Personal Integrity Series: 10 REALITIES OF FIGHTING
Just (DON'T) do it.
I wrote this article as a pre-requisite to a larger conversation on Self-Defense. One of the major issues I see in regular Martial Arts training claiming Self-Defense components is the huge disconnect between the true reality of a fight and the immediate practicality of what it is being practiced. This eventually leads to significant levels of self-delusion about what we can do based on what we practice during our once or twice a week practice at our local Martial Arts school.
Fortunately, real physical altercations are relatively rare in a civilized country, but they do happen. In schools especially they take the form of bullying and have seriously traumatizing effects on our young ones. It is my personal opinion as a parent and as a Martial Arts Educator that every single child needs to learn the fundamentals of true self-defense as I explain and teach in my classes.
My personal view on the subject is expressed into my program, Personal Integrity 360, and I explore it in part throughout many articles I write.
This one in particular reflects on actual physical fights, where physical damage occurs, and where individual Personal Integrity is under considerable attack.
If this article will be of use for you, please consider subscribing to our premium version of this Blog where I go into specific details about what would actually work better, faster, and would add to your overall safety. Personal Integrity 360 deals with the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of our lives because attacks can and do take many shapes. I hope the following will help you strategize for the “what if” scenarios.
1. Fights are never pretty. The beautiful images from the "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" movie never happen. All technique forms go out the window in favor of efficiency and often rage.
2. You will last for as long as you can endure being hit. Hits do not stop once they start. You will be hit in every way possible and while your defense skills are vital, actually taking in hits and sustaining them is crucial.
3. There is no beautiful glorious soundtrack. If surrounded by a crowd, expect screaming, cussing, insults, ridicule. The surrounding noise is a destructive distraction to be avoided at all costs.
4. Never show your skill even if you have it. Pose and you'll likely be hurt.
5. Never show off. It's the shortest path to KO. Yours. Don't bow either - the ground is the last thing you'll see.
6. Expect blood. And hurt. And more hurt. And more hurt. Then medical attention.
7. Ten years of FORM training won't make a difference in a ten seconds real fight. If your training was choreographed dance, expect to be swept off your feet and be knocked out. Very quickly.
8. Why hide when you can run. If you absolutely find yourself facing a fight, try to run first. If you can't run, negotiate. If you can't negotiate you're out of luck; you'll need to outsmart your obstacle.
9. Last one STANDING. No matter what, under no circumstance go to the ground when more than one person is involved in the fight. If you do, it will very likely lead to internal organ damage.
10. Are you ready to die? Fights can kill. At the very least, fights will inflict expensive temporary or permanent damage. A simple example: It can cost $300 to $5,000 to fix a chipped tooth. Think about it.
"But what if I HAVE to fight . . .!?"
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PS: There is nothing glorious about fighting. Only the Movie and Gaming industries glorify violence.