Close combat is a form of fighting that the combatants use physical contact. It is common in self-defense, law enforcement training, and the military.
Also, it requires the combatants to have high skills and fitness. Many martial arts are suitable for close combat.
However, others such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Krav Maga, Wing Chun, and Muay Thai are known to be more effective than the other martial arts.
Each style has unique techniques and strengths that make them effective in different situations. Any martial art can be effective in close combat if trained and appropriately practiced.
Finding a reputable trainer and institution that can provide proper training is essential.
Contents
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
BJJ is a martial art that uses grappling and emphasizes ground fighting. It highlights the use of techniques and leverages them over strength.
The practitioners’ training is given skills to fight using joint locks and chokehold techniques if their opponents are bigger and stronger.
It is a well-known and influential martial art for close combat because its practices allow the practitioners to neutralize the attacker’s size and strength.
Also, it uses takedowns and ground fighting, allowing the practitioners to bring the attacker to the ground, where they have the advantage of controlling them, and submitting to them using chokeholds.
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is a martial art that uses punches and powerful strikes, more so using elbow and knee strikes, giving the practitioners the ability to attack the opponent from multiple edges.
Additionally, the strikes attack the opponent’s leg hence limiting mobility. The practitioners’ training skills include clinching, which gives them control over an opponent in close quarters by controlling the distance and positions in a fight, making it uneasy for the opponents to strike.
Also, it encourages cardio development, which is essential physical fitness in close combat. Muay Thai is the best martial art if you are looking for a physically fit body; during the training, practitioners are kept physically healthy for any future form of fight, making it effective.
Krav Maga
Krav Maga is martial art invented by the Israeli military. It is among the practical and effective close combat.
Krav Maga fits as close combat due to its emphasis on using kicks, strikes and grappling while disabling an opponent.
It is designated to be used in real-world and self-defense. Thus, Krav Maga is an excellent choice for anyone who wishes to be ready for anything.
The variety of techniques used in martial art enables you to use the most suitable at the time. For instance, if the opponent is less destructive, you can consider less powerful techniques, which gives it effectiveness in close combat.
Wing Chun
It is a Chinese martial art focusing on close-range fighting. It uses blocks, joint locks, and strikes to hinder opponents quickly.
It is considered a practical martial art due to its economy of motion, effective movements, and using the opponent’s force against them.
Wing Chun practitioners use the attacker’s energy to fight during attacks. Making them lose control quickly.
Additionally, wing Chun focuses on the centerline body and exploits endangered parts such as the throat, eyes, and solar plexus, giving them an advantage, thus making Wing Chun effective in close combat.
Take Away
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the most effective martial to choose in close combat. It is the most effective because; it emphasizes leverage and techniques.
The practitioners learn to control and submit to their opponents using joint locks and chokeholds, allowing them to neutralize bigger and stronger attackers.
Secondly, it incorporates takedowns and ground fighting, allowing the practitioners to bring fights to the ground and take advantage of their attacker.
Thirdly, BJJ emphasizes training and drilling, which promotes muscle memory, allowing practitioners to react quickly in real-world situations.
Another reason is that it focuses on using strikes, punches, and kicks hence the ability to attack the opponent from any angle.
Lastly, it is a sport used for self-defense. Since it is practiced worldwide, practitioners can test their techniques and learn from experience.
It is challenging to give which martial art is the least effective in close combat as the effectiveness depends on the practitioners’ skills, strength, and commitment.
However, the least effective martial arts are those focusing on using weapons can be considered traditional martial arts.
Close combat considers ground and contact fighting; thus, styles that do not incorporate techniques to disable the opponent and take advantage of them are considered the least.
Kendo could be the least effective martial art due to its reliance on weapons for self-defense, which is sometimes unavailable in close combat.
