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Martial
Arts - Will It work Out there? Sometimes, I ponder the question - Will all the training in martial arts I do year after year really work out there? Out there meaning out in the streets. If a fight broke out, would it really work? Well, I always answer myself the same way – Yes, because it worked for me. A majority of the arts are very effective out in the streets.
First, let’s look at some of the many factors one must consider when employing your martial arts knowledge. For example, is it a life or death situation? Is someone just mad and letting off steam at you? Is the potential for any physical harm there?
Remember, you as a martial artist must always do the thinking. Now, by thinking I mean you need to assess the situation and disarm it, whether it’s to talk your way out of it and walk away regardless as to how you look or feel - or, if necessary, stand and fight.
Any confrontation has a potential for violence, it’s up to you to try to find the peaceful solution. A street fighter always thinks he is unbeatable, especially a violent one. More than likely, they will not back down because they don’t want to look like a coward. For better or worse, they just don’t know any better. But aMartial Artist knows there is no such thing as an unbeatable opponent. A martial artist knows the greatest fighters never have to lift a finger to win a fight because victory is achieved with ones mind, not ones muscles. Avoiding a fight is ultimately the greatest victory.
But out in the streets, there are No, and I MEAN NO RULES! So don’t think that a street fighter will not bite, poke, or even spit on you. They will do whatever is necessary that comes to their mind to win - verbally or physically. The street fighter will try to entice you into a fight with slurs and degradation. It all means nothing. Why? Why do you care what someone thinks if you don’t know them or respect them? Do you care what your car thinks? How about the grass?
Out in the streets, whether there is one or five opponents, you must have a clear understanding of what you are about to do. Generally speaking, martial arts has a hierarchy of conflict which when followed, will always lead to a victory on your behalf:
The structure is there for a reason, to protect you, the martial artist. If you follow the above structure, you should never have to go beyond #1. But for the sake of argument, let’s say you don’t have a choice and you have to go to #2.
After and only after you have exhausted all your ability to reason with the person or persons that you don’t want to fight, and they are still coming at you, and you feel that your life is in danger of great bodily harm or even death might occur, at this point, its time to react.
Always remember before this point, you must and this is a big must, never let anyone get inside your range. Some arts call this the region of integrity. Meaning that if you feel that they can reach you with a strike or a take down, then they are too close to you and you’re in big trouble. Why are you in trouble? Because your adversary will not hesitate in slamming you to the ground or knocking you the hell out!
Knowing that you are at a safe distance from contact, able to move back or sideways is something you learn in martial arts. This is one advantage over the street fighter. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Once they come at you, you must react fast and hard. Remember if you are alone and there are a few of them, screaming is also a weapon. Scream for help, someone might hear you and call the police. There is no shame in asking for help. Being macho can cost you your life. Is being macho worth your life?
Keep in mind that about 90% of street fighters will only strike punches to your head, and if you fall, obviously they’re going to kick you. The 90% comes from all the fights I’ve seen. I remember seeing a fight at a local fair. It was three on three. One set of guys would close their eyes and throw punches and walk forward. In that order. Their mid-section and legs completely exposed. The other guys would do the same. They bruised up the air pretty good but didn’t make contact with each other. I’ve seen too many fights go this way.
You as a martial artist have many weapons whether you are a stand up fighter or a ground fighter. If its “one on one”, a ground fighter is less likely to get punched simply because they will take the fight right to the ground. They will hurt the adversary with a lock of some kind or better yet, just hold him/her there until the police show up.
A stand up fighter will probably hurt the adversary on his feet. In either case, there is a slight possibility that a street fighter might get lucky and land a punch that might hurt or stun a martial artist. But most martial artists have been trained in what to do when one gets hurt so hopefully they would be able to escape or at least minimize the damage. Street fighters are limited in what they can do. A street fighter probably only knows a couple of tactics that have worked for him/her and will probably repeat him/herself somewhere. Not always, just likely. And as you and I know, a martial artist can put to use many techniques and punches. A martial artist never has to repeat himself.
Now let me give you an example of what has happened to me and why it worked. I found myself in a three on one situation. High School days. Talking, unfortunately, wasn't an option. It was my life, my well being against theirs. Was I scared? Of course. But one of the many things you learn in martial arts is that fear is a good thing. It keeps you from doing stupid things. That being said, I also know that fear goes out the window when the actions starts. As it did in my case. Now first, I assessed the situation – l Iooked for the most aggressive one who was the guy closest to me. I felt I was in grave danger so I took first action. That means, as I stated before, quick and aggressive action on my part, which ended up being a chop to the throat to the first guy. I didn’t hold back, it was at 100% power. Next, the second guy came at me and I struck him to the groin using a ridge hand. Luckily, the last guy ran. I waited for the police but the never came. Now, not all situations are going to be the same and the attackers might attack you all at once. For this, you must position yourself in a way where you use one of the attackers as a shield. Side stepping and manipulating the guy closest to you to shield yourself from the other two. As soon as you are able to take him out (breaking the arm or kneecap), do the same for the rest or better yet, escape.
And I know the question you’re yelling at the screen, what if he has a gun? That’s why you need to be able to talk your way out of a situation. That’s why you need to be aware of your surroundings. Ultimately, there is no defense against a gun because they can shoot a gun from such a far distance. Just hope they are a lousy shot. As I heard a martial arts teacher once say, “you can’t protect yourself against a coward with a gun." Do not blame the Art if you fail though. You might just need to put in more time in practice. When you fail in practice, it’s a lesson that will serve you well in the streets. Through failure comes growth.
And how many of us haven’t heard street fighters say “I or my friend beat the crap out of this black belt before, so that shit don’t work”. Many street fighters believe they have fought martial artists because at some point in the fight, their opponent threw a kick to the head or took them to the ground. Be we as martial artists know that being able to throw a kick or taking someone down doesn’t make you a martial artist. After all, one can learn moves from aerobics classes and movies. Then again, these people might have been lying their asses off.
I hope you got my point, and if you didn’t let me put it in plain English - 98% of the time, a skilled martial artist will win a fight over a street fighter. And I was gracious by giving a street fighter a 2% margin - that 2% will account for those martial artists who let their opponent get into their range and get tagged. The training in the arts is long and hard. But when you need it, it will be there - mentally or physically. Martial arts will work out there. It worked for me.
AL
(4/9/03)
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