Women are different to men. This is either a self-evident truth or complete rubbish, depending on how you look at it.
Women, like men and non-binary people, come in a range of types. Our personalities vary, our body shapes vary, our strength and flexibility and all of the other things that go into making up a person are all a spectrum. It’s not possible to say “all women are X compared to men”.
On the other hand, on average women tend to be shorter than men, with slightly less well developed muscles. Some of our joints are slightly different shapes (I’m looking at you, child-bearing hips). We’re more flexible in some directions and less in others. We carry what fat we have in different places to men.
Which all might lead to the question, are there martial arts that play to our strengths?
The answer, of course, is yes.
The ultimate reason for martial arts to exist is for defence – of yourself and your loved ones. Women have had, historically, as much reason to want this as men have, so of course we have developed ways to do so effectively.
Many martial arts styles focus on technique and leverage, making them more accessible regardless of strength or size. Here are some martial arts that play to strengths typically associated with women:
1. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
- Why it’s good for women: BJJ emphasises leverage, technique, and positional control rather than brute strength. This makes it easier for smaller practitioners to control and submit larger opponents by using joint locks, chokeholds, and the proper application of body mechanics. Women’s generally higher flexibility can also be an advantage in certain positions, such as guard.
- Focus: Ground grappling, submissions, sweeps, and escapes.
2. Judo
- Why it’s good for women: Like BJJ, Judo focuses on using an opponent’s energy and weight against them, making it effective for smaller individuals. The throws and grips in Judo are based on balance and positioning rather than sheer strength, which aligns well with how women’s bodies are generally structured. Women in Judo tend to excel at grip fighting and throws like the hip toss (O-goshi).
- Focus: Throws, sweeps, pins, and submissions from standing and ground positions.
3. Aikido
- Why it’s good for women: Aikido is a non-violent martial art focused on blending with and redirecting an opponent’s movements. It is based on using the attacker’s momentum and balance against them, rather than relying on strength. Its emphasis on fluid, circular movements can suit those with higher flexibility.
- Focus: Joint locks, throws, and blending with opponent’s movements.
4. Kung Fu (specifically Wing Chun)
- Why it’s good for women: Wing Chun, a style of Kung Fu, is known for its practicality and directness, making it highly effective for close-range combat. Its focus on structure, efficient movement, and rapid striking plays to the idea of smaller, quicker individuals using strategy and technique to overcome larger opponents. The use of open-hand strikes and close-quarter combat works well for women’s typically flexible and agile nature.
- Focus: Close-quarters combat, quick strikes, trapping, and redirecting attacks.
5. Krabi-Krabong
- Why it’s good for women: This Thai martial art involves both armed and unarmed combat. Its focus on fluid movement, with an emphasis on leverage and agility over brute strength, is particularly beneficial for women. The flexibility of the hips and wrists often plays into the style’s techniques, especially when working with weapons like the krabi (sword) and stick.
- Focus: Weapons, strikes, and joint manipulation.
6. Capoeira
- Why it’s good for women: Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance and acrobatics, is perfect for those with a higher degree of flexibility and fluidity in movement. The ability to bend, spin, and move in all directions makes it a great fit for women, who often excel in fluid, circular movements. The emphasis on rhythm and agility can allow smaller practitioners to outmanoeuvre opponents.
- Focus: Fluid movement, acrobatics, and strikes.
7. Shorinji Kempo
- Why it’s good for women: This Japanese martial art thrives on balance and coordination, which women tend to excel at. It emphasises cooperation and respect in the training hall. Like Aikido it allows practitioners to use their attacker’s momentum against them, allowing smaller people to successfully defend against larger opponents.
- Focus: self-defence, strikes to vulnerable areas, joint manipulation, and personal development.
In summary, martial arts that emphasise technique, leverage, and joint manipulation tend to play to women’s physiological strengths. Arts like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Wing Chun, Aikido, and Shorinji Kempo offer solid paths to learning how to control and subdue larger opponents through skill and strategy.