subject: Martial Arts And Self Defense - Most Martial Arts Approach Self Defense Backwards [print this page] There are many reasons that you could choose to study martial arts. Some of these include:
An appreciation of Asian culture
Sport & competition
Health & Fitness
Confidence-building
And even the development of character traits like respect, discipline, and focus.
And then, of course there's self defense.
However, while most people assume that martial arts is synonymous with self defense, this is not necessarily the case. But the point of this article, like most that I write when the topic of real-world self protection is the focus, is not about whether or not you can learn effective self defense designed to handle modern attackers in a martial arts school.
What I want to talk about is the fact that most martial arts, or rather most martial arts instructors, approach self defense in a backwards manner.
I know I'll be getting a ton of flack for that statement, but the truth is that...
...no amount of belief in, or loyalty to, a given system, style, or teacher, can change the fact that what you learn in the dojo ("training hall") MUST match what you're going to be up against in the real world!
And, the fact is that, in most martial arts schools, this may not be the case.
Here's an example of what I mean.
In the average martial arts school, regardless of style, the approach is typically... "Here are some skills that have been passed down from past masters - you figure out how to use them against a modern fighter."
These exact words may not be used, but the implied lesson is the same. In fact, most martial art students are still learning to defend against punches, kicks, and the like...
...that were used by fighters that have been dead for centuries!
In fact, I've actually heard several instructors from different dojo describe a street fighters hook punch as...
...an attack from someone who doesn't really know how to punch!
Swear to God!
Now, strategically speaking, there are many reasons why I don't teach my students how to use hook punches and many other common, street attacks. But...
I would NEVER tell them that the street fighter, boxer, or mixed martial artist who uses them doesn't know how to punch!
But, I digress. The point I want to make here is that real-world self defense requires that you know what your primary problems are and then you build from there. Instead of learning a bunch of kata (preset forms), designed to work against ancient attacks, you should be taking stock of the most common attacks and situations you could find yourself in the area where you live, work, and play.
Then, based on that knowledge, begin working on building the techniques, tactics, and strategies that will allow you to effectively and "efficiently" protect yourself and others...
...with the "least amount of energy expenditure and wear-and-tear on you!"
Of course, if your martial art is teaching you how to match up the ancient skills and kata with the attacks that will be thrown at you by modern attackers, then by all means continue what you're doing. If not, and you're really serious about being able to defend yourself against a brutal attack...
...Today, not in 16th century Japan, Korea, or China...
...then you owe it to yourself to find what you need elsewhere.
