Confidence in using your Karate for real world self defense

aurik · KF Sempai

For me, the hardest part of being in a fight is the fear of getting hit/hurt (yeah, I'm a big guy, but still). One of the things we train in Uechi-Ryu is body conditioning. This has two effects for us -- it hardens the muscles and bones to absorb a hit, but more importantly it desensitizes the nervous system so that when you get hit, you're far less likely to freeze.

Am I confident that I could win a fight against 3 knuckleheads? No. But I'm also confident that I won't panic and make them think I'm an easy target.
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Capella · Yellow Belt

Spartacus Maximus · Black Belt

One thing often overlooked about defending against more than one attacker is that it isn’t even necessary to go through all of them. It is much more important to get through the nearest threat and leave the rest behind to pick up the pieces while getting out of there before the attackers have a chance to attack again. Becoming skilled in a hit-and-run strategy is vital. There’s no sense in standing toe to toe with a group and risk attracting more trouble or making the situation worse.

sensei8 · KF Sensei

JazzKicker · Orange Belt

Even Billy Jack got beat down in that movie.

I haven't personally been in such a situation, but several of my buddies and instructors back in the day were bouncers and/or corrections officers. Even when there was no surprise, they were in charge of the situation, they weren't outnumbered, and they had backup, they would still get banged up.

Oldschool_EugueRyu · White Belt

Everyone here seems to have the right idea.

If you're cornered by 3 knuckleheads, I'd say your best bet is to rely on yourself to get out of that, whether that is using your karate, your surroundings, or just your words. Whatever it takes. That's combat.

As for things that might make Karate helpful in such a situation, let me point to the Kiai. Master this and three unsuspecting knuckleheads will flinch whether you fight or not. ...not that I'm telling you to bark at people. xD But we have the saying of "The bark is worse than the bite" for a reason. It gets into people's heads and that can potentially even the odds if you're out numbered.

The truth is, however, that you will not want to fight three knuckleheads no matter what color your belt and karate can help you cement the ways you can avoid such an encounter and teach you to get yourself out of them if you find yourself in one.

In short, I'd say a trained person to be able to react to danger in a way an untrained person cannot. That training can mean a number of things, though.

bushido_man96 · KF Sensei

I agree, not fighting three knuckleheads would be preferable. I also like your point about learning how to avoid such instances. That is the key to good Martial Arts instruction; teaching students how to avoid such situations.
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Melau · Yellow Belt

Your goal in self defense is not to hurt your opponents, but to not get hurt yourself.

By training in the right way, your portfolio of skills to achieve that will be bigger than somebody that is untrained.

Saying "would you hold up against 3 random knuckleheads" is not the right wording I think. If your intent is to fight 3 knuckleheads, you really do not have self defense in mind. If your intent is to get away from 3 knuckleheads, by running or attacking 1 in order to be running, then yes, your intent is correct.

By training to not lose your zanshin, your calm awareness, even when you're being attacked, is I think the biggest benefit of training any MA.
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ashworth · Brown Belt

I would like to think I would be able to handle myself, put those 3 in a dojo I would be confident against them. but outside of the dojo is another story, emotions will more than likely get in the way of my abilities.

Only been in 2 aggressive situations before. one time was in an alleyway against 2 younger lads that started running after me. Defused the situation by simply turning round and standing up to them. they backed down and walked off, I was left confused. Second time was in a pub, I wasn't fully aware of surroundings due to a number of beers I had throughout the night. Out of nowhere a punch to the back of the head, turn around to be met with a head butt, I was absolutely fine, he caught me wrong and split his own skin just above his eye and bled over himself while being escorted out...

So I still don't truly know how I would react in those situations

Agree with everything that has been mentioned so far, avoiding the fight is number one priority, attempting to use any martial arts is only a last resort, its far to unpredictable.
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bushido_man96 · KF Sensei

I think an important aspect of this is to do some visualization training about actually getting into a confrontation. Actually thinking about what it feels like to kick or punch someone, how it feels on your hand or foot. What it feels like to be struck, and fighting through that strike to deliver your own. I know that this doesn't go as far as getting some actual contact in a sparring session, but sparring sessions, regardless of contact levels, tend to offer a more comfortable environment that doesn't quite replicate what an actual self-defense scenario would. I'm not saying it's the answer, but it is a good training alternative.
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