Self defense often goes hand in hand with a good physical condition.
Indeed, in order to make the most of these techniques, you need to have a physique that supports you at least a little!
However, we don’t talk much about flexibility in self defense. Is it important to practice it, and if so, why?
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Is it helpful to be flexible to practice self defense?
Traditionally, very little attention is paid to flexibility in self defense, and therefore to muscle stretching. The reason for this is quite simple: one should avoid any blow that requires flexibility.
This is particularly true for kicks that require your leg to raise above your waist.
Indeed, these are dangerous moves to perform under stress since they require precision, balance and, of course, flexibility. In other words, all abilities a victim will lack in case of an attack due to the physiological effects of stress. Of course, you can work on these elements and improve, but only over the long run. However, self defense advocates for simple, effective and above all rapidly assimilable techniques, regardless of physical condition (although having a good physical condition is important, which is why training should help you get in better shape).
Stick to low kicks instead of trying to kick your opponent right on the face.
Now because these movements are not recommended, we must be tempted to claim that flexibility doesn’t play a major role in self defense.
However, we must nuance this statement. It is not a quality we look for in training, but if the practitioner has the predisposition or has worked on this aspect on his own, being flexible offers advantages.
“Who can do more, can do less”
Here is an anecdote that happened during a seminar. The trainees had to counterattack a top down ax attack, by doing a plexus level kick. However, one of the trainees hit his partner higher than expected, next to the teeth.
He had indeed a well-developed flexibility, because he had trained for it since he was a karateka. Moreover, he had natural predispositions.
Still, this event illustrates one thing: if this trainee can deliver a kick to the face apparently without making any effort, a kick at a lower level will be a formality. “Who can do more can do less,” as I like to say.
This is why being flexible can be an advantage in self defense, especially for people who are naturally a bit too rigid, muscularly speaking, even though it is not advisable to do high kicks in the street.
More flexibility can create opportunities, as in the above example. The kick was not intended to hit the head, but the circumstances were such that, without extra effort and by placing the attacker in a favorable configuration, the kick hit the face. This would have been impossible for a less flexible person.
Flexibility is therefore not a fundamental quality in self defense, but it can still be an advantage under certain circumstances. If the opportunity comes to raise the leg a little higher and without losing balance (which requires some work), and if this maneuver can have a decisive impact, then… it’s worthwhile! More is better than less!
