In 2016, the number of violent crimes in Australia rose for the first time in six years. The crimes recorded by Australian police encompass everything from homicides and kidnappings, to sexual assaults and unlawful entry with intent.
Over this period, the number of sexual assaults recorded in Australia rose from 21,948 victims in 2015 to 23,052 victims in 2016, while the number of robbery victims rose by 5 per cent, with 9,403 victims in 2016.
Given these alarming figures, it’s not hard to see how learning martial arts isn’t just beneficial to your health and well-being, it’s also a great way to build up the strength and skills you need to protect yourself.
Here, we look at four popular types of martial arts that can be used for self-defence purposes.
Muay Thai / Kickboxing
Kickboxing is a relatively broad term that covers almost anything that involves punching and kicking, while Muay Thai is a more distinct version of Kickboxing.
The centuries-old practice of Muay Thai comes from Thailand and uses moves that involve knee and elbow strikes, as well as moves that use your feet and fists and a stand-up grappling technique that’s commonly referred to as ‘clinch’.
Is it for You?
If you’re flexible, things will be easier for you getting started, especially when you’re getting used to the kicks. It’s also great if you enjoy competing, while in terms of self-defence it falls somewhere in the middle of the scale of practicality.
KravMaga
The Hebrew translation of KravMaga is ‘battle contact’, which is a fairly accurate description of this martial arts technique. Developed by the Israeli Defense Force with the intention of implementing it in real-life combat situations, this technique encompasses everything from punching, kicking and throwing. KravMaga will also teach you how to disarm an attacker, with tools like rubber knives and guns making an appearance.
Is it for You?
KravMaga training involves a lot of intense workouts and drills and lets you take advantage of what’s usually considered dirty tactics in martial arts, including kicks to the groin and eye pokes. You’ll need to have strong joints, and be okay with lots of contact (prepare to leave training with bruises). Competing isn’t really an option with KravMaga, but it’s an excellent form of self-defence.
Jiu-Jitsu
The main point of Jiu-Jitsu is get your opponent into a submission hold that either knocks them out, or puts them in so much pain that they have to submit. This form of fighting is common in UFC fighting and encompasses a ground-based grappling technique that first came into prominence in the early 1900s.
Is it for You?
From a sporting and fitness perspective, you can’t go past Jiu-Jitsu. In terms of self-defence, if you have space issues, it might not be the best option for you, and precautions will need to be taken, as it can be dangerous to both yourself and your attacker when in an unsupervised environment. However, it’s a handy skill to have up your sleeve.
Tae Kwon Do
Hailing from Korea, Tae Kwon Do is one of the broadest forms of martial arts. Attacks include punches, kicks and throws and it’s so popular, it’s even an Olympic sport.
Is it for You?
Drills and sparring are the name of the game in training, but cardiovascular exercises and breaking stuff with your hands and feet also plays a big role. There’s plenty of opportunity to compete, but you will need to invest in a large amount of martial arts supplies.
Once you’ve decided which type of martial arts you want to take up, check out our range of martial arts equipment online www.giri.com.au, which includes everything from martial arts weapons to clothing and equipment.