How To Pick A Self-Defense Program

I recently conducted some specific combative training for a company, where upon completion, I was asked the question that so many have asked me before, “What is the best self-defense system for me?” This is one of those questions that is not simply answered, at least not if you actually care about how well that person is eventually trained. It is also my impression this question is being raised more and more among an ever widening and diverse population due to the state of affairs of the world which makes it an even more important topic to address. Therefore, I write this article to offer my beliefs on what to look for when searching out a quality program that will serve your needs.

Top 6 things to assess a Self-Defense program/system for.

Instructor credibility

Doing research is the obvious place to start. When considering different programs, you should also consider the instructors. Ideally, the instructors will have a combination of real world experience as well as a varied background in different areas such as = martial arts, combatives, military and/or law enforcement. Look at referrals, endorsements and reviews of the instructors and courses. These days simply googling a name of an endorsing party can reveal a wealth of information. Do some digging. Is the person endorsing this instructor his neighbor? Is it his brother-n-law? Look for obvious signs of fraudulent claims. On the other hand, you may reveal endorsements or referrals from sound and reputable places. There is also nothing wrong with simply calling the instructor to inquire about the class and ask about their experience. You may be able to get a sense of that person’s personality and gauge how you may interact with that person.

Principle Based

I may be biased here based on my own experience as well as others I respect in the industry. There are, at the elementary level, two train of thoughts on how a system or program is designed. These two methods are Principle Based and Technique Based.

Principle based programs will emphasize learning the “why”. By this I mean learning why the tactics or techniques taught in this program work in order to help you eventually be able to apply the same principles to countless scenarios. For Instance, by teaching joint locks in the fashion of principles you may learn something like how manipulating a joint, such as the wrist, ‘past the point of inflection, past the point of extension or in a direction it was not intended to go’, you will be effecting a joint lock. Now you have a principle that will affect a joint lock in numerous joints in various scenarios.  

Technique based programs will emphasize learning numerous different techniques for numerous types of scenarios. In keeping with the joint lock example, a technique based program will attempt to train you in many different techniques as they apply to all different joints (wrists, ankles, elbows, knees etc..) and in different scenarios. The problem I see with these programs, and I have taken many, is there are simply too many techniques to master. At least not in the time most have train.   

Multidimensional

By multidimensional I am referring to a system that prepares you not only for the escapes from chokes, holds, and empty-handed conflicts but also when facing an edged or handheld weapon, stand up as well as ground tactics. When addressing this in your research you can also discover if this is a principle based or technique based system. If, in your research through YouTube or otherwise, you discover there are multiple techniques for “this but not that”, or “if it’s that, then it’s this” then it’s time to move on. Sure, there may be exceptions but for the most part the principles and fundamentals of a system or program should be seen regardless of threat.  

5 factor assessment

I have what I call the 5-factor assessment by which I test any principle, tactic or technique I think about teaching before putting into curriculum. The 5-factor assessment is as follows:

1. Effective
2. Easy to learn
3. Easy to retain
4. Easy to practice
5. Easily executed

If any tactic or technique I want to teach does not meet these criteria it is sidelined until I can work it out. One way to test this theory on a prospective system or program is to ask for a free session or to meet and go over the program to see if it’s a good fit. Any instructor I have ever come across are more than happy to demonstrate a tactic, technique or principle. Once you try it you can assess for yourself if it meets these criteria and check this step off your list.

Personal Fit

This step has been touched on in all the previous ones but still deserves to be mentioned. Obviously, we all do not have the same body types, personalities, and physical abilities. Therefore, it should be pretty clear there is not one “best’ program for everyone, despite any claims they may say otherwise. Trust me, if there was “A” system to learn that defeated anything and everyone…. I’d be the first to sign up! As I mentioned before, almost every program or system has numerous videos and media presence for one to view and get a “feel” for the program. If that isn’t enough see if you can attend a class even if just to observe and see if it seems right for you.

Longevity

Finally, there is longevity. Longevity, for purposes of this subject, refer to your ability to attend refresher courses, train regularly with others, and as mentioned in the assessment, be able to retain the information for a satisfactory period of time. Conversely, beware of brevity! Please, please don’t sign up for those one hour wonder self-defense courses. I promise you will be wasting your time, your money and more importantly your safety!

While there are many other aspects to making this decision, it is my hope this information will help anyone who is wrestling with the idea to attend a course and also help those who may be intimidated by attending a course. I know for me, this will help as when I am asked again, “What self-defense system would be best for me?” I can send them to this article!

Take Care and Be Good!

Joe