In Real Life?

[lasso]

Has anybody ever had to defend themselves with the Martial Arts in a real life situation?

[pesilat]

Originally posted by lasso
Has anybody ever had to defend themselves with the Martial Arts in a real life situation?

I think quite a few of us around here have. Both in fights and in non-physical defense (i.e.: avoidance, nonescalation, etc.).

Mike

[Jim]

Yes

[YODA]

Sure.

In fact I defended myself in "real life" (What is unreal life?) just the other day.

I was walking through town and noticed a group of men up ahead giving everyone the eye as they walked past. I crossed the road.

[pgm316]

I've defended myself many many times and fought in no holds barred style contests. I've always won with ease and no injury. But that wasn't in real life.

In real life the margin wasn't quite so great.

[Cain]

I did'nt have to defend myself ever in real life, the only fight I had was in school when I was 12 or something, two kids had picked up a fight with me, why - I don't remember, maybe 'cause they did'nt like my face :D

Well, I had got my a$$ kicked then, all I managed to do was throw one down the stairs while the other whacked me in the stomach and I was like breathing for air, and the principal saw it all and I looked like the bad guy.....

|Cain|

[lasso]

The reason I asked is that to often people see this martial arts fighting on television - most of it being fabricated and they think if they take karate or judo that they can beat up the world. When I was in Tae Kwon Do there was a teenager in the class with a REAL attitude problem. He was taking the martial arts in order to be able to hurt others and was finally kicked out of class and as I understand it, barred from being able to take martial arts classes of any type for a long time. My nephew had know the guy and told me that after he had been in Tae Kwon Do for only a short time, he picked a fight with the toughest kid in school thinking himself so mighty with his little bit of skill in Tae Kwon Do. He got his tail kicked good..and he deserved it!
Now I had taken muscle manipulation and pressure point classes to learn to protect myself on the street, but I have heard that too often, self defense doesn't cut it in the real world. (the real world
meaning - real fights and situations not just a sparring contest in class.)

And cain_charlie...the fight was two against one and the principal still blamed YOU?:confused:

[Cain]

And cain_charlie...the fight was two against one and the principal still blamed YOU? :confused:

It was a long time ago, I don't remember, but the two kids had lied about me I think.....who do you think the principal is going to listen anyway, that's two opinions against one :)

Besides the guy who I threw down had a nasty bruise on his elbow so naturally I looked like the villian :D

|Cain|

[lasso]

OK, I won't go any further on the subject of the school fight after this..BUT if I were in the principles place I would have believed you for the simple fact that trouble makers always come in number. I have yet to see the bully that would start trouble if they didn't have anybody to back them up.
I was small and shy as a kid and a perfect target for the bullies as long as they had back up. If I ran into them when they were alone they kept there mouths shut to me.

Oh well, I was just wondering how many people had actually protected themselves with the martial arts.
In truth I was wanting, in particular, to hear if any women had been able to fight off a man who threaten them.

[officer_fujita]

I haven't been in a situation yet wherein I had to use force to save myself, and hopefully I won't. Even with martial arts skills, there's still the chance that something would go wrong and I'd end up being the dead guy on the sidewalk.

[Cooler]

I have worked the doors in Glasgow now for a long time and seen and been involved in a lot of violent confrontations over the years. IT IS NOTHING LIKE THE MOVIES. As I have studied martial arts for many years I feel I have a lot more confidence in these situations than I would have if I hadn't studied any arts but on saying that the class never prepares you for the real thing no matter what your training is.

The first time you get involved in a real situation and the adrenalin hits you.... well you either deal or you don't you wont know which way you will go till it happens, 'the fight or flight syndrome'. Even to this day after so many years I still feel fear when I and my colleges are confronted at the door by 3 or 4 guys wanting to fight us because we have not let them in, you can not run or hide you have a job to do you have to stand there and take whatever is flung at you no matter how big the guy or group is, most confrontations never go beyond the verbal but you are still left with the adrenalin pump nothing like the old shaky leg lol.

