In fact, if martial arts is only for self-defense, it is easier to achieve the effect of electric shock stick and wolf spray. Fighting is a systematic thing, including the coordination of eyes, hands, brain, physical fitness and psychology. This is not a single project. Optical movements and a little practice have little effect. If you meet a truly knowledgeable master to teach you, the average girl can achieve the goal of self-defense in a month or two.
If you don't have a real fighter to take you, you can't get rid of things even after studying for several years. If it is in a relatively large place, it is good to say that most martial arts schools in small and medium-sized cities prefer to "play with people who love martial arts", so that people can learn something ostentatious and enhance their self-confidence. People who have never really fought have never seen the cruelty of martial arts fighting.
In fact, if friends just want to defend themselves in street fighting, it is not particularly difficult to meet the requirements, because it is mainly aimed at ordinary people. If you can, you can go to Sanda gym or boxing gym for a month to deal with one or two ordinary people. If you are going to teach yourself at home, you can actually do it. You can choose a few practical moves to do unique exercises repeatedly, or teach yourself Sanda or boxing, and your friends will meet your requirements.