Debunking Self-Defense Misconceptions
Most martial arts are simply NOT as effective as you may think when it comes to training for real-world combat situations. We debunk some common misconceptions here.
Misconception #1
The purpose of martial arts should be to build discipline and a great physical fitness enhancing individual strength, flexibility, balance, and cardio-respiratory fitness. Building personal courage, self confidence.
We disagree. Although these benefits may come as a by-product of training, the primary objective of a martial art should be to improve the combat-effectiveness of the individual, specifically, to teach the individual to become comfortable with the level of conflict required in a real-life self-preservation situation.
Misconception #2
Safety must be emphasized at all costs to the point of stressing no striking or only simulated strikes to vital points such as the head, neck and groin area. If you strike at all, you should stop short (pull your punches) to these vital areas so that you maintain safety above all else. Only "light blows" should be made to other areas.
Wrong. The primary focus of a true martial arts program should not be to prevent the maximum number of injuries during training but to prevent the maximum number of individual injuries during a real world situation. Bumps and bruises do come with the territory when applying reality-based training. Unless you want individuals to experience false confidence, the only confidence worth obtaining in a true martial arts program is achieved through successfully employing combat-effective movements.
Misconception #3
Most fights end up on the ground so ground-fighting should be where you place most of your emphasis.
No. This way of thinking is extremely flawed. The ground is the last place you want to be in a real-life situation. We aren't training for the UFC or a grappling tournament, we train for real-world success. Too many variables can happen to you on the ground on the street. For self-defense, preventing the maximum number of individual injuries is the goal. Therefore, knowing how to stay on your feet should be a much greater concern.
Misconception #4
Locks and holds are the best way of incapacitating an attacker.
False. Striking is entirely more effective in a realistic environment than holding or putting someone in a lock. Your goal in a realistic situation must be to incapacitate the attacker in the quickest way possible. Striking is much quicker, a lot simpler and has the potential to be much more devastating to an attacker.
Misconception #5
Training in kickboxing and/or wrestling will make me ready for the street.
No way. Approaching a self-preservation situation with a sport mentality gives the individual a false sense of confidence. Training for realistic self-defense is much different than training for a rules-based combat sport.
--------
About the Author
Sifu Adam Williss is an Orange County-based Wing Chun instructor and owner of The Dragon Institute. He has made it his mission to empower individuals from all walks of life with the benefits of Wing Chun - having had the opportunity to train numerous professionals, athletes, corporate executives and everyday people.
Sifu Adam has educated, empowered and entertained individuals both in Orange County and abroad through his seminars, websites, articles, publications and speaking engagements. Sifu Adam and his work has been featured in several publications both online and in print.
He holds the honor of being counted among Bill Graves' top Wing Chun students and is only one of a few with instructor status under him. Few people possess true martial arts greatness in this day and age, however Bill Graves is unequivocally one of them. Bill's martial ability in the art of Wing Chun is none other than amazing. His intellectual grasp of the inner workings of Wing Chun is, quite frankly, ingenious. Bill Graves is easily one of the best practitioners in the Wing Chun world today. Bill's teacher is none other than modern day Wing Chun master, Karl Godwin.
In addition to this, Sifu Adam has studied other forms of Wing Chun as well. He has either experience or personally researched several different forms of Chinese Kung Fu, Krav Maga, Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan, Jeet Kune Do concepts, Modern Boxing, Classical Pugilism / Bare-Knuckle Boxing, Shorinjiryu Kenkokan Karatedo, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Muay Thai kick boxing, Silk-Reeling Qigong and more.
A strong voice for functional simplicity in the martial arts, Adam is the founder of Wing Chun Magazine (wingchunmagazine.com). It is the only magazine dedicated to Wing Chun in all its forms, spellings, lineages, traditions, innovations and modifications. This includes Wing Chun, Wing Tsun, WingTsun, Ving Tsun, Jeet Kune Do, and many more.
Adam serves as Director of Public Relations and State Representative of California for the World Ving Tsun Athletic Association. He is the Founder and President of the California Wing Chun Association as well as directing the association's Orange County Wing Chun headquarters. He was inducted into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame, is an Associate Member of the International Kung Fu Federation, member of the Independent Martial Arts Federation, International Combat Martial Arts Unions Association, the United States Kuo Shu Federation, Hong Kong's Ving Tsun Athletic Association, National Qigong Association and more.
Misconception #1
The purpose of martial arts should be to build discipline and a great physical fitness enhancing individual strength, flexibility, balance, and cardio-respiratory fitness. Building personal courage, self confidence.
