| Martial Arts and Self Defense are simply | | | | |
| different. I would never disrespect any | | | | Change the environment to a back alley, a |
| fighting style. Different styles basically | | | | back lane, a kitchen, a bedroom or even a |
| have different uses. | | | | lounge and let's make available all the |
| | | | weapons in each of these environments: glass, |
| I would recommend that you look into the | | | | steel bars, screw drivers, knives and any |
| various types of Martial Arts and Self | | | | other item in reach. |
| Defense available to you and ensure the one | | | | |
| that you choose satisfies your criteria; a | | | | Change the odds, replacing one of the |
| traditional style, competitive sport, keep | | | | fighters with another, fifty pounds heavier. |
| fit, family recreation or effective self | | | | It's no longer a match fight, change the |
| defense.Watch a few Martial Arts and Self | | | | attacker to two men or more. |
| Defense classes, see what you think for | | | | |
| yourself and talk to the instructors. If its | | | | Many experienced students have gone to pieces |
| Self defense that you want, ensure they | | | | in a street fight mainly because of the |
| dedicate large portions of their instruction | | | | mind-set required. The preparation was not |
| to realistic training. | | | | designed for the street. |
| | | | |
| Let's look at some of the differences between | | | | Violent situations are often glamorized by |
| Martial Arts and Self Defense. | | | | Hollywood, a hero using an array of fancy |
| | | | techniques against numerous attackers with |
| Many Martial Arts and Self Defense styles | | | | assorted weapons. Far removed from the |
| have become systems of Sport, consisting of | | | | reality of bloody, gruesome, dirty and often |
| pre-arranged moves and one step techniques. | | | | ending in death. Lucky survivors can end up |
| This is far removed from their intended | | | | with broken bones, smashed in faces or any |
| beginnings. | | | | number of serious injuries, often causing |
| | | | permanent physical and mental scars. |
| Traditional styles often dedicate a great | | | | |
| deal of time to Kata, which are sequences of | | | | On the street the attacker has never read the |
| techniques. They involve speed, power, great | | | | rules and attacks with surprise and cunning, |
| poise and flexibility, an excellent training | | | | showing no mercy, choosing victims who are |
| aid but offers little assistance when it | | | | least aware. In most cases, attacks are not |
| comes to practical self defense. Many styles | | | | orthodox stand-offs but more likely initiated |
| do not prepare you for when an attacker comes | | | | with a blind sided attack. |
| in close contact or takes you to the ground | | | | |
| as these may not be techniques that are | | | | Practice in a way you would have to react if |
| allowed under the rules of a particular | | | | in a real situation. No going through motions |
| style. | | | | and pulling punches two inches away from the |
| | | | target, this repetition can become part of |
| In a street attack, there is no preparation | | | | your reaction.Instead, use some serious |
| time and anything goes! Picture two | | | | padding, allowing full-on blows. Don't allow |
| competitors in a tournament, they have | | | | your training partners to always be compliant |
| prepared for weeks, physically they are in | | | | either, build to a level of realism. |
| great shape. Let's take away the referee | | | | |
| together with the rules that he was there to | | | | One of the biggest differences between |
| enforce, now anything goes, They're not | | | | Martial Arts and Self Defense is simplicity. |
| restricted to the same variety of moves that | | | | To be effective in a real situation, |
| they are both accustomed to. Take away the | | | | techniques cannot be complex. Under high |
| gloves, foot pads, head gear, groin protector | | | | stress, most people are simply incapable of |
| and mouth guard. Take away matting and | | | | carrying out anything beyond a gross motor |
| replace it with concrete, add brick walls and | | | | skill, which is a simple body |
| remove the lighting. Take away the crowd and | | | | movement.Neither Martial Arts and Self |
| anyone else there who may have been ready to | | | | Defense classes are better than the other, |
| jump in, as one guy is beat beyond | | | | they are just different and suited to |
| unconscious. | | | | different situations. |