Martial Arts Is Not Self-Defense

Martial arts is an art and sport. Peyton Quinn, in his book Real Fighting : Adrenaline Stress Conditioning Through Scenario-Based Training, quite convincingly dismisses the idea that Asian martial arts was truly developed for self-defense and combat.

Karate, kung fu, tae kwon do, etc. as practiced in a school have rules like a sport does, in a controlled environment, to prevent serious injury in training or tournaments. No full-force strikes or mental preparation.

As for combat, it is highly more likely that hundreds of soldiers would use weapons before battling each other empty-handed.

Getting What Is Useful from Martial Arts

To be a true master in martial arts, you likely will need to train full-time for many years to be effective in defending against an attack. Short of that, why study martial arts?

• Discipline. Going to class several times a week. Drills. Practice until perfect. Rules.
• Fitness. Conditioning, flexibility, balance, speed, strength.
• Goals. Learning techniques and forms/katas to be proficient enough to get promoted to the next level. Attainment of black belt.
• Esteem and empowerment. Especially for children, it gives the student pride, a sense of accomplishment, and mental and physical growth.
• Energy use. Children have boundless energy. Use it for a positive activity.
• Tradition. Keeping culture alive. Spiritual aspects.

As modern self-defense does derive many of its techniques from martial arts, practice in the few that would be easily recalled in an adrenalized state is useful.

Counter The Limitations

Be mindful of martial arts shortcomings though:

• No awareness or mental preparation taught
• Complicated, fine motor skill techniques and combinations
• Unobstructed, flat, open terrain wearing an unrestricted uniform
• Rules based
• Perfection of technique
• Aware and alert state

Since we perform like we train, balance martial arts training and practice as follows:

• Use mindsetting and visualization to mentally prepare yourself.
• Train in the dozen or so gross-motor techniques that you will likely use so that they become automatic.
• Train in as realistic an environment as possible - confined spaces, different places and rooms, uneven terrain, objects and debris strewn around, clothes and shoes you normally wear.
• In mindsetting and training, imagine how you would act if not bound by rules, to actually do whatever is necessary to survive and escape.
• Imagine and practice what would happen if you executed a technique sloppily. If something happens you do not recognize. How would you recover and counter?
• Practice in different states of consciousness – drunk, tired, high, wired, whatever.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Books Martial arts books. Includes recommended books.
• Videos Martial arts DVDs and videos serve as excellent supplemental learning tools. Learn at your own pace in the comfort of your home.
• Training Live martial arts training from qualified instructors allows more personalized training, technique correction, and practice with partners.
• Information Additional websites that provide martial arts information.
• More Articles Read more martial arts articles from our library.