Martial Science In Self Defense Training
Martial Science
Martial Science began as a result of developing realistic and proper self-defense training for women after a woman concurrently training as a black belt in Karate could not protect herself from a criminal attack. She was violently beaten and raped. She returned to her martial arts school and was told she needed to train harder. She left the school and was also denied assistance from one of her fellow black belt students.
Self-defense student defends against padded assailant.
Model Mugging is the original application of martial science, revolutionizing self-defense training through the use of a padded assailant, allowing for full impact self-defense training. Model Mugging involves much more than using a padded assailant. Model Mugging Founder, Matt Thomas, applied the term martial science to describe his synthesis of Eastern and Western teaching principles into a system of teaching options for fighting back against criminals, especially sex offenders. From the beginning, Model Mugging was a martial science, not a martial art.
The evolution of martial science originated from the hypothesis that martial arts were not effectively taught for real-world street violence. When a black belt martial artist could not stop a rapist’s violent assault, she returned to her black belt class and was told to train harder by her instructor. Instead of receiving assistance and comfort, she was scolded for failing her martial art. This survivor was mugged three times. The first was literally by the rapist, the second time symbolically by her instructor, and then the third was a self-mugging of her self-worth.
The research identified the failure and also uncovered the answers. Model Mugging was founded on applied research from multiple disciplines and has continued to evolve through ongoing research. Model Mugging continues to evolve, applying improved teaching methodologies to maximize each student’s mind-body-spirit performance.
Martial Science is NOT Combining Various Martial Art Systems
The term martial science is used to describe the study of different martial arts or sometimes the testing of fighting techniques. Further, some universities are now offering degrees in martial arts.
Instead, the original application of martial science was developed by Matt Thomas, who synergized numerous disciplines that evolved into Model Mugging by extracting elements from traditional sciences and applying them to the teaching process. The science was helping students develop basic but realistic martial skills.
Self-defense student fights back against padded assailant in martial science program.
The naming of the Model Mugging system began as a “Role Model Mastery” program. Role Model Mastery was tested by psychologist Albert Bandura, who studied changes in self-efficacy and agency by applying techniques to help people overcome phobias, such as an intense fear of snakes or flying. In the case of Model Mugging, it was designed to overcome the fear of combat, overcome the freeze reaction, and turn fear into power. Related to women, overcoming the fear of attack also aligns with the original construct of role model mastery, which is how Model Mugging derived its name.
Martial science synthesizes various separate fields of science and professional studies into a comprehensive approach that integrates mind, body, and spirit for fighting back against an assailant. Extracting practical applications from many sciences is then applied to human dynamics in meta-communication and boundary setting. The biological sciences of physiology, kinesiology, endocrinology, neurophysiology, and sexology are applied to improving students’ kinetic skills when under the stress of an assault. Interpersonal effectiveness in conflict resolution, as taught in Model Mugging, draws its success from anthropology, history, primatology, sociology, mythology, and especially psychology. The dynamics of crime are also involved in strategies and tactics for developing options that apply aspects of criminology, law enforcement, law, military sciences, and victimology. Many facets of the martial arts are interwoven within the applied fighting skills practiced within the Model Mugging martial science program.
Martial science first requires determining what is relevant, then analyzing potential options, and third, applying proper training. After analyzing crime, self-defense, and fighting, especially for women, become very simple, effective, and empowering. The Five Principles of Self Defense © are an embodiment of applying decades of martial science research and full-force self-defense teaching experience.
Martial Science Is the Teaching Process in Realistic Self Defense
Martial science involves teaching and developing the fighting spirit in students to protect themselves without inhibitions, allowing them to utilize their skills to full force naturally. Applying the principles of martial science is the most effective method for self-defense training, especially when training women in self-defense. Research qualifies the curriculum and is not an accumulation of martial arts techniques. The science is in the presentation and learning involved in the curriculum. What many students benefit from in Model Mugging classes is the result of applying science to the teaching process, which maximizes the development of human performance within a shortened period.
One facet of martial science is when Model Mugging students strike the padded assailant.
Martial science is more than just applying martial arts techniques when teaching or learning self-defense. Many martial arts practitioners see the protective suit and want to test their skills against it. Full-contact or full-force self-defense in simulated scenarios involves more than just wearing protective body armor and having students practice strikes. The concept of wearing protective body armor was established as a tool that applied other principles of teaching and learning beforehand. Founder Matt Thomas applied martial science in 1971, creating the 1/3 mind, 1/3 body, and 1/3 spirit approach to teaching a course initially designed for rape defense. Model Mugging principles can be applied to teaching men and children as well as carry over to other types of instruction.
The mixture of practicing basic martial skills with a methodical presentation structure provides a journey for each student that they find empowering. Many survivors of violent crimes find this journey, where they can face and overcome their fears, very therapeutic. Model Mugging is not therapy but has been a tool used to assist in individual breakthroughs. Martial science encompasses training the entire being of a person, encompassing both mental and physical aspects, as well as emotional development. There is a science to working with violence, and by the end of the self-defense class, graduates find more peace and joy in their lives.
There are many dynamics of martial science involved in this role model mastery program, which is described in various sections of this website, including Why Model Mugging is different. Martial science has evolved as a methodology of instruction and learning principles synthesized from a myriad of academic and martial disciplines, resulting in the most advanced and effective full-impact self-defense program available.
Applying the tactics and techniques of realistic crime prevention measures is also an essential factor in martial science.
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