| Martial arts dojos today do a relatively good job | | | | thugs are more likely to go after, the 280 pound |
| giving people a basic understand of certain fighting | | | | "fat-guy," or the 195 pound "muscle-man?" |
| techniques. I would, however, like to bring to light | | | | Everyday exercise is strongly suggested to stay |
| some current glitches in this system, so that you | | | | in peak physical shape and keep your heart |
| can become a greater overall fighter. | | | | healthy. |
| Local self defense classes weakness number one | | | | Local self defense classes weakness number four |
| is that many martial arts schools today employ | | | | is the fact that many martial arts dojos won't |
| instructors with NO ACTUAL fighting experience. | | | | allow you to actively fight with padding until many |
| Honestly, black-belts are literally given away today | | | | belts after white. Without some form fight |
| like candy! Believe this fact, there are thousands | | | | experience - or at the very least, this form of |
| of "black-belt" martial artists that would die in a | | | | fight simulation - you will NOT have the proper |
| real street fight! Many black belt instructors have | | | | conditioning (physically or mentally) and will NOT |
| very good form and knowledge but no real world | | | | know how to react when faced with a REAL |
| knowledge of violence. How, then, can they be | | | | attack! If your trainer won't allow it in class, get a |
| consider "experts" in fighting? Learning a lot of | | | | friend, and some sparring equipment, and practice |
| moves is great. Just don't put TOO MUCH faith in | | | | kicking the crap out of each other! Be willing to |
| them if they are taught by someone without any | | | | take punches and kicks, feel the pain, experience |
| actual fight experience. | | | | it, learn not to fear it. And if you're REALLY |
| Local self defense classes weakness number two | | | | SERIOUS about learning REAL self defense, you |
| is that many dojos teach scenario-based defense. | | | | may want to look for a NEW school that spars! |
| In these schools, a "typical" assailant uses just a | | | | Local self defense classes weakness number five |
| single attack, such as a lapel grab or punch to the | | | | is another personal followup issue, so you can't |
| face. Being the "good little martial arts student," | | | | really blame the school for this one. Alot of people |
| you then do the specific counterattack that you | | | | that attend martial arts courses cut them selves |
| have been "programed" to do in response to that | | | | short by not trying other styles or seminars. I |
| specific attack. The problem is that there is no | | | | would advise that you frequently study videos, |
| such thing as a "typical" attacker with a "one | | | | read books, attend seminars and classes, and |
| punch" attack. In reality, his assault will be an | | | | practice MANY techniques as OFTEN as possible. |
| ALL-OUT BOMBARDMENT of punched, kicks, | | | | When it comes right down to life or death, your |
| grabs and such - all in a FEW SECONDS! Sadly, | | | | knowledge and training are the only things that |
| most schools don't show you what to do in this | | | | can keep you alive in a street fight. |
| situation - a REAL fight situation! | | | | So be mindful not to fall into any of these five |
| Local self defense classes weakness number | | | | common weaknesses within the self defense |
| three is not the school's fault. If you are one who | | | | world and you will certainly be more equipped to |
| doesn't look into various forms of fighting, or | | | | handle yourself effectively in a real fight. Maintain |
| won't do any strength-building exercises (with | | | | CONSTANT vigilance everywhere you go, and |
| weights), then YOU are the only one holding you | | | | steer clear of these weaknesses! |
| back! Think of it like this - who do you think the | | | | |