Realistic Self Defense

We have already discussed the importance of learning a martial art or method of self-defense that focuses not on complex movements, but on overcoming the natural tendency to freeze up. [Read the previous discussion on Self Defense, if you missed it.]

The first thing you must do is to condition yourself to respond to any threat with an immediate reaction. Even if you are caught by surprise, never stop to think about what you should do; just do anything! Move, take action, strike back. A moving target is hard to hit, so start moving! As soon as you start to move, your brain kicks into high gear, searching for openings and opportunities. But, if you just stand there, your body and brain both freeze up, and you become a victim.

Instinctive and Convulsive

Time is of the essence, you don't have time to think. Train so that your actions become automatic. If you have to think about what you will do, it's already too late. You have to inflict as much damage as fast as possible. Lead with speed, follow with power and continue to chip away at your assailant as you cause more and more damage and injury. The techniques you use should allow to hit vital points on your opponents body and cause little or no damage to you. You must react in a way that allows you to keep your assailant off balance and build momentum until he's no longer a threat.

According to close combat legend W.E. Fairbairn, you need attack with "vehemence and artifice". This simply means be as nasty and as sneaky as possible. Use every dirty trick in the book. But, you must not hesitate, there is no room for second chances. Self defense is self preservation.

Environment: Footing/Obstacles

Always be aware of where you are. Your environment could be the single most important factor determining what you can do and where you can go. Even smooth dry surfaces can pose footing problems if you aren't careful. But, if you aren't aware when surfaces are uneven or slippery, you may find yourself flat on the ground before you know it. The techniques you use to protect yourself must allow you to keep a firm footing, while also allowing you to move with good balance and confidence. High kicks and spinning around are extremely risky moves, even in the best conditions.

Another problem posed by your environment is the presence of all sorts of obstacles that can cause you to fall, or cause serious injury. Ignore these obstacles at your own peril. You must always be aware of where you are and what is around you.

The good news is that you can use certain obstacles to your advantage. Moving to put a car or fence between you and your attacker can buy you some much needed time. Picking up something as simple as a bottle or a stick can provide you with a game-changing weapon. But, you can't use any of it if you don't remain tuned in to your environment.

Plan for the Worst and Hope for the Best

When you train, imagine your worst nightmare. The guy who just got out of prison, or the junkie who just doesn't care anymore. Criminals just want what you have, plain and simple. You have to plan for the absolute worst case scenario. Also, you should have a little nasty surprise for your would be attacker. Any type of weapon will do. It's better to have it and not use it than need it and not have it. Even old school martial artists always had an "ace up their sleeve" so to speak. Because at the end of the day, it's not a matter of who's right, just who's left.

Dealing with Multiple Attackers

One of the deadliest myths about martial arts and self defense is the notion that you will be able to protect yourself against multiple vicious attacks regardless of who and how many. And you'll be able to do this without a scratch or even a blemish. This is something we all want to believe. But it's all just Hollywood nonsense. Just because Bruce Lee could take out the entire Chinese Army single-handed, doesn't mean you can.

The "experts" don't help simply because they don't know or they don't care. They're happy to let you believe they're training you to be invincible. They just want you to keep paying them.

So what about dealing with multiple assailants? First, you must always assume they are there. You must always assume the worst tactically and train accordingly.

Standing and fighting more than one person puts you at a severe disadvantage. Keep in mind of a couple of key points, if you can escape, great. Put as much distance between you and them as possible. But, if you must fight more than one assailant, simply fight what's in front of you and keep moving forward. When you train, practice to take ground. This will keep your primary target off balance and on the defensive. Always take ground, move forward, make progress. Train to do as much damage with every blow as possible. That way, one or two strikes will make one attacker back off, and you can then deal with another. Try to think of it as dealing with problems sequentially, not simultaneously.

Dealing with Weapons

What if he has a weapon? If you train the right type of close combat techniques, weapons won't matter. Always attack, no matter what. You may still get injured, but the goal is to minimize your injury and maximize theirs. Never let up, even if you get hurt during the confrontation. Remember, you MUST WIN; because the only other option is to DIE!

Some simple rules to remember:

• Always assume there is more than one assailant
• Treat every attacker as an armed attacker
• Resolve to the fact that you will feel pain and sustain injury
• Always keep moving and taking ground, this will keep you attackers off balance, create openings for escape and make you more difficult to hit
• You can only "fight" one person at a time: deal with what's in front of you
• Attack first when ever possible
• Use anything you can as a weapon to increase your effectiveness

There is no "magic pill", anyone who tells you that you can easily stand and fight multiple assailants is a fool. Yes we practice the Random Assault Drill, but the purpose is not so you can learn to stand and fight multiple attackers. It's to disorient you and make you stressed and tired so that you can truly understand and appreciate the frustration of a real fight. The drill teaches you not to think, but to react and move. This is the core of real self defense.

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