COMBAT REALITY

What does realistic mean to you?

What it means to many martial artists is not what we would expect. I have researched long enough to see martial artists and styles around the world teaching students what they call a realistic system of combat. It is sad to know these students will have little help in defending themselves with some or most of these techniques.

The biggest advantage a martial artist can have is knowing the difference between realism and show. We are not trying to limit those superior martial artists with enough skill to perform intricate maneuvers in combat, our goal is to open the eyes of the average martial artist, and don't get me wrong: even the master has enough sense to stick to a safe practical defense in a life or death situation.

Is grappling realistic to learn?

Most fights, lets say 90%, end up on the ground. That's a high percentage and unless you've got a background in wrestling I'd keep my distance. In grappling there are two major areas of focus. The first is against someone grappling you and the second is how to using grappling to your advantage. If you wish to remain off the ground, then it would be wise to develop some techniques to keep it that way. Obviously the most important aspect that keeps you from going to the ground is to keep the distance between yourself and your attacker. This is hard to do if you wish to hit your opponent, so your techniques are more evasive and used with trying to escape or avoid the assailant completely.

It is never wise to go to the ground when combating multiple attackers. Unless you are quick on your feet you will usually end up on the ground.

What is a natural reaction?

In a dangerous situation you will have no time to evaluate and come up with a multitude of logical defenses. Your body must move reactively. When practicing , you must perform maneuvers over and over until your body will react and no pause for thinking is involved. Evasion can not be categorized into technique since it involves so many natural elements.

How can I improve my overall success?

In order for one to excel at his best when needed it is important to keep fit and train. Training does not just include physical exercise. One way would be to improve your diet. The food we eat and the way that we eat it. In order to train we need energy and digestion is the number two consumer of this fuel. If we help our bodies to digest by eating right we can have more energy for training and feeling good.

Are weapons realistic in the Martial Science?

If one is to be able to protect themselves against a weapon or attack it is important for them to get an understanding of the weapons that might be used. You don't tell someone not to play with guns, you teach them how to be safe with guns. If you train with the weapon, you will be more prepared to understand its strengths and weaknesses. The first thing one must realize when confronting weapons (whether blades or baseball bats), is the possibility of getting hit , you must accept that fact if you are to properly defend yourself.

POINTS OF REALITY

Too often in the martial arts, students learn self-defense that is unrealistic and possibly detrimental to the defender. When it comes to practicality, fight with facts, don't be fooled by your training.

Most fights end up on the ground.
Prepare by improving your grappling skills.

There are no rules and no judges in combat.
If it works, use it, and don't stop until it does.

Kicks above the waist are unrealistic.
It is better to be safe than sorry.

How you train is how you will fight.
If it is not contact you will be surprised.

Point sparring is not realistic for true combat.
Pull your punches and pull your chances.

Most people punch to the face or head.
Get used to hooks and crosses, wild and fast.

Attackers don't hold their punch in the air.
Learn to control your opponent, not dance around a frozen one.

Everything is forgotten in a fight.
All defenses will be natural reactions from years of practice.

Punches and kicks can hurt you too.
The attacker might also be prepared, do not underestimate an opponent.

Most punches and kicks are off target, thus useless.
Don't waste energy, focus on primary striking areas.

Reality is nothing like a movie.
Survival is the name and it is not a game.

Realistic Training

Another key point to bring out into the open is class realism. And this goes for Ninjitsu as well as most other martial arts. We try to maintain a focused realistic approach to training. Thus, you won't find RTMS instructors teaching students to defend against a reverse punch or have them standing in line punching over and over while chanting numbers. We do have basic training, but it is fun and flexible. We maintain authority and discipline without having to degrade the student. We believe in teaching (or putting back the "SELF" in) SELF-discipline. Self means that YOU want to do it and not just that someone is screaming at you for more push-ups.

Realistic to me is simple and to the point: How would someone on the street punch you? How would you react or respond? I don't see many people punching the way most schools teach - so to me, this is silly.  

Even though we focus on realism, we also understand the martial arts is a place to have fun. So I will teach techniques that I know won't work in a fight, but I will tell my students beforehand that this is to develop a certain kick or type of body movement. I would rather use my hands than have a pair of nunchakus, but I love to play with them and this is part of the Martial Science. We like to include as much as possible to train a student in all facets of the arts while still getting serious training. Also, when we teach specific defenses against a punch or kick, we explain to the students that this is training and not a defense against a punch or a kick. Too many students are taught to believe they will react with technique 1 or 2 from their list of learned skills. This concept is ridiculous and unrealistic. Every single attack is completely different and all the skills (and defenses) you learn are simply pieces of a puzzle. When you get into a situation, you will utilize these learned movements and adapt to the situation at hand. 

You have to understand that your opponent is not going to throw one punch and wait for you to defend yourself. Your opponent is also not going to leave that punch out there while you dance around. Most schools teach a one-two defense strategy. In the street, the adrenaline is flowing and, like it or not, punching someone in the wrist is ONLY a way to interrupt their pattern (if they even feel it). Some people can be kicked in the groin and still not notice what has happened. This is why realistic training is important. So many students think they can defend themselves because they do well in class. But in class, the adversary is taught to go down. Now I am not saying I want you to be a pain in the butt when your partner is doing techniques. In training, you can't actually kick them in the groin. But you CAN offer resistance and realistic movements and responses to your partners' moves.