| Reality-based self defense is a specific approach | | | | environment, rather than primarily unarmed |
| to self defense training focusing on practical | | | | moves in a controlled situation. When it comes to |
| applications, such as defending yourself against an | | | | actually protecting yourself in the real world using |
| attack on the street, rather than training you to | | | | RBSD techniques, the way you train and how you |
| move up by achieving different belt colors | | | | have been trained will be central in determining |
| through fights with similarly trained students. | | | | whether you may be successful at fighting off an |
| RBSD Training covers a range of possibly | | | | attack. |
| dangerous scenarios, and often includes weapons | | | | When undergoing reality-based self defense |
| such as guns, knives, batons, and other self | | | | training, the reality of self defense situations must |
| defense devices in addition to unarmed moves. | | | | be central in your mind. There is more than one |
| In RBSD, high importance is placed on skills that | | | | type of attacker, and you must make sure that |
| would be useful in an attack situation, rather than | | | | you are prepared for any attack and any |
| acrobatic techniques, rituals, and other elements | | | | attacker. The more options you have for fighting |
| of traditional martial arts training that focus on | | | | back, the greater your chances of succeeding. |
| aesthetics rather than practicality. Proponents of | | | | Memorized, karate-style moves won't work in a |
| reality-based self defense training believe that the | | | | real situation. Street fights are only choreographed |
| average person should learn tactics that allow | | | | in the movies; in real life, no two fights will be the |
| safe response and escape during a confrontation, | | | | same. Most traditional martial arts assume that an |
| rather than consideration of style or form. Most | | | | attacker will act in a specific way, but in the real |
| RBSD practitioners believe in arming themselves | | | | world, this is not always the case. For example, in |
| as quickly as possible to bring an end to the | | | | order to use a basic throw technique, a mugger |
| situation, rather than focusing on unarmed skills | | | | must first grab you from behind without a |
| during their training. | | | | weapon. How likely is this to happen? Your |
| Reality based self defense training includes gross | | | | reality-based self defense training must teach you |
| motor skill development through activities like | | | | how to fight back no matter how the |
| squats and push-ups, as these strengths are | | | | confrontation happens. |
| believed to be enhanced by the effects of fear | | | | Learn how to use your body's defense instincts |
| and stress, rather than deteriorating as is the | | | | to your advantage while developing mentally for |
| case with complex and fine motor skills. While skills | | | | these situations, as often your chance of success |
| such as a hook punch, a knee strike, and a | | | | depends on your mental and emotional state. |
| straight punch are central to reality based self | | | | Unlike martial arts competitions, which you will |
| defense programs as they are in traditional forms | | | | generally be prepared for ahead of time, real-life |
| of martial arts, much of the advanced training | | | | confrontations generally come with no warning. |
| focuses on armed moves. | | | | Will you be prepared to act? Reality based self |
| In contrast to most forms of martial arts, reality | | | | defense can prepare you to do what you need to |
| based self defense focuses on situations that are | | | | do. |
| armed and take place in a hazardous | | | | |