Benefits for Martial Artists Who Train on Different Terrains

This article will NOT apply those who train in Martial Arts as a sport only to be done on a soft mat. This article IS for those who train in Martial Arts for self-defense purposes.

Nowadays so many Martial Arts schools claim to teach realistic self-defense.  But how can you teach realistic self-defense purely in a dojo training hall with padded mats.

When it comes to any kind of physical encounter (where you are attacked), your biggest threat is not your attacker, but your environment.

Did you know that you do not fight the same on the sand or ice as you do in a parking lot or on concrete?

You need to be comfortable and flexible with many different environments if you want “realistic self defense” training.  Most attacks will not happen on a mat in a dojo environment.  They will happen outside of your work, on the beach, in a night club, etc…

If you only train in a dojo on a mat, you will not know how to handle obstacles like tables, street curbs, loose gravel, trees, etc…

Imagine you are attacked while taking a nice walk on the beach.  One of the best things you can do is kick or throw sand into your opponents face.

If you are attacked in a night club, put distance between you and your attacker.  Roll over a table and use that as a buffer until security comes and takes him away.

If you are attacked in the street, make sure your attackers back is to the curb, not yours.

When you are attacked, you blood will flow to vital organs and your adrenaline will sky-rocket.  Most people in these types of situation don’t have the time to take a minute and assess their physical surroundings and place themselves in the best spot.

You will need natural reactions, this will need to be done without thinking.  The only way to build this kind of natural reaction is by training in many different kinds of environments and terrain where this becomes second nature.

Don’t limit yourself to the dojo mat when learning – switch it up a bit and introduce other environments such as the jungle, desert, beach and more.

So, next time you spar with your friend, try sparring on a different surface and really feel what its like to be swept and land on something other than a soft mat.  I can guarantee you, it will not be as comfortable as sparring on the mat, but you will be on your way to learning “realistic self defense"

Photo Credits: digitalshay

Originally posted 2010-04-13 03:59:39.

This post involves:

adrenaline, attacker, attackers, defense purposes, environments, loose gravel, martial arts schools, night club, obstacles, opponents, parking lot, physical encounter, physical surroundings, realistic self defense, street curbs

... and focuses on:

Martial Arts, Sparring, Survival Skills

Posted by Martial Arts Karate Kung Fu on January 24, 2012 in Martial Arts, Sparring, Survival Skills. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.