Martial Arts and Self Defense: Is Your Martial Arts Belt Giving You a False Sense of Security?
Just because the sign in the window of a martial arts school says “self defense,” doesn’t mean that’s what you’re getting. More than just that colored sash or belt around your waist means you’ll be able to hold your own when the time comes!
How can I say this? Easy. I can tell because…
I have been involved in the martial arts and the study of self defense for over 30 years!
I can also say this because as a former police officer, undercover investigator, and bodyguard, I had to use what I learned from various teachers who were supposed to be teaching self-defense skills. And I discovered, through the “school of hard knocks”, what works and what doesn’t: who was right and who was full of it!
Let me just say that there is a world of difference between learning the age-old techniques, skills, and lessons that have been passed down from the master warriors of the past and learning how to use those skills to protect yourself from some deranged and/or brutal assailant who wants to beat you up, break you, or kill you. kill you For most, however, the differences are hard to see. Perhaps that, the ignorance and inexperience of the average student, is what makes it easy for a so-called self-defense expert to teach you the things he does!
Here’s another example that may convey the idea.
When I was in the military, we regularly participated in training exercises to practice the procedures and tactics that we would need in a real war. And, during these drills, these “play battles,” there would always be these fellow soldiers, they’re in every unit, that would run around like John Wayne. They were always talking tough, walking around with their chests puffed out and yelling things like “Come on, right now!”. And, “I’m ready to kill a communist for mommy,” and other nonsense like that.
But do you know what these guys were doing on the plane I was on, on the way to the real thing? They were the ones who cried and prayed and babbled because they were afraid to die.
No! We were ALL afraid of dying!
The difference is that many of us had already accepted that this could happen. When we were on field maneuvers, during training, we focused on getting the job done. Instead of running around and trying to convince everyone else that we were Rambo or some super soldier, we did our job, trained and learned from our instructors, especially the ones who had actually “been there.”
Did we complain about sore muscles or the fact that we were training in the freezing rain with a cold? your bet. But we did it anyway.
Do we complain and wish bad things would happen to our leaders because we were crawling in the mud and doing things we didn’t understand or didn’t want to do? Absolutely. But then again… we made them.
Unfortunately, many martial arts students do the same thing. Regardless of rank, they run around the dojo pointing out others’ mistakes or showing off their skills, rather than contemplating how those skills would fit in a real attack, against an opponent who wasn’t of their school or style.
And, instead of avoiding the possibility of getting hit, or having sore muscles, or paying for classes, like those people with excuses, hoping to become the next victims, do it. Am I saying you have to like something? Hell no! In fact, I’d think you’re crazy if you “like” being hit, kicked, or have your joints slashed, etc.
But that is not the goal of training. Just like my experience in the military, the point of training is to have to put up with all of that stuff…and keep doing what you have to DESPITE it!
Self defense is a mindset. It is a way of thinking about conflict in a way that:
- Recognize that the danger exists and that you have a choice. being a victim or being able to face it for what it is: painful and deadly. You don’t have to like many aspects of training, and you don’t have to like paying for car insurance either. But, if the unthinkable happens, you’ll be glad you had it!
- Assess the situation so that proper techniques can be used
- Apply the principles and concepts of “energy conservation” and avoidance – this means no fighting at all if you don’t have to. And if you do, do the bare minimum necessary to cause the least damage and neutralize the situation with the least wear and tear on yourself. AND…
- Consider more than the situation and recognizes the possibility of further conflict or consequences as a result of their actions. Whether it’s from the law or your friends at the bar, it’s important to understand how you can deal with the situation you find yourself in, without causing trouble with the law or in other areas. It’s also the knowledge and understanding that if you go around showing off your skills, there might be someone watching you who now knows how to beat you!
Remember: your belt only says that you have learned certain skills. And, whether or not it is taught in your program or by your teacher,
you they are responsible for understanding how to best use those abilities against different attackers and attack types:
in a real world situation.
If you don’t know, ask. And even if you get an answer, ask someone else! You need options, not just skills.
And you need to know your skills AND understand the practical application of those skills in a real world situation…
- Under pressure…
- With just gross motor skills, and…
- against someone who is NO I’ll let you do it to him if you can help it!
Don’t fall into the same trap and “game” that most martial artists (including black belt instructors) fall into. Never forget that…
- It’s a self-defense situation, not a fight with rules!
- You’re going to be up against an experienced attacker who won’t let you do your cool moves on him.and…
- Your attacker won’t care about your belt, skills, or confidence level. Because…
…if he has chosen you as a target –
He already thinks he has the upper hand!