Those
who know me and my approach to martial arts will know that self defence is a
huge part of why I practise martial arts and why I teach it. Violence is an
ever growing concern in this day and age and no one is immune to it. Not the
older person, innocently answering a knock on the door. Not the young woman out
for a run in the afternoon. Not the young guy hanging out with his mates at the
skate park. Not the young child walking home from school. It’s depressing and
scary to think that we will all either be on the receiving end of violence or
directly know someone who has been. I truly wish that was an exaggeration but
it seems to be more like an alarming fact.
The
prevalence of violence in our society is one of the reasons I believe martial
arts are for everyone. Attackers prey on people they believe are weak and
vulnerable and the simple practise of doing martial arts can mean a difference
in how you carry yourself. You may walk a little taller and more confidently
and this may subconsciously show a potential attacker that you are not an easy
target. This isn’t a guarantee though so the practise of martial arts and self
defence is becoming a more critical skill. There are some things you can do
though to reduce the chance of being attacked or at least give you a fighting
chance if it comes down to you and an attacker.
One
of the things my instructors taught me and has stuck with me is the concept of
The Three A’s. They taught me that it was the key to effective self defence.
AWARENESS
AVOIDANCE
ACTION
Awareness
At
all times be aware of what is going on around you. Look over your shoulder and
glance at what is happening behind you and to either side of you regularly. Don’t
just spend the time engrossed by your mobile phone or looking only at the
ground in front of you. You need to make sure you are aware of what is
happening and what may potentially affect you. This goes for listening to music
as well. I see a lot of people who walk around with headphones in their ears
and not looking around. This means they not only won’t see what is coming
towards them but they won’t hear it either. Awareness is the first step.
Avoidance
We
all know of some cool shortcuts to get from point A to point B. Maybe it’s an
alley that means I don’t have to go the long way around the block. Maybe it’s a
park you can cut through to get home quicker. Where I live there are a number
of pedestrian paths that wind around behind houses. They are lovely to go for a
walk on but are not well lit and not well travelled. No matter which of the
above applies, effective self defence means avoiding these sorts of areas. It
might take you a bit longer, but use the path which is well lit. Use the
footpath that has cars passing who may be able to stop and help you if you need
it.
Avoidance
is also about avoiding situations that might be dangerous. You may get invited
to a party with people you don’t know or go into a room with a known bully. If
you can, avoid these situations. It’s doesn’t make you a coward, it makes you
smart.
Action
However
if all else fails, fall back onto action and the first action if you can, is to
run away. Escape whenever possible – don’t try to be a hero. Always try to
escape to populated and well-lit areas and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
If
you need to defend yourself though it is only self defence if the force you use
is reasonable and proportionate to the attack. This means, if someone gives you
a small shove and you respond by breaking their arm and punch them unconscious,
you have not responded in a reasonable or proportionate way to the attack. If
someone comes at you with a knife saying they are going to kill you, then
breaking their arm and knocking them out is more reasonable and proportionate
to the attack.
There
is a lot more involved with self defence and every scenario is different.
Martial arts can teach you to not only be physically capable of defending
yourself but mentally capable as well. A strong mind can be just as effective
in self defence as the most perfectly timed punch.
Mark Underwood
Mark is a 4th Dan Master in both
Taekwondo and Haidong Gumdo (Korean swords). He has also trained in other
styles of martial arts. He is currently the owner and head instructor for Zone
Martial Arts in Sydney, Australia.
