Misconceptions On RBSD, Part 2

On Ultimate Techniques;

Eye gouging, although a sound and effective strategy in RBSD is an often misunderstood tactic by many martial artists and critics alike.
I've heard it said numerous times that this is an overated attack for self defense and that because it can't be fully practiced, it's effectiveness is questionable.

In reality, it's effectiveness can easily be proven.

If you look at MMA events, one of the most common fouls, that result in a fighter being penalized and a fight being called in time out so the hurt fighter can be checked out is very commonly because of an accidental eye gouge.
Regardless of skill and toughness, a finger to the eye results in a fighter being momentarily incapacitated.
So much so that he is given time to recuperate because of the unfair advantage his opponent would have without him being able to see clearly.

This is mostly not the result of an eye gouge but the result of fingers slighly poking the eyes.

AM I saying that this is a be all end all technique?, Absolutely not!

What I am saying though is that its' proven effectiveness at distracting and providing an unfair advantage can't be denied.

The majority of realistic self defense practitioners would easily understand that the eye gouge is used to set up something more devastating or as a distraction to enable someone to escape and get away.

Again, there are practical and effective tools, not undefeatable tactics and that everything is used as a part of a combination. There are no ultimate tools.
They're all dependent on the situation, as well they are to be used as a part of a greater whole.

It's important to make the distinction between the false notion of individual responses to common attacks that some RBSD systems may be guilty of but the most effective ones know better.
The majority of RBSD systems espouse tactics that can be used in a majority of situations.

In other words yes look at what the majority of attacks might involve so you can prepare for the most common and most dangerous attacks however train tactics which apply to many attacks.

This is how you can realistically apply tools and not buy into undefeatable techniques.

Misconceptions About Self Defense

Over the next few weeks I'll be discussing some of the most popular misconceptions when it comes to reality based self defense and effective defensive tactics.

One of the most popular misconceptions in regards to self defense is the "bite".

Many people assume that the most common attribute of RBSD is using the bite as a dirty tactic and that proponents of RBSD believe that this is the most effective tactic you can use that will work against anyone. After all the most dangerous animals bite, so many people conclude that this is the worst thing you can do in combat.

Although there is limited use of this tool, the truth is it is just that, limited.

There are no be all end all tactics in true RBSD.

This misconception probably comes from the advertising of many RBSD proponents themselves which want to look as "raw" as possible in their advertising campaigns.
The bite is more a posturing tool used in to promote systems than the cure all tactic it is sometimes touted as.

Truly effective defensive tactics are designed around a logical approach to dealing with an attacker with one outcome in mind; surviving with the least amount of damage as possible in a threatening situation.

The bite is only a small piece in that puzzle and one that only brings a small desired result. ( Such as getting someone to let go of a weapon, etc,...)

Remember, if surviving a threatening situation is your desired outcome then logically no one tactic is enough, it is only a piece of the larger puzzle.

Occham's Razor And Effective Defensive Tactics

The principle of Occham's Razor states that the simpler the strategy, the more efficient.

In other words, the more unnecessary steps involved in a process the less efficient it becomes.

It's easy to see that according to this logical principle, keeping things simple in applying tactics to defend yourself is the most efficient path to take.

The clearest example of this is developing movement and tactics that are effective against a wide range of situations and not individual defenses for every situation that can arise.
The situations involved in any conflict or altercation are nearly endless.
So trying to develop skills in dealing with every possible situation is not only inefficient and impractical, it's almost impossible.

Therefore examining the highest percentage situations and applying simple tactics that are easily performed when under stress is the logical answer.

This is why tactics must always come before techniques.

Did a Secret Ancient Technique Stop an Attacker Dead in His Tracks?

We've all heard of secret techniques in the martial arts that will enable a much smaller man to defeat a larger one or a group of men.
The truth is, the mystique surrounding these martial arts' so called "secret traditions" has long been dispelled.

"Mystical techniques" don't work for real. Solid skills do.
That's one thing we can thank MMA for; helping to demonstrate what martial arts skills are the most applicable.

But before we go jumping onto the bandwagon that claims MMA is the ultimate in martial arts, let's define what "ultimate" truly means.

