No first strike? Oh man!

Traditional martial arts teach us how to block. They drill block and counter, block and counter.

Many of the training drills are based on this principle. It is no wonder after training for a while we think in these terms. Block the attack.

Most of the self defense instructors in the country do not teach any traditional blocks at all. They teach their students to cover, stop hit, destroy the attacking weapon or pre-empt the attack with your own.

If your attacker is throwing a barrage of punches and kicks and you are back pedaling who is in command. Who is off balance and who is in control.

We need to gain the momentum from the start and attack immediately when the threat is there or just becoming evident. This way you get your attacker back on his heels taking elbows, knees, and whatever you have in your arsenal.

I said all that to say this; As karate states, “There is no first strike in karate” it does not say to let your self be struck first.

Take the initiative, being preemptive is the greatest defense that you can have if all else fails and the crap is about to hit the fan.