If I have learned one thing for certain in my thirty years in the trenches, it is that there are quite a few incorrect beliefs and fallacy's taught and expounded as the truth where combat and self-defense are concerned.
One out of every three people, in every city, in every state, in every country of the entire world, will encounter a dangerous and deadly situation where their very life depends on their self-defense abilities; at least once in their life.
Are you willing to bet your life or the life of a family member on these incorrect belief's, myths and fallacy's.
I am not here to take away from the Martial Arts, but the truth is that many of them portray themselves as the one and only "true path" to self-defense.
This is simply not so.
While some of the techniques they teach are in fact excellent for self-defense, especially where throws and disarmament are concerned. Much of what they teach as self-defense will end up getting the practitioner seriously hurt or killed where 'street self-defense' is concerned.
As many of my clients have heard me say (time and time again) the street is real, it is combat. It is not a sport, nor is it a movie.
Yet many of the techniques taught in Dojo's all around the world have been perfected for use in the movies, for show or for sport.
Are you a kicker? - than listen up.
In a real street fight you should never, ever attempt a kick above thigh level. In point of fact all your kicks should be directed towards the feet or shins of your opponent.
Anything else and you'll probably end up on the ground with a serious leg injury and a head that is busted open and bleeding profusely.
Also, here is another word for the wise. If your one of the millions who prefer to to use a snapping roundhouse, that is delivered with the foot as the focal point; your best suited to shelf this technique and the belief that this is an effective weapon on the street or in combat.
This technique is for sport nothing more.
What about the spinning back kick, you love that right? Wrong again.
I have personally been involved in several scuffles with the martial artist that believed he was going to defeat me with one of these beauties.
So what happened? Simple enough, avoid, block and attack. Hey, if you attempt one of these fancy tricks on the street your willingly giving your opponent your back, and I don't care how quickly you think you can complete the the spin and the kick; it ain't quick enough.
You try it against me and you'll wake up on the ground and I'll be long gone.
What about all those novice fighters out there that are in search of the one true, works in every circumstance, magical technique?
Most rookie's believe that one shot will win the battle and that one shot is to the groin; the balls!
This is a good starting point, but the truth is a slap or punch to the groin is not an immediate reaction strike during the heat of battle. Meaning that because of adrenaline most opponents reactions to this strike will be delayed.
Another misconception is the vaunted one punch knock out.
While power development should be an integral part of everyones self-defense training, it should not be relied on as a magical cure for trouble.
I can and I have ended fights with one punch, and so can you (if you learn to apply the principles of power correctly). But the truth is that in your normal dangerous situation it may well be the second, third or even fourth punch or strike that ends the conflict.
Relying on one technique to survive a dealy situation is for rookies and idiot's, your not an idiot are you?
No - I didn't think so.
OK, your saying I get the point and I agree with you and your asking what than can I do to ensure my survival if I encounter a deadly situation.
First off, this is a fair question, one that every day people have been asking themselves since humanity has been around.
Secondly, let me make this perfectly clear. You do not need to become a master warrior in order to defend yourself.
Obviously you will need to train hard, and like your live depends on it ( it really does!) in order to understand the concepts and principles. But it does not take your entire life to become proficent, especially if you stick to simple, common sense principles and techniques, that are based on gross motor skill production.
Yes simple. On the street simplicity succeeds. It succeeds because you do not have enough time to warrant complex strategies and attacks.
A typical donnie brook on the street last 6 to 8 seconds. You square off, and one of you moves forward for the opening strike; at which point all hell breaks loose.
Six to eight seconds is not a long time my friend, especially because a multitude of strikes and counter strikes can happen during that time.
You need to train hard in order to build your physical resolve high enough to withstand this onslaught. You need to develop an attitude that dictate you will do whatever you need to do in order to survive the encounter, and you need to be a peace with this attitude.
And you need to understand the principles of power where combat and self-defense are concerned.
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