What’s practical and effective for self defense?
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!
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.
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.
I learned Ken po, I don’t know the legality of gouging someone’s eyes out but seems pretty effective… that was how almost every technique I learned seems to end. They had these mannequins with the eyes removed and they’d put soft boiled eggs in them. We never practiced on anybody & the guy who started it had an eye patch over one eye.
boxing? lots of cardio so you can run away, looks like a “fair fight” if you can’t. It’s good to have a ground game from BJJ, but if you take someone to ground their friends are probably gonna jump you, and if they were alone you probably could have run away.
I’ve never been in a situation where I needed to fight my way out. If I were to encounter one I’d probably be carrying a gun anyway. IMO, you could also train for fun, fitness, street fighting, etc; be realistic about your self-defense needs.
I know how to use a firearm but I don’t carry a gun, I feel like I’d get insta-executed (I’m black)
Wrestling / BJJ and boxing, with an emphasis on defensive skills (footwork, head movement, stopping takedowns, clearing collar-ties, getting up quickly, etc.).
The value of unarmed self defense in a world with weapons is that you aren’t guaranteed a clean draw of your weapon, so having something to bridge the gap can be helpful. That’s really all though – beyond that weapons are entirely superior, with a little asterisk next to knives because it’s too easy for a stronger person to turn your own knife against you.
seconding BJJ or wrestling as focus (and learning to sprint well), boxing or kickboxing as second if you feel the need. The vast vast majority of civilian fights that can’t be de-escalated are not cinematic circling-and-striking but instead are very sloppy tantrums that immediately go from shoving, to clinching, to the ground. Being able to control someone’s limbs is important, especially if they might have a weapon and there is no de-escalation possible or as you said you can’t access yours if you have one. I also think something like a stun gun or mace would probably be safer option than a knife to end a fight. People, especially under adrenaline, can keep going not even realizing they’ve been stabbed 50 times, and by that point you’ve added a much more ugly variable thrown into the mix (and it’s also harder to grip somebody who is covered in blood)
That said always avoid fights or escape those circumstances if you can, and try to never be alone where fights might happen. And where there are fights, like serious fights with someone trying to do you harm, be as unfair and brutal as you can immediately.
Getting good at fighting with any weapon, even just a heavy blunt object, will be easier to learn and more effective than unarmed self defense. Knowing how to use a firearm is even more practical if you’re in a situation where they’re an option.
Avoiding fights is always the best form of self defense though and being prepared for them if they happen is the second best.
