For self-defence, how a discipline is taught matters more than which one you pick. A good class puts you against a partner who resists, makes you work when you are tired and teaches you to avoid the fight in the first place. Four disciplines come up most often: krav maga, close combat, jujitsu and Muay Thai. They do not cover the same ground.
What a self-defence class should teach you
A real attack looks nothing like a kata or a ring fight. It usually starts with a grab, a shove or a threat, at very close range, with no warm-up and a lot of adrenaline. Useful training covers four things: spotting a situation that is turning bad and leaving, escaping a grab or a choke, hitting hard enough to create an opening, and getting away.
The best test is resistance. A technique drilled only on a compliant partner gives false confidence. Ask whether classes include sparring, randori or scenario work against a partner who fights back, even at low intensity.
Krav maga: built for street attacks
Developed by Imi Lichtenfeld for the Israeli army and later adapted for civilians, krav maga has no conventional sporting competition. The whole syllabus starts from real situations: a collar grab, a choke against a wall, a punch, a knife or stick threat, several attackers. Defence and counter-attack happen at the same time, with strikes to vulnerable targets (eyes, throat, groin, knees), followed by escape.
It gets to the point fastest: within a few months a beginner can deal with the most common grabs and punches. The weak spot is uneven quality, as several international organisations compete. In France it comes under the national karate federation (FFKDA); elsewhere, check the instructor's background and the club's insurance before signing up.
Close combat: the military version
Close combat covers the close-quarters methods used by soldiers and police, largely descended from William E. Fairbairn and Eric Sykes, who trained British commandos in the Second World War. Simple moves, palm-heel and elbow strikes, low kicks, escapes and weapon defences: the logic is very close to krav maga.
There is no single governing body, so each school sets its own syllabus and grades. Look into the instructor's background before you join.
Jujitsu: control without having to strike
Japanese jujitsu combines strikes, throws, joint locks, chokes and weapon defences. In France it is run by the judo federation, and many judo clubs offer a jujitsu or self-defence session.
Its strength is close contact. Many assaults end up in a clinch, and jujitsu teaches you to off-balance, throw and pin someone without seriously injuring them, which matters a great deal in court. Groundwork also helps you get back up after being knocked down. The downside: technical progress is slower and some classes are heavily choreographed. Choose a club that also does randori or free sparring.
Muay Thai: hit hard, take a hit
Muay Thai is a combat sport, not a self-defence system. It does not teach knife defence or how to handle several attackers. What it does give you is valuable: punches, kicks, knees and elbows, real clinch work (the neck tie-up) and the habit of taking a hit without freezing. Even recreational classes involve pad work and sparring with a partner who moves and hits back.
It also improves fitness faster than anything else on this list. You can train for years without ever stepping into a ring: competing is optional.
Quick comparison
For fast reactions to an attack, krav maga and close combat are the most direct, with weapon defences from the early levels. For controlling someone at close range without striking, jujitsu is the most complete. For power, fitness and coping with contact under stress, Muay Thai, boxing and kickboxing build the most.
Many people combine two: one striking art and one grappling art such as jujitsu or wrestling. That is the logic behind MMA, which gives a solid base standing and on the ground if you are happy with a more sporting approach.
What the law allows
Most legal systems frame self-defence the same way: you may respond to an unlawful attack on yourself or someone else, but the response must be immediate, necessary and proportionate. In France this is article 122-5 of the Penal Code; in England and Wales the test is reasonable force. Hitting someone who is on the ground or running away is no longer self-defence. A good instructor makes the point: the aim is to end the threat and leave, not to punish.
Cost and time needed
In France, clubs that publish their 2026-2027 fees charge an adult 180 to 330 euros a season for krav maga, federation licence included, around 200 to 230 euros for jujitsu and from 220 to almost 400 euros for Muay Thai, depending on the number of sessions. Prices vary widely by country and city. Add kit: gloves, gumshield, groin guard and shin guards for Muay Thai and krav maga, a gi for jujitsu.
With two sessions a week, the first useful reflexes come within a few months. Making them reliable under stress takes more like two or three seasons. Skills you stop practising fade fast, so consistency beats volume.
Choosing a club
Take one or two trial classes, free at most clubs. Check whether the warm-up is serious, whether beginners work at controlled intensity, whether the coach corrects everyone and whether avoidance and escape are part of the message. Be wary of promises of guaranteed results or unstoppable techniques: none exist, least of all against a weapon. Finally, check that the club belongs to a recognised governing body and that the coach is qualified.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most effective combat sport for self-defence?
None guarantees the outcome of an attack. Krav maga and close combat are the most direct, jujitsu the most complete at close range, Muay Thai the best for learning to hit and take hits. The club and training against resisting partners matter more than the style.
Krav maga or Muay Thai for self-defence?
Krav maga trains assault scenarios, including weapon threats and multiple attackers. Muay Thai is better for hitting hard and handling contact but does not cover those scenarios. For pure self-defence, krav maga; for fitness and stand-up fighting, Muay Thai.
How long does it take to learn to defend yourself?
With two sessions a week, the first reflexes come within a few months. It takes about two or three seasons for them to hold up under stress, and regular training to keep them.
Am I allowed to hit an attacker?
Yes, within the limits of self-defence: an immediate, necessary and proportionate response. Carrying on hitting someone who is down or running away is not covered.
This guide was written with the help of artificial intelligence, then reviewed and approved by our editors.