Self Defense Skills
We all know not to go around picking fights. However, the unfortunate reality is that avoiding violence may not always be possible. When it comes to developing real-world self defense skills, MMA for self defense offers many benefits over other styles of martial arts training. Realistically, we cannot predict the circumstances of a self defense situation. We also cannot predict the skillset of the attacker. Nevertheless, there are certain attacks and positions that are universal to many hand-to-hand combat scenarios. MMA training does not cover every possible violent situation. However, the fundamental skills of MMA will give you the basic tools you need to defend yourself.
The biggest benefits of MMA training for self defense are:
- Inclusion of a wide range of unarmed techniques
- Developing the skill set to deal with worst-case scenarios
- Live sparring to apply the techniques under pressure
Once you know MMA fundamentals, you have a foundation to expand your knowledge into additional training. Additionally, you can integrate MMA skillsets and mindset training. Proper training will help you avoid physical encounters and de-escalate before situations become violent. Further on, we will discuss some weaknesses in sport MMA training for self defense. We will also go over as well as some strategies for dealing with these weaknesses. This ensures your MMA skills apply to real-world encounters.
Overview of MMA Skills for Self Defense
Martial arts such as BJJ and Muay Thai have specific guidelines on illegal and legal techniques. On the other hand, MMA has a much broader range of skills and a looser ruleset. The typical rules in modern MMA competition still prohibit certain techniques such as eye-gouging, groin attacks, and biting. Luckily the types of attacks allowed still cover virtually every category of unarmed combat technique. Furthermore, MMA is unique in that it covers all ranges of hand to hand combat. From the outside kicking range through punching, clinching, and ground fighting – a skilled mixed martial artist will be comfortable fighting in any of these ranges.
The typical skillset in most MMA curriculums will include the following skills:
- Kicking techniques
- Punching techniques
- Knee and elbow strikes
- Grappling and striking in the clinch
- Grappling and clinching against a wall or fence
- Ground fighting using strikes and submissions
In terms of self defense, you will need a subset from each of these categories to ensure you are adequately prepared for most self defense situations.
Self Defense in Worst-Case Scenarios
If you’ve done your research on self defense, you probably know that your first line of defense should be running away. Nevertheless, this begs the question: what if you are in a situation where you physically cannot escape? There are two main examples that illustrate this situation. Specifically, when your back is against a wall and when you have an attacker on top of you.
Back Against the Wall
Having your back pinned against a wall with your attacker in front of you is a dangerous proposition. Not only does this prevent you from running away, but it also allows your attacker to select the fighting range since you cannot create distance by backing up or using footwork. Furthermore, if the attacker is pushing against you, you are vulnerable to a number of devasting strikes such as knees and elbows that can put you out of commission if landed properly. Fortunately, MMA grappling has a variety of wrestling and clinching techniques designed to reverse this situation and regain position if you are pinned on the fence. Grappling against the fence is different than grappling in an open space, and must be trained as a separate, albeit related skillset. Understanding the dynamics of head positioning, under hooking, and pummeling techniques will allow you to not only survive and escape being pinned against a wall but can allow you to use the wall against your attacker and facilitate your escape. These skills are part-and-parcel of MMA fundamentals. Learning and drilling just a few basic techniques from this skillset will allow you to escape a situation that could otherwise cost you your life.
An Attacker on Top of You
While having your back against the wall is bad, having an attacker on top of you is arguably the worst possible position you could be in. Not only are you prohibited from running away, but you are also fighting the full mass of your opponent as well as the full force of gravity with virtually no ability to return fire. Being mounted or even in the bottom guard position leaves you fully vulnerable to devasting ground-and-pound attacks. If you are on a hard surface such as pavement, you are also liable to get your head slammed repeatedly into the floor, which can easily result in an untimely and brutal death.
Unfortunately, if you find yourself on your back in a fight, there is a good chance you are going to take some damage. Nevertheless, the basic MMA skills integrated from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and wrestling will allow you to escape from a mounted position and stand up once you have recovered your guard. In fact, a skilled MMA practitioner can rapidly turn this situation around on the attacker if the attacker lands on them during the initial chaos of the fight. Furthermore, with a honed submission game, you have the option of attacking off your back. You can potentially end the fight from there. If you can recover guard and scramble to your feet, you will have a chance to escape. These are just two worst-case-scenarios that can occur during a fight. However, they are universal to nearly any physical encounter. You must have the skills to defend yourself and escape when pinned on the wall or floor.
Live Sparring MMA for Self Defense
While training techniques for self defense is great, all the shadowboxing, pad work, and drilling in the world will not be effective unless you can apply it against a live, resisting opponent. Live sparring is part-and-parcel of legitimate MMA training and will allow you to pressure-test the skills you have been drilling in a relatively safe and controlled environment. Additionally, the fact that you are training against a partner who is using realistic techniques means you will be ready for opponents who do not have a firm grasp of fighting skills. If you can defend against a trained opponent throwing efficient, effective attacks at you, you will be well-prepared to resist someone who does not know how to fight and is accustomed to dealing with untrained victims.
