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neither of these is suited for street defense. i teach jeet kune do and one of the arts kale is a sttickfighting art that teachs stick and dagger, nerve hits, elbows, headbutts and knees as well as eyerakes and deals heavily with multiple opponenet attacks. plus no katas or forms to practice or testing, push ups and situps. just fighting

I second the opinion that a stand up MA would be much better for what you are looking for.

So, with those choices I would look first at the Hapkido. But, if the instructor isn't a good teacher the style doesn't matter.

Remember ground fighting is designed around sport and points.

Most Martial Arts teach you self-defense. Some are hands only while others are hands and feet. You are at a great age to start no matter what size you are. Visit both schools and observe class to see what they do and which one might work best. Finding a good school is key and then stick with it.
Sa Bom NIm
Eddie Rowe

I startd in judo when I was 1 3, so I know your eagerness to get started. Either one would be good for you, but it is more about the instructor than which art. Go with your mom or dad and watch a class or two in each school. That will give you a better idea of which one will be for you. If they don't let you watch, don't come back. They are hiding something.

Good luck on your journey.

Hapkido is much better for actual street fighting defense. Jiu Jitsu is more for sport or if you are following certain fighting 'rules'.
Hapkido excels at quickly disabling an attacker. It can end with a kick, punch or a grappling arm bar, broken wrist, elbow, knee etc. it is much more extensive than Jiu Jitsu.
Go with Hapkdio for sure

Both Hapkido and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and good martial arts. Hapkido emphasizes stand up fighting, including strikes, kicks, plus throws and joint locks similar to Aikido. BJJ focuses on grappling and ground fighting.

I would recommend visiting both schools you are considering. Ask the teacher in advance if you can observe a class. Don't get pressured into signing a contract until you have been able to visit all your options. Make your own decision about what is best for you, without any pressure or salesmanship.

My experiece with Hapkido is extremely limited, so my answer would be biased. I like BJJ for younger people. Grappling arts provide flexibility, endurance and thinking under pressure. Street fighting with bats is something else entirely! For that try Krav Maga!

I am a long time hapkido student and I have had the pleasure to do many other martial arts, including BJJ.

While BJJ is a fine martial art and workout, It won't have a real world application for you. This is more due to your size at present rather then the effectiveness of the art.

When you look at defending yourself from other kids your own age (at school or what not), a stand up martial art will be far more effective then something where you take it to the ground. Most opponents at that age will run off once you deliver a sound kick followed by a good strike or two.

I teach children occasionally as well, your age and younger. They all love it, so you'll have the added bonus of the community you'll be walking into and the friends you'll make.

In the end, should you still be undecided, try both. All schools will let you try a few free classes to see if the style fits you.

P.S. When i comes to fighting off grown men or women (predators), BJJ won't work simply because they are too big. Hapkido will give you some help, attack, surprise, run like hell. However you will still be limited by your size. That being said, i've seen hand (finger & thumb) attacks stop big men in an instant.

Try Amerikick Martial Arts. You can try a Brazilian Ju- Jitsu Class as well as learn stand up defense that will be very effective in a multiple attacker situation 215-343-2328