Reaper6

We just knock them down.

Thanks all!

It definitely requires training to not think like a victim in the face of violence. Also sharpening awareness skills is pretty major. Being able to see some physical cues, body language, verbal, and other signs aids in prevention before situations escalate in some instances.

Wish I was in the UK, I'd love to train with you guys. Not only knowledgeable, but you sound like "good people" OSU!

Wouldn't right shin block be hidari sune uke, I thought hiza was the knee. Sorry if I'm wrong, haven't used Japanese terminology in some time.

I agree anger should be controlled. Sounds like you're a protector personality (not a bad thing), you injected yourself into an outside situation that had not yet become violent. I myself would have likely not involved myself, and let it play out a bit longer, if I got involved at all. I'm not saying you were wrong in your actions, just that there are different responses depending on the personality type you happen to be. I mention it because in a self defense scenario knowing your own mental/emotional makeup aids you in your self defense decision making.

In the beginning... When you decide to undertake training, be it wrestling, boxing, or any of the numerous styles of martial art. You do not necessarily have to have a direction. Perhaps you want to compete, or lose weight or be able to defend yourself. Whatever the reason, all are valid. When you decide that you either wish to start learning Self Defense, or wish to use what you've learned to that end, a lack of direction will not do. The focus now has to be brought to bear on the reality of violent attack, and the "realistic" means to defend it. It's not about points or competition anymore, it's about survival. It's a fact that there are several techniques and training methods within the martial arts that are not conducive to surviving an attack. On the opposite side of the same coin, there are many techniques that do serve well to save your life. When undertaking Self Defense, you have to strip away the techniques that are not valid, and hone the ones that are. This is just the beginning. Know your enemies... No matter what style you've chosen, or what technique you've developed, if you do not understand what you are facing you can end up dead or severely injured. If you are not prepared for the amount of remorseless violence heading your way you're a goner for sure. It is not a natural act to kill within your own species merely for the sake of killing, and yet it happens everyday. The violent criminal doesn't care about nature, and is often addicted to violence, and uses violence for violence's sake. Isn't there an upside? After all won't martial arts training give me an advantage? in a word, no. Not only is there no upside, the stark reality is the thug generally has the advantage. As martial artist, most of us believe in things such as honor and integrity, and as such, we are law abiding citizens. This doesn't afford most of us the opportunity to have a lot of real fight experience, and we don't want to harm anyone. Mr badguy on the other hand probably has fought 100's of times, and engages in violent acts everyday. This person knows how to intimidate and is completely fearless. If you do not train specifically for this type of encounter, 20+ years of martial arts experience can fail you. This is not a statistic people, its a cold hard fact. Get your head in the game... In the realm of Self Defense we must all become psychologists. Not only studying the mind of your attacker, but your own as well. The fact is the mind we are graced with is pre-programmed to respond like a victim. While its true that anatomically the body does take steps to preserve life in traumatic situations, these do not necessarily aid in self defense. If you do not become very accustomed to the mental, emotional, and chemical reactions taking place in the midst of a violent attack, they will control you, and hinder you instead of helping you. Understand fear... One of the reasons fear can incapacitate us is because we have not been trained to understand it, so it can be utilized in a positive way. Uncontrolled fear breeds negative results, but in order to better control fear, you have to understand it. I use the acronym F.E.A.R.- False Expectations About Reality. This is the dark side of fear. The mind play that ensues when you became afraid. An unchecked untrained mind will make the reality of any situation appear far worse than it is, and if it truly is bad, it certainly doesn't help us to make it worse. Doing so will decrease our ability to react properly to violent stimuli. With training we can better understand fear and create a positive response, transforming fear into an entirely new acronym. F.E.A.R.- Face Every Attack Realistically. From Lamb to Lion... Now that we understand our fear, and no longer think as a victim, we are starting to crawl out of the hole a bit and can begin to see the light. Now there is another hurdle to pass. We must become the predator. We must completely be able to do whatever is required to regain our safety or the safety of our loved ones. All of these areas can be expanded upon, and this was just a summary of some of the things I've pondered about Self Defense. I welcome all to add to this and contribute as much as you like. These were just some thoughts of mine, and how I break down Self Defense training to my students. Thanks.

Welcome Michael!

That's wonderful, I trained at the World Oyama Hombu Dojo in Alabama under Saiko Shihan Yasuhiko Oyama. Welcome again! OSU!

Welcome Brigitte!

Indeed! Here in Birmingham AL, there are two excellent knock-down tourneys a year. Oh, and thanks for the welcome!

Thank you Sir! There is some excellent information here.

Thanks! I've enjoyed it here so far.

I'm a little out of my element when it comes to MMA, so I have a few questions. Is MMA trademarked in some way, where it is assumed that Muay Thai, and BJJ are a must have style to be considered MMA? Can any combination of styles be considered MMA? I haven't trained for competition since back in my Judo days in California, but I'll use myself as an example. Say I did wish to fight in competition, with my background in Judo, Kyokushin Karate, and JKD would I be considered an MMA fighter? I'm just more curious to see if its become sort of a marketing catch phrase to bring in students, or is it a very specific combination of particular styles only, that can be considered MMA.

Off-shoot of Villari. I started with United Studios of Self Defense under Kevin McAllister and Master Richard Black, both of which were trained by Professor Charley Mattera. USSD kind of stagnated though. They haven't evolved like the Villari tree did. My current master is Master Claude Paquette (7th Dan) who was trained by Thomas Ingargiola. I was awarded Shodan by Master Andy Chryssolor (USSD) and (hopefully) will be awared Nidan by Master Claude Paquette when he finds me ready (I'm really not in a hurry.) I've got an interesting lineage So now I believe my association is Kempo Jutsu-Kai International. Thanks, when you're ready, I hope you make it! Speaking of differeing associations, look at Kyokushin after the death of Mas Oyama. It has more splinters than a saw mill!