8 Myths about Self-Defense Training

Very good! My brother in law teaches self defense and I took a class from him last month. He lives 900 miles away, otherwise he would be my personal trainer. I learned how to push and kick, and part of that means I learned that if you connect with the top of your foot instead of your shin you get a big bruise!

Do you teach self defense?

I am:
- A 24-year practicing martial artist' with Blackbelts or BBE's in Tae Kwon, Judo, Jiu Jitsu & Krav Maga
- A certified combatives and firearms instructor for the Department of Defense, Law Enforcement and Private Security Firms
- A certified Rape Aggression Defense instructor
- An attorney

Very good! My brother in law teaches self defense and I took a class from him last month. He lives 900 miles away, otherwise he would be my personal trainer. I learned how to push and kick, and part of that means I learned that if you connect with the top of your foot instead of your shin you get a big bruise!

Do you teach self defense?

I am:
- A 24-year practicing martial artist' with Blackbelts or BBE's in Tae Kwon, Judo, Jiu Jitsu & Krav Maga
- A certified combatives and firearms instructor for the Department of Defense, Law Enforcement and Private Security Firms
- A certified Rape Aggression Defense instructor
- An attorney

Self-Defense is NOT about toe-to-toe “Chuck-Norris-Walker-Texas-Ranger” karate fighting.
Self-Defense is the utilization of fundamental, easily learned verbal and physical techniques, employed to effectively dissuade an attacker and leverage a 5-second window of escape.

“Tae Bo,” “Cardio-Kickboxing” and “Aerobics” are NOT forms of Self-Defense training, and believing that they are is an excellent way to get killed.
Aerobics classes and videos are great ways to get into shape and look good in a bathing suit. However, they are fundamentally worthless when it comes to fending off a sexual assault or abating a life-threatening confrontation. The only way to learn to Self-Defense, is to study combative techniques from a qualified instructor, and repeat those techniques until they become second nature (more specifically “muscle memory”).

Self-Defense is NOT about “karate chops and groin kicks.”
True Self-Defense encompasses the development of a personalized system of self-protection that incorporates proactive planning, situational awareness, verbal skills and reflex-based muscle memory development that deter attackers and discourage criminal assaults.

Self-Defense is NOT about which martial art style is the “bad-assiest.”
Self-Defense is specific and paramount training designed to develop skills and muscle memory around approximately 10 to 20 core, easily-to-learn techniques that can be employed to establish a 5 second “window” of lead-time on an attacker, so you may escape danger and avoid being victimized.

Self-Defense is NOT about being an 'action hero' on a mission to save your hometown from renegade evildoers and zombies.
The purpose of Self-Defense training to protect yourself from unlawful attacks, assaults, rape and physical confrontation.

“Magic Touches,” “Secret Moves,” “Killer Chi” & “Vulcan Never Pinches” are myths, and completely f*cking asinine.
Despite what is portrayed in the media, real-life fighting is raw, chaotic and in most cases, absolutely terrifying (even for those with years of training and experience). The core fundamentals of practical Self-Defense are verbal deterrents and physical techniques used to thwart attacks by targeting vulnerable areas of your attacker's anatomy. Not "whoopin' *kitten*."

“If I'm ever attacked, I'll just shoot them.”
This sentiment absolutely infuriates me, as it is dramatically naive and potentially catastrophic.

Utilizing any type of weapon during a confrontation is extremely difficult and dangerous. “Shooting” someone is much easier to say, than it is to do. Once the shot is fired, your actions, methods and decisions will be judged not by you; rather they will be judged by homicide detectives, district attorneys and juries who will likely not see the circumstances in the same “light” that you do.

If you doubt me on this point, ask George Zimmerman how he personally feels about the inane idea that one should “just shoot your attacker. It's your word against a dead man's.”

The biggest issue with this dumbass myth is that weapons do not have a conscious nor any sense of reason. “Fight or flight” will force you to be nervous and flood your body with adrenaline, causing you to make mistakes. Those mistakes can you ruin your life, and/or the innocent lives of others.

Thinking you don't need Self-Defense training because you own a gun, is like saying that you don't need butter knives, because you own a chainsaw.

“What are the odds I'll ever really need Self-Defense training?”
1 out of 3, according to the US Justice Department's reports on criminal assaults on US citizens. Another shocking statistic that of the women attacked, 80% of them will know their attacker, personally.

Self-Defense is NOT about toe-to-toe “Chuck-Norris-Walker-Texas-Ranger” karate fighting.
Self-Defense is the utilization of fundamental, easily learned verbal and physical techniques, employed to effectively dissuade an attacker and leverage a 5-second window of escape.

