What type of martial art is for me?

[firelake]

Hi all.

I have absolutely no background in martial arts.

I am looking to get a corrections officer job in the future which means working in jails with inmates. As such, I'd like to boost my skills beyond what they teach in academy, however I am not certain which type of martial art is best suited for me.

Fending off attacks, blows, grabs, being knocked down, that kind of thing. Of course the possibility of an attack with a shank or other fashioned weapon is also possible. I have no idea which type of martial art would possibly encompass all of these. Karate doesn't seem to be the way to go.

Thanks.

 

[Martial_Kumite]

By what you are describing, Aikido and When Chun seems to be likely choices. I am not an expert on them, so take that with a grain of salt. I would also do research into Karate because the are some branches of it that are quite defensive by nature. Tang Soo Do (my primary MA) Is defensive and has a variety of moves and trainings for grabs, blows, and weapon attacks and defense.

Also, keep in mind what you would be more interested in learning. If you join something that you have interest in learning, it will make remembering, learning, and acquiring muscle memory 10 times easier.

Hoped this helped, and Good luck

 

[Midnight-shadow]

If you have many years to invest to develop your skills, I would go with Aikido. If you want something you can use effectively in a shorter time frame, go for a grappling art like BJJ or Judo.

 

[That-a-Way]

I'm no expert, but I think Krav Maga is right for you. There is a lot about defending from armed attacks and rapidly neutralizing threats.

 

[firelake]

Thanks for the replies.

Does anyone have an opinion on Danzan Ryu Jujitsu or Kempo Karate?

 

[kuniggety]

You've already narrowed down that you're going primarily for self defense. The actual art matters less than how they train. Find some schools near you and go and watch. Are they actually punching, kicking, and throwing each other to the ground? Or are they doing it to the air? While the latter meets some people's needs for fitness, personal devrlopment, etc., it won't give you the hands on training that you need.

 

[wingerjim]

Hi firelake I would also find some training in joint locks such as was mentioned with Aikido and BJJ or Chin Na. One of my fellow student's father is a CO at our local Max Security State Pens and he has used joint locks on several occasions in his career.

 

[oftheherd1]

If there is any Hapkido taught in your area, look into that. Aikido would be good, as would Jujitsu or Judo. Also see if there are any Okinawa based Karate schools around. I have heard many of them have a lot of grappling.

Just my personal opinion, which others are free to dispute, I think most MA would be good if you go to a school which teaches properly, and you practice and learn properly. What's most likely to be disputed is BJJ. I am sure it is a good MA, but what I keep seeing here in MT, the main goal is to get an opponent on the ground and force a submission.

On the street or in a prison, you are very likely going to have several opponents, if not to begin with, you certainly will when you get down on the ground and start hurting your opponent. You are much disadvantaged against multiple opponents while you are on the ground. So I wouldn't go for BJJ.

 

[CB Jones]

I would focus more on striking....maybe something with takedowns or throws, but a good striking system.

Where you go to work should train and certify you in either PPCT, Monadnock, or other system for escorting, takedowns, and pain compliance.

 

[Midnight-shadow]

I would focus more on striking....maybe something with takedowns or throws, but a good striking system.

Where you go to work should train and certify you in either PPCT, Monadnock, or other system for escorting, takedowns, and pain compliance.

Are correction officers allowed to strike inmates? Or is that considered abuse? I thought the ideal situation was to subdue them without injuring them, which is why I recommended Aikido and Judo over more striking-focused arts.

 

[CB Jones]

If they are resisting you can strike them in certain areas to gain compliance.

If they are actively attacking you....you can whip their **** until you have them under "control"

And when using joint lock or takedowns they typically want you to use techniques that the facility has certified you in.

 

[CB Jones]

And to clarify the reason I say a good striking art....the takedowns/joint locks taught in defensive tactics are decent....the striking they teach in those defensive tactic systems usually suck greatly.

 

[Buka]

I have absolutely no idea, but welcome to MartialTalk, firelake.

 

[Bill Mattocks]

I know nothing about vehicles, but I'm pretty sure trucks are no good for hauling things.

Think about that and then think about how you came to the conclusion that karate isn't useful for your needs, after admitting you know nothing about the subject.

And welcome to MT.

 

[Monkey Turned Wolf]

Thanks for the replies.

Does anyone have an opinion on Danzan Ryu Jujitsu or Kempo Karate?

I've got the same question as midnight shadow. Are you allowed to purposefully injure the inmate, and is there a possibility of you getting in trouble for it? If so, go with danzan ryu jujitsu. If not, either one should work-try both and see which one you like.
But make certain that kempo karate place teaches joint locks and the like, if you decide to go with it.

 

[firelake]

To answer your question, yeah you're not supposed to purposely hurt an inmate except within certain situations within the bounds of your training. But what I want is extra ability to defend myself in a worst case SHTF scenario or heaven forbid if I find their training isn't adequately subduing someone and it presents an immediate danger.

And yeah, I live in the Denver area and we do have Okinawan karate here. We actually had a couple Japanese Okinawan masters come here and establish dojos, so in that regard we're a little spoiled.Also a lot of Aikido and BJJ being most common besides the karate. There are so many martial arts and unfortunately not much comparative information about them that it's difficult to choose.

 

[CB Jones]

To answer your question, yeah you're not supposed to purposely hurt an inmate except within certain situations within the bounds of your training. But what I want is extra ability to defend myself in a worst case SHTF scenario or heaven forbid if I find their training isn't adequately subduing someone and it presents an immediate danger.

Just keep in mind that when it comes to takedowns and joint locks if you go outside of what they have certified you in you no longer have the protection of those accepted techniques and you take on the liability.

In an all out attack....not a big deal. But with just an inmate resisting, using a technique that has not been certified could cause you civil liability problems.

 

[Midnight-shadow]

Well, I think we have a couple of members in the Denver area who could advise you on where to go given your needs.

 

[firelake]

Well, I think we have a couple of members in the Denver area who could advise you on where to go given your needs.

Oh nice, I actually visited an ISKF dojo a couple years ago, but that's the only one I visited.

 

[firelake]

Just keep in mind that when it comes to takedowns and joint locks if you go outside of what they have certified you in you no longer have the protection of those accepted techniques and you take on the liability.

In an all out attack....not a big deal. But with just an inmate resisting, using a technique that has not been certified could cause you civil liability problems.

No question. I also realize that the length of an academy is not enough time to teach you adequately what may need to be done in a life-or-death situation, either.