What Martial Art Style is the Best?

Last night I was listening to a BJJ Black Belt. He was trying to convince a potential student that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is so much better than karate. He told the kid to go watch some Royce Gracie fights from the 1990's and this would prove how much better BJJ is than other styles.

I too used to have the "my style is best" attitude. I now realize that I was an influential teen being told this over and over again by my instructor, who needed to promote his school and keep students.

In 2007, as a 2nd degree Black Belt in a mostly Kenpo based style, I discovered the Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors (AWMAI) and the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists (PAWMA). Through these organization, I was introduced to the benefits of many martial arts styles and my view started to evolve.

The Current BJJ is Best Trend
BJJ is the current hot martial art.  10 years ago it was Kung Fu.  Before that it was Kenpo and it's siblings (at least in the west U.S.). And somewhere in there was Krav Maga.

BJJ schools are popping up everywhere, and these instructors need to make money, so yes, they are going to sell their art as the best. Most of these instructors are very skilled in their art, but have not explored many other arts.

So, let me tell you a secret.  BJJ steals from other styles! Yes, it is true.  BJJ instructors are okay with their martial art continually evolving, so when they see a technique that works in other styles, they steal it and use it. When it works in a tournament, they name it, and it becomes branded as BJJ. BJJ is full of old school Japanese Judo, current Judo, Karate, Aikido, and many other styles. Where do you think all those joint locks and submissions came from?

The simple fact is the body only moves in so many ways and as you climb the pyramid of martial arts to the top, all the styles start to resemble each other.  At the bottom of the pyramid, they all look very different, but this is only because they value different primary skills. As you continue up the pyramid, the techniques and moves all start to look similar.

So what is the best Martial Art?

The best martial art is the one you enjoy, brings you peace, friendship, fitness, and makes you happy.

But what is the best Martial Art for Self Defense?

Like I said, eventually all martial arts lead to some self-defense application.  But, if you don't want to spend 20 years to finally have skills you can apply to self-defense, then here is my recommendation.

Find a school that is well-rounded in these areas:

• Solid Stand-up skills against punches, kicks, and grabs. You need to know how to throw basic self-defense strikes like kicks to the knees and heal palms to the face.  We call these stunning strikes or bonus shots, so that you can stun the person and get away. (Note: Many BJJ schools only teach a few of these skills or none. Look at Roger Gracie. In the past few years, he has really had to go learn "other styles" to approve his stand-up game for MMA. His ground game was, of course, awesome (he is a Gracie), but his stand-up was frankly, horrible. Now, he at least looks like he won't fall over on his feet when he throws a kick.  You need to know more than what most BJJ's schools teach you -not just one or two blocks.
• Solid Clinching and Trapping from Standing.  Think current JKD trappling, Judo clinching, and set-up takedowns in BJJ. I haven't had these skills for 20 years, and every time I was trapped, I would panic.  You need to know how to "Bridge the Gap" with larger opponents when you can't beat their attack with blocks and you need to do the clinch. 
• Takedowns - Once you are in the clinch you need to know what to do. You need to know how to get away, how to avoid being taken down, and when and how to do a takedown on the other person. 
• Solid defense against weapons - standing and on the ground
• Solid ground game. You need to know how to break an attack from the ground and get back to your feet.  You need to know how to block punches from the ground and control an enraged attacker.   
• Other - There are a few other areas that a well rounded black belt needs to know, but for beginners, the five above are what I believe to be most important.

Don't be a Blind Follower

Take a look at the list above.  If your school or instructor doesn't value all these areas, then don't jump on the "My style is best" band wagon.  This doesn't mean your instructor is bad or his style is bad.  It just means that if you want to have well-rounded self defense skills, then you need to seek training in a few additional areas.

Embrace your style, but don't be an elitist snot!

I love my standup skills.  I am long and tall, and these skills work best for me.  This doesn't mean they are the best for everyone though. And ironically, because of a damaged back (from being an airline pilot, and not from martial arts), I can no longer spar in stand-up. But I can roll in BJJ with soft training partners, so the "best art" for me is slowly changing.  In years, maybe internal arts like Tai Chi will be the arts for me. And when I was pregnant, it was the best art for me.

In the past 10 years, I have really had to work hard to become a more a well-rounded black belt. I have had to also work hard on my school's curriculum to embrace all areas of self-defense and make sure my beginning to advanced students are all learning well-rounded self-defense. This is a continually evolving process.  As my dad says, "if you get old and stinky, you die." In martial arts terms, this means you need to keep you self defense skills current with the times. Most places in the world don't fight with swords anymore.  This is cool to learn, but it doesn't make you awesome at current world self-defense.  

