For striking my suggestion would be muay thai, kyokushin karate, or boxing if you have those nearby you. However usually the quality of the instructor determines what’s the best style available in the area, so I would probably research and give all places around you a chance.
While I believe learning self-defense is a worthwhile endeavor, if you are planning on using it in high school you should understand that it takes years of training to be able to use any technique well and with the zero-tolerance policies in public schools these days you will be kicked out of school if you fight regardless of whether or not you are in the right - that's why it's call zero-tolerance.
It would help if you had listed what the "other martial arts" you have in your local area. But ultimately, it all depends on the quality of the instructor and not the style. Just because it is called BJJ, does not mean the instructor is Roger Gracie.
I think unless you are very skilled most martial arts like most fighting in general are really designed for defense in fights where you are largely evenly matched. Brazilian jiu jitsu is derived from judo and some judo is often taught in Brazilian jiu jitsu classes because although Brazilian jiu jitsu is mostly grappling at some point you do have to go from standing to ground work. I think Brazilian jiu jitsu is worth it you learn to defend yourself and you also get a great work out which can also help you when you have to fight or flee.
I've boxed 5 people at a time and its not pretty. you will take many hard hits regardless how good you are at martial arts. Buy a retractable steel baton and keep it in your backpack. you can learn how to use it online or at a Filipino martial art. Brazilian jiu-jitsu is good for wining a fight one on one. if it is more than one on one you will still not find your bjj useless since the fight will probably go to the ground if you like it or not.
look for self defense BJJ forget it. I respect the sport but if you are going to be new it's hard to do the moves on the street man imagine throwing your self to the ground and that guy is pounding in your face i'm not saying it sucks I love the sport just as long as you are new no use. just like the other guy said muay thai is good and forget the high kicks in street fights. my advice to you to know how to box, and not to be taking to the ground, learn some wrestling sprawls these what i';m traning on because this year is my last and we have lots of bullies that jump 2 or 3 vs 1 so that is my advice and another thing careful of cheap shots hahah because I got one so if you are in a fight or feeling you are going to fight push the guy and raise your hands so he know you are serious
You can learn basic boxing, maybe knees kicks elbows, and then make it nasty, try muaythai, it is what a fight is! But more of a ring fight but on streets you can do it your way, yes bjj 1v1 obviously because your grappling... The other guy would come knock you out... Maybe taekwondo for some nice kicks but when in close range very useless, try find some videos but you will not be an expert if your not trained by an expert, eventhough I don't like mma much you might, so go try it, , wingchun is defonately not for me , I just like their blocks and philosophy of counter attacking other than that its BS , but again you might like it,,, you can even though normal boxing, but I wouldn't recommend for a street fight which is all around... Go look for a few kravmaga and get the idea , maybe come up with your own? But your technuiqe might work or not, you must test it and look for disadvantages, look for pressure points on the internet, and how to strike them, pressure points can be rubbed, striked, and pushed on, so you must find out which is which, you will not become an expert again but it will help you... For pressure points I reccommend grandmaster angelo, on youtube.
Goodluck
For self-defense, I would recommend getting into any of the filipino combat styles, for empty hand panantukan (filipino street boxing) and of course blades and baston styles of kali/escrima. The filipino styles are suited to street fighting. Also boxing. BJJ is good, even a bit of wing chun for philosphy e.g. centreline, cutting lines, fighting on the outside, and gates. Definately check and absorb filipino combat footwork, in particular Felix Cortes. Paul Vunak (JKD/Filipno-stylist) has some excellent impressive teaching videos. Master Angelo of Filipino Kyoshu has great videos on pressure point energy tapping, limb nerve paralysis (gunting), where you need minimum power and use speed. The above is a good mix, in relation to self defence in a crisis situation and training. These sort of clubs are harder to come by than karate, kickboxing, tae kwon do. Good luck.
Okay , some of you may find this to be a weird question but this is pretty important to me. I am 13 turning 14 in September and going to be a freshman in high school. I really want to learn self defense but it is expensive and will occupy a lot of my time... I dont want to do it if it really won't help, like if I'm in a real fight. I dont want this to be some bull **** scam that just takes your money... I also wanted to know what kind of martial art I should do. I can't do krav maga for a few reasons. I was looking into Brazilian jiu jitsu, and have three places close to me but don't know if its worth it. I heard BJJ is only good for 1 v 1 so that's why I was considering other martial arts. What do you recommend? I wanted judo but don't have any in my area. Thanks.
