Self defense is meant to be realistic. Hence we avoid fancy techniques, anything superfluous, and we speak in a way that is adapted to the context of urban violence.
For several reasons that take into account the very substance of the discipline, self defense can in no way be assimilated to a martial art or a combat sport of any kind.
However, it is important to take a clear and objective look at the discipline and to recognize that there is a gap between a simulated aggression in the gym and a real aggression in the street. Also, this gap can never be reduced despite all the good will.
It is important to strive for realism in training, but we must admit that at the beginning, we tend to play a parody of an aggressor, a “dojo aggressor”.
Is this a blessing in disguise? Let’s explain.
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Get the distinction between a “dojo aggressor” and a “street aggressor”
Beyond the deliberately caricatured terms stands the reality it is important to be aware of in order to distinguish the gym from the street.
At the gym, this difference often translates into very predictable, and sometimes even rectilinear attacks. This could be compared to a robot making large up and down movements with a knife!
When reproducing these unrealistic attacks we work on counter-attacks which are therefore necessarily disconnected from reality.
In fact, in the street, the attacks “drool” and are not “clean” at all. It goes all over the place, there are no more rules, it’s chaos.
To sum up, a dojo aggressor is first and foremost an indulgent partner who doesn’t want to hurt his partner. He makes wide movements and plays along, certainly without maliciousness, but without trying to hit his targets. If you ask a partner to attack you, it is highly probable that he will stop or deflect his blow by reflex to avoid hitting you!
It is natural and there is nothing wrong with this since we are not supposed to be mean at the gym. However, as time passes, you need to force yourself and at least try to hit your targets (but still control your gesture to avoid harming your partner). You are doing your partner a favor by being a convincing aggressor!
The dojo aggressor is therefore opposed to the street aggressor who doesn’t care about your physical integrity. Such individuals are uninhibited and will probably try to attack you at some point, which you should be aware of and be prepared for.
Let’s take the image of the knife again, but this time it is not a robot holding it but rather an average person, making short, sharp attacks, coming from nowhere, making random and confused movements. This is the worst scenario since this kind of person is really after your life, not your belongings…
You will understand that in such a scenario (extreme and infrequent, of course, but that still exists and happens more and more frequently nowadays), we are miles away from our clean-cut and complacent stock aggressor!
Being a dojo aggressor is a necessary step
Although I’ve been negative, caricaturing movements is still a crucial and essential step in your learning.
Movements that are too technical cannot be assimilated straightforwardly so you will need to repeat again and again before you can integrate these simple movements into the aforementioned techniques and create a déjà-vu effect.
Moreover, these predictable attacks we mentioned above are a natural part of the assimilation process since they allow you to smoothly integrate techniques. Obviously, the goal is to get rid of it as soon as possible, but you have to walk before you can run!
Far from being negative, this learning phase is part of the preliminary step of self defense. You need to start with it to understand the principles well. Don’t beat yourself up, it requires several years before you can start a more advanced level of work.
That being said, learners must keep in mind that this is not qualitative since it does not match reality AT ALL, that it is a consequence of their lack of experience (a gap they will fill with time) and that it is not the level expected in the long run. This is only a tolerance from the teacher towards beginners, and it is in the learner’ interest to raise their level by increasing the level of role-play.
