Where does Self Defense Start (Part 2)
I love training in the dojo; but understand that there are realistic limitations to this environment.
At 6:30 on a Monday evening you head onto the dojo floor; you have been waiting for the class all weekend…it feels good to be warming up in preparation for tonight’s class. Everything goes well, your kata look good with a few corrections pointed out, gi snaps nicely when performing Shomen Geri (front kick).
As you head out to your car you don’t notice the moron standing by the postal box, nor do you hear the punk walk around from behind your coupe.
The blind-side sucker punch comes first; catching you between the ear and base of the neck; you stagger for a few seconds & see ‘stars’. The quick flurry of strikes is annoying but thankfully don’t do any real damage as your winter jacket absorbs most of the impact.
As you are rolled over to the front of the car your forearm instinctively blocks a poorly aimed knee coming at your face; in a flash you adjust and try to kick…..too bad your khaki trousers bind up and restrict your movement…
Are you training for this type of scenario?
Dojo practice is not real; it is a controlled environment where most are content to ‘play’ at self defense. Realistic training scenarios for the most part are unheard of in many dojo.
Your conditioning may be adequate sure, good blocks and strikes; however where is the element of training under real stress, blind attacks & recovery, fighting in the worst conditions?
Have you ever tried to defend yourself (in dojo) while carrying bags of groceries, a small child?
Dojo allows us to face off from our attacker, poorly taught ‘Kumite’ can easily turn into a redundant rhythmic flow that does nothing for training, you get a referee, the lights are on, you get to wear a stylish and easy-moving uniform…..
Need I go on?
Dojo training is where you can go for more instruction, polish your technique and if you pursue it; get practical training to protect yourself and escape alive. Simply going through the motions however is not enough, to pursue realistic self-defense training one needs to prepare for the worst in the worst possible conditions; ie. defending under duress…
To be Continued.