Self-Defence?

[WishIWasNarushima]

Is karate good for protecting yourself in the streets? I've been practising jujutsu for a few years; wrist grappling isnt an effective defence. You need to strike! Etc. Anyone who knows how good you will be able to defend yourself against larger opponents in the streets with karate? Anyone who've fought irl? I've just started practising shotokan karate. its not knowdown; but its the only karate form there is here. Sad but true.
And also; I'd like some tips on how to stretch for high mawashegeris and tips on how to not start crying when you get kicked on the thigh or shinbone vs shinbone or kneecap . Thanks! // Peter Sweden

[Shokei Marcsui]

Is karate good for protecting yourself in the streets?

how good you will be able to defend yourself against larger opponents in the streets with karate?

Anyone who've fought irl?

Let's ask Mr. Miyagi....

Daniel: Hey - you ever get into fights when you were a kid?
Miyagi: Huh - plenty.
Daniel: Yeah, but it wasn't like the problem I have, right?
Miyagi: Why? Fighting fighting. Same same.
Daniel: Yeah, but you knew karate.
Miyagi: Someone always know more.
Daniel: You mean there were times when you were scared to fight?
Miyagi: Always scare. Miyagi hate fighting.
Daniel: Yeah, but you like karate.
Miyagi: So?
Daniel: So, karate's fighting. You train to fight.
Miyagi: That what you think?
Daniel: [pondering] No.
Miyagi: Then why train?
Daniel: [thinks] So I won't have to fight.
Miyagi: [laughs] Miyagi have hope for you.

Avoidance is best, but kyokushin will definitely teach you to dispatch much larger opponents due to the lack of discrimination in weight classes.

I'd like some tips on how to stretch for high mawashegeris and tips on how to not start crying when you get kicked on the thigh or shinbone vs shinbone or kneecap

If you check out our training section there are tips for stretching, body conditioning, and much more. Have fun!

OSU!

[Sensation Black]

it is all about how you do your training.
just doing forms without doing any contact sparring won't make you a much better fighter BUT...
you need to learn basics and forms first and as good as you can before you can start practising real fighting and shotokan gives you a very strong foundation on which you can build up your skills.

so i would recomment you to do maybe 2years of shotokan and try to do it as good as you can. after that you have a good foundation and you can decide what to do from there on.