by Art Rabesa » Thu Jul 21, 2016 8:02 pm
Josann posted the question pertaining to the use of in fighting ability in a self defense situation two years ago. Since then, I've posted many topics and completed several lesson videos on the subject. Close quarter work is not viewed the same in MA circles. Some place too much on it, while others do not deal with it at all. That in itself is a good topic for debate. Getting back to Josann's original question of in fighting importance. My (hopefully unbiased) opinion is that it is very important. Because self defense is the great unknown. The mystery comes fast and clouded. Usually, you are thrust into another without any warning. There's no warning signal in the attacks reality. BAM! you're in it. No close quarter training?? There will be pushing and grabbing, and back peddling. Your hands are right there but your looking for a little more room. You practice punching and kicking in your classes, but this is not fair. You have to get some distance to get that kick off. You want to push away so you can deliver that punch you practice in the dojo. Well---I don't know if it will go down this way, but I bet I'm not to far off. Knowing how to work real close, and being able to hit hard real close, is missing for this victim. Seconds is what we are talking about here. That's usually all the time you have to figure out what you are able to do. You want hard boiled close quarter muscle memory snapping in NOW! You need strikes that will do lots of damage fast. Sometimes it's only one or two strikes. Do you want to finish him (or them), or get yourself out of there? Good infighting ability will give you a better chance to get that escape window open. Now --get the hell out of there. That's really what you're looking for. That's why I practice, and teach, close strikes. Not fighting, but close leg thrusts and power strikes. It takes practice like everything else we do in our training. However, this just might be needed more than anything else in your training. SO----that's why I've done so many close quarter videos. In hopes that it will aid in the training of infighting, or just to be able to hit hard close. A long answer to Josann's question, but you all know by now that I do not have short answers. I'm working on that. -------Happy Trails -----Art
Art Rabesa