Most Martial Arts are Ineffective as Self-Defence (New Formalish Debate, only a 15 min wait)

ZeusAres42

My argument is as follows: 

So, I contend that most Martial Arts are not very effective programs for self-defense at all. I will also point out that I am speaking both from actually practicing various martial arts and somewhat studying them a bit. Now, when it comes the Martial Realm of things there are three categories of it that we need to be aware of and they are: 

1. Martial Sport
2. Martial Defence
3. Martial Art

When someone talks about Martial Arts generally images of either Kickboxing, Judo, Karate, Taekwondo, etc come to mind; these, however, are most practiced as Martial Sports. That being said, they do have a Martial Art and self-defense element to them. 

Now, the reason why most martial arts are ineffective as self-defense is because they are hardly ever practiced as such. Most people do martial arts for either the sporting element or for the beauty (art) of it. And even the self-defense classes are not enough. Being able to defend yourself in adverse situations is not enough to simply just attend a few classes, learn a few things and then think that's all there is to it. Being able to adequately defend yourself in difficult situations rest on the following: 

1. Whether or not you have actually been "in the line of fire" and how long for. 
2. Whether or not you have actually repeatedly trained long term under severe pressure. 
3. Knowing techniques off by heart.

The The first two are the most important but hardly ever get taught if at all in any Martial Arts program. The third part of the above is useless without the preceding two factors. However, there are three martial arts that come as close as possible to the above in degree of order (in my opinion) and they are:

1. Unarmed Combat learned in the special forces.
2. MMA
3. Krav Maga

The above places a lot of emphasis on the action under pressure; especially the first one. Funnily enough, there are actually even tough MMA guys that have actually gone on tests to see how they would cope under difficult SAS situations and didn't quite make it. 

In conclusion, the point is that I want people to not allow themselves into a false sense of security and be under the impression that they are as safe as some fictional "Jet Li" Character after attending a few self-defense classes or practicing a martial sport; this is what the Military would call being in a state of apathy. I also want you to note that I have no dislike for any martial art here; I myself practice them but mainly for the fun sporting element of it as well as the art.