Dr.

Mark Chengs Top 10 Martial Arts for Self-Defense

Almost every day at Black Belt, were asked the same question: Whats the best martial art for
self-defense? To find out the answer, we asked Dr. Mark Cheng, an expert in Chinese medicine
and martial arts.
I chose the following arts because of my personal experience with them, Dr. Mark Cheng says.
While Im sure there are plenty of other arts, systems and schools that teach outstanding selfdefense, I cant recommend them on reputation alone. Its the actual physical experience that
makes styles recommendable in my eyes.

Muay Boran
Its 100-percent application from the get-go. As Col. Nattapong Buayam taught me, its simple,
brutal responses make it an outstanding choice in shortcut streetwise self-defense. Its the
forefather of the ring sport of muay Thai.

Combat Shuai Chiao

Nothing hits harder than the ground, and combat shuai chiao capitalizes on that debilitating
impact. Unlike many systems that teach throws only from a pre-established grip, it uses highamplitude throws against the full range of unarmed and armed attacks.

Wing Chun
Developed as a streamlined system of self-defense for smaller, weaker practitioners, its one of
the best-known Chinese systems, and it was the basis of Bruce Lees jeet kune do. Wing chun
earned its reputation as a street-fighting art in the mid- to late 20th century in Hong Kong.

Sil Lum Fut Ga

An archetypal system of southern kung fu, its part beauty and part brutality. Using open-hand
strikes that can break the skin, along with deft kicks delivered to unlikely targets, its the perfect
blend of artistry, culture and fearsome fighting techniques.

Inosanto Kali

The Filipino system taught by Black Belt Hall of Famer Dan Inosanto is far more than just the
sticks and knives that the casual observer sees. Including every possible weapon and range of
combat, Inosantos system is one of the most sought-after and imitated arts in the world when it
comes to practical self-defense.

Jeet Kune Do
Made famous by its founder, Bruce Lee, it places heavy emphasis on streetwise dirty fighting
that employs any and every means to achieve victory. Biting, eye gouging and all sorts of
techniques and tactics go beyond the usual fare taught in most traditional arts.

Krabi Krabong
While some would argue that this ancient Thai weapons art has no place in a discussion of
modern self-defense, I beg to differ. By training the practitioner to respond reflexively to a
variety of weapons in countless ranges with both armed and unarmed defenses and
counterattacks, it ranks toward the top for battlefield self-defense.

Hwa Rang Do
This comprehensive Korean art encompasses more techniques in just its joint-manipulation
section than some systems have in toto. While that breadth makes the learning process rather
arduous, it also develops superb combative attributes in all ranges.

Savate
The French kickboxing art makes it a point to use the tip of the shoe in street and ring combat.
Not just another form of sportive kickboxing, its superb at developing a mastery of the standing
range.

Target Focus Training

Former Navy SEAL candidate Tim Larkin created a system that ignores stylistic boundaries and
focuses on a three-part goal: penetrate, rotate, injure. Its unique training methods allow everyone
from the hardened combat vet to the stay-at-home mom access to its benefits.