If you are looking for a miracle method to learn self defense alone, at home, ask yourself first if it is really possible. Indeed, sometimes, we are influenced more by the fashion effect than sincerely motivated to learn fighting techniques. Unfortunately, many fake instructors take advantage of this and sell overpriced training, promising you that you will be able to fight perfectly. Unfortunately, this is not the core value of self defense.
Today, we tend to learn tactics to defend ourselves against potential attackers instead of learning how to fight outright. The idea is to avoid conflict, and in the worst case, to neutralize the opponent and escape.
Table of Contents
Be able to distinguish between self defense and combat sports
First of all, self defense is not a discipline like any other. It is based on a simple and effective method of self defense combat that can immobilize an aggressor. Today, its easiness makes it popular, which attracts an audience of all ages. Moreover, this discipline also has the advantage of being really accessible to all, regardless of the physical condition of the practitioners. The simple and very intuitive movements make it easier to react in case of physical aggression.
Nevertheless, it is important to distinguish self defense from martial arts and other combat sports. Martial art such as karate, jiu-jitsu, judo or others is often based on a sequence of complex movements that are not very appropriate for a dangerous situation in real life. It usually requires several years of training before being able to execute them perfectly. However, in self defense, with enough commitment and work, you can defend yourself quite quickly or acquire some reflexes that may save you.
Can you watch videos to practice self defense on your own?
To get started, watching videos on the Internet is the easiest and fastest option. It’s easy to find what you need, and it’s free. However, training alone at home is not something you can improvise. First, you have to find quality content, which takes some time! Then you must keep in mind that learning a discipline as advanced as Krav-maga or Pencak Silat, for instance, also requires time, a lot of time!
In order to make it work in the long run, you should probably find a partner to act as your “instructor”, i.e. someone who can help you repeat the fighting techniques you have learned from the videos over and over again. Also, to make it consistent with reality, you will need to simulate real scenes of aggression, with resistance from your partner, to learn and develop good stress management, a major factor that is too often forgotten.
A discipline difficult to master on your own
As you progress, you should be aware that self defense is not just a few punches or strikes with a stick. Far from it. You must also know and understand:
- the vocabulary specific to each discipline,
- the movements and techniques,
- the right attitudes and behaviors to adopt in case of physical assault.
Often, it is a complex job that requires you to attend private or group training, to improve and develop your skills.
How often should you train?
There is no definite answer. Everyone is different and the time it takes to adapt to something new varies from one individual to another. Moreover, just like self-confidence, reflexes are gradually acquired through practice. So, if you want to train several times a week, that’s up to you, but if one training session a week is enough, that’ll do the trick too.
Learn self defense on your own: opt for coaching!
As you may have understood, if you really want to learn on your own, you must at least learn and memorize the right gestures, with the help of an expert in this field. That’s exactly why I decided to offer you a series of free videos to share with you several very useful techniques and gestures to use in case of assault.
For those of you who are interested, I recently published an article about learning self defense online, don’t hesitate to read it. You can also watch all my video trainings by clicking HERE! Of course, you will probably need to learn a few more things to be perfectly ready for a close combat, but you will already be less distraught.
In the long run, if you want to learn how to improve your knowledge, asking for help from an instructor, in a gym or in a dojo, will always be more efficient… It’s up to you!