If by "ultimate" you are thinking that MMA can defeat all other martial arts and if it isn't MMA it doesn't work then you've only been misled by clever marketing.
The fact is that the fighter is more important than the style.
Anyone who has many years of experience in the martial arts will realize this if he's being honest with himself.

What MMA has are two key points among several other things.

1) The fights are for real. That is, making real contact and resistance, developing several critical skills.
2) The athletes train in several ranges which is critical to developing a well rounded game.

So the story of the "secret" techniques that can stop an attacker dead in his tracks has been exposed as the obvious myth that it is.

But does this mean there are no "secrets"?

Well, yes and no, depending on what you mean by the word "secrets".

Are there hidden techniques that are magical in their ability to take someone or a group of attackers out?

No.

Are there hidden, not very obvious, sides to technical skill that can only be taught by an experienced instructor?

Absolutely!

The truth is that the word "secrets" can be replaced by years of dedicated, focused and logical training under someone with real knowledge and skill who knows what he's doing in teaching others.

A Healthy Approach To Self Defense

How does your training make you feel?

Now before you go thinking that I'm trying to get all psychological on you, I want you to realize that this plays a HUGE role in your training as well as effectiveness.

Just bear with me and find out how.

If you are training with the interest of being able to defend yourself then you realize that awareness is a key aspect of self defense.
With that in mind, it has often been said that self-awareness is the highest form of awareness.

"So it is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you can win a hundred battles without a single loss." -Sun Tzu

This quote signifies the importance of awareness.
It's even more important to realize that if you walk around trying to be the biggest bad ass then you will simply be escalating any situation where someone else feels the same way about themselves.

Compare that view of yourself with instead developing a quiet confidence and you clearly see the difference where you aren't adding fuel to the fire but are giving off the impression that you will not make an easy victim, something that all predators are looking for.

So ask yourself this question seriously, how does your training make you feel?

Confrontational, aggressive, angry, violent, or self-confident, self-assured, and focused?

Which set of feelings do you think will help you avoid or survive an altercation?

Which of these two sets depicts someone who is more likely to be involved in conflict?

The Many Levels Of Self Defense

As I approach the end of my 30s I think back at what has kept me interested in training in defensive tactics for over 17 years, I realize the importance of what true self defense is really about.

Ultimately there is ALOT more to self defense than merely learning to fight.

The majority of training programs and systems out there emphasize one main point, learning to take out an attacker, some do it with honesty and others use hype and marketing tactics to sell a product that is actually worthless.

Still, I feel after all these years that, teaching others ONLY to protect themselves physically will usually impart other benefits to most of those training.
But it's a shame if the skills necessary to think critically and feel compassion are left out of the mix.

Some people might ask what's the point?

Why would critical thinking and compassion matter in learning to fight?

Well, anyone who's been practicing for a few years will eventually figure out that in order to truly go beyond the level of somebody who can kick ass, to somebody who can affect the world around them in a positive way, becoming an "evolved" fighter, someone who fights for something more than just themself but who also embodies the skills he practices, is the unfolding potential of anyone who truly deserves to be called a fighter.

Surely you would ask yourself, what prevents you from simply becoming an enraged out of control thug that you started training to survive against in the first place?

Thinking critically and maintaining compassion are the immediate reasons that come to mind.

And this brings me to what has maintained my interest after all these years.
That ultimately self defense skills play a role in the bigger picture of not only learning to protect yourself, but of becoming a better person in the process.

Self Defense Begins With Self

Self Defense Begins With Self

Very few people realize the importance of the word "Self" in the term Self Defense.

Why do I think it is the most important word in the term?

While all the self-proclaimed self defense experts around the world will tell you that their "system" is the way to go to learn to protect and defend yourself, their emphasis is always on the system and not on the individual.

I will say right now that responsibility for defending yourself falls in your hands, unless one of these experts is offering to be your personal bodyguard then their marketing remains just that.

I have decided to continue to post in this blog more regularly as the world of self defense (more specifically those who are thinking about training to defend themselves and don't know where to begin) seems to be in serious need of of an objective and rational approach.

So every week I'll be covering different methods, techniques and other skills involved in self defense in an effort to both enlighten AND empower everyone interested.

I just want everyone who continues to read this blog to remember one point, YOU are responsible for your own defense, actions and results, not any system or martial art.

If you are prepared to move past hype and into TRUE discovery, then you have come to the right place.