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Dont Fall Victim to the Karate - Myth If Youre Looking For a Self-Defense-Based Martial Art

Don't Fall Victim to the Karate - Myth If You're Looking For a Self-Defense-Based Martial ArtBy Jeffrey Miller

There is a general belief held by the public at-large, and even promoted by many so-called martial arts (Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat) masters. That belief is that you can learn self-defence (the means of defending oneself from physical attack; the right to protect oneself against violence by using reasonable force, especially when used as justification in a murder charge) from the martial arts. While the belief is not entirely untrue, in today's world, it may just be one of the greatest myths about the martial arts (Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat) that you'll find.

Let me ask you a question. When you think about karate or any other martial art, and what you'd learn by taking up the practice...

...what's one of the first things you think of?

For most people, the predominant answer is... Self-defense.

And, while I've written at length about the difference between fighting or sparing and self-defence (the means of defending oneself from physical attack; the right to protect oneself against violence by using reasonable force, especially when used as justification in a murder charge) as both strategic goals, and actual mindsets under the stress of a combat situation, we don't even have to go that far when looking at this strange however almost universally-held belief among the public - especially and particulary here in the West.

When I first explored the idea of taking martial arts, I was in Junior High School - what you young-pups now call Middle School. Since I was the victim of bullying - being beaten up after school several times each month, my reason for taking up the study and practice of martial arts (Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat) was limited to a need for self-defense.

But, having grown up in the big city, seeing actual attacks take place, and having experienced them first-hand myself, I was quickly disheartened by what I was being taught. I didn't know where the teacher was going with what he was passing on, so I stayed for a while - both in his class and in many others as I desperately searched for a class and a teacher that taught something that reflected what I saw in the world around me everyday.

Finally, it hit me. After years of study and moving from teacher to teacher and "style" to style, it hit me.

After actually running into teachers who DID teach from a perspective that matched my experience, I finally figured out what the problem was all those years. I finally figured out why I spent all of that time, effort, and, yes, money, jumping from place to place.

What I discovered was something that I call...

The Karate-Myth

Rather, this myth was more of a collection of myths, misunderstandings, and flat-out lies being promoted or perpetuated by the unknowing...

...both from within and outside the ranks of the martial arts (Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat) themselves.

Here are the two primary reflections of this karate myth as I speak about it to those seeking real-world self-defence (the means of defending oneself from physical attack; the right to protect oneself against violence by using reasonable force, especially when used as justification in a murder charge) strategies for dealing with Today's violent attackers. Each part of the myth makes the victims of it both less effective, and compliant in their own deception.

The Two Basic Elements of The Karate-Myth

• 1. Anyone with a Black Belt Can Defend Themselves - Nothing could be further from the truth. It takes more than just knowing some moves to be able to defend oneself against a determined attacker bent on sending you to the hospital or the morgue. And...

• Anyone with a Black Belt, or Who's Teaching a Self-Defense Class is an Expert and Can Teach Me How to Defend Myself - Again, sorry but... Wrong! Having a black belt in a martial art is akin to being in a certain grade in school. White belt is like kindergarten, etc. Experience, sometimes more than knowledge, goes a long way in being able to teach any skill to another. And the unfortunate truth is that...very few martial arts (Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat) instructors have any self-defence (the means of defending oneself from physical attack; the rightto protect oneself against violence by using reasonable force, especially when used as justification in a murder charge) experience at all.

This doesn't mean that any given teacher hasn't won trophies in competitions, nor does it mean that he or she can't spar with you without losing. But...

There is a massive difference between fighting or sparing in a ring - a contest - where you'll be matched with someone else having about the same build, rank, and experience as you do - and surviving a life-threatening attack from someone who only has one rule in mind - win. I would never say that a high-school wrestler couldn't defend himself, however wrestling wasn't designed for self-defense.

I don't know how long the karate-myth has been around. But I do know that it has effected, scarred, and even been responsible for the injury and death of countless individuals who were looking to be able to defend themselves in the real world. It has been responsible for...

• 1. People, especially and particulary adults, dropping out of martial arts (Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat) classes shortly after joining because what they saw didn't seem realistic or usable on the streets.

• 2. Individuals being hurt or killed trying to defend themselves with techniques that just don't work against real attackers, throwing whatever they want, in a real assault.

• 3. Students and martial arts (Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat) fanatics taking on the title of instructor without the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience.

• 4. Instructors waking up to the reality that they aren't teaching self-defense, however a stylized system of movement, exercise, or sport. And...

• 5. Students being duped for hundreds, even thousands of pounds for the rank of black belt, with nothing more than the "feeling of confidence" that they could defend themselves. When in reality, what they may have purchased was a belt and a false-sense of confidence that is no-more supported than a house built from a deck of cards.

Don't get caught up in the karate-myth. If you're looking for realistic self-defence (the means of defending oneself from physical attack; the right to protect oneself against violence by using reasonable force, especially when used as justification in a murder charge) training that will work on today's streets, you need to know two things. You need to know...

• What you need to learn. But before you can do that, you need to know...

• What a real attack is like.

And, to get both of these things, safely and reliably, you need to select a teacher who has both. You need a teacher who teaches the right skills BECAUSE...

...he or she has been there.

They may not teach you all the flashy, cool, and exciting moves you see in the movies, but...

...they'll definitely make sure that you don't fall victim to the karate-myth!

