Chapter 7: Self-Defense (Before, During and After)

Here is the crux of seeking out defense-protection through the martial arts, a good deal of what is advertised as, “Self-defense,” is “NOT Self-defense.” How can that be you say because there is a ton of ads out there professing the very best and successful teachings of self-defense? It is a simple yet complicated matter and the answer is easy yet hard, easy to spell out but very, very hard to find. 

First, self-defense is a type of misnomer in that in the martial art and karate communities it is thought of as a method or means of teaching one certain techniques to utilize against certain attack techniques to defend yourself against an aggressor/attacker. That is a misnomer because self-defense is not a way to achieve, self-defense, it is a legal term. This is why within these pages you will come across the term, “defense-protection or protection-defense, etc.,” because that is what I teach and advocate to meet the legal systems requirements of, “Self-Defense.” 

Second, what is taught as self-defense is only a small part of the whole that is true self-defense, legally and morally. The most important part of defense-protection is first knowing the ramifications should you need to apply your skills regardless of whether martial in nature, karate or the use of other tools such as firearms. The before requirements are necessary to lay the groundwork such as defining the legal term self-defense then coming up with the strategies and tactics, not necessarily the physical manifestation, necessary in complying with the legal and legal systems self-defense requirements, standards and legal definitions. There is a body of knowledge that must be studied and understood in order to ensure you successful application of self-defense law. There are certain understanding and manifestations of traits, etc., necessary to apply adequately before it comes to the physical necessities. There is more and that will be covered in later chapters. 

Third, what most SD courses focus exclusively on is the physical techniques taught as self-defense. Even that aspect is missing some very critically important components such as example, “applying methodologies under the stressors of the attack and its resulting adrenal chemical dump.” 

Fourth, the aftermath are those ramifications and consequences that come at you, as another type of predatory attack but from our very social legal systems, that will devastate you, your family and your tribe if you don’t know and understand them and act, plan and apply accordingly. Examples are the mind-set and management requirements of the first responders to the scene, the police. If you failed to include certain defense-protection components such as articulation of the situation and events then you are headed toward a longer and more damaging end result than simply defending against an aggressor. 

People who are taking up martial arts and karate, especially for defense-protection, will find the number three permeated throughout the studies and practices. One example is the concept of “shu-ha-ri,” and we will find that concept to apply, the three symbolically speaking, to the triad of defense-protection, I.e., the before, the during and the after.