All American Martial Arts Overview

Friday, October 21, 2011

10 Ways to Measure Self-Defense Instruction

A group of our instructors recently attended a training seminar put on by a national organization.  These instructors all have many years of training and teaching experience.  So, like many of these professional development conferences, they not only learned some new things, but also identified some weaknesses in some of the concepts or techniques being taught.

Fresh off this experience, we thought it would be good to offer a guide on how to measure if the self-defense instruction you are being taught is adequate.  Here's our criteria for effective self-defense instruction:
  • Awareness - the first step to effective self-defense is to increase your awareness of your surroundings.  Increased awareness can keep you out of dangerous situations.  It should be a regular part of any self-defense situations.
  • Movement - We have a common saying at our school that sums up our approach to self-defense:  "If you don't want to be hit (or kicked), don't be there."  The idea is to not be a stationary target.  If you can recognize the type of attack you can position your body so you can avoid the attack and deflect the blow.
  • Protecting Yourself - It should be self-evident that self-defense training should be about personal protection.  However, it is surprising that many techniques being taught actually increase the exposure to physical harm rather than minimizing it.  If a technique does this, we don't advise using it.
  • Efficiency - It is unfortunately true that many instructors have forgotten he value of simplicity.  They teach self-defense moves that require many, often complicated, techniques.  Why do something in 8 moves, that you can do in 5?  Or why do something in 5 moves that you can do in 3?  The goal of self-defense is not to show how good a fighter you are, but to quickly and effectively escape or subdue your attacker.  Efficient techniques are the best.
  • Effectiveness - It should be obvious that a good self-defense technique is one that actually works.  However, some instructors spend time teaching techniques that simply don't work.  Here's a good tip on identifying a problem with the technique:  if the instructor is consistently the only one in class who can adequately perform the technique, it's probably not very effective.
  • Capability - Self-defense instruction should be tailored to the actual ability of each student.  If you are over 40, you're probably not going to be doing a bunch of spinning heal kicks, or leg sweeps.  Teaching techniques that students can actually perform in a real-life situation is a must for self-defense instruction.
  • Practice - The old saying that "Practice makes perfect" is especially true for self-defense.  Simply coming to class a couple of times per week and learning a technique in a carefully managed situation isn't adequate for really mastering self-defense.  Working at home, practicing with a spouse, sibling, or friend, and experimenting with the technique in a variety of situations is what will allow you to truly understand how and when to use it.
  • Simulate Reality - At some point, it is important to practice the technique in way that will simulate reality.  Speed is one of the most effective ways to do this.  Constantly working on performing the technique as quickly as possible, and in as many situations as possible, will give you the confidence that you will be able to use it if attacked for real.  If your training is always in "slow motion" you are not being adequately prepared for reality.
  • Responsive Instructor - Although an instructor has to manage the class and ensure that they are able to teach the lesson on time, they should not shut down questions.  If they can't take the time during class, they should make time after class.  If an instructor consistently ignores or avoids questions, it's a good sign they are not fully confident in what they are teaching.
  • Common Sense - Rule #1 of Effective Self-Defense:  Don't abandon your common sense.  If something seems dangerous or ineffective, it probably is.  If it seems overly complicated, it probably is.  If you're being taught techniques that are outside your physical abilities, that's not good instruction. 
There are a variety of martial arts disciplines and all have something valuable to offer.  However, regardless of discipline, these 10 guidelines should be used to judge the true value of the self-defense instruction being taught.  If you have any questions regarding self-defense instruction or would like to know more about the self-defense techniques taught at All American Martial Arts, contact us at (405) 601-0639 or by e-mail at aama2010@usa.com

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