Stéphane said:
The world is a scary place, I already got heavilly beat up twice what's the best self defence course in order to defend myself. I guess guys want to fight with me, because i'm a threat.
Hi
To be honest, whatever it is you do choose, you HAVE to stick with it so it becomes second nature. In years of boxing i saw a million kids who came for 6 months and got pretty good pretty fast, and because of that thought theyd be badasses on the street, but forgot when you get in a fight and the adreneline is pumping, you will forget everything the defense class has taught you in the heat of the moment if you do not practice it for a sufficient amount of time to make it second nature. Boxing has become such a second nature to me that on occasions where someone approaches me with a nasty demeanor ive already adopted a distancing stance (with my feet of course i dont put my hands in the air everytime someone says a nasty word
) and make myself ready for what might happen. This is purley second nature from yeeeears of repitition, and thats what you need if you want it to become instinct so in the heat of the moment you dont lose your cool.
But, to answer your question, surprisingly i am not going to recommend boxing for your sole defense. If you are dead serious about this i will recommed boxing as a base to be able to develop mental toughness and a solid foundation from which you can throw good punches that do damage whilst learning the technique suitable to minimize you breaking your hand or just not hurting the guy, and it will teach you to move and be able to anticipate what might come. And yes, this means a lot of sparring, because i dont care HOW hard you hit or fast you move, youre going to break down your first few sparring sessions and revert to primal instinct wild haymakers. For your FOUNDATION, i put my life down nothing on this planet is better than developing a solid boxing routine. BUT you must SUPPLEMENT that with another form of combat that involves realistic scenarios like being outnumbered or taken down, which happens in a lot of fights. You have to take a course that teaches you how to avoid being put on the ground and if put on the ground how to escape or defend so someone doesnt stomp or strangle you or break a limb. Again, something you MUST practice. Learn to be evasive, you have to be quick on your feet and be able to move in and away from someone. Im a hypocrite for saying this, because in my younger days i was always the guy who when challenged to fight would never walk away, but do as i say and not as i do, and learn to run. I know that sounds silly, but trust me, discretion is a lot better than glory. IF youre hoplessly outnumbered or the guy pulls out a knife and you have the option to run and you STAY and fight, then you are probably mentally unstable. Learn when to run, dont fight unless youre back into a corner.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to train in these disciplines as frequently as possible. And remember, practice does NOT make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect. You have to have coaches to make sure you dont develop bad habits. Be careful out there buddy, i hope this helps!