Instead of focusing on learning the best martial arts for self defense, you should focus on determining which self defense strategies would be appropriate for yourself.  Presently, there are plenty of thoughts and opinions on the issue of the ‘best martial arts’ be it for self defense, or otherwise.

Some believe that when it is a matter of self defense, there should not be any pre-set strategy but simply putting to use some of the best karate moves, known as kata. A successful self-defense strategy is aimed not at winning any competition but involves some strategic thinking used by many commanders.

If you are structured in your thinking then it could be possible for you to know which of the martial arts techniques to use when. Firstly, there are essentially two lines of approach in martial arts when it deals with self defense.

They are the karate or kata approach and the free response approach. While the kata approach involves learning a host of pre-determined karate moves called ‘kata’ or ‘forms’, the free response approach involves learning how to get the ‘feel’ of the attacker and the combative situation through the effective use of intuition. Here you are allowed to develop your own and unique ’style’ to handle any self defense situation.

Strategic thinking using martial art techniques in self defense involves getting more ‘result oriented’ rather than concentrating purely on the perfection of techniques used. It is not getting any competitive edge by using trickery or force. When you are dealing with intuitive tactics, the strategy involves knowing the exact way a fight or attack progresses – from start, escalation; progression and so on till it comes to a defeat of the attacker.

These are not based on any one’s imagination but the observation of a real attack situation and gauging the strategies which should be put in place for effective self defense. The truth about self defense is that one has to respond to what the attacker is going to do, and then control the assailant’s options and perceptions to prevent any harm to self.  For more information, you can check out the Underground Ninja Secrets which gives quite an in-depth explanation on this.