What is self-defense?

[darrianation]

This is for all of you who think that traditional martial arts are geared for, or even good at self-defense. There have been many threads concerning this question. Like witch MA is best, or why isn’t Kung Fu considered good for self-defense etc, and etc

Let me ask you this question. What is self-defense?

This is where a lot of the traditional MAs get lost. Many of you will not like my answer, or you may disagree with me but the truth is self-defense is training to kill, to kill either by the use of weapons or by use of empty hand techniques!

Now many of you are saying hey wait a minute, what about all those arts that teach non-lethal, or to defend without causing serious injury or death? Any self-defense system or instructor that teaches you to not hurt someone in self-defense is a fraud and a phony.

As a civilian it’s not my job to throw a loud drunk out of a party, or bar. I am not responsible for obnoxious people on the train, nor is it my responsibility to tackle a robbery suspect fleeing from the scene. These are the responsibilities of professionals like the police.

Police, detention officers, guards, doormen, and security people need to do be responsible for these things like restraining people and escorting them out of certain areas or place to patrol cars, or jail. They have a responsibility do so without causing serious injury or death to those people, but as a civilian I don’t.

My job is to do what ever it takes (by any means necessary) to protect my self, my loved ones, and my home! I must train to use lethal force and hope I will never have to use it!

This is self-defense anything else is some spiritual feel good art that has some exercise benefit.

[T-3]

That's great! I agree!

[Tom Yum]

Self-Defense

Being aware of your environment and surroundings.

Having the ability to use force if you or your family's wellbeing is endagered. This covers empty hand methods as well as weapons.

Psychology. Understanding different threat levels, personality types and how to respond to them appropriately. How to communicate and see through body language, tone of voice and intent.

Avoiding trouble where possible.

Developing good relations with law enforcement or security.

[Tom Yum]

verbal descialation

Is this a medical procedure? jj

[darrianation]

I guess I just want to separate self-defense from the run of the mill traditional MAs and sport MAs. I have a lot of respect for fighter boxing, MT, UFC, K1, pride, and etc.

Self-defense is a very serious business. So we need to be honest with ourselves and our training. There is no room for faulty ideology here.

First, if all you want to do is be able to defeat the local drunk, or knock out some skinny obnoxious kid on the play ground then any martial will do. But if you truly want to be able to defend against a real criminal who wants, and is determined to kill you and rape your wife then most martial arts wont do.

When it comes to real self-defense we can take out of the equation cultural or stylized differences. It doesn’t matter where things come from, what matters is, does it work, how well it works, and does it work consistently?

There is a big difference fighting in the non-lethal arena and defending in the real criminal arena.

Jim Wagner’s use of force model:

1) Visual Indication: - No injury- Response: Act confident, avoid, other proper responses.
2) Verbal indicators: - No injury- Response: Verbal deflection/de-escalation, avoid/escape.
3) Assault: -Minor injury- Response: Escape, use reasonable force.

Most martial arts can prepare you for the above. Most traditional arts train you for dealing with number 3. But not many prepare you for number 4.

4) Felony assault: - Serious injury- Response: Deadly force.

Number 4 deals with attempted murder, rape, and etc, against you or a loved one. This is where the bulk of your training needs to be. If you can deal in the lethal force arena then dealing in minor assaults will be a peace of cake!

[Jitsu]

Well put, I fully agree with you.

[CrushingFist]

How about god forbid , somebody tries to harm somebody in your family, and I see they might get hurt because they can't defend themselve against that person, I will interfere and defend that person . Wouldn't You?

You would let somebody run that just killed somebody, or just hurt somebody, or see somebody gettin beaten up by a robber and you just keep walking saying thats not my problem cops should do that?

[darrianation]

How about god forbid , somebody tries to harm somebody in your family, and I see they might get hurt because they can't defend themselve against that person, I will interfere and defend that person . Wouldn't You?

You would let somebody run that just killed somebody, or just hurt somebody, or see somebody gettin beaten up by a robber and you just keep walking saying thats not my problem cops should do that?

I never said you didn't have the choice to get involved, because you Surely do. The choice is yours. Learning self-defense isn't there so you can go and play hero.

If I saw an innocent child, woman, family member, etc in trouble I surely would help, othrwise depending on the circumstance I may or may not get involved. But I am going to use lots of force doing it. I am not going to use wrist restrainning techniques. I am going to pull my gun!

Or if it involves only level three in the use of force latter then I'll knock em' out as brutally and as fast as I can. If the assailant then resists and escalates the amount of violence then I will go to deadly force!

[darrianation]

I take self-defense very seriously. I take my training very seriously. I know that any encounter that I may get into can be potentially deadly for the person or persons involved or even myself. I never assume that I can defeat anyone regardless of what they look like even if they are a scrawny little tooth pick because I know street fighting can be very unpredictable (I of course don’t assume anyone can beat me either).

If I am walking down the street and some wise ass hoodlum yells out “your fuckin’ ugly” I just say in return using a calm confident voice “thank you” and keep on walking. Of course I maintain awareness to make sure he isn’t following or pulling a weapon.

I do not except challenges from immature bozos trying to stroke their egos, or the drunk in the park who says “I want to kick your ass” or in the bar who says “let’s step outside”. These kinds of fights are generally avoidable. I have nothing to prove to anyone including myself.

People need to know how to diffuse a situation and how to de-escalate verbal arguments before things turn violent. Knowledge is a powerful weapon, use it!

If you do fight, it better be for the right reasons because you can end up seriously injured, permanently disfigured, or killed. On the flip side you may end up doing the same to someone else.

I ask myself- this question before I become involved in any violent encounter, is this worth killing for? Is this worth dying for? Therefore I fight only when left with no other choice.

The problem with fighting is that all your well meaning techniques and tactics can easily be sent right out the window soon after the first blow is thrown or worse after a weapon is introduced into the unpredictable equation.

Remember this- The fight will most often times be won by the person who is willing to escalate the violence the furthest the fastest. And loosing in the street can mean an ICU bed or a coffin. So make your decisions wisely.

[CrushingFist]

I'm with you.
I myself believe that a fight should end as soon as it starts. ASAP/IMEDIATELY Less than 10seconds at most, 3or 5 as the goal