This article talks a lot about what is effective versus what is not. It's worth pointing out that there are lots of reasons to train a martial art that have little to do with street effectiveness. Having done judo, a more traditional jujitsu, and now having settled into a comfortable 6-10 hours of aikido training a week, I can honestly say that street effectiveness is way, way down on the list of things that I get out of training.<p>In terms of practical skills, the only thing I think is immediately useful is the ability to fall safely. Maybe, some day I'll be attacked and my attacker won't be dissuaded by gifts of my wallet and cell phone... or me violently and intentionally soiling myself. Until that day, I'm rather uninterested in combat. For me the amazing interval training workout plus the zen-like concentration required to make any of these ludicrously subtle techniques actually do what they say on the tin is more than enough. Plus the people are nice.<p>Random drunk throw a haymaker at me? I'm probably better prepared than the average Joe, but then again I've never had this happen and don't anticipate it happening. Hand-to-hand combat with a trained adversary on the street? Ain't happening.