“Tae Bo,” “Cardio-Kickboxing” and “Aerobics” are NOT forms of Self-Defense training, and believing that they are is an excellent way to get killed.
Aerobics classes and videos are great ways to get into shape and look good in a bathing suit. However, they are fundamentally worthless when it comes to fending off a sexual assault or abating a life-threatening confrontation. The only way to learn to Self-Defense, is to study combative techniques from a qualified instructor, and repeat those techniques until they become second nature (more specifically “muscle memory”).

Self-Defense is NOT about “karate chops and groin kicks.”
True Self-Defense encompasses the development of a personalized system of self-protection that incorporates proactive planning, situational awareness, verbal skills and reflex-based muscle memory development that deter attackers and discourage criminal assaults.

Self-Defense is NOT about which martial art style is the “bad-assiest.”
Self-Defense is specific and paramount training designed to develop skills and muscle memory around approximately 10 to 20 core, easily-to-learn techniques that can be employed to establish a 5 second “window” of lead-time on an attacker, so you may escape danger and avoid being victimized.

Self-Defense is NOT about being an 'action hero' on a mission to save your hometown from renegade evildoers and zombies.
The purpose of Self-Defense training to protect yourself from unlawful attacks, assaults, rape and physical confrontation.

“Magic Touches,” “Secret Moves,” “Killer Chi” & “Vulcan Never Pinches” are myths, and completely f*cking asinine.
Despite what is portrayed in the media, real-life fighting is raw, chaotic and in most cases, absolutely terrifying (even for those with years of training and experience). The core fundamentals of practical Self-Defense are verbal deterrents and physical techniques used to thwart attacks by targeting vulnerable areas of your attacker's anatomy. Not "whoopin' *kitten*."

“If I'm ever attacked, I'll just shoot them.”
This sentiment absolutely infuriates me, as it is dramatically naive and potentially catastrophic.

Utilizing any type of weapon during a confrontation is extremely difficult and dangerous. “Shooting” someone is much easier to say, than it is to do. Once the shot is fired, your actions, methods and decisions will be judged not by you; rather they will be judged by homicide detectives, district attorneys and juries who will likely not see the circumstances in the same “light” that you do.

If you doubt me on this point, ask George Zimmerman how he personally feels about the inane idea that one should “just shoot your attacker. It's your word against a dead man's.”

The biggest issue with this dumbass myth is that weapons do not have a conscious nor any sense of reason. “Fight or flight” will force you to be nervous and flood your body with adrenaline, causing you to make mistakes. Those mistakes can you ruin your life, and/or the innocent lives of others.

Thinking you don't need Self-Defense training because you own a gun, is like saying that you don't need butter knives, because you own a chainsaw.

“What are the odds I'll ever really need Self-Defense training?”
1 out of 3, according to the US Justice Department's reports on criminal assaults on US citizens. Another shocking statistic that of the women attacked, 80% of them will know their attacker, personally.

For once, I agree with you. As far as carrying a concealed weapon, I'm not going to say that you shouldn't do it. However, if you do, you should make sure you are well-trained on its proper use, make target practice a part of your regular routine (at least once per week), and make sure you know the law in your state regarding when it is considered justifiable to shoot someone. You CAN'T just pull it out and point it at people willy nilly simply because you feel a little uncomfortable. Educate and train yourself regarding weapons use. Every time you take a gun into your hand, you're potentially putting your life and the lives of others at risk. It's a big responsibility and not something to be taken lightly.

Once? All the crap that I've posted on here, THIS is the only thing with which you agree?? I feel so unloved.

I know a guy with a tapout shirt who wants to fight you

great post. i knew my attacker. i wish i would have known then what i know now. no matter how strong you think you are ladies- men are going to be stronger.

There is a scientific methodology and algorithm that can be utilized to reduce a male's physical strength, in proportion to his muscle mass and body stature.

Step 1: Punch him in the face really, really f*cking hard. A lot.
Step 2: See Step 1.

Hahaha! Love this! I have taken one self defense class, and the instructor said the heel of your palm to his nose is VERY effective. Years later that's the one thing I clearly remember from the class, but I have not yet encountered the need to put it in practice....thank God.

great post. i knew my attacker. i wish i would have known then what i know now. no matter how strong you think you are ladies- men are going to be stronger.

There is a scientific methodology and algorithm that can be utilized to reduce a male's physical strength, in proportion to his muscle mass and body stature.

Step 1: Punch him in the face really, really f*cking hard. A lot.
Step 2: See Step 1.

I know a guy with a tapout shirt who wants to fight you

I know a guy with a tapout shirt who wants to fight you

What's with the Tapout hate? >.> They're one of the few companies that cut their shirts in a way that fits my shoulders.

Anyway, agree with everthing in the original post. Although I'm not much of a runner, so my time spent around ex-russian military personnel and sparring with them is probably quite helpful.

Their clothes are fine. For some reason, there are a select group of @ssmonkeys that feel as though paying $19.95 for a Tapout shirt equates to 20+ years of martial arts expertise.

Mathematically, their logic is slightly flawed.