The truth is, regardless if it’s a “fight” or an “assault” (legally the same btw) the concept of defense is the same. You do what you can to escape safely or eliminate the threat. Big/small, man/woman, it doesn’t change the need to be prepared, for anything. The more you prepare the better off you’ll be, that’s obvious. It is not a matter of learning to “kick butt” this is not “Road House” and it’s not “Fight Club” either. You never know what may happen in a conflict situation, you may be able to talk it down and leave safely, that’s the best way to handle it, but it may not be your choice to make. What then?
Now I don’t plan on doing an online class so to speak, but I want to give, at least, the idea of the mentality instilled in me through my instructors and in my experience.
If this is the type of training you’re looking for, you’re probably not looking for a Sport based system. Though any training is better than none, these systems give only a narrow scope of what you may need for true defense. You’ll want a school or instructor who teaches weapon defense(stick,knife and gun). You could go a head and just by a gun but then what? Where do you get the training on how not only to shoot it, but how to do so when under attack, when is it legal for you to shoot, at what distance from the attacker do you draw you weapon? FYI! For a trained law enforcement officer, to draw his/her gun while under attack and be able to get off one round; the distance is 21’…scary isn’t it? So not only will you need training on how to shoot, but be sure you’re not drawing your gun on everybody who is 21’ from you just because it’s night time…lol. Same goes for pepper spray, though much less lethal, and you can carry it in your hand at night, to get to your car or house. Any of these can be leanred once you know how to defend yourself unarmed. I would'nt tell you to not wear your seat belt until after you get in a accident and then say ok now learn how to put it on. My favorite is a tactical folder, if I go to a ball game down town (for example) I’ll have my knife out and in my hand on the way back to my car, aquick cut to the hand reaching for you or grabbing you should do, it if not keep cutting. To quote another poster “better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it”. The knife requires training, and practice.
If you do a specialized class (SD class) like for women, it should be a minimum of 12hrs for basic concepts and should have a lot of practical application, scenario training, full contact drilling. In the case of a “woman’s course” NO men (no bf/no husb) should be allowed to attend, as they may be the enemy.
Moving on.
Street defense training, here great care and effort to find the right school is a must also. All and I mean ALL areas of combat should be addressed. You never know what might happen. In a bar/bully type of situation I’m not looking to go toe to toe with the guy in front of me and I don’t want to “kick his but”. I want to leave without being hurt. Whatever that means, if I can’t just walk away safely because the threat is viable (he won’t back down) then I do whatever it takes to eliminate him, with hesitation, posturing, or my favorite puffed chest bumping. I strike, hard, fast, and “first”. I say “first” because it was really the opponent who left me no choice and therefore made the “first” move. I simply choose not to get hit, by or with anything. I have drawn my knife, I have hit the eyes (just a flick, not and actual gouge), I’ve used the corner of a wall, kind of like what happened to Jimmy in the Kaju episode. True street combat means not only knowing, but using your environment and every part of your body.
You can’t think it terms of if I say “Boo!” the boogeyman will go away. True if you don’t look vulnerable you’re less likely to be targeted, but do you want to rely on just looking tough? I’m 6’2” and weigh 223lbs, not looking like a victim helps, but every once in a while somebody just doesn’t care and they go for it. I am by no means any kind of a “bada$$”, those guys are usually in the ring. I do however know how to defend myself and those around me, and will do so with prejudice and without remorse.
"Awareness" will keep you out of most any issue, beyond that you better know what the hell to do. This is a very personal choice for one to make, no one can make it for you. I simply say, ask yourself what you want from martial arts and follow that path, just beware the “snake oil” salesmen. Do your research, the truth is out there.
One last thing... The style should be designed to fit you, your anatomy, hieght/weight, reach, etc. Now thing like speed and power can and will develop and you may loose wiehgt, but your basic build will most likely not change. So find out what works for you and use it.
