As you read this article, or may have read some of the other articles on this site you may think that I am somewhat bitter toward other instructors.  To be truthful the answer is both yes and no.  On the one hand, I am critical of some instructors simply due to the fact they have NO business teaching others and by the same token am not critical of others because they have remained true to their art and do not claim the art to be something that it is not.  Allow me to explain.

Martial arts instruction, during the 60’s and 70’s were the original versions of say Japanese or Chinese arts and continued up until the mid 80’s or there about.  However, over the past twenty years we have seen a host of new hybrid styles develop that are very far removed from their ancestral roots.  The big problem with these new systems is they are so far removed from their original version they have lost their way and in doing so become ineffective.  Many of these new arts actually sport arts and not combat. If you judge these systems from a “can it really save my life” perspective you will find that many systems transcend inadequate.  Most of these systems are a hodge-podge of sport/ competition moves, or a collection of pseudo-combat moves presented under the guise of effective “real life” self defense scenarios.  In the end we are too often left with a bunch of motley techniques that would really only be effective against an idiot moving at half-speed. 

Furthermore, if you focus on the term “self-defense” this term can also be dangerous.  Defense implies responding to (or waiting for) an attack; when in reality being able to block a real attack is next to impossible, why?  Simple, action is faster than reaction. Most students of these so-called self defense schools are often taught worthless, ineffective and dangerous (to the user) collection of techniques that have no place being taught outside of the realm of “for demonstration purposes only” and should NEVER be presented as real world. All of this is great for the training hall or if you want to create a fantasy in your own mind that you are really learning how to protect yourself; but let’s be intellectually honest and not fool ourselves.  So where did things really start to head south, well I believe it starts with a few myths; the list is long but there are a few key issues surrounding the current state of the martial arts community.  The first being that all martial arts are effective, the second (and my personal favorite) is the constant overuse of the words “real”, “effective”, “practical” or any derivate thereof used to bait perspective students into thinking they are learning something practical when in reality the true purpose is to increase the schools enrollment.  We could go on but we will stick with these for now.

While there are several debates that we could have in order to solve these problems I think the most effective thing to do is realize what self-defense really is- a form of self preservation.  When you are engaged in a real fight you are in it for your right to live, not to win a fancy belt so you can go brag to your friends.  Keeping that in mind (the real reason for fighting), alters your perspectives change a bit.  I strongly feel that true self defense is (after you find a genuine school) more than learning how to punch, kick or try to talk your way out of a bad situation. You need to realize that it is necessary to develop the necessary confidence, determination, ruthlessness and pre-emptive mindset needed to achieve victory.  An understanding of the psychological trauma that precedes and follows conflict is also of vital importance.  If this is omitted you are doing yourself a great disservice. True self defense is, just to reiterate, not just the physical aspects but the core value of training lies in developing the proper mental attitudes needed for executing effective defensive measures. It is not the technique that wins the fight but what’s behind them is what really counts.  Sadly, too many schools develop the skill (punch and kick) but not the mindset. That is assuming what they are teaching has some degree of true effectiveness to begin with. Regrettably violence is sometimes the only solution; therefore self-protection demands deadly, effective pre-emptive actions and attitudes.  If this is the case, you must be firm in your resolve, committed to 100% action leaving nothing left and be able to deal with both the “post” and “pre” psychological impact of any assault.  If you style does not teach this you may want to consider another school.