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Personal protection skill requires a student to have a greater understanding of self-defense than merely practicing martial art techniques. Competence in martial arts will not be sufficient if your training is narrow in scope and relies on assumed outcomes.
Conflict creates chaos. Chaos creates confusion. Confusion creates doubt. Doubt leads to incompetence. Incompetence creates fear. Fear leads to defeat.
In the actual world (the “real” one is what you imagine it is) you are responsible for the choices you make. We are not talking about a bout or contest with rules and time outs. Deciding to take a stand and fight is a decision that should be thought out with your emotions under control. Fighting with no reasonable goal, no moral high ground, and no plan, will often have no clear meaning and it may not end well. It will certainly not be fun!
Personal protection demands adaptability. “Change”, it has been said, is the only constant. One must not only expect it, one must embrace it. Factors such as gender, physical size, strength, age and health are commonly understood, but what other factors must also be considered? The list should include a realistic assessment of risk. What are you defending? At what cost? Against what odds? What is the desired outcome? What is your plan?
For the sake of brevity, most martial artists know that there are generally four immediate strategic options available when facing aggressive behavior. One can block or check, one can parry or redirect, one can retreat, or one can attack first. I remind my students that retreat is not always an option, especially if they are not alone. How can you abandon your family or someone too weak to defend themselves? Attacking first is morally and legally risky. Is he all bluster and really not a threat? After successfully meeting the threat, what is the end game? When is this conflict over? When can you walk away? When should you walk away?
Having no strategic insight is not wise and can lead to poor decision making. Isn’t aggressive behavior and fighting always emotional? Clear thinking and emotion control can create the strong and resilient character necessary for strategic planning. It is easier said than done.
Mr. Weber is the chief instructor at the Aikido Academy of Self-Defense located at 16134 N. Oracle Rd., in Catalina. He has more than 45 years of experience in the Martial Arts and has achieved skills in a variety of disciplines. He also teaches Tai-Chi on Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m.
Please call (520) 825-8500 for information regarding these and other programs. If you wish, check out the website at www.AikidoAcademyOfArizona.com.
Mr. Weber is the chief instructor at the Aikido Academy of Self-Defense located at 16134 N. Oracle Rd., in Catalina. He has more than 45 years of experience in the Martial Arts and has achieved skills in a variety of disciplines. He also teaches Tai-Chi on Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. Please call (520) 825-8500 for information regarding these and other programs. If you wish, check out the website at www.AikidoAcademyOfArizona.com.
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