| There are many self defense schools, books, and | | | | is training methods. If all you have are techniques, |
| videos on the market today, all claiming to teach | | | | you won't have the skills to be able to apply them |
| realistic self defense. Yet the majority of these | | | | under the stress of a serious attack. Training |
| claims fall short. There are three components | | | | methods need to involve progressive resistance |
| necessary for effective self defense: techniques, | | | | and uncooperative partners. At the beginning of |
| training methods, and strategy. When looking at | | | | training practitioners should train soft and relaxed, |
| any self defense program or educational material | | | | gradually progressing to a high level of resistance. |
| these three components should be thoroughly | | | | Once any technique has been cooperatively |
| examined. | | | | trained to technical proficiency, training partners |
| The first component, self defense techniques, is | | | | should become uncooperative. In a real attack the |
| obvious to most people. Without techniques you | | | | attacker is not going to cooperate, so in training a |
| have nothing. But all techniques are not created | | | | person must also be able to handle a completely |
| equal. The best offensive techniques are those | | | | uncooperative opponent. But training methods are |
| that create maximum damage with minimum | | | | not enough. |
| effort, and work regardless of the size and | | | | In order to successfully use techniques and |
| strength of the attacker. Techniques to the eyes | | | | training methods, a strategy is necessary. You |
| and groin are two good examples. The best | | | | need to know when to act and when not to act. |
| defensive techniques do not need to be | | | | You need to have a plan as to when it's time to |
| specifically matched to a particular attack. For | | | | escape and when it's time to attack. If you |
| example, a defense that only works against a | | | | haven't decided when it's time to attack, your |
| straight right punch is not as good as a defense | | | | attacker will do it for you! |
| that works against straight or round, right or left | | | | To be able to successfully defend yourself, |
| punches. Additionally, techniques that are | | | | whenever you learn a self defense technique you |
| simultaneously offensive and defensive are far | | | | must be sure to train it using effective training |
| better than techniques that are offensive or | | | | methods, and have a strategy for implementation. |
| defensive only. But techniques are not enough. | | | | If you keep these three components in mind you'll |
| The second component of effective self defense | | | | be on your way to learning realistic self defense. |