[quote]fartmonkey64 wrote:
I only go to middle school right now. Lately, there have been many fights and
I was considering taking up some sort of martial arts to protect myself, I don’t want anything for show. All I want is something to learn so I won’t end up being sent to the hospital or anything.
I was consdiering Krav Maga or Muay Thai, but I don’t think they have that in my area. What do you think I should do?[/quote]
I was you in middle school, sept 20x worse since i was acting and dancing and being all “faggy”.
Avoid the fight if possible.
If you are threatened tell someone in an official or administrative capacity. It may seem like social suicide now, but i have the scars to prove that its the best bet in the long run!
Make yourself look intimidating. Work out, learn to wrestle (a good skill if you DO get into a fight. No one ever picks on the “big” guy. (I was NOT the big guy… still am not)
If you can find training in Krav Maga that is the best bet. It’s practical, however as far as i know the Krav Maga International rules of teaching still state that a student has to be at least 18 years of age. Beyond that BJJ, Judo, Japanese Ju Jitsu (You cant know where u are going if you dont know where you have been) and even some forms of Kung Fu would benefit you.
If you do decide to study a marital art, beyond all the normal background stuff like knowing your teachers etc etc etc, my biggest bit of advice, and this may sound weird, is to watch hunter/prey documentaries. You can learn a lot from watching lions and wolves and jaguars! (The more you study a classic marital art, the more you will see why this would come in handy)
Best of luck to you! I know what its like, so just be patient and remember that these years will go by fast! And you will probably be safe!