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Why Your Self Defense Doesn't Work

Author: Rosendo Lopez
Date Posted: October 14, 2007

If you’ve ever been in a self defense situation and your techniques didn’t work there are several reasons why.

Reason # 1 is awareness. By paying attention to your surroundings you can see “what is wrong” with your environment and be able to detect the attack ahead of time and respond accordingly. Inner awareness is even more important because if you’re distracted by thoughts or if you’re not able to remain calm, the attacker will get the best of you.

Reason # 2 the fighting range is poorly measured. If you are not able to fight in your advantageous range at the moment of the attack and your opponent catches you out of this range, the chances of you winning are very small. To avoid this situation, practice all ranges and become super familiar with them. Still, with all that preparation there is a chance that you won’t be able to defend yourself effectively if ….

Reason # 3 you are unable to adjust. I discovered that traditional blocks don’t have the pliability and “real time” applications as other more simple blocks can have. I remember being in this store and one of my friends who was training with me at the time, threw a punch at my chest and I executed a middle block in a traditional manner, as we do in Tae Kwan Do and the punch went through and hit me. Even though, he was playing around, I was bothered by it. That’s where I learned that these blocks must be adjusted to fit a real encounter. A more natural way of blocking is how boxers block, by simply slapping the punches with your palms.

Reason # 4 you are not in good shape. Nowadays, with the craze of mixed martial arts, the idea of fitness is easier to swallow in most training halls. Let’s face it, you can know millions of techniques, but if you are out of shape they won’t do anything for you. Forget about secret techniques and using the guy’s strength as an advantage, if your body lacks the raw based strength and proper conditioning you won’t have the extra edge to win.

Reason # 5 is having a lack of speed. Guns were invented because of the relatively advantageous use of speed against an attacker. I train my students with the same principle in mind; a much faster fighter can have the fight half won. I break the technique down into small parts, more like breaking a film into small frames. When the whole technique is done, the student puts the frames back together into one fluid movement. This basic understanding is what creates the theory of economy of motion because you can cut unnecessary frames or parts out of the technique.

Reason # 6 your sense of timing is not there. Timing and speed are twin brothers because if one suffers, the other does as well. Superb speed won’t help you at all, if you don’t know when to apply it. Timing drills are important to practice in class if you are to become a fierce fighter. The best way to develop timing is to spar as much as possible and to practice with different fighters to test their timing against yours. You are getting real experience instead of just hitting targets.

Reason # 7 a demeanor of confidence and fearlessness is non existent. I used to complain that bullies picked on me all the time. Later on, I learned it was because of the way I carried myself in school. I used to be very shy, walked around with my head down, hiding from the world and I sent signals that told the bullies, “here comes Rosendo, we can smack him all we want.” The next time you’re walking in the street, walk on it like you own it, but don’t call out for trouble to find you because it will find you.

About The Author

Rosendo Lopez began his Tae kwon Do training in 1990. He has a vast background in meditation, yoga and wellness. He is also the founder of http://www.theyinyangselfcenter.com . He incorporates boxing, weight training and yoga to Tae Kwan Do practice. He is finalizing a book title, The Trinity of Fitness.

Article Source: JKD Street Combat - online collection of articles on self-defense.

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