I have learned on the door what no class room can teach you. On the door you have to be constantly switched on you can spend 4 hours on the door and for 3 hours 59 mins nothing then boom the **** hit's the fan, if your not ready for it kiss your ass goodbye. I have had friends slashed, beaten and stabbed on the door, we work under the very real possibility of violence on a regular basis. I now understand body language to an extent were I will know instinctively when to be aware of a person and a potential situation. I never let anyone get into my personal zone when I am on the door I never shake hands with people, people do not always act in an aggressive manner before they hit you, ALWAYS trust your instincts. You have to be aware of your surroundings at all times. I have never learned any of these life saving skills from a class room you learn them on the street.

I am not trying to make myself out to be hard or a great fighter as I am neither as anyone who knows me will testify, I am just a guy trying to do a job as are most stewards and most stewards I know do not want to fight. One quality I feel all stewards should have is the ability to take a kicking, because one day it might very well happen to you, I have not been there yet 'touch wood' but I have had a few bruises and black eyes.

Being honest it is not my martial arts that have helped me out of most situations it is good old fashioned aggression 'take the pain and strike again' its a good motto and one that will save your ass. If it comes down to it and you have no option but to fight get aggressive, get in and get dirty remember THERE ARE NO RULES ON THE STREET.

Cooler

[Freeform]

Coolers totally correct. Theres nothing I can add except your goddamn guaranteed that the moment you stop paying attention 'cause your tired, bored whatever, it'll probably kick off.

I've recently stopped working clubs and only do pubs now because the lack of sleep was ruining my training. I've found that 'neds' and 'schemies' always want to shake your hand even when you knock them back, annoying.

What is it with certain unsociable types and their need to feel listened to/acknowledged.

Col

[lasso]

In my short time in the martial arts, I have actually noticed that those who dedicate themselves to the training seem to be less involved in fights and brawling. I credit a lot of that to the discipline they learn in the process. Perhaps as well, the confidence they acquire along with it, they do not have the need to prove how tough they are to others.
I recall that at the time I joined my Tae Know Do class, part of what I had hoped to learn was to have more control over a potentially violent situation. Maybe use a lesser amount of physical violence if that ever happened. As I told others, if I was attacked do you think the attacker would prefer that I hit him with a side kick or the nearest lamp!
I haven't had to kick anybody so far (or break a lamp over somebody's head):D ,Thank God, and I hope I never need to!

[pesilat]

Originally posted by lasso
In my short time in the martial arts, I have actually noticed that those who dedicate themselves to the training seem to be less involved in fights and brawling. I credit a lot of that to the discipline they learn in the process. Perhaps as well, the confidence they acquire along with it, they do not have the need to prove how tough they are to others.

Absolutely. And, personally, I find it much easier to remain calm in situations.

While they're yelling at me, I'm mentally cataloging the ways I could injure them. This makes me smile and keeps me calm. It also helps prohibit me from escalating the situation. I've used this many times and been able to resolve the situation without getting physical ... even though, in my head, the guy is a steaming puddle of goo on the floor ;)

Mike

[Bon]

Good post, Cooler! :)

I think my school yard brawls are actually a good thing to have experienced, I was never seriously hurt, nor was anyone else - I've experienced the lead-up to the fight, both as the aggressor and defender, the adrenalin rush. I've let fear control me, I've let my instinct control me, I've let my anger control me - know the outcomes for each of these.

I just hope I have enough experience, along with aggression and skill to carry me through a situation where I could possibly be fighting for my life.

[pgm316]

Originally posted by Cooler
Being honest it is not my martial arts that have helped me out of most situations it is good old fashioned aggression 'take the pain and strike again' its a good motto and one that will save your ass. If it comes down to it and you have no option but to fight get aggressive, get in and get dirty remember THERE ARE NO RULES ON THE STREET.

Cooler

Martial arts really should have a section on psychology! Most people I know can't properly talk down a situation or adequately keep control. Its not about being a good fighter at that point in time.

