Martial Arts and Self Defense Articles, The Self Defense Company

Then why would you use kick boxing techniques in a street fight? Sure you would eventually drive the nail with the wrench but it will take a lot longer and a lot more effort than using the correct tool for the job.

If you look at ALL reality based methods of self defense you find the same thing over and over again. The use of sport based methods applied to the street. The only difference is the guys demonstrating the techniques are in street clothes. First of all sport techniques work with about as much success in a real life situation as do real, street fighting techniques do in the ring.

If you think you are going to shock the “No-Holds-Barred” martial arts world with your chin jabs and edge of hands, think again. Besides illegal in some cases, real self defense is meant to operate under a different set of parameters. The first and foremost is the idea that you may be killed. Your adrenaline will only allow you to do a handful of functions. You will have a sense of urgency that will cause you to react immediately and continue to go full speed until it’s over.

Think of it this way. Combat sport is like NASCAR and personal self defense is like drag racing. One is designed to go over a long, distance with time to change strategy and adjust accordingly. The Drag strip is all about one thing- get from point A to point B as fast as you possibly can. There is no time for jockeying for position, drafting or sling-shot turns. You just drop the hammer and keep the car going straight down the track.
Like martial arts, at first glance, both vehicles are similar. They are both cars, with engines, wheels, a steering wheel and a place for the passenger. But all you have to do is take a closer look and you’ll see extreme differences.

Remember, combat sports are similar and contain the same elements as real combat martial arts and vice-versa, but that’s it. Combat sports have rules. Combat sports take place a specific time and place. Combat sports use protective equipment. Combat sports allow you to know who your opponent is. Combat sports ensure that you will have some degree of safety and that you and your advisory will act in a certain way. Remember when Tyson bit Holyfield’s ear off? What was Evander’s reaction? Did he fight harder? Did he attack Tyson? NO! He jumped up and down like a five year old because he was shocked at what just happened. This by no means says that Evander Holyfield is not tough. I’d be hard pressed to find someone tougher. It does demonstrate how a highly trained athlete responds to something that happens outside the realm of what he trained for…he reacts like everyone else does!

Technically, preparing yourself for self defense is infinitely easier than preparing your self for combat sports. You only need to study a hand full of techniques and practice them over and over again. The real problem is preparing your self mentally to “pull the trigger”. The hardest part is getting started. Do you have the resolve to get the job done? Will you hesitate when the moment of truth arrives? Because if you have been trained properly and you train hard enough you won’t have any doubts. If you know that you have left no stone unturned in your practice, you will not falter. Through training you gain confidence and experience. Through confidence and experience you become successful.

About the Author
Damian Ross is a lifelong martial artists and instructor. He holds a 4th degree black belt in Carl Cestari’s Tekkenryu jujutsu, a 2nd degree black belt in Kodokan judo, a 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a varsity wrestler for Lehigh University. He has been teaching coaching and competing since 1975. He is the owner of the ZenShin Premium Martial Arts Dojo Dojo in Pompton Lakes, NJ (www.zenshin.info) and the president of The Self Defense Company a cutting edge reality self defense company with a world wide instructor network. (www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com)

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