Self Defense (Part Two)

Self defense is one reason people start training in the martial arts, but training should bring many other benefits as well. A good dojo should offer one opportunity to improve both physically (coordination, strength, flexibility, stamina) and mentally (confidence, self control, spirit, calmness, determination, awareness). The training should be challenging, interesting, and fun, with the goal of developing the whole person. But what elements should one expect to find in a dojo that lists self defense skills as part of its mission? Here are some things one should look for if being able to defend oneself is part of one’s goal. Techniques 

Classes should be structured to teach the many skills and abilities – coordination, balance, precision, weight shifts, a strong center, proprioception, and so forth – that every well rounded martial artist – indeed, every healthy body – needs. These qualities will, over time, indirectly improve one’s ability to defend oneself simply by allowing one to better control one’s movements and one’s own body. 

However, some portion of the techniques taught should be more directly and immediately applicable to self defense – simple (easy to learn and easy to remember) and nasty (meant to injure) techniques, such as elbow and knee strikes, kicks to the knee, straightforward elbow dislocations, and so forth. It would be boring to never move beyond that, but that basis should be evident and regularly practiced.

Most styles emphasize a particular body of martial arts techniques – throws, joint locks, kicks, punches, grappling, or weapons training. No one style can teach everything at a high level, so it is natural that each system should have a focus. Nonetheless, if  instructors are considering self defense applications of that style, there should be awareness that an attacker may not attack with techniques that fall within the style’s area of expertise. Grapplers should be encouraged to consider how they would proceed against someone trying to punch them, and striking styles should give thought to how to deal with a wrestling type of attack. The various techniques should feed into each other, so that over time, students learn to switch up from one technique to another. Self defense situations are unpredictable and one needs the resources to keep trying until something works. Because a street situation has no rules and no weight classes, the techniques and strategies recommended for self defense should be ones that minimize size and strength advantage (by targeting joints and other vulnerable areas) and include specific techniques particularly suited to different body types. While it is good to learn a wide variety of techniques, preparation for self defense requires that one have some personal basics that just feel natural and suit one.

Training Methods 

Training against typical “street” attacks, such as punches to the face (including roundhouse punches), grabs from behind, grabs used to set up a strike, shoves, and so forth, rather than only against a small set of attacks, is important. For example, for judo to be a useful self defense art, the practitioner needs to know how to get their grip when their attacker is throwing punches. And for karate styles where there are no face punches in the day to day sparring, practice against face punches is needed if one intends to keep from getting one’s nose broken by an attacker.

Techniques and strategies against attacks with weapons (sticks, knives) should be taught. There should be the clear understanding that it is very difficult for an unarmed person to come out completely unscathed from an encounter with an attacker with a weapon, but that the training can improve those rather dismal odds. Similarly, some consideration should be given to situations with multiple attackers, or unorthodox situations (defending while seated, etc), again with the clear understanding that one is likely to take some damage in that situation.

Formalized attacks (step this way, grab that way, throw that punch) are necessary for efficient learning. Over time, though, there should be some freestyle practice, with no attack specified, so the work can become more natural and fluid. Cooperation is important in helping beginners learn, and remains important for all levels in polishing techniques and making them more precise. Working with a neutral partner – one who gives a strong attack and then lets one work – is vital, as it allows one to pay attention to one’s own movement. However, students who have a solid grasp of basics should spend time working against an uncooperative partner, learning how to use strikes to set things up, how to switch up, and how to employ variations of techniques. Eventually, once students have good basics,  practice against an actively resisting (continuing to strike, trying to get loose, moving around) partner is necessary. Regular practice should take into account the likelihood that an attacker may be larger and stronger, and students should learn to note when they are “succeeding” simply because of a size advantage. There must be plenty of time spent practicing to get the movements exactly right, using the least effort to get the desired effect, but some opportunity to work full out, using everything one has – speed, strength, cunning, determination – to make sure it works in a desperate situation.

Attitude

Training should not be a grim and ugly business. It should not be terrifying. It should not regularly feel like violence or a battle. But for a martial arts style to claim self defense skills among the benefits it offers, there should always be an awareness that, at its heart, the training is serious business. There should be an acknowledgement that, in the unlikely event (as it is for most people) that one finds oneself threatened with violence, the work in the dojo will have provided one with resources to help keep one safe. What do you think? Are there things that we have missed? How do you know if your training is making you more able to defend yourself from attack?