Just because the sign in the window of a martial arts school says “self defense” doesn’t mean that’s what you’re getting. More than that colored sash or belt around your waist means you can stand up for yourself when the time comes!
How can I say this? Simple. I can tell because …
I have been involved in martial arts and the study of self defense for over 30 years!
I can also say so because as a former police officer, undercover investigator, and bodyguard, I had to use what I learned from various teachers who were supposed to be teaching self defense skills. And I found out, through the “school of hard knocks”, what works and what doesn’t, who was right and who was full of it!
Let me tell you that there is a huge difference between learning the historical techniques, skills, and lessons that have been passed down from past warrior masters and learning how to use those skills to protect yourself from some deranged and / or brutal assailant who wants to beat you up, break you. or kill you. For most, however, the differences are hard to see. Perhaps that, the ignorance and inexperience of the average student, is what makes it easy for a so-called self-defense expert to teach you the things he does!
Here is another example that can convey the idea.
When I was in the Army, we regularly participated in training exercises to practice the procedures and tactics that we would need in real warfare. And, during these exercises, these “game battles,” there would always be these fellow soldiers, who are in every unit, who ran like John Wayne. They were always talking harsh, walking with puffed-up chests, and yelling things like, “Come on, right now!” And, “I’m willing to kill a communist for mommy,” and other nonsense like that.
But do you know what these guys were doing on the plane I was on, on my way to reality? They were the ones who cried and prayed, and whimpered because they were afraid of dying.
No duh! We were ALL afraid of dying!
The difference is that many of us had already accepted that this could happen. When we were on field maneuvers, during training, we focused on getting the job done. Instead of running around and trying to convince everyone else that we were Rambo or some super soldier, we did our job, trained, and learned from our instructors, especially the ones who had really “been there.”
Do we complain that our muscles ache or the fact that we train in the freezing rain with a cold? You gamble. But we did it anyway.
Do we complain and wish bad things would happen to our leaders because we were crawling in the mud and doing things that we didn’t understand or didn’t want to have to do? Absolutely. But then again … we did.
Unfortunately, many martial arts students do the same. Regardless of rank, they run around the dojo pointing out the mistakes of others or displaying their abilities, rather than contemplating how those abilities would actually fit into an actual attack, against an opponent who was not of their school or style.
And, instead of avoiding the possibility of getting hit, or having sore muscles, or paying for classes, like those people with excuses, who just hope to become the next victims, do it. Am I saying you have to like some of that? Hell no! In fact, I think you are crazy if you “like” to be hit, kicked, cut off your joints, and so on.
But that’s not the goal of the training. Just like my experience in the Army, the goal of training is to have to put up with all of those things … and keep doing what you have to DESPITE of them!
Self defense is a way of thinking. It is a way of thinking about conflict in a way that:
-
Recognize that danger exists and that you have a choice being a victim or being able to deal with it for what it is: painful and deadly. You don’t have to be fond of many aspects of training, just as you don’t like paying for auto insurance. But, if the unthinkable happened, you’ll be glad you had it!
-
Evaluate the situation so that proper techniques can be used
-
Apply the principles and concepts of “energy conservation” and avoidance. – this means no fighting at all if you don’t have to. And if you do, do the bare minimum necessary to cause the least damage and neutralize the situation with the least wear and tear. Y …
-
Consider more than the situation and recognizes the possibility of further conflict or the consequences as a result of their actions. Whether it’s from the law or your friends at the bar, it’s important to understand how you can deal with the situation you’re in, without causing trouble with the law or in other areas. It is also the knowledge and understanding that if you go around showing off your skills, there may be someone watching and now know how to beat you!
Remember: your belt only says that you have learned certain skills. And, whether or not it is taught in your program or by your teacher, You are responsible for understanding how to best use those skills against different attackers and types of attacks: in a real world situation.
If you don’t know, ask. And even if you get an answer, ask someone else! You need options, not just skills.
And you need to know your skills AND understand the practical application of those skills in a real situation …
- Under pressure …
- With only gross motor skills, and …
- Against someone who is NO I’m going to let you do it to him if he can help it!
Don’t fall into the same trap and “game” that most martial artists (including black belt instructors) fall into. Never forget that …
- It is a self-defense situation, not a combat with rules!
-
You will face an experienced attacker who will not allow you to make your cool moves with him., Y …
-
Your attacker won’t care about your belt, your skills, or your confidence level. Because …
… if he targeted you – You already think you have the upper hand!