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Anyone looking to add a simple, direct technique to his reality-based self-defense aresenal should consider the eye jab, says Richard Ryan (left). PHOTO BY RICK HUSTEAD |
Over the years, I've seen many people teach complicated techniques for self-defense purposes even though it's generally understood that anything too difficult won't work under pressure. The mixed martial arts have driven home the concept of effective simplicity, but many traditional teachers still don't get it. The average demonstration doesn't resemble anything we see in the ring or the cage. There are reasons for this, and it isn't because one's a sport and the other is "real" martial arts.
Decades ago, I practiced jumping and spinning kicks, but I didn't think I could use them in a real fight. I figured I'd never let things get much fancier than a good snap kick to the groin followed by a swarm of punches. But does that mean acrobatic techniques have no place in the martial arts? No. Not everyone wants to learn combative martial arts. If you do want to learn reality-based martial arts strictly for self-defense, however, you've got to think about which techniques you can apply in a real fight.
Many of the combinations I learned during my early years had at least three moves before I could get out of a grab or defend against a strike. A lot of personal self-defense training follows a similar script: The bad guy telegraphs his intentions and throws a feeble punch. The good guy blocks with perfect timing and precision, then grabs the offending arm before the bad guy can pull it back. The good guy breaks it, turns to deliver an elbow strike to the bad guy's kidney (without moving his feet) and rakes his face with a tiger claw. The good guy finishes with a dramatic step back into karate stance No. 18.
Even back then, I wondered if I'd have time to do all that. Anything you have to practice slowly just to remember t he moves and get the balance and positioning right probably won't work in the real world. I'm not saying that combinations or multi-technique responses have no place; I am saying that when your actions are both complex and difficult to perform, there's a-problem. Combinations should be natural, reactive and based on a harmony of body mechanics that makes them fluid and instinctive with just a little practice and the right instruction.
A possible reason martial arts techniques have so many steps is people think more is better and flash is impressive, an illusion I call the "Superman syndrome." But the logical thing to do when someone grabs you and intends to do you harm is to punch him as often and as quickly as you can before yanking your arm free.
My advice to anyone training in the reality-based martial arts is to make sure what you're learning is real. Take the time to examine what you're doing. What would most likely work against someone who's bigger and stronger than you? What responses could your opponent have? What's the worst-case scenario, and do you have a plan B? Do your actions put you in any positional liability, and can your techniques be altered to avoid such problems?
Here's one proven method: Even if you're smaller, an accurate eye jab will stun the biggest and strongest of attackers. You can do it standing, sitting or from the ground, assuming the guy's head is in range. It's the approach I took when I developed Dynamic Combat. One of its fundamental concepts is the "one-step action" principle. The idea is that if you can consolidate your actions or reactions into a single, explosive movement, you have a greater chance of success. It's the ultimate expression of the idea that in self-defense, less is more as long as what you do is effective.
You can always combine one-step action responses to create a fluid series of explosive attacks or counters that are based on reaction, not on predetermined movements. In a complex situation, that could mean editing your actions in favor of the most direct and effective techniques or moving your body as a unit instead of as isolated parts, thus consolidating your force and motion. In a simpler situation, an appropriate expression of one-step action might be to just block and hit an attacker in one movement. In any case, you're trying to create effective responses within the parameters of the one-step action concept. You should be wary of any sequence of complex, predetermined techniques that offer no margin for error. People make mistakes. That's part of the human condition and should be anticipated.
Real self-defense isn't pretty. It's often ugly, brutal and bloody. If you're teaching people how to defend themselves and their loved ones, you have a responsibility to make sure they learn what works for them. The reality-based martial arts can be sophisticated without being complex and effective without being difficult. Self-defense works best with simpler movements and fewer techniques. Not only does it end the situation sooner, but it also keeps you in a better position in case something fails.
About the author. Richard Ryan is the founder of
the Dynamic Combat Method and co-founder of Integrated Combative
Arts Training. For more information, visit http://www.blackbeltmag.com and click on Community, then Black Belt Authors.
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