is Krav Maga the best practical defense?

**mencey** · 12-02-2004, 11:39 AM

Is Krav Maga,the best practical defense for several attackers?
Have anyone had to use it? How was it?

**BOUNCER** · 12-02-2004, 11:42 AM

I doubt it, if your up against more than one attacker your in deep sh*t no matter what style you use. Personally I don't think much of K.M. as an effective fighting style. I believe in showing the effectivness of your style in competition, K.M. fails to do this. Against an armed attacker its probably the best system in the world.

But the first lession of self defence should be to run like a MoFo !

**mencey** · 12-02-2004, 11:51 AM

what would be in your opinion the best to learn for general street situations?

**CarvedFromStone** · 12-02-2004, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by mencey

what would be in your opinion the best to learn for general street situations?

judo, wrestling, ju jitsu or vale tudo is gonna be one of your best bets

**BOUNCER** · 12-04-2004, 03:24 AM

Originally Posted by mencey

what would be in your opinion the best to learn for general street situations?

Vale Tudo. I practice Kickboxing and Judo, although I'm luck with Judo inso far as we've some great BJJ fighters in the club too. If you can't find a good Vale Tudo club in your area I'd go with Muay Thai or Kickboxing and Judo. Jiu JItsu wouldn't interest me to be honest..

**GQ-Bouncer** · 12-04-2004, 07:51 AM

Originally Posted by mencey

what would be in your opinion the best to learn for general street situations?

heavy overhand right, headbutt and carotid-chokehold

remember the street is merciless, a good friend of mine (took over as head bouncer for the club i used to work) is getting charged because he laid the boots to some dude while he was on the ground and kicked 6 of his teeth out (yeah, he's dealing with the law-suit too, don't worry), it's pretty common for when a group attacks on person, the victim is tripped or put on the ground somehow, while the rest practice thier punting skills - the lesson being, don't scrap the crowd (especially if you don't have street skills/weapons/friends)

most of the time though, you can diffuse any situation by speaking, "hey man, i don't want this, i just want to go home, i'm sorry" - as long as you make the attacker(s) feel dominant, they should have no reason to physically attack you. At the same time, if you show fear, psychologically (doctors have proven this) you have more of a chance of getting pounced upon - apparently it happened in the animal kingdom pretty often. As long as your assertive and articulant you should never be in to much danger

Bouncer - is the club scene where you live have alot of knife/edged weapon problems? and do any of your guys wear concealable stab vests?

**Peanut Butter** · 12-04-2004, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by GQ-Bouncer

most of the time though, you can diffuse any situation by speaking, "hey man, i don't want this, i just want to go home, i'm sorry" - as long as you make the attacker(s) feel dominant, they should have no reason to physically attack you.

That might work in Canada but not in the murder captitol of the world.

**BOUNCER** · 12-05-2004, 03:30 AM

Originally Posted by GQ-Bouncer

Bouncer - is the club scene where you live have alot of knife/edged weapon problems? and do any of your guys wear concealable stab vests?

Not untill recently. But a recent (past five years) we've had an influx of eastern European and Nigerian refugee's, these changed the scene in that regard. I don't know anyone who use's a stab proof vest, although I've considered one for myself.

**jonnyblade** · 12-06-2004, 01:31 AM

I am not familiar with Krav Maga but I would have to say a striking are would be the only route to go against several attackers. You only have about 1 second a piece to takem out, you grab one of them and the other guys could be all over you in a second. (yeah I made that mistake with some bouncers at a bar, wooled me lol)

**GQ-Bouncer** · 12-06-2004, 03:09 AM

yaaa don't ever fight a bouncer at a nightclub, unless you want 6-7 guys beating you senseless and waking up in a hospital or you happen to have alot of boys with you

**craneboy** · 12-06-2004, 06:49 AM

Originally Posted by mencey

what would be in your opinion the best to learn for general street situations?

kajukenbo, a combo of karate, aikido, jui jitsu, kenpo and boxing

**darmadoc** · 12-06-2004, 08:17 AM

Originally Posted by BOUNCER

Jiu JItsu wouldn't interest me to be honest..

Do you mind if I ask why?

**BOUNCER** · 12-06-2004, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by darmadoc

Do you mind if I ask why?

Well I've tried it, went to a few seminars and still continue to do so and I've just never taken to it. I don't believe most of what I was shown would work in a real life situation. I believe Judo takes what works from JJ and use's it. At least thats been my experience.

**jonnyblade** · 12-06-2004, 01:22 PM

Yeah traditional Jui jitsui has alot of crap in it, I did 2 different styles of it over a 2 year period and they get way too much into wrist locks and arm twists, I think when you are standing the easiest way to take someone out is a right cross to the jaw, its much eaiser then trying to spin someones arm around. At least when you miss with the right your coming back with 3 more punches they have to dodge too in the same time frame it takes to twist an arm. I have to give it too those Brazilians thought there pretty savage at there JJ styles.

