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