Some common myths of street fighting smashed.


Myth 1 - Size matters
Size is a natural advantage since its intimidating. But the advantage of size in actual street fight is over-rated.
Natural reflex, aggression, nimbleness and hitting the vulnerable spots are the key in a emotionally intensive confrontation.
But, AVOID going on the ground grappling with a bigger guy, because he can dominate with superior mass.
Myth 2 - Technique matters 
Its highly improbable that a technique learnt inside a dojo can be applied with 100% effectiveness, in a sudden fight.  One will be under adrenalin infused stress because of the unpredictable and dynamic nature of an ugly confrontation.
Its the reflexive adaptability of the technique which will be most natural and least contrived.
Myth 3 - Cool head will prevail
3 things matter in street fight - Aggression, aggression and more aggression.
As combat tested military and police officers have observed “Combat is 90% Attitude & 10% Technique"
Look aggressive, Act aggressive, feel aggressive..  and be spatially aware of the environment.
Myth 4 - "Everything happened SO suddenly!"
Things did NOT turn ugly suddenly. Its just that your antenna was not up and all the signals, of a situation becoming uglier, were ignored.
The concept of AOI (Ability, Opportunity, and Intent) has to be understood, especially if you are in a profession or lifestyle where exposure to violence is highly probable.
Another factor is the behaviour of the aggressor which indicates attack is imminent. Some of the common indicators are -
  • Facial expression (Knotted eyebrows, staring eyes, flared nostrils, pursed mouth)
  • Abusive language,
  • Reddish pallor if fair skinned or waxen grey if dark skinned
  • Invading your personal space
  • Unconsciously taking a stronger stance
  • Rolling up the shirt sleeve ( or macho gestures peculiar to the locality)
Thats why in KravMaga training, apart from techniques, lots of importance is given to sharpening the natural reflex, becoming aggressive, handling others' aggression and being spatially aware of the environment.
Remember the first rule of Krav-Maga?
NO RULES
.. since in the street there are NO rules  


S.SREERAM
Co-ordinator / Instructor
Chennai Chapter, Krav Maga (IKMF) India
Mobile: 93400 06600
www.kravmagachennai.com
...........................................................................

"So that one may walk in peace" ... Imi Lichtenfeld, Founder of KravMaga
TWEET - @kravMagaSreeRam

Comments

  1. RaghuSeptember 25, 2010 at 9:01 AM

    Wow nice writeup Jiju..for sharing this. i knew street fighting is an art but i slowly understand the science behind it.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

TCS staff's murder - Why it is too simplistic to blame IT/ITES companies!?

Image
Uma Maheswari  Uma Maheswari’s murder in Siruseri IT Park, Chennai has provoked lots of opinions in the media. The public take a vicarious pleasure in gleefully pointing a finger at the IT/BPO sector, “These IT companies don’t bother about their employees’ safety. They just want to make money.” My question to these people is simple. Atleast 5 to 6 lakh people are working in IT/ITES sector in Chennai and suburbs. Chennai population is 46 million with another 15 million working and residing in Chennai.. So we can say around 10% of Chennai population is working in IT related companies. The murder statistics point out that around 200 homicides happen in Chennai annually.  So how can one expect that such a big chunk of population, of which 30% are women, be insulated from crime?! Even by a simple back-of-the-envelope-calculation 2 lakh women are employed in IT/ITES sector. How can one expect that there cannot be an aberration?  If murders of IT women ...
Read more

The Dynamics of Police encounters - Part 2 The background of encountered criminals

Image
The Dynamics of Police encounters - Part 2 The background of encountered criminals - Venkatesh Pannaiyar This was an encounter which resulted in the transfer of the charismatic Vijayakumar IPS, the then Commissioner of Police, Chennai. Read on to understand how the police fight crime with one arm tied behind their back. Also how the media, which cant shed its caste and community prejudices, packed off an efficient officer from the state itself, in spite of delivering whatever assignment given to him. VENKATESH PANNAIYAR - THE BACKGROUND  The diminutive and nattily dressed Venkatesh Pannaiyar won’t physically fit the prevalent image of a don. But he is a product of generations of caste feud plaguing Southern TamilNadu. His family is from Moolakarai near Tuiticorin; an area with the dubious reputation for making country bombs and gun running. Venkatesh's uncle, grandfather - important elders of their community have been murdered by Dalits, when he was a boy. Venkate...
Read more

YES to Enthusiasm! NO to Burnout !

"Today I did 76 push-ups in one go." "I want to become a Black-cat Commando." "Sir, I want to be a cage fighter." I hear these kinds of statements often from newbies. My reaction is a smile with raised eyebrows, which I hope is seen as a subtle gesture of wisdom from a grand old master in a 70s kungfu movie!   ðŸ˜€ Actually, I am calculating "Will he drop off on the day 3 or day 7!" Point 1  Intense training is for professional athletes preparing for a specific event, at the cost of other aspects of life like job, relationships, travel and beer sessions with buddies. That is a zone which can become very lonely and inward. Are you aware and prepared for that?! Point 2  Is your body genetically suitable, your diet sufficient, you have financial resources to sustain that long dark tunnel which you have to walk alone, for 2 or 3 years?! Have you even thought through this? To have a productive life, avoiding physical and emotional ...
Read more