Finding a excellent self defense instructor

Martial arts training is a billion-dollar industry. Anyone seeking martial arts/self-defense training should be aware of this. However, when desiring specific training such as self-defense, one should be cautious to avoid getting caught up in programs that take them in a direction other than what they seek and get caught up with an expensive payment contract.

Dealing with a confrontation on the streets differs from that in a traditional martial arts class, and the fight is never what or where you think it will be. There are also the liability consequences for protecting yourself. The attacker will often present themselves as innocent and portray you as the aggressor when confronted by authorities. 

Before seeking a self-defense instructor, you should know what you want and how much commitment you are willing to invest in yourself. Be realistic; you will never be the fastest, the strongest, the biggest, or the most skilled because there will always be someone better. Do you want to learn techniques that only work when you are at your peak, or would you prefer to learn defensive principles that can last a lifetime?

Choosing an instructor: Consider the self-defense instructor's background and training when seeking an instructor. There are excellent technical instructors for learning techniques; they demonstrate sharp and crisp movements that seem flawless and effortless. It is easy to be wowed by the cool stuff. The next thing you know, you will be signing that contract. Ask the instructor about their life experience and confrontations they or their students have survived (if any) and ask if they teach students how to articulate their actions to authorities; ask if they teach how to defend against threats with common weapons like knives, guns, and clubs when running away is not an option. Finally, ask if you can observe the class. Please look for the student(s) who recently signed up and have been training for the past two months; if you like what you see, it is a start.

If you are looking for strictly self-defense training, consider looking for training that fits into your lifestyle and needs. One type of training does not fit all. For example, some clients may carry concealed firearms. Does the training integrate concealed firearms tactics into the self-defense course? Does the training address managing your personal space? What drills are incorporated to address the issue of fear and managing stress? You are in the wrong class if the training promotes fighting over running away. If you are spending a lot of time punching (boxing) than throwing elbows and knees, you are in the wrong class; if you are spending lots of time grappling on the ground, you are in the wrong class - grappling is a skill vs. skill art and is designed for one and one confrontation. However, ground fighting is an excellent resource to pull from if you are tackled or pinned on the ground; the last thing you want to do in a street fight is to stay on the ground. Staying on the ground limits one's ability to escape an attacker, makes you vulnerable, and invites others to stomp on your head. Finally, if the instructor is teaching deadly force (for example, chokeholds) to address a minor confrontation, they are demonstrating their lack of knowledge about the law and liability risks. Therefore, you are in the wrong class.

An excellent self-defense instructor understands that small movements are better than being fast, especially when the defender is defending - they know that small movements stay with you regardless of your age while speed is fleeting; they know how to capitalize on momentum and leverage to overcome power and strength, especially when the defender is smaller and weaker than the assailant; An excellent self-defense instructor understand the importance of blunt force trauma and fluidity of movement and teach students how to use OODA (Observe, Orientate, Decide, Act) to their advantage. They prepare students to defend against common street attacks before engaging in more refined and complex drills. Finally, they know that teaching self-defense in the silent void of the classroom is not as effective as teaching one to protect themselves in the noise of life - the noise of life replicates the fear and stress of reality. 

When you learn self-defense, you learn to manage threats with situational awareness, words, posture, and action as a last resort. In self-defense, if you are not cheating, you trained wrong. 

In conclusion, know what you want and ensure your commitment and desires are realistic, and the instructor can fulfill that need. Then, make a small investment in a month-to-month program or attend a workshop before getting into a long-term contract. Educating yourself about staying safe does not always have to be hands-on, but a few hands-on applications will help support that foundation of knowledge. 

Written by,

Alex Smith, Just Tactics LLC