Which Martial Arts to pick for short guy?

Discussion in 'Self Defence' started by MartialArtQuest, Oct 24, 2016.

  1. MartialArtQuest

    MartialArtQuest New Member

    Hi, I'm a short guy and wish to learn a martial arts that I will be able to defend against tall people.
     
  2. Knee Rider

    Knee Rider Valued Member Supporter

    Judo.


    "Next"
     
  3. Vinny Lugo

    Vinny Lugo Valued Member

  4. aikiMac

    aikiMac aikido + boxing = very good Moderator Supporter

    All martial arts are potentially valid answers, but my first choice -- like Knee Rider's -- would be judo.
     
  5. Latikos

    Latikos Valued Member

    The one you enjoy and where you actually keep training.
     
  6. Dan93

    Dan93 Valued Member

    Another vote for Judo,

    A lower centre of gravity is a bonus in Judo..
     
  7. Endolphins

    Endolphins Valued Member

    I was once told that I'd be good at taekwondo but I didn't understand why because I'm average height erring towards kinda short lol. Besides, not really into striking anyway
     
  8. Hannibal

    Hannibal Cry HAVOC and let slip the Dogs of War!!! Supporter

    You do know 90% of Aikido is atemi don't you? ;)
     
  9. Hannibal

    Hannibal Cry HAVOC and let slip the Dogs of War!!! Supporter

    First off why? Do you get attacked a lot off tall people? Why not just learn an art that isn't focused on vertically advantaged assailants?

    Second, ANY art will fit the bill - just pick one that you enjoy with a club that teaches it well....the last bit is the tricky one

    Self defense is 90% non physical anyway, so go for what you like

    Boxing, Wrestling, BJJ, Judo and Muay Thai are all solid choices for if things "go physical" and have a long, proven history....if you venture outside these and go for "traditional" style arts be prepared for the fact that most are lots of hype and little substances combatively, but can be fun nonetheless
     
  10. Endolphins

    Endolphins Valued Member

    Well maybe not the kinds of Aikido I saw ;) What I mean is, it seems to not have a heavy emphasis on punching and kicking the way other martial arts do. I could be wrong lol.
     
  11. Theidiot

    Theidiot New Member

    You post about your interest in aikido a lot.

    That gives me a crazy, radical idea. I know it sounds daft but hey, I'm going to throw it out there anyway. What if, no I darent say it, oh go on i will. What if you actually go to an aikido class and try it?
     
  12. Hannibal

    Hannibal Cry HAVOC and let slip the Dogs of War!!! Supporter

    WHOAH!!! That's a bit revolutionary!!!!!! Steady on!
     
  13. Endolphins

    Endolphins Valued Member

    Yeah, maybe it's a good idea. Lol

    There's a studio up the road from me that teaches Judo, Aikido and Yoga but I'm in Greece and don't know the language 100 percent so it may be a communication nightmare especially when it comes to explaining the more technical stuff as you can imagine.

    Also, I don't mind a class but I would really prefer 1 on 1 training from someone who's experienced and maybe have private lessons but that could be difficult to arrange this side...or maybe not, I don't know. I'm just a private kind of guy. I'm not antisocial or asocial or anything like that but I just prefer 1 on 1 learning more I guess.

    Solutions? :)
     
  14. Hannibal

    Hannibal Cry HAVOC and let slip the Dogs of War!!! Supporter

    you THINK you do, but class beats 1 - 1 when you start out...especially in martial arts
     
  15. aaradia

    aaradia Choy Li Fut and Yang Tai Chi Chuan Student Moderator Supporter


    I don't mean to sound harsh, but the solution sounds like you need to find reasons to train instead of excuses not to train.

    Look for your ideal situation, if it isn't available, go to the closest thing available.

    But stop talking about it and start training. It really is that simple.
     
  16. Endolphins

    Endolphins Valued Member

    I'll think about it man, definitely, if I had to choose one, it'd definitely be Aikido ;)
     
  17. Simon

    Simon Administrator Admin Supporter MAP 2017 Koyo Award

    Bruce Lee was 5ft 7in, my JKD instructor was 5ft 6in, Grand Master Danny Guba is even shorter.

    I'd pick a class you enjoy and not worry about anything else.
     
  18. Theidiot

    Theidiot New Member

    In one of the schools in attend, we have the occasional honour of a visit from a very senior master. English is not his first language and besides, he is so softly spoken that I struggle to hear or understand him when he speaks.

    Fortunately martial arts is not really about talking. It's more about doing. Instruction is largely about showing and learning 8s largely about replicating what you've been shown. Instructor will notice when you get it wrong, and will correct you by either manually adjusting you, or showing you again.

    But I don't think that's your worry. I think you are scared either that you'll be laughed at for getting it wrong, or you'll get hurt. In a decent school neither will happen. A master with 50+ years of experience was once a novice in a white belt. He/she will remember that.

    Nowadays, everything is by consent. Nobody will push you to do something you're not ready for.

    I have no idea how old you are. Some believe they are too old to start. I've known people start at over 50 years old. I have no idea if you have any physical challenges. There are videos on YouTube showing wheelchair users doing aikido. There really aren't many genuine reasons not to do it if that's what you want. 9 times out of 10 what stops us from trying something is our own imagination.
     
  19. Hannibal

    Hannibal Cry HAVOC and let slip the Dogs of War!!! Supporter

    Don't forget Guro Dan!

    Here he is at about 5'6" with Erik Paulson at about 6'2"

    [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQmh9l6KsQc"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQmh9l6KsQc[/ame]
     
  20. SWC Sifu Ben

    SWC Sifu Ben I am the law

    My sifu is about 5'2" actually. Short guys abound! Although I still find short instructors to be the exception. Most any school I've been to the instructor is at least a few inches taller than average.
     

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