Why Study the Martial Arts?

Sometimes I ask my students this question "why do we study martial arts?" In this age of handguns, pepper spray, Mace, tasers, and retractable batons, isn't there enough weaponry that the average person can protect themselves and their family in case of an emergency? If someone grabbed you, couldn't you just pepper spray them and then notify the authorities. Better yet why not just let the authorities handle it, apprehend the attackers and possibly save yourself time and money from a possible civil suit?

First let's talk about the authorities. The police cannot be everywhere all the time. If you have an attacker attack you in front of a policeman, then you have a very stupid attacker and you are lucky. Most attackers will prey on you when they know they can get away with it, when you are alone, when it is dark, and when you least expect it. The police will come after the fact. They gather information and evidence. In the mean time, you are recovering (if you are lucky) from an attack.

How about pepper spray and mace? Couldn't you just spray some pepper spray on your attack and notify the police? This is a good situation if you are carrying pepper spray and have it readily available. Most people if they have pepper spray have it in their car or purse. Now picture this situation: you are walking to your car after work and someone grabs you. By the time you search your purse for your pepper spray, you will be most likely on the ground. If your pepper spray is in the car, you will be on the ground by the time you can open the door. The same can be said about carrying a gun in your purse. You are not going to keep a loaded weapon in your purse (if you do, you will most likely shoot yourself). So by the time you get your gun, load a magazine, and take the safety off, you are on the ground.

If an attacker enters your home, will you have enough time to get your gun (enter a combination if kept in a gun safe), take a trigger lock off, load a magazine, take the safety off and point and shoot. By the time this is over, your attacker (who came into your house ready) has already attacked.

In these situations, the person being attacked needs to buy some time. Therefore, the person being attacked, needs to act defensively and do something! This something depends on the situation, what the attack has, and the level of skill of both the attacker and the defender.

That being said, it doesn't matter what kind of martial arts you have studied, self defense is pretty universal no matter what style you have studied.

No matter what the skill level, a swift kick to the groin, goes a long way. However, this will not work if the attacker is pointing a gun, knife or swinging a bat. Your tactic will have to change. A swift kick to the groin to someone swinging a knife will not stop the knife. The person being attacked will need to know quickly and promptly how to stop the attacker using what is available to be able to get to his or her pepper spray, gun, mace, batton, whatever.

Remember it doesn't matter if you studied Tai Chi, Karate, Muay Thai, Krav Maga, or Kung Fu. You will need to know how to momentarily stop an attacker until you can get into a better situation. This split second reaction may give you the seconds you need to live.