Is learning unarmed martial arts really about self-defence or is it just learning how to fight?

Question

1- if so what are you realistically defending yourself from that you can't avoid by running or walking away?

In this case wouldn't learning to do sprints be better for self-defence?

2- think about it, how many fights in your life did you really HAVE to fight (outside of desire or ego) to save your life, and successfully defended yourself with your fists alone (unarmed)?

3- in any situation where your life or personal safety is really at risk the law (generally) protects you and authorizes you to use more force or even deadly force against your attacker(s), and generally it isn't going to be a same-size guy threatening your life.

4- "(s)" that is important. Look at how many attacks are realistically the "mugger with the hat" saying "gimme yer money" wearing hamburgler like clothing. The guy either has friends, or has a weapon. how is learning a less effective art (for that situation: ALL UNARMED ARTS ARE LESS EFFECTIVE THAN A WEAPON ART that is practical).

cnt'd.

5- wouldn't learning to use a small concealable object like aknife or small stick or getting a CCW (carry) permit for a handgun be more effective to save your life than any unarmed MA against a guy with a weapon or multiple attackers?

How is learning an unarmed martial art self-defence when any unarmed martial art is unable to deal with a true situation where you are in danger and need to defend yourself?

Isn't unarmed MA just really learning to fight with our hands and not really self-defence?

EDIT: given there are some situations where you are stuck without one, but chances are so is the other guy, and there are many things that can substitute for a knife or small stick. If unarmed ma functions only as a "back up" to weapons, then isn't it still just a desperation move and primary focus should be on what is more effective and practical.

EDIT2:
Of course there are situations where the gun is less effective at closer range, if you don't have a chance to pull it. however would you trust your life to your bare hands against an attacker with a knife or gun at close range? Any attempt against them unarmed is a desperation move.

The video is a question of the cop's crappy aim and certainly calls into question one's ability to be a law enforcement officer. Of more importance is the knife reality video where most attacks against gun users were done by surprise or so quick they couldn't take out a holstered pistol before bieng cut.

Okay:

1- I'm not saying that there is no reason to take martial arts, I'm saying that taking unarmed martial arts for the purpose of "self-defence" is a myth in today's society (at least in america).
I'm saying that if you are operating under the delusions that unarmed martial arts rise to the level of "self-defence" in a society where people attack in numbers or with weapons then you are in for a hard awakening.

I HAVE taken martial arts for much much longer than a month. I have trained in unarmed martial arts and weapons (some practical some not- but it shows you the finality of weapons and exposes the delusions many teachers teach under about them). I have trained in unarmed martial arts for appx 12 years, and weapons mostly sword for over 8- including sparring).

I cross-train against different styles as well.

Answer 1

It is my understanding that the first martial art was developed to help monks stay in shape so they could meditate for longer periods.

Answer 2

It depends?

Really, the thing is you can never train - even with weapons - to the point where you would be able to defend yourself against any possible attack. All you can do is lower your odds of getting hurt and increase your odds of surviving.

That's pretty much all about self defense.

As for the legal defense part of things, an art which teaches you to defend yourself without unreasonable damage can actually help you in the legal arena. You are allowed to use whatever force is required to defend yourself and *no more than that*. So learning to defend yourself with a minimum of force can be a Very Good Thing.

But...

All this being said I've personally encountered schools where it's all about fighting. They don't seem to be a majority for the most part, but they exists. In those cases I'd have to say it's not really learning about self defense at all.

Answer 3

Learning Martial arts is more than just for self defense, although it is a very good reason. Given the world today running or walking away is not usually an option, and the defense comes in handy when someone attacking you is right up close (as they usually wait to attack until they are). Martial arts are not designed to thwart the gun toting individual who stands fifteen feet from you demanding you give your money. But it can help in the situation where a group armed with knives and clubs threaten the same individual. By the time you get your gun out they will have moved in too closely to aim to shoot (ever see the cop video where the guy just kept running around the tree and didn't get hit once while the cop shot fifteen shots at him while chasing?)

