I am a lanky guy, and I want to learn a form of self defense. I am 6'4" and I have no strength or agility. What should I persue for those who are experienced in this field?
Build up some muscles and get a gun. At least when you look big and cut people are more reluctant to mess with you. And the gun comes in handy if all that fails.
Try Aikido, it's mostly locks and throws. Don't really need strength for it as your sort of using your opponents momentum.
try krav maga, if chicks can learn it, you might be able to as well. if you want to learn to defend yourself, avoid anything that ends with "-do" since most of those programs are all commercialized and won't teach you much.
I've been doing Krav Maga for about 5 months. It is more focused on self-defense than sport-fighting. In addition to punches/kicks/elbows/knees, they also teach a lot of "dirty" moves like groin strikes, eye strikes, head butts, rabbit punches, and finger/wrist breaking designed to fend off attacks quickly. They also teach various choke and bear hug escapes, as well as knife and gun defenses. Most martial arts places offer a free trial class. It's worth trying one out from each discipline you're interested in.
In my area, the classes are about 40% women, and they have no trouble picking up the combatives, defenses, and escapes. The moves are simple to learn but apparently very effective.
If you're strictly looking for self-defense I would second the Krav Maga recommendations as that is designed specifically as a modern unarmed fighting system. If you are looking for something where you can do some sparring Taekwondo might suit your build better. Many Taekwondo schools also teach Hapkido which is a very good self defense art. You might want to try out some of the Chinese martial arts which can be fairly good without requiring much strength or agility. Aikido doesn't require much strength or agility but many Aikido schools are going the way of Tai Chi and emphasizing the philosophical aspects. Even though I teach it if you feel you are lacking in strength and agility Judo and Jujitsu might not be the best for you. What I would recommend is checking out several arts and dojos and finding out which one you feel the most comfortable with. I don't believe there is one particular style that is the best at self-defense but it largely depends on what style that works best for you. Also there are a lot of shady and shoddy characters teaching martial arts and you want to find a good and reputable dojo before committing to it.
3 months later October 14, 2007, 9:48PM Local Bullies Get their Ass Kicked, Testicles Ripped off and Eyeballs Removed By ANITA HASSAN Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle TOOLS Email The series of attacks of what authorities described as an "ass-kicking" in northwest Harris County involved five local bullies being beaten physically by, eyewitnesses describe, " a tall lanky guy." Teddy 'Tank' Listner, 16, was pummled repeatedly in the head, has his eyes gouged out and testicles ripped off in a brutal attack, in the 2900 block of Gears about 10:30 a.m., said sheriff's office spokesman Sgt. Dana Wolfe. Cruz at the scene. The beating occured after Tank attempted to crush another boy's gameboy. "It was brutal, Tank was doing his usual thing, picking on a kid and trying to take his gameboy, when this tall lanky kid came up and started attacking him, going straight for his vitals while yelling 'Krav Maga!!!,' after the kid was down, he proceeded to remove his eyes and testicles." Four other similar attacks occured throughout the hour on other neighborhood bullies. Details to follow shortly.
I cant believe how many of yall are using the woman technique. Hahahahahha. No wonder you need to learn self defense... I kid
Just watch karate kid a dozen times. That's how I learned my "crane" kick. (BTW, it never works. It just makes you look like an idiot flat on the mat as someone tackles you. Damn you Macchio!)
It's from NewsRadio. One of the funny episodes after Phil Hartman. Joe Rogan invents his own martial art.
