Recognizing Warning Signs

Attackers often give away tell-tale signs that an attack is about to occur. With your training partner, simulate the following advance warning signs of an attack:

• Attacker is looking around nervously.
• Attacker's jaw is clenched.
• Attacker tightens up and is not relaxed.
• Attacker forms a fist or curls the fingers forward.
• The tone in the attacker's voice is aggressive or changing.
• Attacker's hand(s) are kept hidden, indicating a possible weapon.

Controlling Fear

Inspite of all of the sophisticated martial arts technique available to eager and hard-working martial artists, an often neglected skill is learning how to cope with the stress associated with a physical or even verbal attack. Of course, no training can completely (nor safely) duplicate the stress of a real life confrontation. However, the controlled and cordial atmosphere of many martial arts dojos does not resemble the speed, anger, fear, and potential violence that can render all of those sophisticated techniques useless. The verbal hostility, aggressive mannerisms, and anger can be simulated safely yet give a unique element of realism to self-defense training. By incorporating some of this training into your routine, a real act of aggression can seem a little more familiar. Learned responses such as controlled breathing patterns and hand positioning to calm a situation can mean the difference between defending yourself or not.

Ranges of Fighting

Many martial artists train in arts that practice an exclusive range of fighting. For example, several Karate, Taekwondo, and Kickboxing practitioners are very accustomed to fighting on their feet and, at least, at arms length from their opponent (striking range). On the flip-side (pardon the pun), Judo and Jujutsu practitioners train in the grappling range and pay less attention to the kicks and hand-strikes of other arts. Which is better? From a self-defense point of view, your best bet is not to attempt to answer that question, and instead, seek a good mix of fighting ranges. Would you want to be in grappling, or close-quarter, range with an opponent who has a weapon such as a knife? Could you defend yourself with cat-like kicks and powerful punches if someone tackles you to the ground? More and more martial artists today recognize the need to experience several fighting methods to become a better prepared fighter should the need ever arise. If you are in the search for a martial arts school, you will likely find many which do, indeed, practice in several ranges of fighting.

Multiple Attackers

As if an attack was not stressful enough, there are situations where attacks can come from more than one direction. Telling signs of a multiple-attacker situation is the "wolf-pack" positioning employed by a group of attackers. This is characterized by an attacker facing you and another creeping in behind you, as an example. "Wolf-pack" situations should be trained with the following principles enforced:

• Don't be a hero. With the odds stacked against you, walk away or run. Of course, this is not always possible.
• Keep all of the attackers in your view and in front of you and at a distance.
• Keep a defensive but non-aggressive posture. Keeping the hands up in a defensive position but NOT clenching your fists can deter further escalation of the situation.
• Avoid being backed into a corner but do use objects (such as a wall) that keep an attacker from circling in behind you.
• Try to keep the attackers lined up in front of view to minimize simultaneous attacks.
• Keep any necessary counter-attacks quick and short. Kicks to the knees are particularily effective.

Weapons Training

Training with blunt-object or cutting weapons is excellent training for hand-eye coordination and body mechanics. However, these weapons have become more common in the streets and command much fear and respect. Above all else, weapons training helps to cultivate respect for weapons which, we hope, makes you think twice about engaging someone who flashes such weapons. Many schools make use of wooden or rubber knives and padded battons or bats to train in the defense from these weapon attacks. Some of the martial arts styles featured on this site address weapons related skills.

Another common form of weapons training, which we would rather not think about, is defense against a gun. If one must control a gun, it is important to gain control of the weapon hand and keep the barrell of the gun away from you. Applying a disarm, strike, or submission lock, may be used. Of course, the best defense against such a weapon is to hand over that wallet, purse, or watch. When seeking instruction on gun-defenses, make sure that the instructor is well versed in firearms and understands the realit