Print this pageSelf Defense: The Need to Knows
Have you ever asked yourself what would you do if you were viciously attacked by another person? What if a loved one was being attacked? Could you help? Would you stand and fight it out or run for assistance? What if their was no help in sight, what would you do then? 
You have only to sit and watch the daily news or read the daily paper to see that violent crime is on the rise. Every minute of every day, people who never thought that they would be thrust into a life or death situation, find themselves standing at the crossroads of their very existence. Their is an old Chinese saying that goes, "to be forewarned is to be forearmed" and the media is warning us every day that times are changing and not changing for the better. Now more than ever this Chinese proverb needs to be the underlying idea in the minds and training of martial artists as well as in the minds of the average person. Being prepared is not just the motto of the Boy Scouts, it the very root of all good self-defense training.
Today, there is a greater need for self defense training, yet many people do not take the chance to properly educate and prepare themselves. Talk to any person you know and they are likely to tell you that, "the neighborhood is not like it use too be", or "I remember when I never had to lock my doors at night". With the local and national news services reporting on numerous violent crimes ranging from the latest school shooting to the newest armed robbery, you would think that people who recognize the changing times, would take a greater interest in learning how to properly prepare for the day that they might be called to defend them self or someone they care about.
Part of the lack of interest in defense training, is that over the past several years self defense training has taken on a less serious rap. When many people now think of self defense training, they envision an occasional class being held at the local YMCA, with a man in a funny looking padded suit being kicked repeatedly in the groin and poked in the eye by groups of women screaming "NO". While these types of clinics are good for the instruction of simple techniques while aiding in empowering its participants, they often serve little good in the actual training of individuals on how to prevent or survive a serious physical encounter. Learning how to adequately protect oneself or possibly others, is not something you can learn in a few hour seminar or a week long program. Learning the art of self defense is a developing process that takes time and continual practice as well as a good teacher to help inform the student about the often unsettling reality of the cold real world. This is why it is often better to study and practice a true and complete, traditional martial arts system, and not just learn a few self defense tricks. One must learn the total package. The act of having to actually defend oneself is not a game, a sport or a fun endeavor. In real life situations you are liable to find yourself fighting hard just to stay alive. In a fight for your life situation, being able to rely on your intensive and continuing martial arts training, will aid you in emerging victorious without severe life changing injuries.
Keys to good Self Defense Practice
Preparation is the key to self defense and keeping alert is the first step to remaining safe in a an unsafe word. Many people walk around about their daily life running on autopilot, not paying attention to the happenings around them. This is what an attacker or a criminal in general is relying on. If you are not alert and by the ready at all times you are easy prey. Your mind and all of your senses must be focused and alert, while being tuned into your environment. When walking through your daily life, keep your head up and on a swivel, paying attention to all that is around you. Use reflective surfaces like car windows to look behind you. Watch for shadows on objects and on the ground of people who get too close to you. Keep an eye on any one who appears to be following you and keep your senses alert to anyone who approaches. The success of a persons attack depends on the element of surprise and if you are alert and ready for what may happen you are already one step closer to defeating the attacker.
Besides being alert, having a firm understanding of combative knowledge is the next step in practicing good self defense. Often many instructors will tell you that if you perform a certain technique when you are attacked, that it is guaranteed to work and you will be victorious in the confrontation no matter what. 
This is a less than true statement. One of the best things that we as people should remember is that we do not control the universe, therefore in reality there are no guaranteed techniques, their exists only multiple defensive options with various possible outcomes. Learning self defense techniques should not be looked at as the cure all for various situations, rather they should be viewed as one of a group of possible tools to complete a necessary job. For example: say an attacker manages to get you in a head lock and is trying his hardest to twist your head off. You attempt a technique and it does not work. What now? Do not panic, remain calm and simply try something else. Always have a strategy that is capable of evolving into what you need to fit the given situation. Remember to be fluid like water. When flowing water encounters a blockage is simply finds another path. When executing self preservation techniques, remember that you must keep your movements simple but have the ability to change it up successfully and execute complicated techniques. Generally speaking, applying the most effective technique to a vulnerable area of an attackers body, with speed and accuracy will allot you time to either remove yourself from the situation or continue to breakdown your attacker so that he or she is unable to pursue their intentions. Remember to keep control at all times and do not give your assailant a chance to mount another attack.
Next, lets face the cold hard truth, that in real life encounters, you must expect to be hurt. Accept this fact! Move on and deal with what is happening! In a barehanded struggle, count on being punched, kicked, smacked, bitten or even struck with a strange object. If the assailant has a knife, expect all of the above along with the fact that there is a high probability that you will be cut or stabbed. If a gun is involved, count on and prepare for being shot. This idea and acceptance of what will or could happen is essential. Suck up the pain and the fear, ignore the injuries and deal with the situation at hand. After you survive and emerge the victor then worry about what has happened to you. If injured look at it from this perspective, if you don't survive then their is really nothing to worry about, but no matter what never give up. 
In all aspects of your training, try to expect the unexpected. Prepare yourself for the worst, fight and hope for the best. When training keep in mind what you would do if something severely went wrong, but remember that giving up is never an option.
With these tips in mind, practice all you know and prepare mentally, just in case you are called to defend your life or the life of someone else. In the martial arts word there is a saying, “we practice and study for a fight we hope will never come” which goes hand in hand with the Chinese proverb “to be forewarned is to be forearmed.”
For those of you currently training or thinking about training, I would like to take this opportunity to leave you with a quote to remember from Bruce Lees 1961 journal, “The one point to bear in mind when you are being attacked by a thug is the fact that the thug has but a one tract mind. He thinks in but one grove, which is bent on your destruction, rarely considering what you can do, in which case you will always has the psychological advantage on your side.”
Written by: Sifu PJ Zippittelli