Self-Defense

I (re)introduced to Monday's class many of the techniques we will be learning in the next few months. Many of the techniques you already know, but they will now have a designation so that when the instructor calls out: "show me One Step 4A" the attacker will know which attack is appropriate for the technique and the defender will perform the necessary defense and counterattack.


Self-defense and one-step sparring is not a true test or the best training mechanism for fighting to defend oneself. The method in which we practice them are for learning purposes only. We want the students to know the technique and then understand it. By going full blast throughout the technique the student will not be able to learn the technique properly. Going slow through the technique to build muscle and mental memory allows learning to occur and allows students to apply the techniques for the appropriate situation. Over time, more resistance is applied so that the student can learn how to apply the proper leverage, torque, movement, etc. for the technique to work. As you go up in rank, the attackers will speed up, be stronger in their effort to penetrate your defense. In this manner defenders will become stronger and better technicians.


Understand when I say "create the threat" does not mean to incapacitate our partner. It means to create a situation by which the defender MUST react or chance being hurt or pushed around. Overtime, "creating the threat" takes on a new meaning as we learn how to take our techniques and create a "natural flow" in our fighting so that we can learn to react and counter the attackers movements and attacks.

Also understand that self-defense techniques are not "fixed". What I mean is that one should not think that the only time one will use Wrist Grab Self-Defense 1 is when the person grabs the right wrist. This technique can be applied on a push or as someone goes to grab you. You should strive to not just learn the technique but (as I said above), understand them and apply them to situations where they will work.


Osu.