| As a martial arts student of 20 years I often get | | | | need street self defence techniques which are |
| asked the question do martial arts work. In the | | | | automatic and which are appropriate to the |
| last 4 years I have studied street self defence | | | | attack or situation. These can and should be very |
| moves and I believe these are what will work for | | | | simple! If you hesitate for a second to think which |
| most people in real situations. | | | | technique to use it could all be over and you could |
| The street is a very different place than the | | | | be the next crime statistic. |
| martial arts dojo. The dojo should be a friendly | | | | Street self defence moves which work |
| co-operative place where students are | | | | effectively include those using your body's natural |
| encouraged to work together. The street can be | | | | weapons - elbows, fists and knees. We look for |
| a very different world! Sadly, most martial arts | | | | vulnerable areas prone to short shocks which will |
| are taught in way which just doesn't take account | | | | hurt! It's not about causing serious harm or injury |
| of real street fighting techniques and attacks. | | | | - street self defence techniques should have the |
| I have studied aikido for some ten years and this | | | | element of surprise to give you options, time to |
| is an example of a martial art where training | | | | get away or perhaps use another technique or |
| methods and the attacks we are taught to | | | | deal with another attacker. |
| counter aren't those we come across in real | | | | Street self defence for women can be slightly |
| situations. Don't get me wrong - aikido is a | | | | different to reflect the different types of situation |
| fantastic martial art and there are some incredible | | | | they may need to deal with. Without wishing to |
| techniques. But these take years of practise to | | | | sound sexist, we also need to consider the |
| learn (I'd never say 'master' as you don't!) and in | | | | physical differences between men and women |
| my view they wouldn't work in a street fight. | | | | which can include different physical sizes and |
| When faced with a real attack many martial | | | | strength. Effective techniques don't rely on |
| artists would crumble. The shock of a real attack | | | | strength and so the techniques can be just as |
| or violent encounter will send most of their | | | | effective! |
| training out of the window. In the real world we | | | | |