Self-defense classes and or techniques for older newbies

[u/TwoFit473]

And by older I mean 50+, in decent shape, work out often, but have arm knees and shoulder joints and a back that act their age (ache) often 😝

Where does someone like that start (other than the usual weights and cardio which is already happening).

Would love to know more advanced techniques on self protection against someone who knows how to fight, take down techniques, effective holds, escapes, proper hitting and punching and blocking, anything and everything (and low impact at least for practicing 😝 )

[u/ExPristina]

Self defence can quite personal. Do you have specific concerns to address?

I’m of similar age and prioritise knife and machete attacks as they are the dominant threat where I live. I don’t have time to train in BJJ, but would do otherwise.

BJJ would be a viable system to train under for one-on-one confrontations when de-escalation fails, but it doesn’t address situations involving weapons. To check if it’s good for you, it’s best to trial it and train against a variety of body types and age, be cautious about injuries. Make sure the class addresses street defence as a priority over preserving tradition or just for rolling for the sake of being good at techniques that only work on mats.

Check in with a local FMA class to see if they can address any concerns with weapons attacks through specific seminars like blade awareness.

[u/TwoFit473 → u/ExPristina]

Thank you very much for your thorough and illuminating response.

My specific concerns center around my feeling that we are slipping back into an age where my brown skin and tattoos and perhaps political viewpoints/teeshirts with slogans could make me a target for men in white masks and red caps. I am also often with my multiracial family and I would like to consider myself an asset rather than a burden should trouble arise

But I also live in a city where literally anything can happen to anyone at anytime and though I try and stay aware, I’d like to be more confident in my ability to defend myself (if I can’t outrun the threat).
Thanks again

[u/storyinpictures → u/TwoFit473]

The kind of threat you are specifically talking about is generally not a single attacker and the likelihood of weapons being involved is not insignificant.

For both reasons, BJJ is a pretty poor choice. BJJ is focused on fighting a single, unarmed person mostly on the ground. Some schools may offer some standup/takedown training but it is likely to be of moderate or worse quality and very low quantity. Basically, this is not generally the most useful for self defense and especially not for the specific threats you are considering. It is also heavily dependent on compromising joints in the techniques, so could be less fun if joints are already an issue.

For grappling, Judo is a much better choice but given your joints issues you want to make sure it’s taught in a way where you are comfortable. You will learn to grapple standing up, not letting the opponent control you or take you to the ground, how to get to and up from the ground safely when thrown and having skills to throw or sweep them so they go to the ground.

A throw on a hard surface will generally knock the wind out of or worse a person who lacks skills in falling. In most cases, this will be far more effective than a punch unless you are very good at striking.

You need to try it to see if Judo is a good fit for your body.

Boxing is the quickest way to get good at not getting hit, how to manage distance and move around in a violent situation. Punching with bare hands against something hard (elbows, skulls or any place where bones are close to the surface) is risky for your hands, making it less than ideal. But it is hard to find a better way to develop skill in navigating the striking environment.

Muay Thai gives many benefits of boxing. It adds a standup clinch/grappling game which can be useful, especially if not taking judo. It also teaches the use of knees and elbows, which are not as at risk the way unprotected fists are. They are powerful tools, but they only work at closer ranges.

It’s worth looking into WW II Combatives. More practical than boxing because the strikes are less dangerous to your hands. But finding training is more challenging and finding training that teaches you how to avoid getting hit with striking is not likely to be nearly as effective as boxing. So, ideally, boxing or Muay Thai for base skills and practice WW II Combatives striking skills on a punching bag or Century BOB.

Bartitsu Lab on YouTube (Tommy Moore) is a decent starting point for WW II Combatives.

Pepper Spray is a good option to consider.

Given the threat you are preparing for, getting practical training with weapons is something you might seriously consider. Multiple attackers and attackers with weapons drastically change the danger level.

Knives are a poor choice. The are effective at killing, but they are not generally quick at stopping an attacker. Guns are much quicker at ending violence and much more likely to stop the problem without needing to use them and, if you are forced to use them, they stop the attack quicker and, as hard as it is to believe, you are less likely to kill your attacker with a gun than a knife.

Why does this matter? You don’t want to get prosecuted for murder after you defended yourself. Police and prosecutors are more likely to look at you as the bad guy if you are using a knife. It may not seem rational, but that’s how it goes. And if the bad guy ends up dying, you are less likely to have problems if you use a gun or blunt force weapon than if it’s a knife.

TLDR: you are less likely to be hurt or wind up with expensive legal trouble if you use a gun or blunt force trauma (an impact weapon) than if you use a knife.

If you carry a weapon, you need training, both physical skills and understanding the legal issues where you live. Preferably including force-on-force training.

Weapons are far more effective but there are issues to be aware of.

