Bob Arctor said:
IgnoredOne said:
Its a slightly useful method of being more effective in a dangerous situation. Training is important; however, the mentality and willingness to kill, I feel, is the most vital thing in any stressful combative situation.
Right, because you should be as willing to kill people as possible throughout everyday life. Don't even worry about manslaughter charges, or whether or not you can actually prove self defense in a court of law. Just always have that on the forefront of youR mind: KILL KILL KILL! I mean killing people is the absolute essence of martial arts, any master will tell you that.
Willingness versus desire should be clarified as distinct from each other.
Its important to realize that the primary aim in any hostile situation to remove oneself from the threat. Therefore, the first aim is to try to escape, essentially. Flight usually offers the lowest risk, as well as the fewest legal consequences.
However, if flight is not possible, then neutralization of the hostile elements is necessary. It is best not to be too squeamish then on how this neutralization is to be accomplished; furor, indeed, has an useful effect in filling a void that could be instead taken by fear. Ideally, no emotion needs to dominate, and it is best to consider it almost mechanically, and instinctually; this is where the training comes in. Its not realistic to go, "I think that if I strike back now, he could be knocked out and dissuaded, um, um...."; it is much more useful to have a simple direction and the ability to execute going for the throat.
SophiaGrace said:
Well, when it comes right down to it, if your life is threatened, you will fight whether you have training or not due to basic survival instincts.
So the mentality to kill isn't all that's needed to defend oneself.
If only that was true.
It is not. The most common reaction to genuine, actual danger in most people is to simply freeze and shutdown, mentally and physically. Again, this is why training is so important, because it allows us to rewire that faulty reaction.
Source: Over ten years of training in Muay Thai and Shotokan, and recently took up Krav Maga this year.
