Self Defence or Fighting?
To explore
the above question, we have firstly got to distinguish that self- defence
techniques are not fighting techniques.
Having a
‘fight’ is a mutually agree thing between usually two parties unless it is gang
violence.
Normally
fights start over anything from ego, status, pride, standing, belonging and
insecurity to religion, politics, sport or woman.
Done of
these things have anything to do with self defence.
Most of the
time alcohol or drugs will fuel the fight and even sane people become
arseholes
.
Remember
outside the confines of the contest mat, ring or cage fighting is illegal and
against the law.
No matter
who instigated it if you make the decision to participate you are as guilty as
the other person.
Much of what
is shown on social media sites these days are fighting techniques not self-
defence. There seems to be much confusion from individuals teaching this stuff.
I hear their
demonstrations open with the dialogue such as ‘ In a street fight ‘or ‘If
you get into a fight in the street’. These statements are already nothing
to do with self- defence.
Remember
even a plea of self -defence has to be proved. Being taught Martial arts
techniques doesn’t give you a free pass to inflicting whatever damage you like
on another human being even if they deserve it.
I believe a
vast majority of people training in Martial arts believe it does.
If this is
the case, you will find yourself in a shitload of trouble if you decide to use
your skills on the street without some basis knowledge of the law of the land.
In any
confrontational situation it is best to pack away your ‘Chimp’ brain and your
‘Macho ego’ and use your rational brain to consider the consequences of your
actions.
To use a
quote from the film Roadhouse. ‘Nobody ever wins a fight.’
There will
always be aftermath and consequences.
If you do
defend yourself you have better believe 100% that you were justified in your
actions, otherwise you will have plenty of time to refine your combative skills
in one of Her Majesty’s hotels.
My opinion
is as a skilled Martial artist you should not be engaging in social violence.
You should follow a code of ethics that says you will only use your skills when
your life or your loved ones life is under threat and you have run out of all
other opinions.
It is better
to avoid a situation or de-escalate one than wade into it like the Terminator.
As a
civilian the skills you have learnt are a backup and insurance for when the
shit hits the fan.
They are not
to be used because somebody cut you up in the traffic or jumped in front of you
in a que. That is the ‘chimp’ brain operating. It has hi jacked your rational
brain and that means only one thing TROUBLE.
Over some 40
plus years it has been my mission to seek out the world’s best combative
techniques and train them.
I know 100’s
of different ways to inflict pain on another human being and if need be take them
out. The truth though is the better, I got at those moves the more reluctant I
am to use them.
My ego has
been given a kicking many times over the years in all combative arenas. So,
these days it is well in check.
As a middle-
aged Granddad, the last thing I want to be doing is tangling with some young
buck out to prove a point.
If I have to
defend myself, I want to settle it as quickly as possible. I don’t want to be
blowing out of my ass in some knock down drag them out encounter.
Quoting
Clint Eastwood. A good man knows his limitations.
It is only
the man who has not been tested or who is insecure about himself that will
actively go out into the public to seek a fight.
If you wish
to fight, there are numerous sporting arenas to test yourself in against
another person that also wants to test themselves. Mano to Mano with no booze
or substances in your blood stream. Stone cold sober takes balls.
My motto is
be a Warrior in the arena and a gentlemen outside of it. All the best in my
opinion are.
Walking
around dragging your knuckles and snarling at everybody with your fight wear on
in public isn’t a smart thing to do.
There are
people out there who don’t give a fuck about your belts, titles or reputation
they will stick a blade your guts or a lump hammer over your head and go home a
sleep like a baby.
They aren’t
interested in a fair fight. Their only rule is there are no rules.
You can’t
wear your reputation like some invisible suit of armour. It isn’t going to
protect you.
You would do
better to operate under the radar and stay away from places where assholes hang
out and better still make sure you aren’t one yourself.
In the
street there are only two types of physical violence you will face in a self-
defence scenario.
Confrontational
violence and Ambush violence.
They may
come in many different modes but there are only these two.
Match
fighting isn’t in there.
Match
fighting is not self- defence.
Yet
ironically much of today’s martial arts techniques for ‘self- defence’ are
based around match fighting.
For those of
you out there looking to take up martial arts you would do well to know exactly
what it is you want to learn.
Do not
confuse it or get railroaded into something you don’t want to be doing.
I have
taught Combative jujutsu and self -protection for more years than I can
remember.
I have also
ventured into the competition arena in many formats and taught and run a very
successful MMA fight team and club for many years.
I still know
the difference between the two disciplines and have never crossed them over or
taught them as the same thing.
They are
not.
The
competition arena will be known to you, so will the rules and your opponent, in
the street they won’t be.
Also, every
self- defence situation is scenario based. The variables are endless.
If you have
to defend yourself the time, place, and attacker will not be of your choosing
and you won’t be warmed up, stretched out and ready to rumble. It will happen
when you least expect it. Not after you have just left the gym or dojo.
You can kid
yourself that you will always be prepared and ready for anything but that is
bullshit.
In a
competitive fight you have a time- line until you are in there doing it.
In the world
of self -defence you are training for a situation that may never happen, could
happen in 6 months’ time or 6 minutes time. It is a different ball game.
The street
predator doesn’t have to be as fit or as ripped as you or be a better fighter.
Remember
this is his arena and he will know when to attack you at your most vulnerable.
As already
mentioned, he is not interested in fair play, sportsmanship or a friendly fist
bump. He is only interested in hitting you hard and fast before you even
realise it.
You would do
well to understand the difference between self defence techniques and fighting
techniques.
Outside the
controlled arena do as President Roosevelt once said.
‘Walk
quietly and carry a big stick.’
