First, combat and combatives are more in line with the military system of hand-to-hand. Where I come into an issue is the actual “New” combative martial arts instituted within the military, i.e. with my focus toward MCMAP, they seem to have adopted the more sportive aspects rather than true combatives that most can get through the more ancient videos of the older WWII era military teachings. Regardless, the effort “Should” be about those skills necessary to “Kill the enemy.” Even so, because of all the political and civilian pressures due to ignorance to war our military are stlll handicapped by “Rules” that non-combatants and nonmilitary bleeding heart type civilians don’t, won’t and never will fully understand the need for separation of combat from politics and civilian influences. Still, combatives are about military hand-to-hand killing goals.
Second, Fighting is just that, fighting. Look at it as social type violence or what I sometimes refer to as “School Yard Scuffles.” It is that stomping, yelling, spitting and finally the over handed round about punch or the bumping of chests to fist-t-cuffs social type stuff and sometimes the out and out blitz attacks one might have to encounter when the monkey dance begins. This is not about predatory stuff as those often can be about you getting put into the hospital or funeral home by doing inappropriate actions exposing you to violence.
CAVEAT: Fighting is also a part of the realm of self-defense. Yes, it is, but only when you leave the self-defense square/circle and end up fighting. Know this, “FIGHTING IS ILLEGAL!” If you leave and enter into the fighting arena you are breaking the law. Well, when I say this sometimes others will say, “What about tournaments and competitions - that is fighting!” Well, yes it is but it is what they call sanctioned fighting and its allowed by law under controlled circumstances (Emphasis on controlled circumstances mine) BUT when you take it out of those controlled circumstances then it is illegal. Even the fighting or sparring we do in dojo’s are “Controlled circumstances” and allowed. (Note: I often wonder, if sparring gets out of hand and turns into violence would or could that be looked upon by legal systems as illegal thus open to legal actions?)
Self-defense is about combating unwanted violence against you, yourself, your body, etc. It can be about the safety and security of others under certain circumstances but know that those circumstances are very, very narrow. Often, the legal system assumes that you DO NOT HAVE THE DUTY TO ACT in violent situations when it comes to others, etc. The best way to convey the complexities of SD is to read the over four hundred page book (I am working on its study for the third read through as I write) by Marc MacYoung titled, “In the Name of Self-Defense.”
Note: there are others that should be read and studied if you are about self-defense. Not combatives or fighting but self-defense because combatives and fighting are illegal.
Finally, where I have issues as stated in this original post is, “ … these terms can actually impact how we conceptualize our opponent and how we subsequently conceptualize our training … “ and I agree wholeheartedly about this because the “Distinction is critical” especially when you begin to articulate what it is you do when accounting for your actions with legal authorities. This is why reading the books for SD practitioners and especially teachers it absolutely “CRITICAL!”
You have to remember that everything you do, say and believe will have affects on your articulations when dealing with legal and civil issues. Even the advertisements to your dojo will be brought up in those situations against your claim of self-defense. What you articulate in posts like these also will be exposed to legal scrutiny and used as well. The killer death techniques taught in your training will also be exposed so it warrants careful consideration when you write, speak and act both in life and in the training hall.
Bibliography:
MacYoung, Marc. "In the Name of Self-Defense: What It Costs. When It’s Worth It." Marc MacYoung. 2014.
Goleman, Daniel. "Emotional Intelligence: 10th Anniversary Edition [Kindle Edition]." Bantam. January 11, 2012.
Miller, Rory. "ConCom: Conflict Communications A New Paradigm in Conscious Communication." Amazon Digital Services, Inc. 2014.
Miller, Rory and Kane, Lawrence A. "Scaling Force: Dynamic Decision-making under Threat of Violence." YMAA Publisher. New Hampshire. 2012
Miller, Rory. "Force Decisions: A Citizen's Guide." YMAA Publications. NH. 2012.
Miller, Rory Sgt. "Meditations of Violence: A Comparison of Martial Arts Training & Real World Violence" YMAA Publishing. 2008.
Miller, Rory Sgt. "Facing Violence: Preparing for the Unexpected." YMAA Publishing. 2011.
Elgin, Suzette Haden, Ph.D. "More on the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense." Prentice Hall. New Jersey. 1983.
Elgin, Suzette. "The Last Word on the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense" Barnes & Noble. 1995
Morris, Desmond. “Manwatching: A Field Guide to Human Behavior.” Harry N. Abrams. April 1979.
Elgin, Suzette. "The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense" Barnes & Noble. 1993.
Elgin, Suzette. "The Gentle Art of Written Self-Defense" MJF Books. 1997
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