Self-defense should be an important element of any martial arts training, but we should always remember that learning to “fight” is not necessarily learning to protect or defend oneself. In a self-defense or self-protection mindset, we don’t want to fight; rather, we want to remain safe and unharmed. It’s always better to avoid violence and conflict at all cost. But in this world, that is not always possible, and when violence becomes unavoidable, then it is important to know how to handle oneself in a violent confrontation. That is where the martial training comes in.
Yet, before we ever get to the point of violent confrontation, there are many things we can and should do to avoid conflict. This is the essence of self-defense or self-protection. The information that follows is a collection of notes from a free online course on self-protection offered by Wallace Smedley and can be accessed via Udemy. Please follow the link, sign up for the free course, and review the materials.
The notes below are intended as a supplement to this free online course. First, some introductory remarks:
We should make a clear distinction between “self-defense” and “self-protection.” Self-defense is a legal term that pertains to the legally permissible reasons for using violence against another person for the purposes of defending yourself against a violent attack or any action that seeks to do you or your loved ones harm. You should take it upon yourself to learn about the self-defense laws in your own area, and should you ever be involved in a violent altercation, you should be prepared to give an explanation for why you responded as you did.
Self-protection is a much broader term that pertains to psychological predispositions, physical actions, and habitual behaviors which seek to keep oneself safe from harm. Training for self-protection indeed involves martial arts training (specific techniques to be used in defense of oneself), but it also involves learning and training in other areas such as lifestyle choices, awareness, and attitude.
Know the law pertaining to self-defense and self-protection in your own area. Here the use of force for self-protection code for Pennsylvania. Disclaimer: this website is not administering legal counsel, and information found here is not intended as legal counsel. For legal advice, please consult an attorney.
