Myths and realities of street combat (part3)

Myth 3: "Martial arts are all you need to defend yourself in town".

Welcome to this article, which brings the fascinating world of street fighting myths and realities to a close!

Hold on tight, because we're going to continue deconstructing a few preconceived ideas as quickly as a back kick (but without the bruises).

The limits of traditional martial arts in an urban environment

Traditional martial arts are classy stuff: fluid movements, impressive shouts and a black belt that shines brighter than your car keys. But when it comes to urban self-defence, spoiler alert: it's not enough.

The street is a dojo without a referee, without a soft mat, and often with complications like empty bottles, badly placed poles, and not very nice guys!

The fundamental difference between martial arts and urban self-defence

Traditional martial arts, such as karate, taekwondo and judo, are excellent tools for developing discipline, self-confidence and body control. They are based on precise techniques, rituals and strict rules. You train in a dojo, on a tatami, with a partner who knows the same codes as you. It's a controlled environment where respect and safety are paramount.

But in the street, the rules disappear. No gong to announce the start of the fight, no referee to stop the action if it gets out of hand, and certainly no break to catch your breath or drink some water. The aggressor?

• He follows no code of honour.
• He may be armed, accompanied by friends, bigger, stronger, or just driven by uncontrollable rage.
• There are no 'turns' to attack, no warnings: it's brutal, fast, unpredictable.

A real fight is chaos incarnate. Imagine yourself facing an opponent you've never met, in a place you don't know, with no mental preparation. Your worst enemy? Surprise. The one that freezes you, that paralyses you, that makes you lose precious seconds.

The art of survival: the essence of urban self-defence

That's where urban self-defence comes in. Its aim is not to turn you into an action movie hero, capable of spectacular acrobatics. No. Urban self-defence is the art of survival. It's about knowing how to react quickly, using your environment to your advantage, recognising the signs of danger before they even arise. It's about striking to create an opening and escape, not to win points.

What's the difference? The state of mind. Martial arts teach you to fight according to rules. Self-defence teaches you to survive without rules. Self-defence develops your body and mind within a structured framework. The other prepares you to face the unknown, to manage your fear, to stay clear-headed when everything around you is collapsing.

In short, one does not exclude the other. Martial arts forge solid foundations. Urban self-defence, on the other hand, teaches you how to adapt them when reality strikes, without warning.

Here another definition of self-defence from the ACDS which I quite like.

The benefits of martial arts beyond combat

Martial arts are not just about learning spectacular combat techniques. They are a veritable school of life, beneficial to all ages. Although expectations vary depending on the stage of life, practising martial arts offers undeniable benefits for everyone.

• Discipline and respect : By following the rules of the dojo, respecting your instructor and your partners, you develop personal discipline and respect for others, fundamental values in everyday life.
• Self-confidence : With each technique you master, your self-esteem grows. This progression will help you feel more confident, whether you're a child, teenager or adult.
• Physical condition: Martial arts improve your flexibility, strength, endurance and coordination. Whatever your age, they'll keep you active and healthy.
• Philosophy of life : Many martial arts disciplines convey profound values such as humility, self-control and perseverance, principles that guide your life beyond the tatami.
• Managing emotions : Learning to remain calm under pressure is a valuable asset. This skill helps you to manage stress and everyday challenges with serenity.

It is true that martial arts do not guarantee total mastery of self-defence in an urban environment. However, a person who practises regularly will generally have a better chance of defending themselves effectively than a sedentary person.

Of course, that doesn't mean that you'll surpass". Jack the english butcher " who's been beating the crap out of each other every weekend since he was 15, because he's got vice on his side, but you'll be better prepared physically and mentally.

Adaptation: the key to effectiveness in real-life situations

You don't need to master a multitude of complex techniques. What really counts is your ability to adapt. Understand the dynamics of an attack, react quickly and, above all, remain pragmatic.

Let's take a concrete example: knowing how to execute a sophisticated arm lock is impressive... but if, under stress, you can't apply it, it won't do you much good. On the other hand, mastering a few simple, effective techniques, repeated until they become automatic, will enable you to react instinctively in real-life situations.

That's why it's better to concentrate on learning a few fundamental techniques in depth rather than spreading yourself too thinly over a multitude of movements. The more techniques you have at your disposal, the more likely you are to hesitate at the crucial moment, which can slow down your reaction.

English boxing is an excellent example of this: it is based on six effective striking techniques, executed from different angles, with a good ground connection, mobility and speed. This minimalist but thorough approach enables boxers to react quickly and effectively in combat situations.

And here's an adaptation of English boxing to street fighting, here in a nightclub, because the guy called " John "is an expert, even if the video looks a bit old and is in English.

Myths and realities of street fighting: the basics for staying safe

A few principles to avoid ending up in a bad way:

• Adopt a confident attitude: Your body language can be enough to discourage an attacker.
• Be vigilant: Keep an eye on your surroundings. You don't have to be Batman, just attentive.
• Prepare yourself mentally: Train yourself to deal with stress. A good training scenario is better than an unpleasant surprise.
• Simple gestures: It's better to master 3 effective techniques than 100 complicated ones.
• Knowing when to leave: Sometimes courage is knowing how to run away. No shame, just wisdom.

In a nutshell

Urban self-defence is a clever blend of anticipation, psychology and simple reactions. You don't have to be a superhero. Just be smart, pragmatic and, above all, prepared to avoid trouble before it happens.

Myths and realities of street combat? It's simple: don't try to be invincible, just try to get home in one piece. And that's one hell of a superpower.

This is the end of the series Myths and realities of the street If you like it, you can comment, send a message or click here. here for other articles.