in self defense

[Hiya]

How effective are the filipino styles in actual street/bar fight self defense? Modern arnis if you want specificity... I have a local school and am seriously looking at it because I think it might be a better choice than BJJ.

[kruzada]

I'm not sure why you are focusing your thread on just bar-fights, because there are so many different types of altercations that you should be concerned about. But I gather that you are wondering which would be more effective in a "real fight" when your life is on the line, BJJ or FMA.

I'm sure this topic has been addressed many times before, but BJJ is limited to dominating one range which its practitioners believe can conquer all ranges i.e. striking, kicking, trapping. However it cannot account for the most dangerous of ranges, the weapons range, and it has very limited solutions (if any) to the reality that a great deal of fights involve multiple attackers (maybe even with weapons).

The FMA address all ranges of attacks including weapons and multiple attackers. The level of efficacy all across the board will vary. Some are better in different ranges.

I cannot comment on the Modern Arnis that is taught here. But the Modern Arnis that is taught in the P.I. is very complete.

Do some more research, and try out different systems of FMA before you settle.

[Hiya]

I use a bar fight because A) it's extremely dangerous in a brawl and your life could be on the line and B) because lots of the less practical moves in various MAs become useless (I will spinning heel tiger kick you in a room that is practically shoulder to shoulder with people fighting!).

I have talked to the guy that runs the school over email and I really like the sound of it. When my elbow injury heals I am going to do a sit in and try to take the class I think. He does not allow any students to participate in tourneys and teaches it in a serious, non-sport fashion. Sparring is reserved for students that have been at it for a while because of this, neat.

[adacas]

I would think that just about any fma would be effective in a bar fight as if you can hold it in your hand then it could be a weapon. pool cues, bar chairs, glass bottles, plunger, etc.