So when your instructor starts the "My Martial Art is the Best" business.  Don't be a snot.  Keep your mouth shut, but don't jump on that band wagon. 

Recommendations

Here are some recommendation of materials from "well-rounded" martial artists instructors. These contain affiliate links.  By clicking on the links and purchasing from these links, I get commission on your purchase.  This is one way, I support my family and can provide you with free materials on this blog. Please support me by subscribing to this blog and sharing this blog.

 Dave Kovar (aff link) 

Fariborz Azhakh (aff link)

 Cathy Chapaty (aff link)

Can Kid's Really Learn to Defend Themselves?

I was listening to a YouTube video last night discussing the reason why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu doesn't award black belts to youth (under 18 yrs old).  There were several comments I agreed with in the discussion, such as not awarding a black belt to an 8 year old. But there were a few point I didn't agree with, and one that worried me immensely. It was the belief this instructor had that kids are incapable of defending themselves against larger opponents or attackers.

The instructor in the video commented that kids can't be black belts in Brazillian Jiu-jitsu because they aren't big and strong enough to defend themselves until they are a minimum of 18-21 yrs old. Say what??? I am okay saying they can't be black belts until that age because they are not mature enough or because their bodies are not physically developed to complete all the techniques, but to say they can't defend themselves until this age is crazy! (Now, I know not every BJJ instructor or program has this belief.  For example we don't, and the school I came up with didn't have this belief).

First, let me set my standard on defending an attack.  I believe it is the ability to break the grab attack, block the strike or weapon attack, and then get away! Isn't getting away the real goal? And I don't believe you need to be a black belt to do this. I start out day one with all students teaching them how to defend themselves. Realistically, it take about a year of training to have enough knowledge to defend most attacks, but I believe students who only take one month of classes from me are better prepared to defend and attack then someone who hasn't taken any self defense. Of course, a black belt is going to be more prepared to defend themselves, but that doesn't mean white belts can't defend themselves.

Second, let me tell you my standard for awarding a black belt (adult or junior black belt), so that you know I stand for my belief that kids can defend themselves. In my opinion a truly skilled black belt must have "the ability to defend oneself against any attack thrown – grab, weapon, ground attack, etc.  Defense skills used must be effective [and one must demonstrate the] ability to defend oneself, escape, and never give up." There are additional requirements such as time in training, good moral character, fitness etc., but I hope this cuts to my point that I believe kids and adults have the ability to defend themselves against an attacker.

FYI - In our school, it takes about 8-10 years for an average kid to achieve Junior Black Belt and 1-5 years more to earn full Black Belt. That means a kid who starts at 6 year old (our minimum age to start teaching actual self defense skills) won't be qualified to earn a junior black belt until a minimum age of 14 yrs.  And yes, I know my 14 year old students can defend themselves. That doesn't mean I am going to throw them into a group of gangbangers and say, "defend yourself."  It means that if they use all of their abilities to avoid an attack, then if one does unfortunately arise, I know they will do everything possible to survive that situation. For full Black Belt I do not have a minimum age, but 16 years old is about the youngest most youth are prepared for the responsibility of being a Black Belt and have the maturity to complete all the requirements for full Black Belt. This is my standard and those who don't agree or like this standard can seek training from a different school, but I believe this sets a high standard for Black Belt that is reasonable and obtainable. But I am getting off point....

Back to why I believe kids can learn to defend themselves.

My Reasoning behind my Belief

1. I have seen it first hand over 24 years of teaching youth. It only takes one good strike, kick, or putting up a strong fight to distract an attacker long enough to get away. Remember, getting away is the goal! 
2. Watch the news. About once per year, I see a kid who defends a kidnapper, attacker, etc. If this isn't enough proof than nothing I can say will change your mind, and we will just have to agree to disagree on this point.

Bad things happen. You can do everything possible to avoid them, but they may still happen.  I teach kids to defend themselves in case something bad does happen.  And I believe 100% that a child under the age of 18 can defend themselves.

-Peace

My Favorite Martial Arts Books

Over the years I have collected a list of my favorite martial arts related books.  I hope you enjoy. Happy Reading.

Books related to Self Defense

 The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker

Books related to Martial Artist's Philosophy

 Moving Zen: Karate as a Way to Gentleness by C.W. Nicol

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

The Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama

The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff

What to Say When you Talk to Yourself by Shad Helmstertter, Ph.D. 

