Self Defense
SELF DEFENSE
Self-Defense - THE REALITY
Martial arts training is like a multi-faceted diamond. Depending on how you view it you see different things. Some people might see mainly physical benefits: stamina, muscle tone, flexibility, coordination, etc. Others see mainly mental benefits: discipline, concentration, focus, self-confidence, self-control, etc. People simply looking for a workout or something to develop their focus can enroll in just about any program and get some results in those areas.
The problem is that just about everybody practicing martial arts assumes they are learning something about self-defense. The sad and often brutal reality is that they are not. While most martial arts do address various mental and physical aspects of training, the vast majority simply do not address real self-defense training. This is extremely unfortunate because again 99% of the people involved in martial arts think they are developing self-defense skill.
Though there are literally thousands of different systems to train in - only a handful are statistically proven in real combative situations. This is not to throw stones at other martial arts, but simply stating a fact. Doing jumping, flying, leaping, spinning kicks are fun and develops great flexibility, but certainly won't help you at all when a larger, stronger person grabs you from behind and lifts you off the ground. Practicing hour after hour of punching the air might look nice but certainly won't help you when that perfect looking punch doesn't do anything to stop an enraged attacker.
Horribly and wrongfully - this is generally what is presented to the public as martial arts. Whether the student is a child or adult real self-defense skills should be taught. This means proven - practical - and effective techniques utilized in a variety of situations. Do all martial arts have something to offer? In regards to physical and mental benefits yes. However, for self-defense, self-protection, or combative skill a resounding NO!
There exists no more proven martial art than Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Hey, it’s what our Special Forces soldiers are taught to use in hand to hand combat.
Link to:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/3-25-150/index.html
Wednesday, March 21, 2007, bob