We disagree. Although these benefits may come as a by-product of training, the primary objective of a martial art should be to improve the combat-effectiveness of the individual, specifically, to teach the individual to become comfortable with the level of conflict required in a real-life self-preservation situation.
Misconception #2
Safety must be emphasized at all costs to the point of stressing no striking or only simulated strikes to vital points such as the head, neck and groin area. If you strike at all, you should stop short (pull your punches) to these vital areas so that you maintain safety above all else. Only "light blows" should be made to other areas.
Wrong. The primary focus of a true martial arts program should not be to prevent the maximum number of injuries during training but to prevent the maximum number of individual injuries during a real world situation. Bumps and bruises do come with the territory when applying reality-based training. Unless you want individuals to experience false confidence, the only confidence worth obtaining in a true martial arts program is achieved through successfully employing combat-effective movements.
Misconception #3
Most fights end up on the ground so ground-fighting should be where you place most of your emphasis.
No. This way of thinking is extremely flawed. The ground is the last place you want to be in a real-life situation. We aren't training for the UFC or a grappling tournament, we train for real-world success. Too many variables can happen to you on the ground on the street. For self-defense, preventing the maximum number of individual injuries is the goal. Therefore, knowing how to stay on your feet should be a much greater concern.
Misconception #4
Locks and holds are the best way of incapacitating an attacker.
False. Striking is entirely more effective in a realistic environment than holding or putting someone in a lock. Your goal in a realistic situation must be to incapacitate the attacker in the quickest way possible. Striking is much quicker, a lot simpler and has the potential to be much more devastating to an attacker.
Misconception #5
Training in kickboxing and/or wrestling will make me ready for the street.
No way. Approaching a self-preservation situation with a sport mentality gives the individual a false sense of confidence. Training for realistic self-defense is much different than training for a rules-based combat sport.
--------
About the Author
Sifu Adam Williss is an Orange County-based Wing Chun instructor and owner of The Dragon Institute. He has made it his mission to empower individuals from all walks of life with the benefits of Wing Chun - having had the opportunity to train numerous professionals, athletes, corporate executives and everyday people. Sifu Adam has educated, empowered and entertained individuals both in Orange County and abroad through his seminars, websites, articles, publications and speaking engagements. Sifu Adam and his work has been featured in several publications both online and in print.
He holds the honor of being counted among Bill Graves' top Wing Chun students and is only one of a few with instructor status under him. Few people possess true martial arts greatness in this day and age, however Bill Graves is unequivocally one of them. Bill's martial ability in the art of Wing Chun is none other than amazing. His intellectual grasp of the inner workings of Wing Chun is, quite frankly, ingenious. Bill Graves is easily one of the best practitioners in the Wing Chun world today. Bill's teacher is none other than modern day Wing Chun master, Karl Godwin.
In addition to this, Sifu Adam has studied other forms of Wing Chun as well. He has either experience or personally researched several different forms of Chinese Kung Fu, Krav Maga, Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan, Jeet Kune Do concepts, Modern Boxing, Classical Pugilism / Bare-Knuckle Boxing, Shorinjiryu Kenkokan Karatedo, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Muay Thai kick boxing, Silk-Reeling Qigong and more.
A strong voice for functional simplicity in the martial arts, Adam is the founder of Wing Chun Magazine (wingchunmagazine.com). It is the only magazine dedicated to Wing Chun in all its forms, spellings, lineages, traditions, innovations and modifications. This includes Wing Chun, Wing Tsun, WingTsun, Ving Tsun, Jeet Kune Do, and many more.
Adam serves as Director of Public Relations and State Representative of California for the World Ving Tsun Athletic Association. He is the Founder and President of the California Wing Chun Association as well as directing the association's Orange County Wing Chun headquarters. He was inducted into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame, is an Associate Member of the International Kung Fu Federation, member of the Independent Martial Arts Federation, International Combat Martial Arts Unions Association, the United States Kuo Shu Federation, Hong Kong's Ving Tsun Athletic Association, National Qigong Association and more.
Related Articles:
-
Bare knuckle boxing has a large influence in the development of my approach to martial arts. As... Read Full Story » -
The 2009 Bill Graves Wing Chun Seminar here in Orange County was nothing short of amazing. Held... Read Full Story » -
Wing Chun is an excellent martial art. It's theories are pretty much unparalleled when compared... Read Full Story » -
The Dragon Institute is planned to open in the south Orange County coastal city of Dana Point... Read Full Story » -
Bruce Lee is by far the Martial Art Artist that every MMA fighter admires. There’s not a single... Read Full Story »