Jeffrey M. Miller is the founder of Warrior Concepts International. He is a highly sought-after trainer, consultant, and expert in the areas of self-defense, workplace violence defensive tactics, and personal protection. He is the author of several books, and videos, including: "The Science of Self-Defense," and the dvd, "Danger Prevention Tactics: Protecting Yourself Like a Pro," and is the co-producer of the self-defence (the means of defending oneself from physical attack; the right to protect oneself against violence by using reasonable force, especially when used as justification in a murder charge) & martial arts (Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat) podcast called KUDEN. For more information and details and to download your free

self-defense report entitled, "Fight Smarter - Not Harder" visit his web site at: http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com

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Martial Arts and Self Defense

Martial Arts and Self DefenseBy Amy Celia

There is a serious, even deadly problem in the world of martial arts (Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat) and self defense.

Most people assume that if someone has their black belt or competes in martial arts (Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat) competitions that they already know how to defend themselves, however that couldn't be farther from the truth. Having a Black Belt in any martial art does not mean you're ready to protect yourself in the real world.

Over the past three decades there have been a lot of changes in martial arts (Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat) and self defense, however none as unfortunate and dangerous as right now. There's always been the "my style of martial art is better than your martial art" debate, however the problem goes much deeper than that. The critical issue is not about what martial art or self-defence (the means of defending oneself from physical attack; the right to protect oneself against violence by using reasonable force, especially when used as justification in a murder charge) system is best, it is how martial arts (Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat) and combat sports are perceived as self defense.

Due to the increasing popularity of martial arts (Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat) on TV, in movies, more and more people are becoming interested in the martial arts, however at the same time, more and more people becoming confused (chaotic, jumbled or muddled; making no sense; illogical; embarrassed) about the subject of self defense. Each and every form of traditional martial art andmartial sport has their place. They both build character and get you in great shape, however can they save your life in an attempted rape or homicide?

The benefits of studying the martial arts (Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat) are legendary. Traditional martial arts (Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat) like Karate, Aikido, Kung fu and combat sports like Mixed Martial Arts, Judo, Wrestling, Tae Kwon Do, Thai Boxing, Boxing and Brazilian Jujitsu will all give you life long benefits and are worthy endeavors, however will they give you the self-defence (the means of defending oneself from physical attack; the right to protect oneself against violence by using reasonable force, especially when used as justification in a murder charge) tools you need to survive an all out, knock down, drag-out street fight? Do you really have to spend years and countless pounds studying a martial art to learn only the essential, proven self defense?

There is no argument that martial arts (Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat) and martial sports develop character and get you in shape, however when it comes to self defense, you'll discover they fall drastically short under the stress of real combat.

Click to find more about Martial Arts

Click to find more about Self Defense

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Tae Kwon Do Forms - Self-Defense Guidelines

Tae Kwon Do Forms - Self-Defense GuidelinesBy David Gilbert

I am an absolute martial arts (Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat) enthusiast. Or specifically I practice the Tae Kwon Do Forms, Tae Kwon Do Sparring and Poomse as well.

Some people practicing Tae Kwon Do Forms might think: what's the purpose of Tae Kwon Do training if you're not allowed to use it in the streets?

Myth and Truth

In fact, it's a myth. There is some style of Tae Kwon Do that focuses on self-defence (the means of defending oneself from physical attack; the right to protect oneself against violence by using reasonable force, especially when used as justification in a murder charge) aspect within the art. The reason many think that Tae Kwon Do Forms is useless on the street is because of the fact that the majority of what others see are the style of Tae Kwon Do that focus on mainly Olympic competition format.

Tae Kwon Do Forms is an exercise. Most Tae Kwon Do instructors don't want and forbid you to use it because they know that it is useless and they don't want you to know that. Plain and simple. My view, don't have to agree. Like most all styles that are "traditional" use kata. You'll know if it is real. First off a lot of contact when training, I am not saying fighting, however contact. You'll hurt and get scratches and a small black and blue. If your not, then your in an exercise or workout class, not a class for self defense, at least not an effective and real one.

Self-Defense Guidelines

You can use Tae Kwon Do or any other style of martial arts (Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat) on the street to defend yourself. And please follow these simple guidelines:

1, It must be to defend only. The law does allow martial artisan to defend ourselves. But we aren't supposed to kill the people that have attacked us with his fist.

2, We are supposed to use some type of restraint. I am not supposed to break 10 bones even though that is what we are trained to do.

3, Thedefence has to be on the same level as the offense. If a guy attacks with a knife and I disarm him and he is no longer a threat I am supposed to stop fighting. In other words if I take him down and he is now unable to continue to attack I can't continue to hurt him because I am upset.

4, There are some gray areas regarding the law. It is greatest that once you have taken the guy down and he isn't an immediate threat you should leave the area as soon as possible. You don't have to break every bone in his body are put him in a comma before you stop retaliating.

5, Use the self-defence (the means of defending oneself from physical attack; the right to protect oneself against violence by using reasonable force, especially when used as justification in a murder charge) that you have been taught. Don't go overboard. If you do go overboard you will go to jail. That doesn't matter if you know martial arts (Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat) or not. Going to jail is not worth it if you can get yourself out of the situation. If my life or family life is threatened I will respond with the same force. That means I will take a life. I have no choice and the law is supposed to protect me in that situation.

6, You should probably find someone who has been doing karate or kung fu around the same time as you and see if you can at least give him a good fight. If you can't and the guy totally beats you up then you should consider getting out of that Tae Kwon Do class.

In Summary

At the end of the day, in a life and death situation a swift kick to the shenanigans would be a better form of defence than showing off what you learned at your Tae Kwon Do Form class.

David Gilbert Martial Arts Enthusiast http://www.TaeKwonDoFormsAndSparring.com