What is the least practical martial art (for seld-defense purposes)?

[Vuk]

You tell me what you think (with your country in parenthesis beside it), and then I will put up a poll with all the answers for people to vote on. I am simply trying to gauge public perception. I have a good idea that I know what it will be (at least for the US), but I am curious as to know what others think.

EDIT: Oh, and please do not bash people for their opinion. It would be nice if this could be free from the discussion of the relative strengths and weakness of all martial arts (even the ones that suck, like Judo ).

[Beefy187]

Judo has the strangling. Its not just what you see in those pesky competition. I think its one of the best.

Visually it looks cool, but the least practical might be Capoeira

[Togakure]

I'm of the opinion that there is no "least," no "best" (USA). All martial arts have their strengths and weaknesses. Practicality lies more in the nature of the practitioner. A martial art is least effective as a form of self-defense when a practitioner clings to beliefs, habits, and expectations which work contrary to achieving what an art offers.

A related discipline in this context: I have known many musicians who are technically competent, who possess degrees from elite music schools. They are walking music theory, harmony and history computers, they play their notes to near-perfection, yet, they don't understand why judges and other established musicians rate them poorly. Mechanics are only the beginning, a foundation; the art is in making music, and some simply don't understand this or how to go about developing their true musicianship. Aside from those who simply lack that golden spark of true talent, usually it's because egos and self-justifications prevent. There's no room for more water in a glass that's already full.

[Hax]

Kyudou. Coming from someone that has practiced it. Although it's less of a martial art and more a form of meditation.

[Vuk]

I'm of the opinion that there is no "least," no "best" (USA). All martial arts have their strengths and weaknesses. Practicality lies more in the nature of the practitioner. A martial art is least effective as a form of self-defense when a practitioner clings to beliefs, habits, and expectations which work contrary to achieving what an art offers.

A related discipline in this context: I have known many musicians who are technically competent, who possess degrees from elite music schools. They are walking music theory, harmony and history computers, they play their notes to near-perfection, yet, they don't understand why judges and other established musicians rate them poorly. Mechanics are only the beginning, a foundation; the art is in making music, and some simply don't understand this or how to go about developing their true musicianship. Aside from those who simply lack that golden spark of true talent, usually it's because egos and self-justifications prevent. There's no room for more water in a glass that's already full.

That is a very interesting take on it Togakure. I will agree with you to a degree, but not completely. You are right that the martial art itself is only part of it, but I do not believe that that makes them irrelevant. Definitely the way that you train will determine how good you can do with the tool that you have, but it is also true that some tools are better than others for their purpose.

[Samurai Waki]

The least practical? Kung-Fu. Unless you plan on devoting your life to it, it's pretty much a forgone conclusion that you'll only be mediocre at best. Effective? Most definitely.

[Fragony]

Jiu Jitsu. If you want to be positively sure you are going to get beat up try using it. Best are kickboxing and judo. Period

[Vuk]

The least practical? Kung-Fu. Unless you plan on devoting your life to it, it's pretty much a forgone conclusion that you'll only be mediocre at best. Effective? Most definitely.

lol, can you please be more specific than that? Gong-Fu simply means Chinese martial arts (hard work literally), and there are thousands of highly diverse Chinese martial arts. Many of them are very similar to Japanese and Korean martial arts, and some to Western; others are completely different. Could you specify what types of Gong-Fu you think are useless?

[Centurion1]

they are all dumb. guns=win

[InsaneApache]

This has got to be up there....

[Vuk]

they are all dumb. guns=win

Yes, well not everyone carries a gun with them and is willing to use it if someone wants to brawl at a bar. Of course martial arts have their purposes. No one is saying that they make guns obselete.

[Centurion1]

dont get into fights at bars im 18 and i know its childish and immature. you ruin people nights and if you win the bouncer may beat your ass depending on your relationship and that of your combatants with him. this all coming from the kid who's been kicked at least once out of all the bars in his schools vicinity. BUT THEY ALWAYS LET ME BACK!

[Vuk]

I am not advocating picking a fight, but what if you are attacked? Maybe you do not want to kill or maim the person as you can too easily do with a knife or gun. Maybe you just want to stop him.

[Centurion1]

fights in bars last under 10 seconds if the bouncer isnt a ****bag. no one gets their asses kicked in bars unless they deserve. dont pick fights and fights won't pick you.

[Yaropolk]

This takes the cake:

[Vuk]

fights in bars last under 10 seconds if the bouncer isnt a ****bag. no one gets their asses kicked in bars unless they deserve. dont pick fights and fights won't pick you.

