| Self defense training should revolve around ways | | | | instructor. Just believe me, when I say that joint |
| and places to hit an aggressor. Period. | | | | locks, throws and grappling won't work when |
| The simple reason for the importance of striking | | | | confronted with a real street fight, mugging or |
| is that hitting an opponent is the easiest and | | | | rape attempt. |
| fastest way to hurt an attacker and, in a self | | | | Sure, there are "holds" that can be worthwhile to |
| defense situation where someone is trying to hurt | | | | learn for self defense, but we're not at all talking |
| you, the only way for you to survive is to hurt | | | | about the typical holds that are taught in most |
| him first. The sooner you hit him, the sooner you | | | | self defense courses or combat sports. The holds |
| hurt him and, the sooner you hurt him, the less | | | | that we're talking about are really just techniques |
| chance he has to hurt you first. | | | | for grabbing, squeezing and, eventually crushing |
| Compare what you've just read with the | | | | the vital areas of an attacker, but even they can |
| philosophy that most self-proclaimed self defense | | | | only be effectively used in certain situations. |
| instructors promote. You know, "just use these | | | | Because it will almost always be possible to strike, |
| simple moves to control an attacker without | | | | that's where you should concentrate your training |
| hurting him and then wait for the police to arrive." | | | | time. |
| Ok, that sure sounds good, until you realize that | | | | In a close-combat situation, striking always has |
| those "simple" moves are pretty hard to actually | | | | and always will provide the most return on your |
| make work, even with a willing training partner | | | | training investment. |
| and under the watchful and helpful eye of the | | | | |