Karate as Self-defence

Students guide to Karate as Self-defence.

PART ONE

We all have our own Ideas how best to defend ourselves and we all have some natural skills how to defend and to attack. 

But by practicing karate / martial arts the aim is to learn new skills and enhance those that we have already.

Sometimes we think that using force is the best answer. 

In some cases I am not going to lie, yes may be the answer.

But of course this is not true in majority of the cases.

Defending oneself to my experience is not only based to how strong (although stretch is an ingredient) you are, is much more based how smart you are, and the way you combine the two together. Through training and real life events I have come to understand that deafening required more than just kicking, punching and being strong and brave.

Just imagine you have to fight every that tells you something you don't like.

Where you going to end up? I let you answer this...

So I learned that to defend yourself there is a need to have a combination of skills. And those three words keep coming up. 

Conduct  |  Patient  |  Awareness  

Starting with Conduct…

The way we conduct (present) ourselves in the situation and in general is so important to our defensive system.

For instance, the confidence we have and the way we present it to others… too much confidence or no confidence… both can attract the wrong people and be a problem.

By practicing karate / martial arts we must learn how to use this (conference) to our advantage by knowing when to reduce and increase our confidence in accordance with the situation.

If we managed to do this then we are better protection and conducting ourselves.

This way will keep us from being an easy target, and the aura we radiate lets the world know you're not one to be messed with...

To be patient.

Patient is very much missed in today's society. People lose it very quickly and often say the last words first.

This is because of their inpatients and they may think that whatever is was will be resolved by expressing their anger and in some cases getting very violent.

In truth this only escalate the issue.

Being patient can mean your servings another day resolving the problem for both you and the aggressor.

For those of us who practicing karate (martial arts) patient is one of must have and master in training. Without it than we have not tried well at all.

To be Aware.

Being aware is another ingredient of karate that the student should have and developed. Like:

Being aware of yours & others actions  ❯  the surrounding  ❯  with who you are surrounded with  ❯  who's that you getting into trouble with and so on...

Think about it, getting in trouble with someone you have be aware of their body actions… Is alone or with others… Has got any weapons of any kind and so on…

This is an important information and by knowing and understanding this, we then can be better prepared to defend ourselves (fight) or walk away altogether and so on...

With who you are surrounded with.

Often we get in trouble because of our friends and others pushing us into it, for their own needs.

Especially those at young age.

So we must be aware of those people and practicing karate we must learn to distinguish the right from wrong very quickly and not let others use or influence us doing the wrong thing.

(Remember a good friend will never encourage you to fight. Will always pull your away and will only fight with you when there is no other option.)

Finally in this part.

Those are the first three ingredients that can help us to prevent and defend ourselves. For a karate-ka is a must have and develop in training. 

This is not say that you practice karate and let everyone walk over you, far from it.

Nor is to say that this will 100% work. But at least be the first…ONE…to do the right thing and if before you got it wrong 7 out of 10 reverse it and you are in the right track.

(The best self-defence and fighter is the one who manages not to fight at all, and if it does is the very last resort.)

I hope you get the picture, keep it real.

PART TWO

Important Point to Remember

Do and Don'ts

1. Your best weapons are your judgment, reasoning, awareness of your surroundings, and your common sense.

2. Always be aware of, and alert in your surroundings, particularly when you are at a disadvantage (unfamiliar neighbourhoods, strangers or even acquaintances, being alone anywhere). 

3. Do not get into situations or circumstances that are potentially dangerous or threatening to your well-being.

4. If you can run or escape—do it! Avoid confrontation where ever possible—you might lose.

5. Try to talk your way out of any confrontation if fleeing is not possible. Trying to talk your way out may stall your attacker long enough for you to get the advantage.

6. If possible, do not let anyone get a hold of you. If it does happen, you must defend yourself immediately.

7. Do not think about your defence too long – react, of it may be too late.

8. Take advantage of any object within reach that can be used as a weapon (handbag, briefcase, shopping bag, umbrella, book, keys, etc). Also remember that any part of your body can be used as a weapon: finger's, nails, elbows, knees, head and teeth.

9. If and when you counter attack with a punch, kick, or strike, you must do so with all the strength and intensity you can muster (kiai and kime). You may only get one chance.

11. Use your voice to call for help, draw attention, or to distract your adversary momentarily so that you can execute your defence.

PART THREE

Training at the dojo and a few more important points to consider and remember.

1. Train your techniques well like: kicks - punches - strikes - blocks and so on...

Otherwise will not be as effective as you thought it might be.

(What you put into training that's what you will get in return.)…

2. You must know yourself what strengths you have: Is It? Fighting - defending or taking your way out… and act upon according to your strengths.

3. Every situation is different; don't assume that what worked before with work again. Adapt according to the situation given.

4. The outcome of the confrontation can often depend on your manoeuvres, awareness and the opportunities you may see arising during the confrontation (fight).

So you may only get one opportunity, if you do? Make a use of it.

5. Don't let anyone to make you angry easily, control yourself that's what you're training for.

6. If you have to back down in order to defend yourself DO IT. Don't feel ashamed. The aim is not to get hurt or hurt anyone.

7. Never underestimate anyone, regardless how they look or sound.

Equity never trust anyone 100%. People change all the time, always keep an eye on it.

8. In case someone is acting strange or is being aggressive toward you for a while then they stop but still around.

Don't lose concentration until he/she is gone. You don't know what is in their mind, it could be a trick.

9. Also be aware of those people who come across as aggressive, talk loudly or shouts a lot. This does not always mean they're strung and can put you into more trouble.

So keep your focus and if you feel the need to defend control yourself. If possible always give the opportunity to aggressor to work away. 

Finally,

As for everything is easier said than done. So you must decide what actions to take for a given situation that will result in your survival. 

Know the consequences of your actions! Use common sense to take flight or to fight is a decision that you must make for your best chance at survive.

And remember... if you're the better one to control yourself and never overdo. 

LAST PART

Those are some of the ingredients that karate-ka should developed over time in training and from life experiences.

This is not to say that it will 100% work. But hopefully through training, knowledge, experience and self-defence ideas at the end everything synchronizes together in harmony. If not? -  keep trying and never give up. 

Good luck and Good training
Thanks for reading
Ylli Sensei