subject: Think You've Got An Unbeatable Self Defense Technique He Can't Get Out Of? Don't Forget This! [print this page] One of the most common ideas in the martial arts, regardless of whether we're talking about ninjutsu, or any other style is that of the "unbeatable technique." In fact, countless black belts, many of them instructors, brag to others every day - telling everyone that, "I've got a technique you can't get out of!"
Unfortunately, these misguided souls have either been taught, or have allowed themselves to believe that...
1) Unbeatable techniques exist, and/or...
2) A real-life, brutal attacker is going to treat them the same way that their training hall sparring partners do!
The reality of a real-world attack situation is that both combatant's - not just the defender - will be under the influence of the adrenal response, commonly known as the fight or flight mechanism. What this means is that, contrary to what you're used to experiencing in your martial arts or self defense classes, you will be dealing with an attacker who is stronger, faster, and more determined to damage you, than any training partner you've ever had.
"But, I've had some pretty tough training partners," you might say. And that may be true. In fact, you might even be one of today's MMA tough-guys, and been up against people who were willing to beat or choke you into unconsciousness. But, the question is...
...were they willing to go to jail for years, or even the rest of their lives to get what they wanted from you?
No matter how tough you and your training partners may be in the dojo, unless you're both willing to break, maim, or kill each other - for real - then you aren't willing to go as far as a potential attacker might!
So, what's the point of all this? The point is...
Whatever you think your skills to be, and regardless of how much you've been taught or believe that you have some magical, unbeatable technique, you can never forget the reality that...
Your attacker is never going to let you put that technique on him!
Do you understand the truth behind that statement? Does that mean that I'm saying your techniques don't really work?
No. What I'm saying is - you are going to have to be very good at setting up a real-world, "intent-on-beating-the-you-know-what-out-of-you," street attacker, in order to be able to get it on him! In short...
You're going to have to EARN it!
Now, remember; I didn't say you couldn't get it on him either. So, before you get your ego out of check, think about several realities that exist within the context of a street attack that do not exist within training - no matter how "real" your training is:
1) You're assailant will not be your friend - at least not in the context of a friend who trains with you and wants to see you do well.
2) The attacker has already determined that he has some kind of distinct advantage over you (size, strength, speed, weapons, etc.) that make you an easy target for him.
3) There will be no agreed-upon rules, or referees to keep the fight "fair!"
4) The law will not be on your side if you overstep your rights and leave the realm of justifiable self defense. What this means is that your "unbeatable technique" may land you in jail! And...
5) If you look like you're winning, his friends will probably jump on you to save their friend. So, if you're super-technique is a ground, or other submission hold, you just might find your ribs, head, or teeth getting kicked in while you've tied yourself to your opponent!
What this all means is that, if you're focus is on real-world self protection and not sport or competitive fighting, then you must avoid falling into the same delusional thinking that many martial arts and self defense students have blinded themselves with. You must remember that a street self defense attack is unpredictable, out of your control, and completely without a sense of fair-play or concern for your well-being.
It is not a fight, in the same sense as a boxing or MMA bout, or the adolescent fights of our high school years. A self defense situation involves an attack, not an agreement - spoken or unspoken - about what is and is not allowed.
And to win, you must be able to do more than execute a few tricky, physical techniques. You must be able to:
Quickly assess the situation
Think strategically, and...
Take whatever targets or opportunities come available to you! In an attack situation, you will have seconds to respond to what he throws at you - not minutes as in a sporting match.
And, regardless of whether or not you've go a truly unbeatable technique - you can never forget that...
...he's never going to let you use it on him. You're going to have to earn it!
