What is the most successful type of self-defense?

Answer 1

It would of course depend on what you mean by "successful", and from whose perspective. I can't answer your question because of these and other reasons, but perhaps I can help you focus on what you are interested in. If for example you had a concealed carry permit and were carrying a gun when someone tried to rob you and you shot him, that might be considered great self-defense. On the other hand it you drew your gun and the robber took it away and shot you, that wouldn't be great self-defense. Sometimes being well trained in any martial art might give you an edge against an assailant who is untrained. However, if the assailant is well trained and bigger that you, you would probably loose in a confrontation. There have been a number of TV shows where various forms of self-defense were examined. The problem always is, can a particular martial art give you any proof that their form is better than others. By my screen name you may be able to figure out I am a practitioner of Krav Maga. If I went up against a black belt in Kung Fu would I win? The answer is who knows. The claim of Krav Maga is that it is relatively easy to learn, the knowledge can be retained and is useful against a wide spectrum of attacks and attackers. There are no rules in Krav Maga except to get home safe. A karate master may be able to throw a spinning back kick to my head while I am kicking him in the groin or poking my finger in his eye. I suggest you see what is available in your town in terms of different styles. Tell each what your goals are and see what their solution is. Just today I trained with a gentleman who said he came to train in Krav Maga because he wanted to be stressed in a controlled environment and see if he could master self-defense. He is very uncoordinated; and it would take a long time for him to learn a spinning back kick, but it didn't take him long to be able to do damage with a groin kick. He'll never be a great fighter, but he will be able to defend hinself in ways he never could before. Is that successful -- you be the judge.