And when it comes down to it, how many MA'ists really train for a messy fight. Or even train in a way that works against the non compliant attacker :D

What I’m asking to Cooler and other experienced door staff, what would make MA’s more relevant to what YOU need. Because I think what you need is similar to what most MA’ists need, especially when they’re most likely to get hassle when in a drunken pub situation

[Martial artist]

four guys came up to me thinking there all that they never new i have learned some Taekwondo.

the first one i blocke his punch and punched him in the stomach he was winded.

and one of them ran away


the other one pushed me and threw some kick he did'nt even no how to kick properly. i done a low block and then done a front kick to his ribs.


the other one got scared and did'nt do nothing.

[LilBunnyRabbit]

Yes. I have.

[surgingshark]

Two on one here.
Let's just say that the cement wall was my best friend that day ;)

[Kwan Jang]

-I worked as a bouncer for a good portion of my college career (hey, it was the highest paying part-time job in that college town). After college, I did bodyguard work for different Nashville-area entertainers for a while. Also, I have to admit as a senior in high school, I went through this phase for a few months that I did get into quite a few street fights, including multiple opponents. Now, I do tactical training including on occasion working with SWAT teams and Special Forces.
-In all of this, my MA training has been very helpful and effective, but I agree w/ Cooler that adrenaline is a major factor and recommend to all instructors that they include adrenal stress training as a regular part oif their ciriculum. Technique alone can be helpful, but will not always be enough. "Fight or flight can very easily become fight or freeze. If this is neglected in your students (or your own) training, you/they are just not being realisically prepared to defend themselves. The same is true for anyone not training towards practical application as their core and their base. You can do the artistic and athletic stuff as a bonus, but the core has to be reality based IMO.

[toothpaste100]

When students enter a dojo, the sensei/instructor should jump one or two on random day with a KISS mask on his face and a bamboo rod, wouldn't that suffice as adrenalin training? :woo:

[bcullen]

Yes, I've had quite a few. One of the better outcomes was catching a pickpocket. I caught him trying to get my wallet and without thinking I seized his hand locked up his wrist and took him to the ground. Held him for a few seconds and took my wallet back with my other hand. It happend so fast I really had no time to think. I released my hold and just let the guy get up. I figured, what the heck, I still have my wallet (no harm, no foul). By this time there was a good crowd of people watching, after the shock wore off the would be-pickpocket actually raised his hands like he wanted to box with me. I moved to a ready posture but not a full stance and gave him the "Don't try it" look. The people who had seen me take him down were advising him not to try fighting me too. I actually saw it in his eyes just before he dropped his hands and took off. I could read everyhing that ran through his mind in the few seconds it took, it was all reflected in his eyes; from "what the f*** just happend", to the anger and humiliation when he realized he had been stopped, to "holy c**p! what am I doing this guy could kill me".

This was one of the few times I that had no adrenaline reaction, I was absoultley dead calm through the whole thing.

People always ask what would you if I... Truthfully, I never know what I'll do till it happens (even after I'm not sure, sometimes) at some point the moves that I practice became a part of me. It's weird, like suddenly your body's running on auto-pilot and just as fast you re-assume control.

[peacfulwarrior]

Originally posted by bcullen

People always ask what would you if I... Truthfully, I never know what I'll do till it happens (even after I'm not sure, sometimes) at some point the moves that I practice became a part of me. It's weird, like suddenly your body's running on auto-pilot and just as fast you re-assume control.


I agree it's almost impossible to predict the outcome of a real fight. Auto-Pilot, reacting without thinking is all of that training and pratice paying off.






http://www.martialonline.net/download/gifs/images/combat_10.gif

[quartermaster]

the closest i have come to a fight was in school, some gimp heard me talking, and assumed that i must have been calling his mother something. he backed me up against a fence, punched me in the nose twice and tried to knee me in the face while pulling me down.
fortunately, the gimp was very short and i was not far off 6 feet tall at the time so the knee missed. he then raised me back up and saw me laughing my arse off, despite the fact that my nose was bleeding all over the place.
he was a bit unnerved by the laughter, i think and lodded off steaming.
i just wandered off to get a few tissues.

not a fight, really coz it didn't take 2 but interesting nonetheless

[aikiMac]

In a fist-fight context, no. But in other real-life contexts, yes.