Top 10 Different Forms of Self-Defense Arts

Self-defense is one of the best forms of art which is a countermeasure that involves defending one self from any form of harm. Self-defense is often referred to as martial arts and is basically the use of physical force to counter a threat of violence to self.  There are many different forms of self-defense or martial arts and all these forms include different types of techniques and methods.  So if you are someone who is interested in defending himself, then the following list of the top best forms of self-defense will be useful for you:

1. Kickboxing

Kickboxing is a form of self-defense which focuses on punches, knees and kicks. It is a fast paced art which is great for those who wish to train themselves to fight armed people on the street. If done correctly, you can easily disarm the attacker and can also break his nose.

2. Karate

Everyone has heard of karate and how it can be a great method of self-defense. In this form of self-defense, special emphasis is laid on attack deflection. Depending upon your level of expertise at this sport, you will keep getting promoted to a newer and senior level in karate.

3. Aikido

This one is based on the principle that when an attacker attacks, he tends to leave a certain part of defense vulnerable.  So if you don’t attack him as a defender, you will remain defensively invulnerable. Here the trick is to use the momentum of the attacker to your benefit and to thrive on joint locks.

4. Wing Chun

Wing Chun Kung Fu is a form of self-defense which is very fast paced; rapid fire left and gives the right punches to the attacker’s chest. It does not hit the belly or the throat but it attacks the solar plexus or the sternum. In this sport, you block the opponent’s attack using only one hand and then respond with the other fist by attacking into the chest.

5. Jiu Jitsu

This is the most universal form of self-defense and is a true hybrid in many ways. It incorporates elements of various other styles including eye gouging, grappling, choke holds, biting, and joint locks and hard striking. In this form, you lower your center of gravity under the attacker’s and throw him off. It is a simple yet very effective style.

6. Jeet Kune Do

In this form of self-defense, only stance is used to defend yourself against an attacker. You need to use the western fencing ‘en garde’ stance in this martial art style and focus on your footwork to win the fight. In this, focus is laid on speed of strike combinations.

7. Western Boxing

If you thought boxing looked good only on TV, then you are mistaken. Western boxing is a special form of self-defense which can really help you in an attack situation. In this, you are required to throw punches harder and a lot faster than any trained fighter in the world. This style does not involve kicking a lot of muscle strength and endurance is needed for it. The main things needed here are punch and block.

8. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

This too is a hybrid form of self-defense which focusses on standing throws as well as strikes with ground fighting. Joint manipulation along with control of the opponent is the key skills needed to master this martial art type. In this, the focus in on defeating the center of gravity of the opponent.

9. Keysi Fighting Method

In this method, there are no kicks and it only thrives on extreme combat using every weapon that the body can come up with such as knees, fist, head and the elbows. Fists and elbows can be a lot devastating than punches, if thrown properly at the attacker. This too is a hybrid style which borrows from Jiu Jitsu and Aikido.

10. Krav Maga

This is the national martial art of Israel and incorporates elements of western boxing, Jiu Jitsu, karate and Greco Roman wrestling. This is a form where defense and attack are simultaneous and the focus is on attacking the vulnerable body parts like the eyes, groin and throat.