You've seen the ads plastered all over the internet. You know - the ones that claim to have the "secret" that the Army doesn't want you to know, or some such garbage.
All of these ads are playing on the laziness inherent in some people who want to learn that ONE technique that will stop any attacker in less than 10 seconds, without having to do the work of actually training. But, the truth is that self defense is a very deep subject. There are just too many variables for anyone - myself included - to tell you that there is one magic self defense technique that will beat any and every attacker.
And, if you're serious about learning effective self defense, then you cannot limit yourself to a single "style" or approach to fighting, as seen in most martial arts schools. You also cannot limit yourself to the rule-laden systems that prepare students for karate or mixed martial arts tournaments either.
There is just too much that is possible in the context of a self defense encounter. There is also so much that you either won't have control of, or won't know about until the moment you find yourself being attacked. Thinks like:
Environment and surrounding size and build of your attacker What will trigger the event Method of attack How far your attacker is willing to go How many assailants you'll be facing...
And so much more!
Add to this things like clothing styles, any training your attacker might possess, your level of health, etc., and you have the makings of a real nightmare!
In fact, without the right guidance and help from someone who has been there before, in many different types of situations, and who has survived to tell about it, you have absolutely no idea just how life-changing a real attack can be!
And, the reality is that each and every one of the variables that I listed above - and those that I didn't - have there own variables that makes each one a little bit different.
What I means is that, let's take "method of attack" as an example for just a minute. Even if we were just dealing with a punch, what kind...
Straight (jab or lunging)? Hooking (boxer's right cross, flailing, or upper-cut)? Intensity (speed attack or a full-power, hauling off, knock-your head off with one shot punch)?
Do you get it?
Remember, most of these "secret" courses speak of self defense, but after reading many of them, they all point to "fighting." The idea they push is that you'll be against a single attacker, who's in front of you, throwing what the writer says is the "way "they" All attack."
Who the hell is "they," and what experience does he have in making the statement that everyone that you could be up against will attack the exact same way?
What? Did they all go to "Bad-ass Attacker University?!"
And...
There is no discussion about the guy who comes up from behind and shoves you to the ground, and smashes your skull with a steel pipe - no talk of the assailant who's so drunk or hyped up on drugs that, unless you physically break his bones, he won't stop because he can't feel what you're doing to him - no talk of the family member who, because of anger, a bad reaction to medication, or for whatever reason snaps and comes at you before you ever know what's going on!
Are you seeing the picture yet?
The honest truth is that there is no shortcut when it comes to self defense!
Are there core level principles and concepts that, if you learn them, you'll have a significant advantage over most attackers? Yes.
Are there ways to hit an attacker - techniques that will stop him in his tracks and make it so that he can't get up. Sure.
But, you have to remember that your attacker will be a real, flesh-and-blood human being. He will probably have much more experience at attacking than you have at defending against madmen like him.
And, he's never going to let you do that cool, "secret technique" that you learned in Joe Cool Karate-man's book either!
If you are going to effectively defend yourself - you are going to have to EARN every strike, every kick and every technique that you get in on him while trying to survive the assault!
Do you see why there can never be a single technique that will beat every attacker? Do you get it now.
So, now what?
So, the next time you see one of those ads selling a magic silver bullet... run!
Effective self defense requires more than just a few "karate moves." It involves the ability to think strategically, and understand how to defend yourself with as little wear-and-tear on you as possible.
If you really want to know what most people don't know about how to master self defense and how to survive a real street attack, read my newest self defense book: "Fight Smarter - Not Harder!" It's available free at: http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/street-fighting-self-defense-book.html
Jeffrey M. Miller is an internationally-known self defense expert. Each month he teaches literally thousands of students through live seminars, corporate training events, and his online self defense courses, the lessons to be able to survive in Today's often dangerous world.
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