When life is at stake, training best defense

Many people do not succeed in what they do because they rely on some misconceptions they hold as truths. Unfortunately, such mindset could be very crucial, especially in life-and-death situations like when one has to defend himself from a violent physical attack and aggression.

Those who have not yet started martial arts training may be discouraged from even holding arnis sticks or from going into jujitsu with an instructor. And those already into training may be picking up falsities and misconceptions that could be passed on to other practitioners. In all these, the integrity and honor of martial arts and their practitioners are compromised.

There are things that are not always true about martial arts:

1. Muscular and physically strong people have an advantage. Yes, practitioners develop in training strength and the physique they can put to use in actual fight. However, a strong punch may not land against a leaner and faster defender. What we need to develop more is speed and timing. With proper techniques, the defense and strikes of a quicker practitioner are more efficient.

2. Females are always at the losing end. Most of my members in SanDaTa (’Sang Daluhong na Tapang) Arnis Club are female university students. Jessica Cox, a Filipino-American and the world’s first licensed armless pilot, is also the first armless black-belter in the American Taekwondo Association.

3. People with disability and senior citizens cannot defend themselves. If you believe this, then you are wrong. My arnis grandmaster, Vicente R. Sanchez, and jujitsu guru, Jose E. Dela Paz, are 80 and 68 years old, respectively. Both are still fast and sharp.

4. Weapons are necessary for self-defense. Firearms may not be that useful in close-distance attacks. This could be the reason law enforcers are also taught empty-hand techniques although they are given their service firearms. A bladed weapon may be fearsome, but it also requires expertise. Without the expertise, it could easily be taken away by the aggressor and might be used to inflict more injuries on the victim.

5. Practitioners need to develop exhibition-level skills in order to achieve efficient self-defense techniques. Defense against aggression needs no delay or showmanship. Simple techniques are more efficient. Efficient self-defense techniques require quick responses.

We need to be properly educated in martial arts. We need to correct myths and misconceptions in self-defense since it is life that is at stake. If you wish to have the training, never get discouraged. If you are already into training, train well. Do not be hampered by a feeling of weakness or limitation. Conquer yourself. In this time of guns and knives, preparation could be our best defense.

—JEEZER A. REYES,

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