Minimum requirement for self-defense (physical side of it)

Discussion in 'Self Defence' started by EdiSco, Feb 18, 2017.

  1. David Harrison

    David Harrison MAPper without portfolio

    Well, I was half joking... and of course it is different for Brazilian men!

    Still though, I bet MAP would rip an unknown UK SD instructor to shreds for using the word "chicken" in the same context.

    What, has no idea how to distribute his weight or not get punched in the head?

    He must be a great actor, because he totally made me think he didn't have a clue!
     
    Last edited: Mar 3, 2017
  2. Hannibal

    Hannibal Cry HAVOC and let slip the Dogs of War!!! Supporter

    About 6 months before
     
  3. SwansFan

    SwansFan New Member

    I'd say a minimum requirement for self defence, regardless of whether you spar full contact or not, is to know your limitations. I'm a 5'1" woman. I've trained muay Thai, started out doing krav maga, and am about to start boxing soon.
    I could be the toughest badass in the world, sparring people my own size, but in a self defence situation there are so many variables (including size / aggression of the aggressor) no amount of preparation can cater for that.
    A friend of mine does aikido, using an opponent's bodyweight against them, so I've been thinking of taking that up.
    My gym has a big Systema trainer coming over from Germany soon, to lead some seminars, so that's an option, too.
     
  4. Hannibal

    Hannibal Cry HAVOC and let slip the Dogs of War!!! Supporter

    Those factors definitely come into play - aggression more than size ironically. In legal jargon size, strength, sex, skill etc... are referred to as "Impact factors" and can have a determination on the legality or otherwise of a course of action taken in defending oneself

    My assistant instructor is a 5'4" and 145lbs female, but fights like a honey badger on PCP and will take on much bigger people and win but she has to work for it a bit more. Of course it helps all her training partners are big lads, so she gets a lot of exposure upfront

    With muay thai and boxing in your arsenal already I would consider adding wrestling, BJJ or Judo and you have a pretty solid toolkit right there...Royler Gracie is a VERY small person in terms of size but has the ability to tear through big people like paper :)

    Aikido is a wonderful art and very fluid - for self defense? No

    Systema is horrible - I have no time for it
     
  5. Agoge

    Agoge Valued Member

    When it comes to the point where you have to fight someone in the parking lot, your ability to initiate violence and maintain it until the threat is neutralized is the biggest factor. All the tools in the world are useless if you don't have the mindset to use them.
     
  6. aikiMac

    aikiMac aikido + boxing = very good Moderator Supporter

    Agreed ... though at the same time, there is more to "self defense" than just parking lot fights. But anyway, speaking of being 5'1 and trying aikido -- I'm 6'2 and nearly 200 pounds, and there has always been a few "short people" in my dojo, and once the short people figure out how to do the moves they are really, really annoying. :D I remember two instructors in particular who stood a little over 5 feet tall. They tossed me around like a toy. Very annoying. :D
     
  7. Agoge

    Agoge Valued Member

    You are absolutely correct about there being more to "self-defense" that parking lot attacks. I teach two different types of classes to those I teach -- situational awareness and surviving lethal force encounters. Many times, I am speaking towards those and skip the "in-between" that exists in the force continuum between self-defense and combatives.

    Myself, I am only 5'6", so I am one of those small folks....;)
     

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