Are YOU Ready to Master the Moves & Forms of Taekwondo Through Online Video Instruction?

Master Richardson,

I have studied Tae Kwon Do for many years.  I have competed in qu

  I have only been using this Succeed in Martial Arts training online for just a couple of w

Self Defense

It's been 2 years since John signed up for martial art lessons.  He didn't really join to learn how to fight.  He was past that.  He joined to do an activity with his son.  Although, he has always thought it would be beneficial should he ever be forced to use his skill.

It was late one evening when John had finished work.  He stopped by the grocery store to pick up a few things his wife had asked him to grab.  John's grocery store trip was routine as usual, until he made his way back to his car.

John felt a wave of anxiety rush over his body.  4 men were leaning against his car, smoking cigarettes and drinking some beer.  No problem, surely they're getting ready to head off somewhere and there won't be an issue.

John approached the 4 men, cautious not to be rude, and timidly asks them to move away.  The 4 men stepped away from John's car, and John felt a sense of relief.

SMASH!!!

John, distracted by the breaking passenger window, was now being taunted to get out of his car.  John frantically digs for his cell phone to call 911 as his drivers side window is smashed by the elbow of another man.

Before John can put the car in reverse, he is punched directly in the ear... then in the mouth as he turns completely confused now by the chain of events.  A loud ringing takes place in John's head that seems to be getting quieter and quieter. 

The faint ringing is now disturbed by the bright white glow of a distant light.  Then a voice... and then, more lights- blue and red.  Then, a commanding a voice, "Sir, can you hear me?  Can you describe who did this to you?"

Did John's martial art training do him a bit of good?  Could it have?  Some might say that John's attack was very sudden and he didn't have much chance.  Well, here is the cold hard truth about attacks, they are sudden and the victim is rarely given much chance.

 It's important that we understand some fundamental skills rarely taught in martial art schools, and it doesn't matter what style of martial art you're learning either.  Self defense is self defense.  Let's analyze John's situation.

1. Confidence or Stupidity

4 men drinking beer leaning on your car...  John's first mistake was assuming the situation would be fine.  Although alcohol is legal, it's still a drug that will alter one's state.  John should not have addressed the situation by himself, but should have reported the incident in the store.

Now, some may argue that you won't always have that luxury.  True!  Let's pretend there is no business in the immediate vicinity.  John should not address the men timidly, but rather with confidence.  "What's up guys?  Mind if I get into my car?"  Studies have shown for years and years that criminals attack those that do not appear they will fight back.

2. Self defense in a Car

The first rule of any self defense situation is to get out of your car.  You will never be able to defend yourself sitting down, with your legs and arms being obstructed by a steering column.  In fact, many people are mugged or murdered in their cars in plain daylight.  Why?  Because nobody can really see what is happening.

If you're attacked in your car, get out anyway you can and fight, run, and yell.  Once you're out of your car, you'll help create a disturbance that will hopefully draw attention to your situation.

3. Self defense Against Multiple Attackers

Every group of individuals has a ring leader, a big talker... the tough guy.  In fact, it's usually this person that is the most insecure, but nonetheless, he is admired by the group for being the tough guy. 

Had John been able to get out of his car, this is who he would've gone after.  Most likely, it would've been the person who just smashed his drivers side window.  Take out the leader of the pack, and the rest of the guys all of sudden say, "...it's cool, it's cool... we don't want any trouble."

4. Self defense by a Swarm of Bees

Now is where your martial arts of any kind comes into play.  Once John got out of the car and identified the assailant, he would then use a handful of techniques from his martial art toolbox to fend off his attacker and make them cower away.  John must punch, palm heel, elbow strike, or front kick repetitively so the assailant doesn't know how or what to do, but cover up for protection.

This is no Taekwondo sparring match with 3 judges and a referee.  There is no time or space to move around the ring trying to find the best opportunity to counter with your well practiced back kick.  This is a situation that calls for your techniques to sting your assailant several times in multiple areas so as to represent a swarm of bees.

Which Martial Art is Best for Self Defense?

There is no superior martial art.  They all have something to provide that the other doesn't.  It's important that you're supplementing your training with material that will help you in a self defense situation. 

There are 4 basic areas of self defense that must be studied.

1. Long Range-  This is your ability to fend off an attacker using your legs as weapons (front kick, side kick, roundhouse kick, etc.).

2. Medium Range-  This is your ability to fend off an attacker using your arms as weapons (boxing skills, punching, elbow strikes, palm heel strikes, eye gouging, etc.)

3. Close Range-  This is your ability to fend off an attacker using grappling skills (take downs, joint locks, chokes, throws, etc.)

Unfortunately, many schools practice 1 or 2 ranges of self defense and neglects the other.  If your current training is missing one, have the discipline to learn the other on your own. 

• Korean Taekwondo Terminology found in most dojangs
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