Rapid Arnis

As I know there are a few practitioners of Rapid Arnis on here including the chief instructor. I'd like to know, if I was to practice rapid arnis 3 times a week plus one two hour private lesson how long should it take for a beginner make his arnis functional in a self defence situation?



Also would training this system overtime instill the confidence needed to apply what I learnt in self defence?



I cant fight to save my life i'm hoping to improve this now seeing as im a 26 year old man with people under my care. Im not sure if its the lack of confidence within my own skillset or if I actually cant fight. But whenever I play fight with my family or friends I always lose. I think its time to sort it out now. Fortunately for me I have an intimidating look which usually keeps trouble away.



But I cant rely on just looking scary. I do tend to have very gentle giant personality dont like fighting but Ive now come to realize through recent events I cant carry on living my life unable to fight or not having the confidence to apply what I know. So im looking for a system that will teach me functional self defence and the confidence to apply what I know, also a system which emphasizes sparring so I can build my confidence I'm hoping rapid Arnis has this.



Sorry for the long post.