WRT boxing/kickboxing in a real fight…hitting with a closed fist? If you don’t mind breaking your own fingers, then be my guest. And if you can kick high no matter what you’re wearing, no matter what you’re standing on, no matter how icy the sidewalk or whatever, you’ve better balance than I do.

Don’t fancy punching with a closed fist? Fair enough, though I think you overestimate the danger. How about elbows then? Or kicks to the knees and thighs? Or knees to the gut? All of those are trained in an alive manner in Thai Boxing.

Someone else said, it’s not so much about particular techniques, it’s about being able to hit while being hit yourself and fighting through it. Thats the great advantage that the sportive styles have going for them.

But again, fighting skill is only part of the equation. Good sense and awareness are far greater parts. I guess it just comes down to doing something you get enjoyment from.

Re fencing. get into epee as fast as you can. Develops the wrist, punishes any over-reaching and it’s a whole body target.

Francis,
WRT boxing/kickboxing in a real fight…hitting with a closed fist? If you don’t mind breaking your own fingers, then be my guest. And if you can kick high no matter what you’re wearing, no matter what you’re standing on, no matter how icy the sidewalk or whatever, you’ve better balance than I do.

We’ve started looking at Krav Maga. Initial impressions are promising but we’ll know more in a few years. So far, it looks like it borrows heavily from the WWII combatives published by Rex Applegate in “Kill Or Get Killed.”

And if she’s a Nexus 6 I’m screwed.

Relax, my knees are not what they used to be.

(I’ve been doing Hungarian military sabre for a little over a decade now. It’s like tennis compared to ping-pong.)

There are a few techniques that may help you. But in fact, even Taebo and aerobic kickboxing, as ridiculous as this sounds, have stacks and stacks of thank-you letters saying “I really used this and it saved my butt.”

Plus, you’re in shape. But otherwise, if you’re serious, at some point, you have to learn to take a shot and keep going. I’m a big fan of boxing, even the gentrified sort, for that reason.

Whilst the afore mentioned Booj, boxing, Thai boxing and judo are all good, there are physical techniques, culled from such things, which are high-percentage, effective options, that can be taught quickly. This is, I feel, a better option for those who don’t want to devote the time to training in a sportive or artistic style.

Hm. Are there any easy to learn, not so tough ones to learn that might help out with self defence? I’ve been thinking I should stop whinging about being disarmed by the state and take what responsibility I can for my own safety.

Fraid not. Worthwhile styles are hard. Thats partly what makes them worthwhile.

Someone suggested Krav Maga. That might be worth a look, but Krav can be something of a mixed bag. I’d go along and have a look at a class first to see what you think.
I, personally, don’t much like Krav due to it’s lack of free sparring.

If I wanted to study something purely for self defence, and I had the time, I’d go for Boxing or Muay Thai and Judo.
All solid, proven styles, with sound training methods, the mix of which should cover every eventuality.

You calling Alisa an android? Or in her case, I suppose a gyndroid.

I used to fence, but that was at school, many a long year ago. Can’t otherwise offer to comment.

In terms of fencing scenes, well Montoya was mentioned earlier but still, I am surprised no one has explicitly mentioned The Princess Bride or Scaramouche.

I don’t know that any worthwhile martial art is easy to learn – the challenge is kind of the point, in many ways. In any event, to be proficient enough to use it in combat, it has to soak in to muscle memory, which requires hours of repetition.