krav Maga
Krav Maga is a military-style martial art developed in Israel for use in real-world combat situations. It is known for its focus on practical self-defense and its aggressive, direct approach to neutralizing threats. Krav Maga emphasizes the use of natural body movements and the ability to defend oneself against multiple attackers.
One of the key advantages of Krav Maga is its focus on real-world self-defense situations. The techniques taught in Krav Maga are designed to be used against common street attacks, such as punches, kicks, and weapons. Additionally, Krav Maga is relatively easy to learn and is suitable for people of all fitness levels.
When it comes to downsides, there are a few. Some of the techniques taught in Krav Maga are quite dangerous and can cause permanent damage. For example “eye gouging”. So make sure that the situation justifies using them or you can get yourself into legal trouble.
Krav Maga also does not have the same emphasis on physical fitness and conditioning as other martial arts. Some schools emphasize sparring while others do it occasionally or not at all. Sparring is important so make sure that it’s a regular part of the curriculum if you decide to train it.
Also, Krav Maga is sort of a jack-of-all-trades. It combines techniques from various martial arts like boxing, Muay Thai and BJJ. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage. It’s an advantage against regular attackers. But if you end up fighting an expert in either one, you will likely fall short. However, for most situations Krav Maga is a very effective self-defense martial art.
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is a striking-based martial art from Thailand that is known for its powerful kicks, punches, and elbow strikes. It is considered one of the most effective striking arts for self-defense because of its emphasis on power, speed, and technique.
One of the greatest advantages of Muay Thai is its focus on developing striking power. Practitioners of Muay Thai learn to generate immense power in their strikes through proper technique and conditioning. Additionally, Muay Thai is also effective in close-range combat because it emphasizes the use of elbow and knee strikes.
However, Muay Thai does have some downsides when it comes to self defense. It does not have the same emphasis on grappling and ground fighting as other martial arts, which can leave practitioners vulnerable in those situations. Additionally, the sport can be physically demanding, and the training can be very intense and may not be suitable for everyone.
Aikido
Aikido is a Japanese martial art that focuses on using an attacker’s own energy and momentum against them. It emphasizes the use of joint locks and throws to neutralize an attacker and avoid causing harm. Additionally, Aikido teaches practitioners how to maintain control in a confrontation, which can be useful in de-escalating a situation before it becomes violent.
However, Aikido does have some downsides when it comes to self defense. The techniques can be difficult to master and may take a long time to become proficient in. Additionally, Aikido’s emphasis on redirecting an attacker’s energy can make it less effective against opponents who are much larger or stronger than the practitioner.
It also does not have striking or grappling as do other martial arts. In other words, this art is purely for defense. Offensive actions are lacking. So the best approach would be to train it alongside a more offensive martial art like boxing.
Wing Chun
Wing Chun is a Chinese martial art that is known for its close-range combat techniques and emphasis on efficient movement. It is considered one of the best martial arts for self defense because of its focus on using an opponent’s force against them and its emphasis on using strikes, kicks, and joint locks in combination.
One of the greatest advantages of Wing Chun is its focus on close-range combat. The techniques taught in Wing Chun are designed to be used in situations where there is little room to maneuver, making it a great option for self defense in confined spaces. Additionally, Wing Chun’s emphasis on using an opponent’s force against them can make it an effective option for smaller or weaker practitioners.
However, Wing Chun does have some downsides when it comes to self defense. Its focus on close-range combat can make it less effective in long-range situations. For example, against a kickboxer or a taekwondo practitioner. Additionally, Wing Chun lacks ground fighting techniques.
Overall, Wing Chun is a great additional tool for various situations, but unless you are willing to become a true master of the art it would be best to train it alongside other martial arts like boxing and BJJ.
Boxing
Boxing is considered one of the best martial arts for self defense because of its emphasis on striking and footwork. It also provides excellent endurance and conditioning. Boxing also has plenty of sparring, which is very important for learning how to fight against real life opponents.
One of the greatest advantages of boxing is its focus on hand techniques. Boxers learn to use punches effectively, which can be an important skill in self-defense situations. Additionally, boxing’s emphasis on footwork can help practitioners stay out of range of an attacker and create an opening for a counter-attack.
However, Boxing does have some downsides when it comes to self defense. Boxing leaves practitioners vulnerable in ground fighting. For example if a wrestler or a BJJ practitioner manages to get a boxer down it can spell disaster. A boxer can also have difficulties against a kickboxer unless they can effectively close distance.
Judo
Judo is a Japanese martial art that focuses on using throws, joint locks, and pins to defeat an opponent. It is considered one of the best martial arts for self defense because of its emphasis on controlling an opponent and its effectiveness in real-world self-defense situations.
One of the greatest advantages of Judo is its focus on throws and joint locks. These techniques can be used to control an opponent and put them in a position where they can be subdued. Additionally, Judo’s emphasis on control can make it an effective option for smaller or weaker practitioners.
However, Judo does have some downsides when it comes to self defense. It does not have the same emphasis on striking as other martial arts, which can leave practitioners vulnerable in those situations. Judo training is also really brutal. Being thrown to the ground repeatedly as part of training can take its toll on your back and joints.
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that focuses on using striking techniques, such as kicks and punches, to defeat an opponent. It is considered one of the best martial arts for self defense because of its emphasis on striking and its effectiveness in real-world self-defense situations.
One of the greatest advantages of Taekwondo is its focus on striking techniques, particularly kicking techniques. These techniques can be used to create distance and keep an attacker at bay. Additionally, Taekwondo’s emphasis on fitness and conditioning can help practitioners maintain the stamina necessary to defend themselves in a prolonged altercation.
However, Taekwondo does have some downsides when it comes to self defense. It does not have the same emphasis on grappling and ground fighting as arts like BJJ and Judo. It also doesn’t have the punching arsenal of boxing. So it’s one-dimensional and this can be troublesome unless you mix it up with other fighting techniques.
Karate
Karate is a Japanese martial art that focuses on using striking techniques, such as punches and kicks, but also has some grappling and ground fighting techniques. It is considered one of the best martial arts due to its comprehensive approach to fighting. Additionally, Karate’s emphasis on discipline and control can help practitioners maintain a clear mind in a high-pressure self-defense situation.
However, Karate does have some downsides when it comes to self defense. First of all, many karate schools don’t provide full contact sparring sessions because they are training students for karate tournaments. Sparring is very important for learning how to fight. Also, karate doesn’t emphasize ground fighting to the same extent as BJJ or MMA. Against a skilled opponent you could be at a disadvantage if you fall to the ground during a fight.
Eskrima/Kali/Arnis (Filipino martial arts)
This is a group of Philippine martial arts that focus on using weapons, such as sticks, knives, and swords, to defeat an opponent. They are considered some of the best martial arts for self defense because of their emphasis on weapon techniques and their effectiveness in real-world self-defense situations.
One of the greatest advantages of Eskrima, Kali, and Arnis is their focus on weapon techniques. These techniques can be used to create distance and keep an attacker at bay. Additionally, the training in these arts can improve reaction time, hand-eye coordination, and overall body control.
However, Eskrima, Kali, and Arnis do have some downsides when it comes to self defense. They require specialized training and equipment, which may not be accessible to everyone. Additionally, the techniques taught in these martial arts may not be legal in all self-defense situations.
Final Thoughts
It is important to note that no single martial art is perfect for every person or every self-defense situation. The best martial art for self defense will depend on the individual’s physical abilities, personal preferences, and the specific self-defense scenario. It’s always recommended that you try different martial arts and see which one you feel most comfortable with before making a decision.