Self Defense vs. Martial Arts
Martial Arts for Self Defense or Fighting
Model Mugging has synergized the martial arts into practical self-defense training, described as martial science, making this the most advanced crime prevention program and rape defense training available. Model Mugging is not a combative sport and was designed for fighting against violent criminals.
Progressively, Model Mugging student has learned to fight off the padded assailant during a ground fight at the end of her self-defense class.
Model Mugging self-defense draws its origins from the marital arts, which provided the catalyst for martial science and the evolution of self-defense training. The martial arts and self-defense share common traits, but they are not identical. There are pro’s and cons for both.
Male instructors typically study martial arts, and some of our female instructors continue to train in their preferred style of martial arts while they also teach Model Mugging classes. However, Model Mugging instructors are aware of the advantages of reality based training and how to best apply adrenaline stress training.
Martial Art Classes
Complaints about women studying martial arts are that it requires an immense amount of time and, ultimately, is not practical in application. There is nothing wrong with studying martial arts, which offers numerous benefits, including improved physical conditioning and flexibility, enhanced fitness, increased balance and coordination, development of competitiveness, and acquisition of combative skills. However, martial arts training requires dedication, consistency, and time, but much of what is taught is not generally “street” practical or effective.
During a single weekend women can learn to harness the adrenaline energy and develop the mindset to apply full force techniques to incapacitate an assailant.
Many women lack the time required to make a long-term commitment to effectively studying a martial art, thereby limiting its application in an actual attack. Martial arts schools often experience high dropout rates and inconsistent attendance, and most of what is learned are considered perishable skills, as they require continuous and repetitive review to remain effective.
Most importantly, students are usually not conditioned mentally, physically, or emotionally prepared for real street violence. Studying martial arts typically requires approximately two years of training, with four to six hours of practice per week, to become proficient in self-defense. But most women do not have three nights a week to learn how to defend themselves. Women work, attend school, have children to care for, and fulfill many other obligations.
If a woman does have the time, she will usually spend the majority of her training time practicing with other female students. A woman training with other women is unrealistic because she needs to learn how to defend herself against the size, strength, and speed of a man. But most male students who are serious about training and not there to win dates with the female students do not like to train with women because they cannot be as aggressive or as rough with a female training partner. Additionally, most women cannot present themselves as a threatening adversary, thus failing to provide their male partner with a challenging workout and learning experience. He, too, is training to defend himself against a violent male assailant.
The techniques taught in traditional martial arts classes may be ineffective because the training partner or instructor is not attacking at full speed and power. Realistically, the techniques cannot be practiced in full force, as that would defeat the purpose of training since everyone would become injured during practice. If a training partner playing the adversary role does not attack with a realistic intent to harm in class, they are doing their partner a grave disservice, as their partner will believe they possess untested skills.
Traditionally, martial arts have been designed from a man’s perspective of combat and do not adequately train women how to defend themselves against the kinds of attacks women are commonly subjected to. Males who attack females do not attack them the way they would attack a man. These males typically have an abusive personality.
When a male attacks a female to rape, he will force her to the ground to forcibly control and position her in a variety of possible sexual positions to physically complete the assault. However, the major problem with studying martial arts is the lack of emotional involvement in the training. Defending one’s self from a real attack is much more than trying to apply techniques practiced in class, especially when the assault is different from what they are accustomed to in class; panic sets in. Overall, studying the martial arts for self-defense is not ineffective for women seeking rape prevention.
Self Defense Training Courses
Many martial arts instructors with noble intentions often offer short self-defense courses, but they derive their techniques from their own martial arts style and discipline. Typical self-defense classes may teach some appropriate techniques, but women cannot practice in a realistic manner similar to the conditions sexual predators impose upon their victims.
Not all self-defense classes for women are effective for combating street crimes. The most important aspect of traditional women’s self-defense courses is the lack of research and specialized training on how women are victimized. Sometimes, martial artists will purchase protective equipment to train with their students. With noble intentions, this process is often flawed and may not provide a realistic or thorough understanding of progressive training to ensure student safety. Reality based self defense training in padded assailant courses is not all alike.
These courses usually do not deal with space and boundary issues realistically or the dynamics and phases of sexual assaults. This is a common tactic used by acquaintance rapists. Other women’s personal self-defense classes focus on escape, which is the desired objective but is not always possible. Considering the elements of Post-Traumatic Stress in students is another critical factor to consider in self-defense courses that martial arts typically do not address either.
Model Mugging student counterattacks the padded assailant full force during a weekend basic self-defense course.
Furthermore, the critical element of “real” fear is left out in the training process in self-defense for women. Each woman may learn wonderful techniques, but if the techniques are not used under “real” fear and under “real” stress, she often freezes in fear when attacked. Martial science uses methods that channel fear and program the body to operate in conditioned, no-thought state movements that allow automatic responses for women if they were actually attacked. Muscle memory takes over, using fear as an advantage.
There is just no way to become proficient at any of these things without some realistic practice. This is a truth not often practiced in most martial arts or self-defense classes, for obvious reasons, to prevent injuries. The advantages of using the padded assailant in training become obvious.
The emotional side of training requires exposure and experience within realistic scenarios. The terrifying images associated with sexual assault can be significantly lowered through repeated exposure that transforms one’s perceived fears into being less frightening. Instinctively, women react to the idea of assault with avoidance, but exposure can remove the sting of fear and develop modified responses to such threats.
Most women’s self-defense training courses focus on escape defense against strangers. Other real-world aspects of violence against women involve domestic violence or intimate partner abuse, stalking, and, more commonly, acquaintance rape. The dynamics of these crimes involve emotional attachments, living arrangements, children, finances, and many other factors where striking options commonly taught in personal defense classes may not be appropriate, and escape techniques could become even more dangerous. Additionally, the legal ramifications of using physical fighting skills must also be considered.
Click here for more information about choices in self-defense and recommendations for women choosing a self-defense course.
A recent Model Mugging self-defense class graduate and now instructor stated, “I’ve taken a few self-defense classes, and Model Mugging was the best by far because it was the most comprehensive program I have seen.”
Other links to assist in considering what to look for in a self-defense program: