Martial Arts & Self-Defense Training - Are You Learning to Defend Against the Right Attacks?

Every day, thousands of people take up the practice of self-defense and, within weeks drop out of those same programs. According to more than one survey of those who've dropped out, the primary reason is the lack of realistic self-defense training.

Lack of realistic self-defense training?

In a self-defense or martial arts program supposedly teaching self-protection skills?

How is this possible?

Maybe, as many instructors would claim, these students aren't in a position to know what is and what isn't viable self-defense training. After all, if they knew anything about street fighting self-defense, they wouldn't be in a class in the first place.

But, regardless of whether or not a student has had any prior training or even experience in having been attacked before, the average person knows what does and doesn't look real when it comes to violence. So, that argument doesn't hold up under scrutiny.

Others would say that these students just didn't give their programs enough time. But, how much is "enough" time, especially when we're training to be able to defend ourselves.

Other studies show that the average person "thinks" about taking martial arts or self-defense for about a year before actually taking action and enrolling in a program. A year!

Now, if these people have been thinking about self-defense at all, we can only assume that something - some concern - sparked their interest. Whether it was a particular news story, a close-call of their own, or just the knowledge that the area where they were living had changed and become more dangerous, the point is that, they felt they "needed" self-defense skills.

So, by the time they actually enroll in the classes, about a year has passed. During this year, at least two things have happened. First, they weren't attacked. A good thing, yes?

But second, they became exposed to the same news that said that they needed to get this part of their lives handled - BEFORE something DID happen. Until, one day, they make the decision to take action and actually enroll into a program.

So now, at this point, they're ready to get down to business. They know, or at least feel, that's it's only a matter of time before the odds shift and they find themselves being the target of some nut or criminal attacker. At this point, they want and need - results.

But, let's not forget that these people bring something else to their training - something more than just their:

wants and needs to be safe


desire to be able to handle themselves


hopes that they can actually do what's being taught

They bring...

...their past knowledge and experience. And they're just like you.

You've seen what real, modern attacks look like. You've probably watched a movie or two that had a fight that looked more like a slug-fest than a martial arts tournament. You might have seen a boxing match in your time, or remember the fights you saw in school, the bar, or wherever.

So, whether or not you've ever been in a fight or been attacked yourself, you know what a real one looks like. You know that a modern-day street thug, or your friend who had fifteen too-many for that matter, isn't going to attack you with a:

karate-punch


crane's beak, or...



tae kwon do kick to the head

Not to say that they won't because, as they say, "anything's possible." But, you know what, possible or not, it's more "probable" that, even if you're assailant knows some martial arts, in his anger he's going to throw a good old right-cross.

The point here is this...

Regardless of what style you're being presented with, you need to make sure that the first lessons you're being taught include defenses against:

hook punches


clothing grabs


body grabs
, and...

wrist grabs

You don't need to start with defending against a tae kwon do kick as a lead off, a karate-style punch from the hip, or a judo-style grab designed to control a 16th century Samurai and prevent him from grabbing his weapons. You need to begin with...

...those techniques that you're most likely to encounter should you be attacked...

...today...

...in the 21st century.

And, therein lies the problem - and the reason that people just like you are dropping out of martial arts and self-defense programs so soon after enrolling. They very quickly realize that they're learning an ancient, stylized martial system that has lost touch with the needs of students in Today's world.

This isn't a new problem though. I talk about the same thing happening to the founder of one of the self-defense systems that I inherited from my teacher. In one of my other articles, "All Martial Arts Were Not Created Equal - Exploring The Roots Of The Takagi-Yoshin Ryu of Jutaijutsu," I explain how this same thing was going on in 15th century Japan!

Regardless of whether or not this is a new problem, it is a problem.

But, you don't have to become another statistic - another in a long-line of disappointed, or incorrectly trained students who wrongly believe that what they've learned will actually work in a life-threatening self-defense situation.

If you're going to really be prepared to protect yourself, you must make sure that your martial arts or self-defense program is teaching to defend yourself against the right attacks - the attacks that you're going to have to defend against when you're attacked by a real assailant in today's world.

Jeffrey M. Miller is the founder and master instructor of Warrior Concepts International. A senior teacher in the Japanese warrior art of Ninjutsu, and a former federal police officer, undercover agent, private investigator, and bodyguard, he specializes in teaching the ancient ways of self-protection and personal development lessons in a way that is easily understood and put to use by modern Western students and corporate clients. Through his powerful programs, you will learn proven, time-tested lessons designed to help you create the life you've always dreamed of living, and the skills necessary for protecting that life from anything that might threaten it.

To learn more about real-world self-defense training and other subjects related to the martial arts, self-defense, personal development & self-improvement, visit his website at http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com - For more free tips, strategies, and lessons for making yourself more safe in this often unsafe world, don't forget to subscribe to his powerful and informative online newsletter.