Ok, I love Combat Sports! I watch submission Grappling matches, MMA, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Boxing you name it, I watch it. I also work in a profession where violence can happen on any shift and at any time. While there are similarities between real world violence and Combat Sports the two are very different. When someone walks into a cage or is rolling on the mats, in the ring, etc. there are mutually agreed upon rules, maybe a ref and an expectation that no one will be seriously hurt for life. On the street there is none of that. No one guaranteed to stop a violent situation. It could be a violent action by one individual or an entire group. It could be an empty handed situation or weapons could be involved. There are simply so many unpredictable factors that the violence involved is just different. It could be preplanned violence or criminal activity or it could be spontaneous. It’s interesting in that I have a heavy background in some sporting martial systems but I most frequently rely on some of the old Bujutsu during encounters. Specifically the training geared towards the mental aspects. The following video is one I have posted before. This video deals with being able to see the precursors to real world violence and this is essential training.

The next video is pretty good too.

Quite a bit of talking here but mixed with live video.

This last one is slick. Just narration of live video of an attack.

Sport vs Personal Protection or Combat all require a strong mind and body. The violence may be different but if you train any of the arts you give yourself an advantage. Yet, your mindset is critical… Recognizing the differences between getting in a cage over something happening anywhere at anytime when your life may be on the line is essential! Cage skills can certainly help you in a violent situation but you have to be able to understand the difference between being in a violent sport and real world violent encounter!

See You On The Mats!!!