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Stephen R. Covey

Everyday Tao: Living with Balance and Harmony by Ming-Dao Deng

Books related to Martial Arts Technique

Ed Parker's Infinite Insights into Kenpo (Series) by Ed Parker

Essential Anatomy: For Healing and Martial Arts by Mac Tedeschi

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique by Renzo Gracie

Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu Self Defense Techniques by Royce Gracie

Jiu-Jitsu University by Saulo Ribeiro

The Gracie Diet by Rorion Gracie

Books related to Martial Art Sport

My Fight/Your Fight by Ronda Rousey

Open: An Autobiography by Andre Agassi

Sound Like a Good Read

I Got this. To Gold and Beyond by Laurie Hernandez

Background:

All of the books listed here, I have read and many are in my personal library.

Over the years I have been required to read several books for advancement in the Martial Arts. Some of the books I enjoyed and have found beneficial. (I have included some of those books here). Others were dry and unreasonable (they are not listed). 

Halloween Self Defense

"Boooo. Boo. Boooo. Boo. I'm the ghost that scares you...," goes the song I sing with my kids.

I love this time of year. In our family, we celebrate the fall season all month long. And of course, we have great fun on Halloween night.  Halloween can be fun for "kids" of all ages, and with a little caution, the holiday can be a safe one to celebrate. Here's some tips we share in our classes to help keep Halloween safe, fun, and enjoyable for all.

Haunted House Safety

• Go with friends
• Don't make yourself an easy target for criminals
• Make sure your friends are aware of dangers that Haunted Houses attract, i.e. petty criminals, theft, gang violence, sexual assaults, etc. When I was 10 years old, a gang followed some kids from a haunted house to my neighborhood and proceed to complete a gang initiation by beating up the kid. I think this is what sparked my interest in self defense.
• Park in a well-lit area preferably provided by the haunted house and where security is present
• Always stay with your group or at least one friend at all times. 
• If you have to return to your car to get something, go with at least one friend.
• Always be aware. Haunted Houses are fun, but keep an eye out for unwanted attention and "creepy" people.
• Keep purses and bags in your trunk. Carrying these just makes you an easy target. Put enough money in your pocket for the activity and since it is usually cooler, you can keep your phone in your jacket pocket. Leave the rest in the car.

Trick-or-Treating for Teens  

• Always go with friends.
• Stay in well-lit areas and neighborhoods
• Stay in neighborhoods with plenty of trick-or-treaters. These usually have the most candy anyway. 
• Follow the same rules as going to a Haunted House, especially always being aware
• Don't make yourself an easy target for attackers
• Make sure your parents know and approve of the neighborhoods you plan to visit. 
• Check in with your parents often and make sure an adult always know where you are at and when you plan to return home.
• Be respectful of the little ones. Really, trick-or-treating is for those under 12. If you decide to go, make sure you don't scare, hurt, and make anyone mad.  Courtesy goes a long way in avoiding a confrontation that can turn into a fight or self defense situation.
• Don't do anything criminal or start any fight. Keep your "tricks" appropriate and friendly. 
• Remember, the day is meant to be fun, but it is important to remain respectful and stay out of trouble at all times. 
• Wear a costume that is appropriate that doesn't bring you unwanted attention. Also, make sure you can see well. In order to be aware, you must be able to see what is going on around you.
• Watch for cars at traffic. Last year, two teens were killed trick-or-treating in our area. Stay on one side of the road then cross over to the other at the end of the road. Don't zigzag from side to side of the street trying to get as much candy as possible. This just increases your risk of not being seen and getting hit by a car. 
• Inspect all candy and throw away any tampered or questionable candy. Sadly, some people think poisoning candy is a great "trick" on Halloween.
• Use a flashlight to make you more visible

Trick-or-Treating for Youth

• Always stay with your parents or other adults
• Follow all the rules above for the Teens
• Only cross the road with parents or other adults
• Let your parents inspect all your candy before you eat any of it.
• Remember, the martial arts principle of Courtesy and stay off people's lawns (this is my pet peeve, so I had to put this in).

Halloween Parties for Adults

• Be smart and don't make yourself an easy target. Wear an appropriate costume that doesn't bring unwanted attention. 
• Go and stay with friends. If you return to your car, always go with a friend.
• Be smart about alcohol consumption. Always keep an eye on your drinks to make sure someone doesn't put something in it. Yes, this still happens. And of course, make sure your group has a designated driver or calls a cab.
• Be aware of ways to prevent sexual assault 
• Call for help if you need it.  

I hope you enjoy and have a safe Halloween.

Flying Tiger Martial Arts

www.flyingtigermartialartsga.com

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