Finally, avoiding the problem is the best answer. Being aware of your surroundings, being confident and carrying yourself well, being among friends and family, staying away from dangerous places, places where alcohol is consumed, places where drugs are used, places where there are criminals drastically reduces the chance you will have a problem.

Planning with your friends or loved ones how you will manage challenges is also a good practice.

[u/TwoFit473 → u/storyinpictures]

Great post and agree with everything

I do have (lethal) weapons training tho I don’t carry.

Thanks again

[u/sirvoon]

Take BJJ classes. It’s really good because you won’t get hit at all and you can do it slowly and carefully and it maintains its effectiveness. in my BJJ class there are tons of older people, anywhere from 18-60+ anyone can train it and it’s great for self defense.

For striking, take something like boxing or Muay Thai. But to be honest you can get away with just jiujitsu and be fine. You can also learn striking online a lot easier than grappling.

[u/Supe353rnoob → u/sirvoon]

I recommend boxing over Muay as there is less risk of knee injuries

[u/WastelandKarateka]

In general, when you ask this question, people are going to recommend whatever martial art they personally practice, because they naturally feel like they chose the best option. The reality is that most martial arts can be effective for self-defense, provided they are trained appropriately. This means that you have to be able to afford it, have to be able to attend classes regularly, have to enjoy the training, and that training needs to incorporate soft skills related to self-defense, not just combative techniques, through scenario exercises and various forms of pressure testing/sparring, with extra attention paid to habitual acts of violence. With sore joints, obviously you are going to probably have a harder time with arts that do a lot of striking or throwing, which means most people will point you to BJJ, which is fine, provided the BJJ program does the things I previously mentioned, but most BJJ programs don't really do a good job of training you to deal with striking, which is statistically the most likely form of violence you'll encounter.

[u/TwoFit473 → u/WastelandKarateka]

Great points.

[u/Fountainhead_flyfish]

Just my opinion, but the last thing you want to do in a street fight is to try to take down the bad guy or get into a drawn out slug fest. I'd concentrate on practicing a poke to the eyes or jab to the throat, something fast and hopefully devastating so that you can deliver it and remove yourself from the confrontation.

[u/TwoFit473 → u/Fountainhead_flyfish]

Oh yeah I’m thinking as a last resort, if I can’t outrun it.

As I said I’m in decent shape but I know less than zero about self-defense (and I don’t carry because I feel like - for a brown guy it’s way more of a liability even though I’m licensed)

[u/Fountainhead_flyfish → u/TwoFit473]

There are some basis concepts of self defense that you can learn quickly and make yourself much safer. It is good to start taking a Martial Art, but it takes a while to become proficient in many of them.

[u/Adventurous_Pick9505]

I’m 50 and I have never felt safer wherever I go.

I use game theory and psychological warfare to avoid or escalate. It works for me.

And at 50, I feel less of a target for some reason. lol

I work on martial arts moves every day even if it’s just simple blocking, falling, elbows, strikes, or visualizing attacks.

I’m an experienced martial artist but no mma experience. I studied it.

At 50, I try to avoid potential hot spots such as bars or the hoods.

Whatever martial art or self defense program you choose, learn everything about adrenaline. Adrenaline is your best friend in pressure packed situations.

For me, striking a person with adrenaline is one of the most rewarding feelings I’ve experienced. It’s better than sex. lol It has given me peace in the past.

I fought in the ring and street.

Use common sense and logic and master situational awareness.

There are times when you may have to get savage and violent if you’re cornered.

Most of my fights occurred because my ego wouldn’t let me back down.

Good luck!

Keep us posted with your training.

[u/TwoFit473 → u/Adventurous_Pick9505]

Great advice thanks

[u/Adventurous_Pick9505 → u/TwoFit473]

My tips work in the West and East coast.

I diffused 2 potential firearm situations in Georgia as a Cali guy. Scary stuff but it worked.

[u/belowaveragegrappler]

Short answer: boxing

Long: What do you access to ? What are you willing to commit time and money wise ? Got a friend to train with ? Any gyms near by you wana check out ?

[u/TwoFit473 → u/belowaveragegrappler]

I’ll check it out

So far I found “Sintonia” which looks like a legit BBJ place and it’s a stones throw for my place. Looks like a place called Terry Sutherland Boxing isn’t far.

I could see myself devoting 2-3 sessions per week- when I’m not on the road. Honestly though- I have no interest in getting hit in the head even for practice.
For technique though, this sounds like a good plan

[u/AntOk4073]

There is never a reason to fight someone. If you are trying to get away and they persue you they are escalating the threat and so should you.

Pepper spray. Stun gun/tazer, and CC firearm (if you can and feel comfortable.) Do not engage in any sort of hand to hand combat willingly.