Which sport is best for self-defence?

[SnowSurprise]

We've always said that when the DC are approaching teenagers, we'd like them to take a self-defence course. They're now approaching that age and we're wondering if a one off course is the best thing, or if we should try to get them into a sports club for a longer period. Our eldest has SN and there was a phase in his primary when he was regularly being punched, held down and kicked etc by some of the other boys in his class. This was sorted by the school, but he will soon be going to secondary and I can see the whole thing starting over again.

Which sports should we consider?

I don't have experience of self-defence classes other than karate and wouldn't recommend it for genuine self-defence.

It's great fun, gets you fit etc but it's not practical in real-life situations.

To be honest it sounds like you're going to need a more physical sport like kick boxing.

My DC enjoy ju jitsu

Krave Maga?

None really
While a martial art can improve confidence it’s generally best not to use it outside the classroom.
DD did Taekwando to a reasonably high standard and her teacher always drilled it into her that her first option should always be to run away and if that wasn’t possible hit hard and fast to give herself the opportunity to run away.

Sprinting.

Kickboxing is good. DS is only 8 but trains twice a week, he is shy and has allergies/asthma etc. so we feel like he will be a target at highschool so we are prepping him early.

We did have him in TKD but it didn't seem like it would be much use in a real world situation.

@Hoppinggreen

None really While a martial art can improve confidence it’s generally best not to use it outside the classroom. DD did Taekwando to a reasonably high standard and her teacher always drilled it into her that her first option should always be to run away and if that wasn’t possible hit hard and fast to give herself the opportunity to run away.

Just to add to this you have a licence to practise most martial arts (you get this when you register with a club) and you have to sign it to say you won't use your skills in an uncontrolled environment unless it's an absolute essential reason. If you breach those terms you can have your licence removed and not be allowed to train anymore.

As my name suggests....I practiced karate for years. You will get a lot of people telling you that it isn't practical in a real life situation, it is archaic etc. However, it has given me the confidence to know that if anyone ever attacked me I would have a fighting chance. It teaches observational, distancing and awareness skills through sparring, so I feel I can spot the body language signs of something being "off". First defense is always to run, but ideally it is better to spot things before you even get into a bad situation.

Most people can't even form a fist correctly, so even doing a basic course of self defense is a must.. especially for women.

Running. And shouting.

I was doing some boxing with my trainer, and he was teaching me jabs above head height, and he was telling me about how to punch above my own height.

Erm, if someone taller than me is trying to punch me, I am not punching them back.

Which sports should we consider?

Axe throwing.

Running and a generally high level
Of cardiovascular fitness. Strength training.

It's great fun, gets you fit etc but it's not practical in real-life situations.
Yes, this is what we were thinking, but I've no experience of it.

her first option should always be to run away
I totally agree. However, if you're cornered by 3 or 4 kids in a school playground, this isn't really an option.

Running and a generally high level Of cardiovascular fitness
We try to do this and keep active as a family. I take the Dc running with me in the holidays although not in winter

Brazilian jiu jitsu.

MMA has lots of components of BJJ as its so effective. (according to the dads at DSs classes) It's mainly floor based, and with technique a smaller person can over power a larger one.