| Can You Practice Street-Fighting | | | | There is a lot you can do on your own to |
| Techniques Solo? | | | | prepare for a street fight: |
| There has always been a debate as to | | | | * Get aerobically fit. It's important. |
| whether you could actually learn to | | | | * Practice punching and kicking every |
| defend yourself while working out solo. | | | | day. WIthout practice, your punches will |
| Would you be surprised if I said that | | | | feel like jelly. With practice, you can |
| the answer is both yes AND no? | | | | keep them honed. |
| Look, if you really want to get the | | | | * Shadow box, go for 30-second rounds on |
| feeling of fighting against a street | | | | a heavy bag -- practice series of hits |
| fighter, then you have to fight. That's | | | | and kicks. Keep moving. |
| all there is to it. Or you have to | | | | * Keep reading about street fighting |
| practice in as close to real situation | | | | tactics ... practice what you read. |
| as possible. This is why five million | | | | * Mentally practice. Imagine what you'd |
| people in the U.S. practice martial | | | | do in a variety of street attacks. |
| arts. | | | | I guarantee that if you keep practicing, |
| This follows the argument of "you can | | | | even if you are solo, that you'll fare |
| read the mechanics of bicycle riding in | | | | better than someone out of shape who |
| ten books, but until you actually | | | | never thinks about street fights or |
| experience getting on a bicycle, you | | | | martial arts. |
| won't know the kinesthetics of pumping | | | | Really. |
| the pedals, maintaining balance, and a | | | | Developing Confidence on Your Own |
| host of other mini-skills needs to stay | | | | I worry that you'll choke in a fight. |
| atop the bike." | | | | Will you freeze with fear? |
| So, at some point, you are going to have | | | | Are you interested in learning what it |
| to practice against a real, live person. | | | | takes to develop martial-arts confidence |
| An opponent. (And no, I am not | | | | for a street fight? |
| suggesting that you go picking fights in | | | | How about being ready for anyone or |
| the name of practicing in a real | | | | anything? |
| situation. Be smart -- stay safe.) | | | | |