Answer 4

There is no best, most effective, most bad a$$, or any other way you want to phrase it, Martial art. If there was, every military in the world would teach it as their hand to hand training. Guess what? They all have their own. Go figure. even if there was a best, if it isn't taught near you, and not every style will be, it won't do you a bit of good. Every martial art has its pros and cons. Realistic training by a competent instructor is much more important than style. Find out what is offered near you. Watch a class or two at each. Choose between instructors / schools not styles. One thing to keep in mind, there are sport schools and traditional schools in most arts, a traditionally taught school will be much better for self defense than a sport oriented school. Avoid schools with: *Long term contracts *Black belts under 16 or 17 years old *Promise of any rank *Required testing of any kind. Rank progression should be based on skill not time in grade. As a side note there is nothing at all wrong with never testing. *Black belt or Leadership clubs. *A large portion of the students as black belts. Most people will not last long enough to get to a black belt in a good school. They are earned not bought. ** Anything having to do with ATA or Songham Taekwondo ******

Answer 5

1) People study MA for several different reasons,
Selfdefense,
Health and fitness,
Spiritual fulfilllment,
Overzealous freak ***-sports parents

a. In someones lifetime somewhere in the world, they have had to stand and fight, and somewhere in the world someone whom has had to do this has won. ( I mean if you look at the odds this is actually a good possibility)

b. In case of fight or flight reflexes this person has chosen to fight due to cirumstances beyond their control.
flood, famine, flippery, whatever..for unseen reason had to fight.

2) Personally none, all ego, or vengeful bouts. All but one successful. 2nd grade a kid named Scott tripped me, the end, he was declaired the winner by peers.

3) The law is (Generally is not with you at times of attack), especially at your home at time of attack where it is ok if you plug a couple itno an intruder, if you have a gun.
a. This is a statistic that is very random, but may be calculated by means of law inforcement database, if you input all to date offenses of home invasion crimes and taking an average of these offenders.

4) I think they only wear that kind of garb in the UK, or it was the fashion of the times in early American criminal fashion history.
a. The fact that you have this card may come into play in a situation where your attackers are unorganised, weak, or relly on drugs and paraniod to the max, and you can get the edge or comprimise the situation and get a good hit or two, and get away by running. This senario is far fetched, but as statistics are it could happen.
b. Effective use of the weapon is what is the factor here. If you see some namby pamby knife weilding jerk that you can kick thre knife out of his hand , I'm sure it won't take much more to kick his ***. A gun on the other hand is definatly a bad situation and is a much more effective tool than a hand technique.

5) Learning to use anything as a weapon would be more realistic when in reality if you are going to Walmart on Thrusday night , at lets say quarter to ten at night and you park on the dark side of the parking lot and some gerkin trys to attack you with a knife, what are you going to pull out, and where are you going to pull it out of ? your ***?

a. If there you had just gotten junior a new baseballbat that would be great no problemunless as you stated there was a gun. But if there wasnt you go home and somebody goes to a hospital. Hell if you had a bag full of lets say womans shoes or a BBQ tongs, or a fishing rod. Somebodys EYE,s FRICKIN coming out!!! Everypart of your body and everthing may be used as a weapon. Thats MA

b. I reject that statement totally

6) "A hand arts will be used by any competent Martial Artist when applicable so the statement is being misrepersented your honor the Prosecution is trying to mislead the Jury your Honor"

7) Believe me, IF i had to I would fight frickin dirty so beware. I'd go right for the pancreas.

Would you stand and just die with out a fight? WOULD YOU?

8) Any home Barney Fife video on You Tube today is not reality

Close up fighting is a gamble for both attacker and attackee,
Depending on if the Attackee is a MA, if the attacker has a knife, or a gun, knows how to use the knife, gun, is on drugs, drunk, scared pissing himself, well trained mercinary sent by the Mattress Company cause you cut off the tag on your mattress, or by your local Mafioso Don cause he heard what you said about the Sepranos Episode where the two guys came out of the closet.

