Kickboxing as a Self Defense Option
Martial arts have a strong standing as being popular forms of self defense. After all, a number of martial arts all over the world were formed out from the need to learn a systematic way of hand to hand combat, ensuing martial arts practitioners the capacity of overwhelm those with malicious intent. As self defense forms, Martial Arts are simply perfect, requiring only knowledge regarding the dynamics of a martial art form, and a person's body as his/her primary weapon against would-be assailants.
Kickboxing is fast on its way into becoming more that just a full contact sport, as many have taken a liking for Kickboxing for the self defense value the discipline promotes.
The term Kickboxing is one of the most disputed terms in Martial Arts, as there are many forms of Kickboxing all over the world. Kickboxing basically refers to sport-fighting involving kicks and punches, and at times even involving throws. Osamu Noguchi, a Japanese boxing promoter, is known to have created the Kickboxing term, which Noguchi used in defining a Karate and Muay Thai variant which he is responsible for creating. Kickboxing is practiced in organized events, oftentimes in competitions, but because of its defensive and offensive hand to hand combat nature, it arms Kickboxing practitioners with the basic knowhow of being able to defend themselves outside of organized Kickboxing events. As a form of self defense, Kickboxing is formidable, enabling Kickboxing practitioners with the capacity to deal with muggers and robbers easily.
Again there are many forms of Kickboxing hailing from all over the world. Muay Thai is perhaps the most recognizable form of Kickboxing, famous all over the world, but stands to be one of the many forms of Kickboxing. Other forms of Kickboxing include: Adithada, which is Kickboxing from India, Pradal Serey, which is Khmer Kickboxing, Lethwei, which is Burmese Kickboxing, Japanese Kickboxing from Japan, American Kickboxing from the United States of America, Savate, which is French Kickboxing, known for allowing the use of shoes, Shoot Boxing, another Japanese form of Kickboxing, Sanshou/Sanda, which is Chinese Kickboxing, and Yaw-Yan which is Kickboxing from the Philippines.
Each of these Kickboxing forms have distinct differences, as well as similarities. Their primary similarity would be that of the goal to overthrow an opponent, without the use of any weaponry. So if you are on the lookout for a martial arts self defense style to learn, consider Kickboxing and the many forms of Kickboxing. You are sure to find what you are looking for.