Everyone is more or less at risk of experiencing violence during their life. This is especially true for minorities, and as leftists in today’s political climate. The risk of violence will undoubtedly increase as political climates change, so we must be ready to defend ourselves, our comrades, our family and friends, and our communities.
I practise Krav Maga (I know) and have a limited background in wrestling, Karate, and Judo. It would be great to hear everyone’s thoughts on strategies and tactics for self-defence so we can help each other become more prepared to face violent situations.
If there’s enough interest in the topic I think it would be a good idea to start a community for self-defence.
Another Kung Fu person checking in. Not nearly a black belt, like the other commenter is. Started at the beginning of this year and adore it. I think a community would be great.
It was personally important to me to find a school that pressure tests techniques and spars. I think the number one piece of self defense advice I have is to spar. If your school doesn’t spar, but you love it for your own reasons (no shade; there are many completely legitimate reasons to love a school, style or teacher), just get permission to find some other students or people in the area willing to spar with you. I’m nothing special, and have no cool anecdotes about beating anyone up, but the confidence boost from knowing you can compose yourself and give it back when you have strikes coming at you is invaluable.
And one specific word that only applies for those not practicing and not planning to: if someone attacks you, kicks should not be a go-to. Lifting your leg to fake them out, low kicks to their legs, groin kicks with a clear opening, and kicking them from a felled position on the ground are totally on the table. But unless you’ve trained kicks, and specifically with sparring, going for an actual, above the waste kick, is more likely to get you screwed than to obliterate your opponent in one blow. First try running away (as practitioners should too), then punch them. Bite them. Use any grappling you feel confident in. Just don’t take the kick risk. Kicking is hard. Kicking effectively is way harder. This is one thing about starting out that I think a beginner like myself may remember better than someone who is excellent.
Sorry for the rant! I’m just super into this stuff and loving the thread. Got quite a cool variety of martial artists on this site.
This is so important. Finding a school that pressure tests techniques and spars is key if you ever want to be an effective fighter. It would be awful to train for years only to get fucked up in a real fight because your fighting wasn’t effective.