subject: In A Self Defense Situation, Learn To Control The Distance To Effectively Control The Fight! [print this page] One of the most common questions that get from students is, "How will I know which technique to do in a real fight against a real attacker?" And, while this is a very good question, it is also based on a mindset that is still focused on the step-by-step, physical defense models (or kata) that is the realm of the beginner.
To effectively, and successfully handle a real-world self defense attack against a criminal attacker intent on beating you, breaking your body, or worse you must be able to rely on certain skills that control your attacker, his perceptions, and his ability to get at you, rather than on the same speed, strength, and power that he will be throwing at you.
The truth is that, it's easier to win a fight if you have the bigger army. This is true regardless of whether we're talking about nations or the victim of an attack on the street.
One of the concepts and skills to be mastered especially in the intermediate realms of training is that of ma-ai, or distance. As my teacher taught me a long time ago...
Control the distance and you control the fight!
But, what is the proper distance?
Another good question. One that you will find has many answers, each changing on a case-by-case basis.
However, there is a place to start that gives the beginner a good feel for gaining insight into this principle insight that, of course, will deepen over time on the way towards mastery.
A good rule of them is to position yourself just out of easy reach of the assailant's extended limbs. This requires the attacker to have to extend himself to reach you. This extension, by its very nature, diminishes his strength and power things that we human beings give up for reach or mobility.
But, what about when he's already too close? In this case...
Get CLOSER!
There are positions and alignments that you can take up, relative to your opponent's body, where it is easy for you to get to him, but where he can't get at you easily. In this case, you're literally hiding in the eye of the storm!
Like any concept that can take many forms, it is difficult, if not impossible, to adequately describe proper distancing using the written word.
If you're serious about mastering the ability to survive a real-life assault from a crazed lunatic, emotionally-handicapped teen seeking entrance into a gang, or another human being who simply believes that physical violence against an unwilling victim is acceptable, then you must learn more than a few cool moves in a karate or self defense school.
You must find a teacher who not only know how to apply effective techniques against another human body, but one who has been there, knows what it's like inside a violent attack and who can teach you the critical skills that will allow you to easily defeat an opponent who is bigger, stronger, faster, better armed and one who doesn't care that you're going to try to defend yourself!
