Difference Between Sport and Self-Defense by John McSweeney

Difference Between Sport and Self-Defense by John McSweeney

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Difference Between Sport and Self-Defense by John McSwe... - Mar. 5th, 2007, 6:25:31 PM

Zoran

Posts: 144
Joined: Mar. 4th, 2007,
From: Chicago Area, Illinois
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With all of the emphasis these days on the competitive aspects of the martial arts, it’s appropriate to bring a realistic perspective to the situation. In the Ultimate Fighting Championship and similar full-contact sporting events, wrestlers have consistently had the edge on boxers whenever they’ve been paired in competition. In self-defense, however, grappling methods are often not the way to go for two very good reasons: 1) they tie you up with the aggressor, and 2) they can become long, drawn-out affairs. Karate strikes, on the other hand, are quick. They also give you room to maneuver--or an opportunity to escape, a wise and honorable option for anyone, when circumstances make it possible to do so safely.

Most of the time, self-defense is not a knock-down, drag-’em-out fight to the finish. One or two powerful strikes to key targets are usually all that it takes to deter an aggressor. Think back on your own experience in street confrontations. How many strikes did it take to end the threat? Probably only a few. It is rare for self-defense to last long. That’s been my own experience, as well as that of my students.

If you train regularly, ability in self-defense can be maintained over your entire life-span. If you want to be well-prepared, focus on the 15 to 20 strikes that fit your fighting style. Practice them 2 or 3 times a week by hitting a heavy bag or training pad. You can even effectively practice by hitting through the air, especially if you do it in front of a mirror, so you can observe and perfect your form. Each practice session should last at least 10 minutes. To achieve maximum striking force, keep in mind that Power = Mass times Speed squared, so the more speed your strikes develop, the greater the power they will have.

Of course, strike power is crucial to self-defense. Even a small woman can effectively defend herself, as long as she hits hard! Chances are that her violent response will so surprise her attacker that he may have second thoughts about continuing the assault. After all, he expects his victim to be a defenseless lamb, not a capable opponent who can hurt him.

It is apparent, then, that sport competition is completely different from self-defense. Although they are both part of the martial arts, each requires different training methods, as well as different mind-sets. In the final analysis, sport competition is concerned only with proving superiority over an opponent, while the goal of self-defense is survival.

In closing, I’d like to leave you with some thoughts that relate to both self-defense and life in general:

There are paths that should not be taken.
There are forces that should not be confronted,
There are fortified areas that should not be attacked.
There are situations that should not be contested.
-- from The Art of War, by Sun Tzu (600 BC)