Poll: Do you know self defense?

[lacktheknack]

I have plans for if I'm attacked, but martial arts? No.

I DO want to learn Judo, though.

 

[Kris015]

No, but i can do Techcopy!

 

[Gordon_4_v1legacy]

Not to disclaim anybodies asskicking abilities, you really can't know how you'd do in a fight until you actually get into a fight. No matter how much training someone has, if they can't adapt to the pressures of having clear and present danger right in front of them they will lose. I was a competitive boxer for five years and have seen plenty of people hesitate when they need to make a move. In a real fight, hesitation is the same thing as letting your opponent/attacker kill you.

Also, most martial arts schools available to the public don't normally teach their students anything applicable to a real combat situation. They're geared to get asses in seats paying membership fees and not teaching you something that could kill somebody and get you thrown in jail.

Speaking from firsthand experience I would have to say that if you wanted something that could be used in a life or death situation, find a real mixed martial arts gym, learn wrestling, or join the military. If your just looking to be able to kick ass and kill if neccessary, just get a guy who is ex-special forces to teach you a thing or two.

Lastly, if you don't know anything about fighting and find yourself in a situation where you have to defend yourself from extreme violence(worst case scenario), try to use anything and everythig you have on hand as a weapon. do anything you can to put the person in front of you on the ground and then run for help. Remember, in real life there is no fighting fair, there is only making sure your ass doesn't get killed.

As a self-defense instructor I have to say that I agree with this statement completely. I cannot count the number of times I have seen a person trained in traditional martial arts attempt to perform self-defense in class, only to fail miserably.

The problem is not so much the technique - a good punch or kick is crucial to any fight - it is the mentality. In a ring there are judges and referees to call it off when the going gets too tough. On the street there is no towel to be thrown. The mindset of self-defense is truly one of total brutality, wait for your opponent to strike, then use crippling blows until he cannot or does not wish to continue the fight. It is mostly about timing and brutality.

I know this from experience. I have never been in a streetfight that lasted more than 15 seconds because I knew that if it did the playing field would quickly even out.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, most people do not know how to talk down an attacker and avoid the fight altogether. Keeping cool and talking your way out of conflict is the most desirable course of action. Asking questions, agreeing with your potential attacker, speaking in a calm, soothing voice, rationalizing the situation, negotiating, these are all elements of self defense. Once again, I know this from experience. I have avoided countless fights because I talked my opponent down.

Overall, I think that people are afraid of violence. They see it on TV and in movies and applaud it, but once it comes into their lives and homes they are terrified. People do not realize that knowing violence does not make you a violent person. Violence is a last resort, a necessary evil if you will. Learning brutal action must be accompanied by learning peaceful minds. Only then can you truly be able to defend yourself.

Encore, Encore!

I am loving both of these statements!

A life/death fight needs to be viewed as any other survival situation. The most important thing that you must have is the will to survive. You must be willing to do anything and everything in order to live. The first step in practically all survival situations is to remain calm and take an accurate assessment of what is happening and your own abilities.

Assuming that the worst case scenario is occurring in a fight situation, a survivor must be willing to use everything at their disposal - bite, gouge eyes, punch throat, crush testicles, break kneecaps, use car keys as weapons, etc - do whatever it takes to escape the situation and survive. If you have assessed the situation and come to the conclusion that the only way to survive is to use deadly force, then you must act and not hesitate or your opportunity to survive might be lost.

It depends on how your club teaches you. My club doesn't involve itself in tournaments so our focus is purely self defence and our instructor is very keen on making us get the mongrel out when we have to fight.

 

[Socius]

Yeah, Ive studied Karate.

 

[Summerstorm]

I don't "know" self-defense.

But i practised one form of Karate for about 5 years... a bit Kendo and Iaijutsu, training with a german "Zweihänder", and a bit self training and overall interest in a lot of techniques and styles (Pankration, some modern stuff).

That said: i didn't train a second for years now, and am at an all-time low in endurance, strength and speed. So: Yeah, i can get my ass kicked really good... might do some damage on the way out *g*.

 

[codebulder]

Yes i did shotocan (srry if i misspelled that) karate for about 3 years, i quit right before i was to grade for my orange belt.

 

[Cazza]

I have had some training. I don't know if I will remeber it in a fight. If I do it's enough to stop me from getting smashed. I could win if their just an act and don't know shit about fighting.

 

[pigmypython]

2nd degree black belt in Chinese Kenpo, I have been teaching for about 5 years and learning for 11. I'm learning knife fighting now and having fun!

 

[ottenni]

Yes. I call it common sense. I find that it has kept me out of any trouble thus far.

 

[Callate]

I'm massively out of practice. I'd probably be able to handle a single attacker of similar size who hadn't had my training; I might do okay in one of the situations my art drilled us in. I'd really just as soon not find out in a life-or-death situation. And both martial arts I've studied have been smart enough to be clear on one point: your wallet is never worth risking your life over.

 

[HT_Black]

I studied Tai Kwon Do for some time and became quite competent at it; but in due time I abandoned it in favor of a martial art of my own design I have dubbed "Hitting People Very Hard in the Face and Genital Reigon". It works magnificently.

 

[thingymuwatsit]

Two years of Kung Fu training, not much, but it is a stronger style than, say, Karate.

 

[Tonythion]

I don't know you! Thats my purse!

My dad taught me to box until I was like...seven.....so no not really haha. I can probably hurt someone, but they'd still beat the shit out of me.

 

[Addendum_Forthcoming]

I know people who do Muay Thai .... they're my self defence. Afterall .. why fight when you have lackeys? >

In all serious my self deence is words. I'm very articulate and can pull off a special type of pathetic-ness that makes people not want to hit me because they think they'd be wasting their time.

 

[Yureina]

Sort of. Honestly though, my best defense is my appearance. I look like someone who just... well something about me keeps people away, both friends and foes alike. I don't have people trying to cause trouble with me.

 

[Nouw]

I've learnt Tae Kwon Do for 5+ years but I think I forgot. Nonetheless, I know all your weak spots and trying is still something! The worst situation I could get it is a cocky ass who tries and mess around with me.

 

[Evilsanta]

Umm...No, though a kick in the balls havent failed me yet.

 

[CheesusCrust]

I used to do Karate but I gave up pretty early so I know a little bit of technique. Would it be useful in a confrontation? Doubtful...

 

[Legend of J]

Wouldent say the its the best self defense but i have done bareknuckle irish boxing 0_0.

Trust me if you worked at the farm i used to work at and the tv power gets cut whats the only other source of entertainment lol.

 

[Tom Phoenix]

I know "random shaking"-Fu....

...meaning the most self-defence I can do is flailing my arms around and screaming like a little girl.