More Articles

Self Defense Why Tasers Have Become So Popular

The Shaolin Workout More Chi

How To Empower Yourself With Self Defense

Martial Arts Judo versus BJJ

How to Select Your Martial Arts and Self Defense Equipment

The Best Self Defense Strategy The 6 Phases of a Perfect Self Defense Plan

How To Choose A Self Defense Product

Why Train Self Defense Solo

Achievements of Monks Warriors from the Shaolin Monastery

Kubotan A Self Defense Weapon for All Martial Arts Styles

Self Defense Education Three Sure Fire Ways to Teach Your Child About Safety

Self Defense Protection Keeping Kids Safe Online

The Shaolin Workout Body and Mind

Martial Arts In China Wushu

Physical Fitness Is Your Workout Missing Something

Self Defense Is There a Stun Gun in Your Future

Karate a History

Overcoming Fear in a Self Defense Situation

Martial Arts 5 Ways To Build Your Self Confidence

Learning the Modern Dynamics of Judo

Martial Arts Articles Self Defense

The Karate Myth: Why Most Martial Arts and Self-Defense Programs Are Wrong

Author: Jeffrey Miller

You know, when I first started learning how to protect myself, the training was almost entirely focused on the memorization and performance of the technique. What I mean is...

...the lessons revolved around the step-by-step mindset. Even testing was centered around the correct "performance" of the technique in question. But, that performance was tied more to duplicating a string of "moves" than it was on...

...the successful resolution of the situation based on what was going on!

I remember a friend of mine during those days. He was very good at the art that we were studying and much further along than I was at the time.

He was testing for his black belt and everything was going well. His "performance" was flawless -at least as far as I could tell.

Then, during the last part of the final kata ('preset fight scenario'), he changed the move from a strike to a shoulder throw. The throw was awesome and his partner never saw it coming. It was great!

He told me later that, everything was going along as it should be and he knew what was to come next but...

...something was "off" with what his partner was doing with that last punch.

He literally "found himself" executing the throw, and remembered thinking, "this isn't right."

Well, long story short...

...he failed that test.

I couldn't believe it. According to the judges - the panel of "experts" who were supposedly teaching him to be able to "go with the flow" and defend himself... He failed!

He took a surprise situation, adapted to it, and still maintained control of the flow of things in a way that ended with him being the victor.

"Yes", said the judges, many of whom were our instructors, "that's true. But he didn't do the technique correctly."

This was one of the most significant moments of my life. When I realized that, the reason I was there for training - to not die in a situation - was not the focus of the training...

...at least NOT at that school.

Jeffrey M. Miller is the founder and director of Warrior Concepts International in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. He is the author of the "Foundations of Self-Defense Mastery" eCourse, which is available free of charge to subscribers of his self defense newsletter. You can subscribe to the newsletter at: http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/newsletter-subscribe-self-defense.html He is also the creator of the EDR: Non-Martial Arts Defensive Training Program, author of the book, "The Karate-Myth" as-well-as the powerful, "Danger Prevention Tactics" video. Additional information is available by visiting http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com

More Martial Arts and Self Defense Articles

Ip Man - the Man who Taught Bruce Lee Kung Fu
Ip Man was the second son of a wealthy and influential family. His early years were set against a backdrop of civil unrest and conflict. A bloody conflict with Japan was lost and China was forced to cede territory and money to Japan A coup d'etat...read more

Fitness and Training for Jiu-Jitsu / Self Defense
When I started training Jiu-Jitsu as a system for Self Defense, it became very apparent to me that the students did not take their personal Fitness to a level anywhere near that of competitive Martial Artists or Fighters. Having a competitive...read more

Self Defense: Tasers, Stun Guns, and the CSI Connection
Okay, I admit it. I watch CSI. I even watch CSI reruns on Spike - yeah, I'm one of those pesky females that the programmers at Spike just don't understand. Ah, well, I digress...sort of. A while back I was watching my beloved show, yes a rerun,...read more

Unconventional Personal Self Defense Weapons
Many of us believe in the importance of personal self defense. But we may not have skills or training in karate, boxing, or other systems we normally associate with personal self defense, and rely instead upon the advantage of weaponry. Weapons...read more

The Bizarre Self Defense Secret That Terrifies Violent Thugs
Did you know that when you begin learning martial arts, self defense and how to handle yourself in a violent situation, you actually start to give off certain "vibes" in your regular, every day life, that tell people you're not someone to mess...read more

Self-Defense Fighting Techniques: Sucker Punches, Off-Setting and Roundhouse Kicks
One of the more classic “sucker punch” scenarios that you are likely to encounter is the one which starts out with you being tapped on the shoulder. This is almost always initiated from behind and begins with your unknown opponent tapping you...read more

Self-Defense Fighting Techniques; Part Two: Kicking, Does It Work In A Real Fight Or Not?
Continued from part one. WHERE are you at when attempting to kick? Where you are at has a tremendous bearing on your ability to use your kicks effectively. For example; are you in a crowded bar, on a sandy beach, an ice covered sidewalk, a grassy...read more

What Would You Do If It Happened To You? Thoughts About Thinking And Self-Defense
In this article I want to share a few ideas about mental preparation and some correspondence I recently recently received from subscribers to my self-defense newsletter. I'm hoping it will provide some context to your "self-defense readiness" and...read more

Self-Defense - Choosing to be a Survivor Instead of a Victim
We've all seen the news stories. They fill a good portion of the evening news and the daily papers - both online and in print. Have you ever wondered... What if the victims in many of these stories had properly prepared themselves for the...read more

Kung Fu Weapons
The weapons used by kung fu masters are used to fight at a distance as well as at close range. Eighteen Arms is the term used to describe kung fu weaponry. Saber, spear, sword, halberd, axe, battle axe, hook, fork, whip, mace, hammer, talon,...read more

Notice: These martial arts and self defense articles are gathered from various public sources and are presented "as is" for for informational purposes only. They do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the Lo Man Kam Wing Chun Kung Fu Organization. The authors of this site make no claims and take no responsibility regarding the content of these articles.

Wing Chun Las Vegas Kung Fu School | 6366 W. Sahara Ave | Phone: (702) 768-1201