| Are you studying the martial arts for self defense, or | | | | Unfortunately, many of these official techniques were |
| for some other reason? This may sound strange but, | | | | designed to handle the fights and fighters... |
| your focus and goal will determine whether a | | | | ...from several hundred years ago! |
| particular style, school, or teacher is right for you! | | | | I'm not implying that you should not learn the |
| I have been studying the martial arts for over | | | | techniques of the style you're in. What I am saying is |
| two-thirds of my life. I began by studying Goju-Ryu | | | | that, if your focus is self defense, and your goal is to |
| Karate when I was twelve years old in 1975. I then | | | | be able to defend against a brutal attacker - today, |
| progressed through other arts like aikido, jujitsu, | | | | in the 21st century - who is bigger, faster, stronger, |
| Bruce Lee's jeet kune do, Shaolin kung-fu, and tae | | | | better skilled, and maybe even better armed than |
| kwon do, before finding and concentrating on ninjutsu | | | | you... |
| - the martial art of Japan's ancient Ninja. | | | | ...than you had better be learning those skills in the |
| Now, please don't confuse my intentions with that of | | | | context of what your most common threats might |
| comparing these other systems to the one I | | | | be. |
| currently hold teaching credentials in. In fact, I have a | | | | Of course, if you're studying for tournament fighting, |
| problem with much of what is being taught as | | | | asthetics, a love of Asian culture, or just to boost |
| ninjutsu and budo taijutsu as well. | | | | your confidence because you have something cool to |
| No. My focus in this article is on street readiness and | | | | show your friends... |
| the ability and suitability of any teacher, art, or | | | | ...then you can ignore everything I just said! |
| program to teach you what you need to know to | | | | If you're still with me, here's an example of what I'm |
| defend against and survive a real-world attack. | | | | describing: |
| That being said, you should probably also know that | | | | My own students are learning the art of ninjutsu - |
| my experience is not limited to my martial arts | | | | sometimes called budo-taijutsu. They are learning this |
| training. In fact, I learned much of what I know, and | | | | because that is what I hold a master-teacher's license |
| developed many of my perspectives and beliefs | | | | in, and the art that lies at the foundation of my |
| about real-world combat while working as a police | | | | Warrior Concepts program. |
| officer, undercover investigator, private detective, | | | | In the basic levels of training of this martial art, their |
| and body guard. | | | | are sets of techniques collectively known as the |
| So, when I say that most martial arts and instructors | | | | "sanshin no kata," the "kihon happo," as-well-as varies |
| approach self defense backwards, I'm not doing so | | | | fundamental skills like rolling, breakfalls, defensive |
| from a "my-way vs their-way" mentality. I'm saying it | | | | postures, and the "traditional" striking, kicking, and |
| because I've seen way too many martial arts | | | | grappling techniques. |
| students get their you-know-what's kicked by | | | | However, the introductory forms, as they are taught |
| completely untrained attackers on the street. | | | | in Japan, do not match the attacks that 21st century |
| And the reason this happened was because, while | | | | street attackers will throw at you here in the West. |
| they were learning the "official" step-by-step skills of | | | | So, at the same time they are learning these basic |
| their chosen martial arts system, they forgot to | | | | "forms," my students are required to learn basic self |
| make sure that they were also learning how to | | | | defense techniques, designed to deal with the most |
| defend against their most likely threats. | | | | common threats and attacks they might face today. |
| If you've ever trained in the martial arts, you will be | | | | And, I don't mean "today," as in "this century." I |
| able to associate what I'm talking about. If you | | | | mean "today," as in... |
| haven't, the following should help. | | | | ..."TODAY!" |
| You see, when a student enrolls in the typical martial | | | | Because you don't know when, or in what form an |
| arts program, he or she is typically introduced to that | | | | attack will come at you. So, you must be prepared |
| systems "basics." This includes the unique punches, | | | | from day-one, to escape from, avoid, de-escalate, or |
| kicks, blocks, and such that make up what we often | | | | defend against an attack - not wait until you're a Nth |
| call, the "style." | | | | degree black belt! |