For all the importance we place on learning how to fight and defend ourselves, the martial arts should at their core, teach that it is best not to get into a fight in the first place.
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There are dojo and instructors that just teach fighting as self-defense! With no consideration taken to other important aspects of self-defense; awareness, de-escalation and escape.
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Recently a student from another dojo we know through social media, stated that he HAS to fight. He knew no other way. “I have been taught to fight.”
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My belief is that there is not enough emphasis placed upon situational awareness, avoidance, de-escalation and conflict management…… Let’s just pad up and fight. Right? …Keep those hands up high now!
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Self-defense has very little in common with sparring in the dojo or a competitive match. In a real fight, there are NO rules. You never know what your opponent is capable of doing, or whether they’re armed, or whether street fighting is part of their “day-job”, or whether they have accomplices.
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Justice too may not be on your side.
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Of course, when our lives are threatened we need to take positive, incisive action. But there’s no point in risking injury or death if you can prevent it.
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Be aware, avoid, de-escalate, escape. There’s never a point in a street fight unless you KNOW it is a life or death situation, or it just CANNOT be avoided.
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If necessary, swallow your pride, ESCAPE….. Running is a good skill too. And this should be practiced alongside other self-defense skills.
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In most fights, the outcome is inconsequential for either person, the only thing the winning fighter gains is subjective pride and the possibility of material possession. For this reason, risking medical bills, possible criminal charges, your employment, injury, your life, are just not worth it in most cases. Fighting should always be the last answer to a problem, not the first. 
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