And what if you are attacked in a parking lot with no bouncers around? It has happened to me before, and I am darn glad that I did know at least basic self-defense. Strike is making similar arguments to you in another thread Centurion, but I am sorry, statistics show that you are very likely some time in your life to either be a victim of violence, or have to defend yourself so that you are not a victim.

[Centurion1]

trust me i can defend myself and i dont need to waste my money on nonsense like that.

[Vuk]

trust me i can defend myself and i dont need to waste my money on nonsense like that.

Like what? Sorry Centurion, but what you said (and what started this whole discussion) is that self-defense was dumb. How can you reconcile that with what you just said?

[Centurion1]

i don't need additional training in some sort of eastern mystic art to be able to take care of myself.

[Vuk]

i don't need additional training in some sort of eastern mystic art to be able to take care of myself.

lol, mystic? :P There is nothing mystical about fight/self-defense. Something works on its physical merit, or not. Why do you stereotype Eastern martial arts as mystical?

[Centurion1]

i think they are stupid for the vast majority of american consumers of them and you will learn nothing. i am bigger i am stronger than most people and i have a mean streak in a fight. i have a modicum of knowledge in pugilism. therefore i will win or i will run. since i am faster and have better endurance than most people i will still win

[Vuk]

i think they are stupid for the vast majority of american consumers of them and you will learn nothing. i am bigger i am stronger than most people and i have a mean streak in a fight. i have a modicum of knowledge in pugilism. therefore i will win or i will run. since i am faster and have better endurance than most people i will still win

Yes, I will agree that the way most martial arts (eastern or otherwise) are taught in America is not in a very practical way (unless your goal is simply to not get sued), and that most Americans have bad expectations and do not apply themselves well, BUT, that does not mean that martial arts are useless. You yourself just admitted to knowing boxing.

[ajaxfetish]

For the least practical defensive martial art, I'm gonna have to go with Masada-style mass suicide.

Ajax

[Beefy187]

i am bigger i am stronger than most people and i have a mean streak in a fight.

Yet Zangief doesn't always win against Ryu
You must learn Hadouken. Mystical eastern art will make you better.

[Samurai Waki]

lol, can you please be more specific than that? Gong-Fu simply means Chinese martial arts (hard work literally), and there are thousands of highly diverse Chinese martial arts. Many of them are very similar to Japanese and Korean martial arts, and some to Western; others are completely different. Could you specify what types of Gong-Fu you think are useless?

I didn't say useless, I said impractical. Unless you plan on completely devoting yourself to them. (Xiao Hong Quan, the Da Hong Quan, Yin Shou Gun, etc.)

[Centurion1]

Yes, I will agree that the way most martial arts (eastern or otherwise) are taught in America is not in a very practical way (unless your goal is simply to not get sued), and that most Americans have bad expectations and do not apply themselves well, BUT, that does not mean that martial arts are useless. You yourself just admitted to knowing boxing.

boxing is a sport not a martial art and is not something like tkd or karate at your local dojo in missouri. you can't not get stronger and tougher in boxing by nature of the sport.

[Vuk]

boxing is a sport not a martial art and is not something like tkd or karate at your local dojo in missouri. you can't not get stronger and tougher in boxing by nature of the sport.

Modern boxing is practiced mostly as a sport, but it has its martial roots and people often train in it for self-defense.
Boxing has roots in many cultures, and has taken many forms over the years. It is too simple to classify it solely as a sport. Most people practice TKD solely as a sport, but that does not mean that it is not also a martial art, or that there are not practical martial applications to it.

[Centurion1]

boxing is practiced in the same style in almost all of america.

[The Stranger]

Judo has the strangling. Its not just what you see in those pesky competition. I think its one of the best.

Visually it looks cool, but the least practical might be Capoeira

ye... but one can argue its really a martial arts :P its more dancing tbh.

[Samurai Waki]

I think the big mistake Americans make is thinking that martial arts are meant to be used as a way to disarm an opponent. Which is certainly not what most martial arts (in their original form) were all about. Most were plain and simple in the idea that you must disarm and then kill/neutralize that opponent as quickly and effectively as possible, honor be damned. The training is not really up to par with say Shaolin standards because for one, no American would take the kind of abuse that Shaolin monks willingly put themselves through, and second it would probably be illegal to train with traditional means. This was certainly not meant for some average joe-blow to learn in any sort of serious detail, it was something people devoted their entire lives to, and only the best of the best need apply. American "martial arts" trying to mimic eastern styles are a complete sham, better to go with some sort of Mixed Martial art than Karate.