Self Defense

Martial arts are great as spectator sports and a good way to get fit, but they really come into their own when they are used in self-defense – undoubtedly the ultimate result for many of them. This list looks at ten of the best martial arts for if you are especially interested in defending yourself against attackers. Firstly, and this is true for all these entries, if you’re on the street and a stranger attempts to mug you, or worse, he most likely doesn’t know any particular fighting style, other than “swing for the fences and keep moving forward.” There are quite a few offshoots of kickboxing, the most famous of which is Muay Thai, which roughly translates to “art of the eight limbs.” The safest self-defense technique for men is to avoid violent confrontation altogether. However, sometimes you may be forced to physically defend your own well-being or the safety of loved ones. Dangerous or life-threatening situations could occur without warning. If you must fight back against an assailant, it helps if you are already familiar with some effective self-defense techniques. Practice self-defense moves frequently so you can quickly react if necessary. Striking You can bring an end to a physical confrontation much quicker if you know how and where to hit an attacker. Vital striking targets include his eyes and nose. Hitting one of these targets with enough power may give you enough time to get away from an attacker. When targeting an attacker's eyes, thrust your fingers into his eyes or gouge them with your thumbs. Use the heel of your palm to strike an assailant's nose.