Dark,.. dude, u gotta be a brother from another mother, I am soooo with you on this.. I wish I would have read this post before I posted on... hmmm dont remember which topic, but same thought, you went wayyy more indepth. great post by the way.... and thanks for quoting my thought about needing it, Ive told my children to have that on my toumbstone...LOL.... I have a program both for kids and adults and LE. S.A.F.E K.I.D.S. Survey Avoid Flee Engage Kids In Danger Survive is he acronym for the kids progran , and just S.A.F.E. for the adults. This is a proccess for self defense that somebody may find useful... Be aware, Survey your surroundings, like you said know where you are going and how you are going to get there, as well as how to get home, By being aware you can spot troubble and Avoid possible situations. If you cant avoid the problem RUNNNNNN.. nothing wrong with the art of RUN-FU! (Flee) And finaly I guess engage if we HAVE to. Ivebeen lucky enough to have trained with some inovative and open instructors, even though Im kaju, the biggest influence on my training has been Hock W Hochheim and his SFC CQC Group ( www.hockscqc.com) I love hearing him talk and share his experiences, but he truely had changed who I am as an instructor, guess what Im saying is hes worth a look. just my opinion... aloha
But, seriously, I agree with ya. One of my mom's friends takes one of those women defense classes, and thinks that she's safe now just because she knows a few chokes and kicks. But if your aware of what's around you, then you MIGHT not need to fight at all. Some people don't realize that you can totally avoid a fight by removing yourself from dangerous situations.
Thanks Nikki and Kajukine. When I do my women’s defense course, on the last day, we do a real time attack exercise. I have one of my best students come ( he has not seen what I teach them and I use a different guy each time), he is the “thug”. He has on him, a gun, a knife, or he can simply attack you empty handed. The lady goes to the end of the block, the thug is half way back and we watch as she walks by, not knowing what he is going to do…if anything. He attacks, they defend, it’s really cool and stressful and eye opening. BUT, do you know who gets the golden ticket? The lady who just crosses the street to avoid the whole thing, BINGO! So you see, awareness is key yes, but, training is crucial. I do refresher courses twice a year for those who want it, about 90% returns. The other 10% take my regular class, lol.
Originally posted by kajukine: Dark,.. dude, u gotta be a brother from another mother
Mahalo Kajkine, very cool thing to say bro. I love to hear more about you K.I.D.S. program, hit me up at drag00n5150@yahoo.com and we can go from there. I will check out the link you provided, I'm at work and bored stiff fro time to time...lol Aloha
Where do you get the training on how not only to shoot it, but how to do so when under attack, when is it legal for you to shoot, at what distance from the attacker do you draw you weapon?
Actually, the NRA offers a range of shooting courses for regular citizens, many shooting ranges offer courses that include "combat" shooting, and that's not even to mention specialty places like the Thunder Ranch.
Thanks for your input, for those of you interested here ya go. http://www.thunderranchinc.com Still doesn't answer the issue of distance, or legalities, but Thunder Rach may be able to. You could also check your state for similar programs, if a gun is what you decide.
Holy crap did Matt and Darkness agree on something? That's a sign of the Apocolypse isn't it?
Serisously though there are a lot of good points both here and in Matt's thread. I think one thing we can agree on is that perception of a threat and reacting with a cool head is far more important than the name of the technique you use.
And Karjukine, high 5 on Hoch. I train with him twice a year. If you ever get a chance to train with his MMA buddy, Jim McCann, do so! Hoch and Jim together makes for a fantastic full weekend training camp.
Holy crap did Matt and Darkness agree on something? That's a sign of the Apocolypse isn't it?
Sgt...now why throw gas on a fire? JK lol. And yes that's where the proper training comes in, to learn how to keep your wits about you and what to do if it get's violent(god forbid).
For the record I did agree the the general point Matt was trying to make. But also for the record I don't agree with the weapons FIRST approach, it's just not safe advice.
Bambie... yep McCann is great!!I was just with them in Sac in January... Hock is at my place in August... he comes every year, Im one of his West Coast stops. Great stuff, like I said Hock has been one of my major influences in the way we train.
and Kajukine.