Here is another situation.

Say you were a cowboy in the old west. out around the mexican boarder and Frickin Pancho Villa caught you taking a dump behind a cactus, put a gun to your head and told you to eat your ****...

would you?

Answer 6

Yes, you can successfully defend yourself against a guy who has 50+ pounds and a few inches on you.

I am 207 pounds and i have (on the street) beat many drunks, theives and assholes (i was a bouncer for a while) with a simple formula....

If you want to make the first move (remembering that anything goes in a streetfight), go for a kick to the balls with everything you got. And if he still stands, elbow or knee him right in the nose (jaw works too).....

Most people on the streets start a fight off with a big right hand, expecting the fight to be over quickly...... all you need to do then is to step back (dodging what will most likely be a hook) and pinpointing your fist (or palm) straight at his jaw or temple (don't hook, use a straight punch).

A knife is a very bad situation to be in..... if the guy is far away from you (more than a meter and a half), go back and pick up something with a longer reach than a knife (in my job, i use a queue dividing pole) and maintain the distance (you can hit your attacker with it but try to keep your distance).

if the guy is close, you will have to seek a street fighting / self defense teacher to teach you because it requires practice.

The most important thing is to never go down in a street fight (eg, wrestle on the floor). This is because (as you said), if his friends are around you, they can kick you in the face and, who knows what they'll do to you if you r knocked out.

This is what has worked for me but, as you said, ure better off sprinting (unless you have a gun)..................

Answer 7

You are all missing the point. People train because it is an enjoyable activity. You get to hang out with friends who share a common interest. You get the thrill of competition. You get a sense of accomplishment at advacing in rank or mastering a difficult new technique. You get the endorphins of a good workout, and you look and feel better for being in shape. Martial Arts are FUN! Their self-defense value is an added bonus.

Yes, carrying a weapon is better for self-defense. So is wearing body armor 24/7, living in a castle or driving the Pope-Mobile. If you are really worried about being attacked, do these things. While you live your life in paranoia, I'll be busy enjoying my favorite passtime.

Answer 8

I think you have the wrong idea about martial arts.

They're not to make you a better fighter. They're to make you a better person.

The most successful akido master does not need to fight. He sees the pain of his opponent that is making him strike out at people and listens to his story. This makes it unnecessary to fight.

If you learn self-confidence, people will not want to fight you. The bullies that bother you are jackals, and jackals always prey on those they consider weak. If you learn to be strong, they will not risk a confrontation.

Sun TZU, the greatest militar mind of all time, said, "He who engages in a battle has already lost. The Art of war is to make the other surrender without a fight."

Answer 9

Learning any martial art should be about learning about yourself. Your capabilities, your downfalls, your strengths and your weaknesses. Once you know yourself, judging a contest (fighting or otherwise) is a piece of cake. It's not a matter of winning all the time, but having the wisdom to know when you cannot win that makes the difference.

Answer 10

that would depend on the person.some people do ma to fight some do ma to become martial artists.self defence starts in the brain not the brawn.avoiding potential trouble spots and situations is the first step in self defence,thats what a martial artist would do.looking for or becoming involved in a situation is what a fighter would do.

Answer 11

I agree with you that most street fights can be avoided, unless there is an ego problem.

Most of the Martial Arts that I am familiar with stress avoidance of conflict and go out of their way to emphasize that what is taught is for "self defense only".

Being aware of the surroundings and not going to places where aggressively violent people may be encountered are two easy ways to avoid conflict. I always know what is going on around me - I walk with my head and eyes up, not down. I also choose not to go to bars, ever. That is a good place to find some people who are looking for trouble.

If a situation ever arises (it hasn't yet), where I have to defend myself or a member of my family, I'll deal with it with whatever force the circumstances dictate are required.

If there's no way out of it, if I have to take a knife or a bullet to defend my wife or family, I will and I'll fight to the death to defend them.