How do you tell the difference between a Martial Artist and a Self-Defense Expert?
This page is for anyone interested in some sound and rational advice for finding a qualified instructor to teach you “realistic and useful self-defense.” Over the years I have taught many students whose bad experiences convinced them to seek training specifically tailored for self protection. Many people become disillusioned and frustrated with local martial arts schools that tell them they will teach them how to protect themselves. Once they observe a class or sign up for lessons they quickly become disheartened by the lack of realistic street survival tactics. How do they know it is not realistic? Because these people have experienced violence first hand. |
In order to find a good self-defense school all you have to do is look closely at the credentials of the head instructor or school owner. Once you read the information below the decision will be simple. Logic and rationality will always win over false advertising gimmicks. The problem is that most people do not have the knowledge to make a good choice when it comes to self-defense training because they don’t know anything about it. If they did they wouldn’t need the training. |
The first thing you will need to know is what the basic definition of self-defense is. Self-defense is usually defined as: |
Use of reasonable force (as compared with the attacker’s force) in protection of one’s person, family, property, or anyone else against attempted or threatened attack. Legal doctrine of self defense justifies a preemptive action taken in the reasonable belief of immediate danger, without making any retreat, and may (specially in case of provocation) condone killing of the perpetrator of a murderous attack. Source: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/self-defense.html |
This leads us to the second definition we will examine. The word “Expert” is generally defined as: |
Somebody with a great deal of knowledge about, or skill, training, or experience in, a particular field or activity… Source: http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861609864/expert.htm |
After reading the above definitions many people are still left with questions. In order to teach someone self-defense you must have a deep understanding of the concepts held within the definition of “self-defense;” concepts such as “attempted or threatened attacks,” “reasonable force,” protection strategies for oneself, their family or property, and what constitutes “immediate danger” or “murderous attack.” All are in need of clarification in order to make decisions on how to protect yourself, your family, or your property. This combination of knowledge and experience is what defines an expert in self-defense. |
A self-defense instructor should have all of the following credentials: |
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Here are the types of Credentials that Martial Artist/Competitors use to sell themselves as Self-Defense Experts: |
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