What is a good grappling art to start off with?

[jules]

It may suprise you, but in a real fight people don't run slowly towards you holding their hand above their haed. And sometimes they actualy try to hit you instead of just letting you throw them, it's so unfair.

If it's shit then why does the Japanese police force learn it?

[Half-Asleep]

hahaha i more meant for what it could show more than the techniques themselves although apparently some of the stuff if u can move fast enough alright, i don't acctually know a whole heap about the art i have done some reading on it and i know a guy who did it and i ALMOST did it but decided to keep with the ninja instead.

[Ghost]

Police might use it for two reasons

1) Cos it doesnt hurt but restrains and they can still do something with them after, like take them to a police station.

2) Theyre gay

Humm

[jules]

Cos it doesnt hurt but restrains and they can still do something with them after, like take them to a police station.

O.K. So i guess criminals.."It may suprise you, but in a real fight people don't run slowly towards you holding their hand above their haed. And sometimes they actualy try to hit you instead of just letting you throw them, it's so unfair."?

[Lizard]

I see, halfasleep never did aikido but still told someone that it is good for self defense. So you didn't do aikido because you prefer nimpo/ninpo? What is your opinion on wushu, TKD and white crane gong fu? Are they also good for self defense

[Half-Asleep]

i didn't do aikido because i would prefer to do ninpo and feel ninpo is superior to aikido although i have never done aikido i have only read about it

my opinion of wushu is that it looks kinda kool i know practically nothing about it however just one sampler thing of 3 guys using it and another of 2 guys fighting with some weapons.

TKD i have done when i was very young, it requires to much in the way of kicks it limits who can do it by how flexible they are not necisarily on how skillful they are at it and although i feel that flexibility is very important i don't think u should need to be able to kick that high if u would never do it in a fight. I reckon' it would be usefull if your interest in it is for fitness.

white crane kung fu i know nothing about have never seen it done and know no theory behind it so i have no opinion of it.

[shasan]

I have to agree with lizard here. If you are looking for grappling training, stay away from Aikido.

I do have a high amount of respect for Judo. The balance and base you learn are incredible. They concentrate a little to much on power though, from what I've seen. But a great art nevertheless, if my back was better, I would take Judo....

instead I hope that if I get taken down I can put the guy in my guard

But Judo *seems* to be limited to standup grappling. For skill (submissions/positioning) on the ground I think your choices could be expanded to Sambo, BJJ and Wrestling.

[Cain]

krav maga grappling is great for self defence... it has a focus that is much more realistic than most!