Martial Arts Information

Many people assume that if you know martial arts, you know self-defence.

That is NOT a good assumption.

Wushu (known as gung fu) is an "art", a performance of techniques. Elaborate moves that may not serve any real purpose other than to "look nice".

Tae Kwon Do, Karate...are sports martial arts. They started off as self-defence and attack minded techniques to kill on the battle field, but of course, if that was the case, they wouldn't be an olympic sport any more!!

Martial arts competition like Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Karate are there for the sole goal of winning. To show technical superiority in the ring or tatami.

The purpose of martial arts practice is to cultivate and develop ones mind, body, and spirit. There can be a definite spiritual element to Martial Arts.

Although UFC tournaments are violent and bloody but ironically, street fights are EVEN MORE BLOODY than those in the UFC ring!

MMA (Mixed martial artists) training for sport events are restricted by rules like not being able to bite, scratch, hit an oppenents head from behind...or even killing an opponent in the ring. This will expose the MMA exponent in a "real" street fight, because the opponent is going to go for the head whether you like it or not!!

For self-defence, it is your goal to stay alive in street conditions (not dojo). No rules, no ethics and usually with weapons involved (broken glass, knives...etc).

There is NO NEED to prove your fighting capabilities to ANYONE on the street. Safety is crucial.

You kick, punch, scratch, knee, hit and whatever to give you a fraction of a second to run away from the conflict! There is NO REFEREE to protect you!!

According to Close Combat Training - Chris Pizzo, he says:

8 laws of self defence

1. Your method must assume that you do not know the intention of your attacker. Attacking or injuring u.

2. Method must take into account the terrain, environment. (Street, dojo...)

3. Assume there is more than one attacker

4. Assume assailiant is much stronger and bigger than you

5. Must always work when injured...not at 100% condition (physical)

6. Assume assailiant much tougher, rougher...than you

7. Assume assailiant is armed

8. Assume it is stupidly simple (easy to execute)