The 5 s's

Regardless of what system or style you train in (as long as it has a combative base) I see 5 specific areas that you can improve upon to give yourself a better chance on the street.

1. Speed

Speed is always an advantage. There has been a lot of discussion over the years as how to (if at all) improve the speed that you can punch, strike or kick.

Like anything else practice will help but there are definitely some genetics at work here. It has to do with the amount of fast twitch or slow twitch muscles you have. Something you really can't change.

You can improve your technique for speed and that can be practiced and improved. The main thing you want to focus on is being relaxed as you strike. Let's use the straight punch as an example.

Make a very tight fist and with the other hand feel the muscles in the forearm, upper arm and shoulder. You will see that they are all quite tight. So one trick in punching or striking faster is trying to keep your hand relaxed until the moment of impact.

Think of keeping your hand closed but loose then snatch the fist tight at the very end. Use the mental metaphor of trying to catch a fly. Snapping your loose fist out quickly and then closing it quickly at the end.

Geoff Thompson, if you ever watched him, appears as if he never makes a fist when he hits.

You can sometimes hang a very light target and just work on trying to hit as quickly as possible not being concerned with power.

2. Strength

Do you have to be real strong to defend yourself on the street? No, not all, but it certainly can't hurt.

Having good core strength or strong legs or upper body (providing you aren't muscle bound and slow as molasses) can be a distinct advantage if you are attacked.

I am a big fan of static contraction training as it has proven to increase strength quickly and measurably. Read more about strength training in general and static contraction in particular.

3. Stamina

If you have not had the opportunity to watch a street fight that has gone longer than a minute or two then let me tell you how exhausting real fighting can be.

When the adrenaline starts pumping and a couple of people are going at it all out, major exhaustion usually hits within a minute or less. Sometimes within just a few seconds.

The better physical condition you are in aerobically, the better your chances of not running out of gas when you need it. On the other hand if it takes more than a minute to defend yourself and your attacker is exhausted you will have a distinct advantage.

4. Surprise

If you can surprise your attacker it can add greatly to your ability to defend. Using the submissive position gives the attacker the feeling that his threat level is zero. Since the hands are up in compliance, your weapons are close to his nearest target (usually the face, eyes, etc.).

We always teach our students to fain compliance if they feel it will buy them a few seconds to think and prepare for a preemptive attack.

Speaking of preemptive attacks, I truly believe in them if you feel the situation calls for it and certainly if there are multiple attackers.

5. Skill

There is no substitute for skill. In fact with proper skill you can overcome much of the deficits you have in the first four S's.

Proper training is essential. Practicing to 'wire in' the skills is also important. Mental imagery can work here as well. This is essential if you don't have a practice partner.