**mma_badboy** · 12-16-2004, 06:54 AM

depends on the person and if your good with KM. what ever your style i say groin shots, eye gouges and swing for a home run on each hit!

..and act all crazed up....you might freak them out

**billy_ba** · 12-16-2004, 11:33 AM

its all about submission grappling and kickboxing. Best combo out there.

**andrewcollins72** · 04-10-2013, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by BOUNCER

I doubt it, if your up against more than one attacker your in deep sh*t no matter what style you use. Personally I don't think much of K.M. as an effective fighting style. I believe in showing the effectivness of your style in competition, K.M. fails to do this. Against an armed attacker its probably the best system in the world.

But the first lession of self defence should be to run like a MoFo !

I agree with most of what you said, except that you should prove the effectiveness of your style in competition. That's not true at all, in fact competitive styles are the least practical for real life self defense. In a competition there are rules to be followed so that it is safe and fair. Krav Maga is so effective because it teaches you to handle situations that are extremely dangerous, it would be way too risky to try its moves in a fair fight. In a tournament your opponent is never gonna pull out a weapon or try to kill you.

I'm not saying that competitive styles are bad by any means. They are practiced for different reasons, so that doesn't mean that one is better than the other. But if you are concerned about being attacked by people on the streets, Krav Maga is definitely helpful for that.

**Times Roman** · 04-11-2013, 07:02 PM

I've studied a few styles, and imho, it's more to do with the proficiency of the artist, than it does with any particular style.

if you are a clumsy oaf, "which style" aint going to save your sorry ass.

Some guys don't have a style, but have a street fighting ability they've just picked up, and are very adept at it.

**spywizard** · 04-11-2013, 07:08 PM

Nice 9 yr old bump..

but "Crazy style" always wins

**Times Roman** · 04-11-2013, 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by spywizard

Nice 9 yr old bump..

but "Crazy style" always wins

no shit?

I didn't notice....

....maybe I should clean my glasses more often

**Patryn** · 04-14-2013, 02:15 PM

Yes, Krav Maga is, IMO, the most widely available form of effective street fighting training available. If you'd like to learn a combat sport instead which can be easily translated to street situations, I would recommend Sambo.

**cantstopkane** · 04-17-2013, 02:56 AM

LOL Thread revival,

I've, done judo since I was 8 so I have some insight, Never fought vs 8 guys in a street fight tho lol

I wouldn't call Krav a Martial Art Per-say but a bunch of strong fundamentals and a methodology/way of going about it. It was designed in Israel to keep you alive in times of chaos, war, political unrest, ect. not necessarily to defeat people

using the fundamentals of krav going for super cheap shots and running away at every opportunity would be good ideas in a street fight vs multiple attackers.

That being said, as mentioned above the number one thing you don't want to happen to you in a fight vs 2 or more is be put on your back and stomped because that is devastating, trust me.

Given that, you would want a background that would give you good balance and takedown defense Wrestling, Judo, Sombo, NOT BJJ.

(don't get me wrong BJJ is great but only 1v1)

other then that good head movement and the ability to throw a punch would help with not taking damage, Boxing, Muay Thai, Karate, ect.

vs many your goal is not so much to defeat or destroy but stun or subdue and escape

**mmaelite** · 04-19-2013, 12:29 PM

POINT BLANK NO!!!!!!! that is a joke, you want to be able to handle any situation that's not involving wapons you need to hit your local mma school. Its UFC proven, street effective. you need wrestling, jiu jitsu and some boxing and or muay thaii.

**mmaelite** · 04-19-2013, 12:32 PM

where do you bounce? lol, in Chicago you cant hit or do anything but escort out and its all video taped.

**oatmeal69** · 04-19-2013, 12:32 PM

The best defense? Don't bring your fists to a gun fight.

**roid_rage** · 04-24-2013, 01:57 PM

I guess not proving at all is better than proving it under certain rules?? how does that work?

by the way, pre ZUFF UFC, and other nhb have proven what works and what not, I do not remember any km dude beating the shit out of anyone... KM is a fairly tale, people love to believe you can turn into some devastating killing machine, sadly, that aint real life.

