By Jim Harrison, Bushidokan-Ryu Founder & Head Instructor
\n\u00a9 2018 \u2013 Bushidokan™ Yudanshakai, Inc. \u00a0All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n
Keep It Simple<\/strong><\/p>\n Simple self-defense means simple techniques and simple tactics.\u00a0 Why use a jump-spin kick when a simple front kick would be more practical?\u00a0 Most martial artists prefer \u201cshow\u201d to \u201cgo\u201d.\u00a0 They like to look good, flashy, flamboyant, spectacular, etc.\u00a0 They love to perform\u2026they love to impress.\u00a0 I remember looking at the old Kick Magazine series that was called “Self-Defense Techniques of the Masters” (or something like that)\u2026where four or five so-called “Masters” would demonstrate their defense methods against a left jab, right cross, front kick, knife stab, full nelson, rear choke, etc.\u00a0 Now, I never saw more than a dozen or so episodes of that particular comic strip, but with the exceptions of Joe Lewis’ and Benny Urquidez’s simple, practical, and obviously effective versions, I found virtually all the others amusing to ridiculous (mostly ridiculous).\u00a0 It appeared that each \u201cMaster\u201d attempted to out-do the others by demonstrating a more complicated or \u201cartistic” (absurd) sequence, while Ole Joe and Ole Ben just demo’ed some simple stuff that was pregnant with common sense and practical application.\u00a0 It was obvious that most of the other \u201cMasters\u201d hadn’t been in a real fight since kindergarten…So much for my unsolicited candor.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, back in the alley\u2026The three biggest mistakes most martial artists (especially instructors) make when concocting their defense repertoires is that: One;<\/strong> they assume that they will always know in advance exactly what the adversary will do.\u00a0 I guess I must be kind of dumb and sort of slow because I always had a helluva time figuring out if the other dude was going to throw a left or a right first.\u00a0 I was even worse at guessing if a punch, kick, jab, cross, hook, slash, thrust, stab or whatever else was coming first (or next)?\u00a0 Two;<\/strong> apparently most martial artists are under the false impression that an assailant will make the first move and then instantly “freeze” – holding that pose until the martial artist finishes him off with several dashing and devastating moves.\u00a0 I must have been born under a bad sign\u2026I was never lucky enough to get one of those dudes who turned to stone after they missed (very fortunate) their first move.\u00a0 Three;<\/strong> they all seem to believe that mean, pissed-off, drunk, hopped-up, and half-crazy bullies, thugs, rapists, and all other assailants are so easy to hurt.\u00a0 They must have been dealing with a higher class clientele with lower pain tolerances than I ever did in most of my encounters.\u00a0 I’ve run into some dudes that have taken one of my best shots with a grin and then just licked their chops for more\u2026Well, enough sarcasm\u2026Even if it is true!<\/p>\n Let’s re-address those accusations.<\/p>\n Number One:<\/strong> With proper training and practice, especially utilizing contact\u00a0sparring, both bare-handed (meaning no weapon, not, no gloves) and against weapons, you can soon learn to read an opponent’s actions and body language, and then begin to anticipate his probable attack.\u00a0 The less skilled he is, the more he will telegraph his intentions…and the more experienced you become, the better you will get at reading a more skillful opponent.\u00a0 But, don’t attempt to guess too specifically.\u00a0 To guess wrong, especially against a weapon, is worse than not guessing at all.\u00a0 For example, should I read in an assailant’s body language that he is going to attack with a hand strike or punch, I do not attempt to guess if it’s going to be a jab, cross, hook, or even if it\u2019s going to be a right or left.\u00a0 I will simply try to drill him with a back fist and \/ or a front kick, depending on if his hands are up (ready mode) or down (belligerent mode), the second he steps into contact range (or the “Dumb Distance\u201d).<\/p>\n Number Two:<\/strong> I never rely on dropping him with just one shot…nor do I (especially) rely on an opponent holding his pose for me.\u00a0 I do expect the back fist or front kick to at least distract his attention and possibly get his hands up to his face or down to his bells momentarily.\u00a0 However, whether I get much of a reaction from the back fist and front kick or not, I step down and deliver a cross, hook, and uppercut as quickly and accurately as possible.\u00a0 If my front kick doesn’t make him pray, I had better have some heavy artillery outgoing, post-haste.\u00a0 That\u2019s just one example of how I’d handle a probable hand attack.<\/p>\n Number Three:<\/strong> I try to cross his eyes and buckle his knees\u2026and even follow that\u00a0up if necessary.\u00a0 I try never to under-estimate any assailant or his ability to receive punishment\u2026nor do I over-estimate my own power and ability.<\/strong>\u00a0 Instead, I kick, hit, and follow through – hard, fast and furious!\u00a0 I\u2019m from that old school that still believes in breaking boards and bricks, even if they don’t hit back. \u00a0Therefore, I believe in conditioning my favorite weapons: hands, feet, elbows and shins. \u00a0Plus, I teach my students Maki-wara and Tamise-wara (toughening and breaking).\u00a0 When they learn to break, they soon find out that some boards, bricks, and cement blocks are tougher than others.\u00a0 Some will take several strikes and \/ or harder strikes before they break or crumble.\u00a0 The first time a student appears to become somewhat aware of that phenomena, I take that opportunity to explain that men are like boards and bricks\u2026some are much tougher than others<\/strong>.\u00a0 Therefore, if you can\u2026Hit\u2019em Back First, and Hit’em Hard, Fast, and Furious!\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry too much about over-kill. \u00a0If you ever kill a man empty-handed, or with a foot, you can bet it will be by accident, not by intention. \u00a0People are hard to kill intentionally, especially mean bullies, thugs, and assailant types.<\/p>\n Review: Keep It Simple, Simon (KISS)<\/strong> – Don\u2019t get Fancy, Flashy, or Flamboyant.\u00a0 Use simple techniques.<\/strong>\u00a0 Stick to good old-fashioned basic kicks and\u00a0strikes.\u00a0 Keep the tactics simple as well<\/strong> – don\u2019t get complicated or too inventive.\u00a0 Put plenty of speed and power into each technique, but don’t run them together so fast that you sacrifice power and accuracy.\u00a0 Continue until you\u2019re satisfied your adversary has had all the fun he can stand\u2026and possibly enough to last him until he contracts “Old-Timers” disease and forgets who you are…or at least that he prays each night that you have forgotten him.<\/p>\n\n