Which martial art would you recommend to someone wanting to learn a means of self-defense?

Judo with touch of crisis management.

My understanding is only something like Krav Maga realizes that anything goes for self-defense. Crotch shots, eye gouging, you name it.

I only recommend distance keeping weapons or means, like sniper or machine guns, no own physical violence only based on own body. If an attacker or a group of them have already come too near that you would need martial arts capabilities, then it’s too late, as probabilities are quite high that you might be less skilled or simply outnumbered or they are successful on another attempt next time. That all can’t happen if you take them completely out of your conflict from a distance and also as a final outcome, so to say.

Ninpo Taijutsu-

Just be very vary of instructors as they range from super competent to complete buffoons

Depends, been doing martial arts since I was 7, done various styles and it just depends on the person and what they feel comfortable with, dad was a semi-pro boxer and all of us had to train in boxing and then we trained in Tae Kwon Do, street fighting and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as well as weapon arms training and Arnis. I train my kids and they also attend Shotokan Karate classes, but the most important thing about any martial art is to try and avoid all confrontation unless you absolutely have no choice to defend yourself. Fighting should be the last option if you can avoid it. The last time I got in a serious physical confrontation was in 2000 and thankfully, I didn’t have anything real serious after that, some minor heated moments but nothing wild.

Ninpo Taijutsu- agreed, brings back memories from many years ago.

"Just be very vary of instructors as they range from super competent to complete buffoons."

Agreed...though we can say the same about any martial art or sport for that matter.

Brazilian style Jiu-Jitsu seems to be a good all rounder as bass4funk mentions above. Wish I was a bit younger again, lol.

the most important thing about any martial art is to try and avoid all confrontation unless you absolutely have no choice to defend yourself. Fighting should be the last option if you can avoid it."

Indeed - a basic premise.

The ancient Lancastrian martial art of Ecky Thump.

Smith and Wesson

For striking skills ... boxing.

Then on the ground wrestling or BJJ.

For getting beat up...... aikido ...LOL

Fast running.

MMA is probably best applied to real life. It's got a good and effective mix of grappling and striking techniques. Krav Maga is good too for close combat in close quarters and was developed especially for self-defense.

The old Newcastle Brown Ale bottles should be the basis of a new martial art.

Ruthless.

Jimizo

or the scouse nutter.

Jimizo

or the scouse nutter

I remember the sound of someone getting hit with a bottle of Newcastle Brown in a Bootle ale house.

I still shudder.

Personally, I think you should shop around, try various fighting styles, take a few trail lessons and decide which one suits your personal needs. Regardless of which style you choose they all teach you tolerance and discipline which can always help you see rationally through any possible physical confrontation that comes your way.

Any martial art is fine. The key thing is to have a friend who's good at it.

I'll go JKD/FMA all the way. Surprised nobody has mentioned it. Shame on you.

An automatic pistol

Martial arts only work in TV dramas and there are few people out there teaching streetfighting skills. Be fast and violent, aiming for the eyes or throat. Use your bodyweight to get your attacker on the floor and kick them (once) as hard as you can, in the head, to stop them coming after you any more. Once, because repeat blows will see you arrested, even if you are defending yourself.

To be honest, caution and sprinting are a better option, as most countries have no effective right of self-defence. In rough areas, carry a spare wallet with a few quid and an out-of-date/fake card in it and a dead mobile phone. Watch out for potential threats, avoid them if you can, and outrun those wishing to assault you. If you are a woman, carry a perfume spray and aim for your assailant's eyes. Keys, a metal nail file, pen, eyebrow pencil or stiletto heel can do damage, evening up any disparity of strength. A rape alarm or whistle is only of use in limited circumstances so don't rely on it entirely. Practice before you need to defend yourself, if you lack confidence or are squeamish. The trick is to flip as fast as you can from passive/surprised to fighting for your life as hard as you can. Self defence classes can help.

Most people fight badly as they are not used to doing it, and we are conditioned by parents, teachers and government that violence is bad. But to defend yourself, you have to be as violent as you can be and prepared to damage a human being enough to stop them hurting you, or you are going to get robbed, beaten, disabled, raped or killed.

It's a pity more schools don't teach self defence.

Hahah!

Boxing is the obvious choice. Easy and quick to learn and effective. In time you'll build good cardio for going 'bop!' on someone's nose and then running away.

All the other arts take at least months of practice just to learn the basics.

Learn to take a punch. Its on its on. No Mercy

Well said GBR48.

I studied multiple matial arts as well and the core lesson was always, be alert and head off the situation if you can and failing that, run away if you can.

In other words, stay out of a fight if at all possible.

And if there is no other choice, then no mercy.

So my answer, as many as you can. You don't need to be a black belt in any any of them. The basics are fine and the variety is even better. But always avoid fighting if you can.

But the best art is being alert and able to read the situation and leave.

Aikido. It is a martial art that is concentrated on defense. It is not used to attack but only to defend.

Aikido definitely