subject: Self Defense Techniques - How To Control A Street Fighter Before He Ever Throws His First Punch! [print this page] One of the most common questions that beginner students have is, "How will I know which technique to use in a real self defense situation against a street fighter who means business?" And, this is a good question, since you never know what you're going to have to defend yourself against, until something actually happens.
However; that being said, there is a way to strategically control your attacker's moves and decision-making process before he ever gets off the first punch. This article focuses on this high-level strategic tactic as one of the expert secrets that can make you practically invincible in a real attack!
I know that, when a student asks the above question or one like it, what he or she is really asking is, "How do I make things as easy as possible for myself?" - "How do I give myself the greatest advantage?
Because, the reality of the situation when it comes to real-world self defense is this...
You will do what you can do.
No more - no less.
But, wouldn't it be great if you could control his decision-making abilities, and therefor his actual attacks?
How would it feel if you knew, beforehand, what your attacker was going to throw at you?
How would that change things for you?
Well, it can be done.
You don't have to just wait and watch him throw whatever punch, grab, or kick he wants to do at the moment. You can actually control what he does - and when he does it!
Now, I'm not saying that this is easy. In fact, in most solid, realistic (and honest) programs, this is a very advanced lesson. But, do you know what?
If you know what to look for, you can actually see it in even the most basic of techniques!
So, what is this secret self defense technique of the experts and advanced martial arts masters?
It is the ability to use your body positioning, relative to his - to control his perceptions about what is, and what is not, a good move for his attack.
In many martial arts like Ninjutsu - the self defense and personal development system of Japan's ancient Ninja familes - there is the concept of "kamae" (pronounced Kah-mah-eh, or sometimes just "come-eye"). The Ninja's kamae body postures should not be confused with the static "stances" found in karate and other conventional martial arts systems. Kamae are dynamic by nature, and constantly changing to suit the situation.
Where the karate student's stance is seen as the launching point of his punches and kicking technniques, the Ninja's postures are adaptable and fluid - they include not only the positioning and "posturing" of his body parts, but also his mind, emotions, and attitude!
As an example of how your body position changes and controls your opponent's thoughts and actions, consider this possible self defense scenario:
As your assailant approaches you with his hands up in the typical, boxer-like, street fighter position, you respond by backing up and lifting your hands defensively in front of your chest in a "fending off" posture. In this position, your attacker can see over your hands and employ the psychological "stare-down" tactic for intimidation. And, since his hands are above the level of your own, he will be able to punch or grab much easier than you will be able to block or parry his incoming limbs when he does.
Contrast this with a slight change in position so that, when he approaches, you control the placement of your arms so that they are right in front of each of his. Your body, rather than being square-on, exposing your targets, is angled so as to remove your targets from straight-line punches.
In this second position, your attacker will feel the presence of your arms, and feel a need to either grab them, or to punch around them. He will no longer have the option to punch straight in on you - partly because he has obstacles to go around, partly because your best targets are covered/shielded, and partly because your targets have been positioned in a way that doesn't give him an easy way of getting at them.
Controlling a street fight or self defense situation is not about the techniques that you've learned in class. Control is about manipulating the situation so that you have the advantage and the ABILITY to use those techniques.
Remember... no attacker is going to just allow you to do your self defense techniques on him in a real fight. You are going to have to earn each and every one of them!
