Self defence techniques: CAVEAT
CAVEAT WARNING CAVEAT
Just as learning how to spell does not make you a novelist, neither does learning a few sd techniques make you a fighter nor even sd ready, no matter how well you perform them.
There is just too much involved in becoming capable in fighting to get it all from a video clip or even a full on intruction dvd. The main strength of the few simple and effective techniques I plan to start with here are their use as pre-emptive strikes. In effect, they are at their best when used as a sucker shot. Fairbairn envisioned their use that way and taught it that way.
These are not the "be-all" and "end-all" of a non-self defence situation of gladitorial social combat. Nor will they make you ready to be a bounty hunter nor able to take on a whole bar full of Hell’s Angels. Hell, make that a table full of construction workers!
My friend Rory Miller says: (my paraphrase)
“In every sd fighting drill, if no one goes to the hospital, there is a built in flaw.”
When studying a medium about sd, you don’t get to feel the adrenaline rush, the sweating, the shaking and maybe peeing your pants. You also don’t have to get creative when the situation goes fubar and you need a new plan, because in a drill, everything is sanitary and choreographed, nice and predictable. And, no one gets hurt.
From a technique based clip, you won’t learn the why nor how of getting off line nor proper useful body structure. For these things you need a hands on encounter with a real non-compliant (but friendly) partners and an instructor who can help you through your trials and errors.
How do you get the best experience without actually fighting? I say, “Get thee to Denver!” since it is a hot-bed of martial arts and self defence. Can’t go?
Then study as much as you can to work with the partner of your choice. Peruse the books and vids I have reviewed here and fill you soul with the stench, sweat and blood of training to face violence.
