Simply because the sign on the window of a martial arts school says “self defense,” doesn’t suggest that is what you are getting. Any greater than that coloured sash or belt around your waist means that you’re going to have the opportunity to defend yourself when the time comes!
How can I say this? Easy. I can say it because…
I even have been involved within the martial arts and study of self defense for over 30 years!
I may also say it because, as a former police officer, undercover investigator, and bodyguard, I’ve had to make use of what I’ve learned from various teachers who were purported to be teaching self-defense skills. And, I discovered, through the “school of hard-knocks,” what works and what doesn’t – who was right, and who was stuffed with it!
Let me just say that there’s a huge difference between learning the historical techniques, skills, and lessons which have been passed down from past master warriors, and learning the right way to use those skills to guard yourself from some deranged and/or brutal assailant who desires to beat, break, or kill you. To most, nonetheless, the differences are hard to see. Perhaps that – the ignorance and inexperience of the typical student – is what makes it easy for a so-called self-defense expert to show you the things he does!
Here’s one other example that will convey the concept.
Once I was within the Army, we commonly engaged in training exercises to practice the procedures and tactics that we would wish in an actual war. And, during these exercises – these “play battles” – there would all the time be these fellow soldiers – they’re in every unit – who ran around like John Wayne. They were all the time talking tough, walking around with their chests puffed out, and yelling things like, “Let’s go – immediately!” And, “I’m able to kill a Commie for mommy,” and other such nonsense.
But, do you realize what these guys were doing on the plane that I used to be in, on my approach to the actual thing? They were those crying and praying, and blubbering about being afraid to die.
No duh! We were ALL afraid to die!
The difference is that lots of us had already accepted that this might occur. Once we were on field maneuvers – during training – we focused on getting the job done. As an alternative of running around and attempting to persuade everyone else that we were Rambo or some super-soldier, we did our jobs, trained, and learned from our instructors – especially those who had actually “been there.”
Did we complain about our muscles hurting or the incontrovertible fact that we were training within the freezing rain with a chilly? You bet. But we did it anyway.
Did we complain and want bad things to occur to our leaders because we were crawling within the mud and doing things we either didn’t understand or didn’t need to must do. Absolutely. But, again…we did them.
Unfortunately, many martial arts students do the identical thing. No matter rank, they run across the dojo mentioning the mistakes of others, or showing off their skills – as a substitute of contemplating how those skills would actually fit right into a real attack, against an opponent who wasn’t out of your school or style.
And, as a substitute of avoiding the potential of getting hit, or having sore muscles, or paying for the classes – like those individuals with excuses, just waiting to develop into the following victims – do them. Am I saying you’ve gotten to like all of it? Hell no! In actual fact, I’d think you were nuts should you “liked” getting hit, kicked, or having your joints sheared, etc.
But that is not the purpose of coaching. Identical to my experience within the Army, the purpose of coaching is having to place up with all of those things…and still doing what you’ve gotten to DESPITE them!
Self defense is a mind-set. It is a way of occupied with conflict in a way that:
- Acknowledges that danger exists and that you’ve gotten a selection to be a victim or to have the opportunity to cope with it for what it’s – painful and deadly. You haven’t got to love many facets of coaching, any greater than you want paying for automotive insurance. But, should the unthinkable occur, you will be glad you had it!
- Assesses the situation in order that the suitable techniques may be used
- Applies the principles and ideas of “energy conservation” and avoidance – this implies not fighting in any respect should you haven’t got to. And, should you do, to do the minimum essential to do the least harm and to neutralize the situation with the smallest amount of wear-and-tear on yourself. And…
- Considers greater than the situation and recognizes the potential of further conflict or the implications because of this of your actions. Whether from the law, or his buddies on the bar – it’s important to grasp the right way to have the opportunity to cope with the situation you are in, without causing problems with the law or in other areas. It is also the knowledge and understanding that, should you go around showing off your skills -there could also be someone watching who now knows the right way to beat you!
Remember – your belt only says that you’ve gotten learned certain skills. And, whether or not it’s taught in your program or by your teacher, you are liable for understanding the right way to best use those skills against different attackers and kinds of attacks – in a real-world situation.
If you happen to do not know – ask. And, even should you get a solution, ask another person! You wish options, not only skills.
And you should each know your skills AND understand the sensible application of those skills in an actual situation…
- Under pressure…
- With only gross motor skills, and…
- Against someone who’s NOT going to allow you to do it to him if he may also help it!
Don’t fall into the identical trap and “game-playing” that the majority martial artists (including black belt instructors) fall into. Always remember that…
- It is a self defense situation – not a sparring match with rules!
- You are going to be up against an experienced attacker who is not going to allow you to do your cool moves on him, and…
- Your attacker won’t care about your belt, skills, or level of confidence. Because…
…if he’s picked you as a goal – he already thinks he has the advantage!