Military Self Defense

Military Self Defense vs. Martial Arts - Which Is Better On The Streets?

No one doubts that learning some form of self defense is imperative these days; the question is what kind -- and it really boils down to military self defense schools like MCMAP and Krav Maga versus martial arts styles like Tae Kwon Do and Judo. Each has its place, no doubt, but martial arts techniques aren't at home on the streets. People absolutely should learn martial arts, but not to protect themselves.

Protecting yourself isn't a matter of focus, flexibility, internal energy, or any of the things that martial arts styles are designed to engender in their practitioners. Martial arts techniques focus on precise motions executed perfectly, and brawling with a thug in a subway station just doesn't give you the space or control you need to execute. In fact, trying to do so will probably only get you more hurt than not.

The calm under pressure and the focus that a competent martial artist feels are useful when you're being attacked -- so absolutely, learn martial arts! -- but the martial arts techniques themselves, not so much. Military styles, though, pack a lot of killer techniques into a repertoire that's designed to be used in circumstances that are less than ideal -- which makes them much better suited to street-level self defense.

Unfortunately, martial arts styles are taught in every city in the country, but finding someone to teach military self defense can be difficult. Martial arts are more prevalent just because it's easier to learn martial arts than it is to learn military self defense. That's why it's important not to discount the lessons that can be learned from a self defense DVD.

They're easy to order from any number of sources, they're comprehensive, and they're detailed. The only things you need to take full advantage of a self defense DVD are a decently sized living room, a partner, and enough discipline to try out each of the lessons until you're comfortable with the concept.

Well, not quite -- you need to repeat the lessons, too. Without practice and repetition, neither martial arts nor military schools are going to have a lasting impact on your body or your spirit. Go over the self defense DVD several times, until at least the most basic moves are second nature to you. If you can't find a partner willing to stick out the entire stretch with you, start over with a new partner. The difference will only benefit you in the long run, and there's no loss to reviewing the basics several times before you move on to the more advanced stuff.

Only with that kind of discipline and repetition can you build not only the muscle memory, but also the confidence that you need to stand up to an attacker on the streets. Take your military self defense home-schooling seriously: it has a good chance of saving your life --or at least your wallet.