If I Could Only Teach One Thing …

In the years I’ve been studying and practicing the martial arts, I often consider what wisdom I would want to pass down to my grandchildren. Of course I would want them to want to train the same as I have, but that is not always realistic.

The essential skill in self-defense revolves around one core principle – Survive.

So what is the one thing that can best keep you in alignment with the principle of survive.

As much as I would love to say it boils down to a magic technique taught by this style or that style, or using the weapon or whatever else may apply, in the final analysis it really boils down to very simplistic. Situational awareness.

If you have ever see any self defense anything, you have already heard this. The real problem is that simple does not equal easy.

Situational awareness really boils down to being almost hyper aware of everything going on around you and what could go wrong. The book The Gift of Fear talks – there are others but this one is most cited- about paying attention to your instincts.

I’ve believed for a long time that if I am doing my job properly – being situationally aware – none of the moves or techniques that I have been practicing for 20 years will ever be needed.

Self-Defense happens only after there has been some kind of breach in your situational awareness. Situational awareness in my mind includes knowing what parts of town to avoid or getting out of a place if you get the feeling that something is about to go wrong. In short, the best defense is not to be where the trouble is, and this is avoided by being aware.

I wish there was a magic silver bullet technique I could teach to get out of any situation. They didn’t exist because everyone is different. There are reports of people being shot in the head with a 357 magnum and it did not stop the attacker. Sad truth is that even situational awareness alone can not keep all that can harm you away, but it is where it all begins and once you since a problem, you can start taking action.