Stand Strong and Fight Back
Self-Defense . Training notesWe humans are a meek bunch. It seems pretty common for us to cower and submit when faced with a conflict. I run into this mentality very often when teaching new students in self-defense classes. Having never been in a physical conflict most people are squeamish at the idea. More over many people feel they can reason with an aggressor to diffuse the situation. I always explain to people that how they react is their choice and if they choose to submit that to is a decision. Likewise if they choose to reason with their aggressor it is their choice but I always point out they lose the advantage. While I do not agree with these decisions I respect them.
What is interesting is the contrast to this mentality in the animal kingdom. As captured in this picture in the animal kingdom you stand strong and fight back. If you don’t you’re usually lunch. Animals
have a keen sense of self-preservation. We can learn a lot from animals, especially the lesser aggressive or predatory animals. These animals rarely pick a fight and if they see one coming will attempt to avoid it. Yet if they are protecting something important, their young or food, they will put up a fight. Cats and Dogs are good examples for the discussion. Dogs typically have the size and
lethal weapon advantage over cats, yet when push come to shove the cat will fight back. They won’t submit in the hopes that the dog will rough them up and move along. No the two options they see is avoid the situation or fight back. The cat certainly won’t expect another animal to come to their aid.
Today to many groups advocate relying on a restraining order and the police for protection (usually specific to domestic situations). While I always advocate following through on legal recourse you must always be prepared. Yes I have heard and witnessed the psychological trauma which can physically cripple a person. However, ultimately we have to decide if we allow this person to continue to have control over us? That is the root question as hard and complicated as it can be. The first step to taking control is being in control. Notice I didn’t say “feeling” in control. You need to be in control of yourself first. Like the cat often the best way to stay in control is to take it on immediately before the aggressor has the advantage of size, equipment AND the environment.
Remember this is food for thought, not a condemnation of any decision, certainly not advice for any specific situation! But think about it because we are formidable opponents when we believe we have the right to go about our lives with being harrassed or abused…and remember the cat…
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Learning this lesson in the classroom is a major plus but no guarantee of what you will do on the street. Preparing means you are more apt to do what you trained for (a major plus) but it really depends on the situation. There are situations where it just makes sense to get the hell out of dodge. You can always come back and fight on your terms!! π What surprises me is the increasing number of people (specifically guys) I meet who have never been in a fight or hit, that truly amazes me. Of course the whole PC movement amazes me. Now there is someone unprepared for an type of conflict! I remember the first time I got hit in the face…POW! I thought fireworks went off and I saw stars just like the cartoons!! The second time wasn’t so bad since I knew what to expect.
The important thing about training is to overcome flinching and the irrational desire to flee (as opposed to a rational/smart reason). Hmmm, I think I will have to blog more on this topic. Ben, thanks for getting my creative juices flowing!!
Great food for thought Sensei. I have always avoided confrontation both in my life and in my martial arts training (preferring non-contact stuff) but recently I started full contact kickboxing and have had to learn not to back away and flee. Thankfully I have learn this hard lesson in a classroom environment and not on the street.