I have skill and endurance, not size...

[drewtoby3]

Okay, I know Skill V. Muscle has been done before on this form a lot. My issue is this: I'm a long legged tall runner that weighs under 140 lbs, and I'm an adult

I know my main art Hapkido focuses on the smaller guy bringing down the bigger guy (one reason why I chose it). I feel know enough at the moment to bring down a larger untrained or partly-trained guy at the moment, but I would doubt I could defend against a larger trained aggressor. I mean I have great endurance from running and some skills from 6 years of hapkido training, but am unsure if I could make it work.

Would it ever be possible for someone like me to defend against a much larger and trained aggressor?

[hayesjames82]

I Think so, absolutely.....

Edited September 9, 2013 by hayesjames82

[Harkon72]

Yes, I'll give you an example; my wife is 5'2" and has only a few months Karate training, I'm almost 6' and have trained in Karate all my life. If she gets inside my reach and uses my height against me, I find myself on the mat or kitchen floor faster than I can react to her. It's not all about technique either; it can be attitude and controlled aggression that can defeat the largest, strongest opponent.

[drewtoby3]

I Think so, absolutely.......

IMO, self defense is all about speed, power and technique. In other words, if you are in a position that you need to protect yourself using your training, your awareness training should alert you to the possible danger that exist, and if an assault is eminent, you should strike first. With that being said just remember that on a larger person areas of attack that may be devastating on a smaller person may not be on a larger person due to the muscle mass protecting those parts of the body. But, there are parts of the body that are very vital regardless of size. So, with your training you would need to execute the proper striking techniques, with speed, power, and precision and you would definitely not have a problem with a larger person, trained or untrained.

Just remember, if you wait until your adversary is prepared to fight, and then you both engage at the same time, it is not self defense, it is mutual combat. ALSO, remember this..... in mutual combat, 90% of your training goes right out the window, because it then turns into either a boxing match, or a grappling match and then size is a very big factor in the outcome.

Just remember, in self defense, use the same judgment when it comes to executing a deadly technique, that you would use if you were protecting yourself with a firearm. Self defense is self defense regardless of whether it is hand to hand or with a weapon.

You just need to train long and hard I guess. The "squaring up" part is debatable though. If someone threatens you you can't turn your back and walk away. I had to square up defensively once. Luckily that guy never tried to strike me, but he was in guard and ready to

I guess a lot comes down to the vital target strikes.

[sensei8]

I'm a very firm believer that size shouldn't be of a concern for various reasons. Reason 1: Either you can or you can't defend yourself. Reason 2: Those of smaller statures are no less than those of taller/larger statures. Reason 3: Knowledge/skill/etc are paramount over size.

Additionally, don't be intimidated by size, if so, then you've already lost!! How so, Mizu No Kokoro and Tsuki No Kokoro!! Your mind must be empty of all doubts and/or confusions in order to execute said technique(s) effectively. And it's been said before, David slew that giant, and David was of a much smaller stature.

Heart will trump size and the like!!

IMHO!!

[CredoTe]

Most of any self-defense situation is mindset; indeed, most street fights are over before they start either due to deescalation or one side psyching out the other (intimidation / insertion of doubt).

As sensei8 says:

I'm a very firm believer that size shouldn't be of a concern for various reasons. Reason 1: Either you can or you can't defend yourself. Reason 2: Those of smaller statures are no less than those of taller/larger statures. Reason 3: Knowledge/skill/etc are paramount over size.

Additionally, don't be intimidated by size, if so, then you've already lost!! How so, Mizu No Kokoro and Tsuki No Kokoro!! Your mind must be empty of all doubts and/or confusions in order to execute said technique(s) effectively. And it's been said before, David slew that giant, and David was of a much smaller stature.

Heart will trump size and the like!!

IMHO!!

Indeed, your mindset will be affected by your heart; believe in yourself and believe in your training! Remember, real-world street defense is about survival, not "winning" or "beating" your opponent!

[hayesjames82]

...

Edited September 9, 2013 by hayesjames82

[CredoTe]

[...]

Every block is a blow, every blow is a break, and every break has a counter. Also, there is no such thing as a joint lock (we practice locks in the dojo) in real life situations they are joint breaks. Nothing pretty about combat.

Yes... For us there are joint locks; however, when we teach / train in joint locks, bars, grappling, etc, we also teach our students to turn them into breaks... That way we can apply the appropriate force for the situation.

[drewtoby3]

[...]

Every block is a blow, every blow is a break, and every break has a counter. Also, there is no such thing as a joint lock (we practice locks in the dojo) in real life situations they are joint breaks. Nothing pretty about combat.

Yes... For us there are joint locks; however, when we teach / train in joint locks, bars, grappling, etc, we also teach our students to turn them into breaks... That way we can apply the appropriate force for the situation.

Same here. Locks are easily turned into breaks/throws.

[sensei8]

Tell, for example, Morio Higgaonna, head of the IOGKF, that his size is a concern. I can list many noted MAists that are of a small stature in which size isn't a concern for them at all.