**Quester** · 05-03-2013, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by GQ-Bouncer

most of the time though, you can diffuse any situation by speaking, "hey man, i don't want this, i just want to go home, i'm sorry" - as long as you make the attacker(s) feel dominant, they should have no reason to physically attack you. At the same time, if you show fear, psychologically (doctors have proven this) you have more of a chance of getting pounced upon - apparently it happened in the animal kingdom pretty often. As long as your assertive and articulant you should never be in to much danger

This is even more effective if you keep your hands up, palms out, and arms extended in front of you. The average guy is gonna think that you are showing him that you have nothing in your hand and that it is a "by your leave gesture." People with training will recognize that your hands are now in a position to be used more effectively than if they were at your sides...which is the point. Additionally, any witnesses that talk to the cops are going to interpret your body language the same way that the untrained do: "I am not a threat to you, leave me alone." If you do this at a few paces away don't close the distance and don't change the message. You have the right to protect yourself and your space. Your space in a reasonably uncrowded area is arm length.

**EKFitness** · 05-03-2013, 09:30 PM

for a street fight against more than one person all you need is very strong boxing skills. most likely the others will suck.

1v1 u need bjj

**Quester** · 05-03-2013, 09:41 PM

The exception, of course, is when it is a matter of life and death. Barring that circumstance it is necessary to respect the principle of escalation. Don't talk shit, maintain your composure and don't escalate the encounter=less guilty. Match the escalation if you have too. If he grabs your hand you can't kick him in the face. If he strikes and you can catch it and drop him to the ground, run. Otherwise you have to kick. Kicking a person on the ground will mark you as the aggressor no matter what preceded the act. At any point that you escalate successfully, you must stop or risk legal penalties.

**MUSCLENUTANT** · 05-04-2013, 06:38 AM

I trained in Kenpo Karate and Aikido. I believe your best bet is a mix of different skills. I believe that some of Aikido's techniques are fundamental in self- defense, if you are good with your Tenkan, you can quickly keeep rotating through attackers, but eventually you need to do more, which is why BJJ would be a good combination. However, adding a little BJJ and judo will get you a better chance. We were shown how to adjust the movement slightly with some of the Aikido technique, that would incorporate jiu jitsu into the movement.

**boxingfan30** · 06-06-2013, 11:38 PM

Real self defense is trying to diffuse a situation and then get out of it. It's not standing in the street waiting for someone to hit you so you can hit them back... that is known as "mutual combat" and will not only get you arrested, but if you hit a guy, knock him down and he dies from the trauma, you get manslaughter charges, or maybe worse and go to jail. Really, the best thing to do is swallow your pride, realize that it's not worth it and get away.

I take combat hapkido and I shadow box with 2 lb weights every night just going through combinations.

Krav Maga is the new fad right now. This is not to say that it's not effective, but I have had people tell me that they had students use fake knives on them (the instructor) and 9 times out of 10 they were hit in a critical area that would have caused death.

The problem with many martial arts is that they have become very watered down over the years... all of this cardio kickboxing, family karate stuff is fine for getting in shape but it usually won't save your life.

There are no rules in the street and if you beat a guy down because he wouldn't get off of you, you might have won the fight, but he might be back the next night, week, whatever with a .45 pointed at your back.

Even with what I take, I do not trust my life to it and my first response (I would like to think) would be to use pure boxing and hoping that I can use a double jab, straight right and that will rattle him enough for me to either get away or use some sort of hard joint lock on him that would make him comply.

Martial arts is more about the teacher than anything else. If I were you I would look for a very good muay thai school. It's "the art of eight limbs" and is very devistating to an attacker at both distance as well as close quarters when needed. There are no MT schools near me or i'd be taking it right now.

The k.i.s.s. (keep it simple stupid) system is the best though. The less strikes and moves you have to know, the less you have to worry about the adrenaline response that tends to take over and much of your skill is lost in the fight or flight response, so sparring is very needed IMO.

If you ask most martial artists who they would least like to fight, a boxer is many times their response. There are 4 total punches in boxing and even if you have 2 hands (which makes 8 punches) it becomes more ingrained very quickly vs something like what I take, which has a lot that is involved.

Sorry for the long rant but i've had a lot of this preached to me by professional martial artists including my own Sensei who does personal security for a lot of country singers and others.

**boxingfan30** · 06-07-2013, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by MUSCLENUTANT

I trained in Kenpo Karate and Aikido. I believe your best bet is a mix of different skills. I believe that some of Aikido's techniques are fundamental in self- defense, if you are good with your Tenkan, you can quickly keeep rotating through attackers, but eventually you need to do more, which is why BJJ would be a good combination. However, adding a little BJJ and judo will get you a better chance. We were shown how to adjust the movement slightly with some of the Aikido technique, that would incorporate jiu jitsu into the movement.

agreed, a mix of styles is definitely a plus, a striking art along with a more flowing art like Aikido or Hapkido, or maybe something else isn't a bad idea either. You can use a hard style or soft style depending on the situation. I do feel however that taking a fight to the ground is a mistake in a street situation unless it's one on one, because his friends will try to start jumping on your head as soon as you are down.