The intensity of training that is typical in most MMA sparring will help you keep your head on straight under the pressure of physical violence. We have all heard the classic Mike Tyson quote - “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth” – and it holds true across martial disciplines. Being able to respond effectively under real pressure is the key to making your MMA self defense technique work in a real situation.
Downsides to MMA for Self Defense
At NJ Training Grounds, we believe that MMA provides an effective set of real-world self defense skills that can prepare you for the realities of a fight. With that being said, there are a few downsides to training only MMA for self defense. Of course, we still think you should be training MMA. However, understanding the limitations of mixed martial arts training will allow you to better adapt the physical skills towards self defense situations.
The main limitations of MMA training for self defense are the following:
- Lack of weapons training
- Does not address multiple attackers
- Not discussing legal ramifications of violent encounters
- Requires a mindset shift from competition to self defense
Weapons Training
MMA is the art of unarmed hand-to-hand combat. Unfortunately, weapons are a reality of physical violence. From firearms to blades and blunt instruments, there is a good chance you may have to deal with an armed attacker. However, this does not negate the need for knowledge in unarmed techniques. After all, you should know how to fight with the tools you and your opponent will have at your disposal. With a firm grasp of unarmed combat, you will be able to explore other forms of training and better integrate them into the skillset you already have. If you cannot fight someone who is unarmed, then you’re going to be even more screwed if they do have weapons. As such, we recommend branching out into some form of weapons training or simply being aware of the ranges and threats posed by guns, knives, and blunt force weapons. There is not enough time to master every conceivable weapon out there, but if you know how to handle yourself in an unarmed situation, you are leagues ahead of someone who does not.
Multiple Attackers
Another common criticism of MMA training for self defense is that it does not prepare you to deal with multiple attackers. Traditionally, MMA focuses on fighting a single opponent. The unfortunate reality is that even a skilled martial artist may be in trouble if faced with multiple determined attackers. The good news is that the skills you will learn in MMA apply to fundamental hand-to-hand combat. These include distance management, range, and being able to circle, move, and evade. Collectively these skills will allow you better mobility in a fight involving multiple attackers. In self defense, you must avoid getting surrounded. If you do not know how to manage distance against a single opponent, you’re pretty much done for if more than one guy comes at you.
A self defense-oriented MMA program will include drills involving multiple attackers. In many cases, these drills will show you how important it is to avoid confrontation in the first place. Furthermore, you will realize that you are not likely to defeat more than one attacker in a fight. However, you will learn to see gaps in the opponents’ line, manage the distance under pressure, and work to find an escape route when faced with the prospect of a back-alley beatdown. Good movement and distance management principles are universal, and MMA curriculum can teach you these skills for a range of situations.
Legal Ramifications of Violence
It is far too common for self-defense training to focus heavily on the physical aspect. When training MMA for self-defense, you must understand the legal ramifications of violence. We would all like to believe that we are the obvious good guy in any situation. Unfortunately, when the cops show up at the scene, they may not see it this way. This is especially true if there are no witnesses or cameras showing the initial encounter. As such, beating a guy to a pulp or breaking his arm can quickly land you in jail. Even if he was the one instigating the fight, you can end up in legal trouble. As an informed citizen you must understand what you can and cannot do in a physical encounter. You must also how to deal with law enforcement after the fact. If your instructor does not cover this, you should familiarize yourself with local laws regarding self-defense. These laws vary state-to-state and country-to-country. Talk to law enforcement and look up the local codes. You might consider a discussion with a legal expert to understand when you have the right to use violence. A good lawyer can inform you of what to say when you are talking to first responders.
Mindset Shift from Competition to Self Defense
As a combat sport, MMA focuses on beating an opponent within a specific timeframe. The skills needed to achieve victory in an MMA fight apply to self defense. Nevertheless, it is vital that you adjust your mindset from competition to self defense. Unlike sanctioned cage-fighting, self defense is about escaping the situation with as little fighting as possible. This can mean turning around and running. However, it may require significant violence before you can safely exit the situation. In either case, you do not have time to ‘feel out’ your opponent as seen in professional MMA. You cannot overlook this mindset shift when training MMA for self defense. If you are a beginning MMA student, you are probably not getting into the nitty-gritty of competition MMA. Nevertheless, you should be working to integrate your new skills into the mindset needed for real-world self defense.
MMA Training for Self Defense
By now, you understand how training MMA can benefit you for learning self defense. Furthermore, you are familiar with some of the weaknesses of MMA training for self defense. You understand the need to compensate for these to ensure your skillset applies to real-life. Hopefully, we have convinced you of the benefits of MMA for self defense. If you are serious about protecting yourself, we recommend doing a trial MMA class as soon as possible!