Let me lay some ground work here. Self-defense training "usually" consists of a set of techniques taught to specific attack techniques. Both tend to be specific, i.e. attack: overhand haymaker, counter-attack: step in, upper forearm block, punch to solar plexus, step away. Yes, this is not exactly and technically correct if you do this type of thing but you get the idea.
In a recent post I read the statement was made that one's instructor was an expert in self defense and has over a hundred self-defense techniques he/she teaches and practices. This seems a bit off to me.
I can just imagine that all one hundred techniques are responses to very specific attack techniques. I would ask you this question, do you want to attack the technique? or, do you want to fight the fight?
If an attacker does not follow the rules of the attack-counter attack scenario taught by this instructor what do you do. I am trying to convey that if you are attacked do you want to focus on the incoming technique or would you get more bang if you just focus on being attacked and address that overall scenario?
I am not giving a good description, it is so difficult to write about this stuff. Hopefully, you will just read and say, hey I got to find out more about this stuff. I will try one last thing. If your attacked your response should be appropriate to that attack, not the techniques used in the attack. There is this huge mean bent on damaging you person doing you harm. You want to focus on avoidance, evasion and ending the damage - focus on that, not the techniques cause the guy is not playing by your rules in the dojo or self defense course of 100 self-defense techniques.
Take another look at Mr. Rory Millers video trailer and then find out how to get that kind of training and experience for self-protection/defense, etc.
Now, as to those 100+ self-defense techniques. I find value in them for a fundamental training session for martial artists. I find, like kata bunkai, kata and jiyu-kobo that learning the specifics like this programs the mind but where it dies on the vine is not many take it to the next step.
The next step being an individual thing. You, the individual can practice these techniques and make some decisions. You should feel how the work for you, your body and your natural abilities - natural is a key word here. You should over time feel if one or another feels natural. You know, like it happens without thought and seems to be as natural, somewhat, as walking. These are the ones you pair down to and really practice in a chaotic no hold barred reality based fashion.
Once you get them down to three or four naturally applied to any attack technique and it works using as close to reality based scenarios you may have found those good self-defense tactics - notice I said tactics, not techniques.
Use Rory Miller's "Dracula" defense technique in the trailer. The one where he is in protective gear along with two others gathering around the one guy when the one guy assumes the Dracula posture, drives through the attacker in the gear and leaves the scene. Now, to me, that is one very good self-defense tactic, i.e. tactic being several things to get to safety and not just one specific technique to counter another, etc.
Techniques are to specific, tactics encompass a set of actions necessary to gain safety, stop any damage or possible damage and not suffer the "afters."
Hey, Attention on Deck!
Hey, NOTHING here is PERSONAL, get over it - Teach Me and I will Learn!
When you begin to feel like you are a tough guy, a warrior, a master of the martial arts or that you have lived a tough life, just take a moment and get some perspective with the following:
I've stopped knives that were coming to disembowel me
I've clawed for my gun while bullets ripped past me
I've dodged as someone tried to put an ax in my skull
I've fought screaming steel and left rubber on the road to avoid death
I've clawed broken glass out of my body after their opening attack failed
I've spit blood and body parts and broke strangle holds before gouging eyes
I've charged into fires, fought through blizzards and run from tornados
I've survived being hunted by gangs, killers and contract killers
The streets were my home, I hunted in the night and was hunted in turn
Please don't brag to me that you're a survivor because someone hit you. And don't tell me how 'tough' you are because of your training. As much as I've been through I know people who have survived much, much worse. - Marc MacYoung
WARNING, CAVEAT AND NOTE
The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books. Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.
Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.
“What you are reading right now is a blog. It’s written and posted by me, because I want to. I get no financial remuneration for writing it. I don’t have to meet anyone’s criteria in order to post it. Not only I don’t have an employer or publisher, but I’m not even constrained by having to please an audience. If people won’t like it, they won’t read it, but I won’t lose anything by it. Provided I don’t break any laws (libel, incitement to violence, etc.), I can post whatever I want. This means that I can write openly and honestly, however controversial my opinions may be. It also means that I could write total bullshit; there is no quality control. I could be biased. I could be insane. I could be trolling. … not all sources are equivalent, and all sources have their pros and cons. These needs to be taken into account when evaluating information, and all information should be evaluated.” - God’s Bastard, Sourcing Sources (this applies to this and other blogs by me as well; if you follow the idea's, advice or information you are on your own, don't come crying to me, it is all on you do do the work to make sure it works for you!)
“You should prepare yourself to dedicate at least five or six years to your training and practice to understand the philosophy and physiokinetics of martial arts and karate so that you can understand the true spirit of everything and dedicate your mind, body and spirit to the discipline of the art.” - cejames (note: you are on your own, make sure you get expert hands-on guidance in all things martial and self-defense)
“All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.” - Montaigne
I am not a leading authority on any one discipline that I write about and teach, it is my hope and wish that with all the subjects I have studied it provides me an advantage point that I offer in as clear and cohesive writings as possible in introducing the matters in my materials. I hope to serve as one who inspires direction in the practitioner so they can go on to discover greater teachers and professionals that will build on this fundamental foundation. Find the authorities and synthesize a wholehearted and holistic concept, perception and belief that will not drive your practices but rather inspire them to evolve, grow and prosper. My efforts are born of those who are more experienced and knowledgable than I. I hope you find that path! See the bibliography I provide for an initial list of experts, professionals and masters of the subjects.
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