Martial Arts, Self Defence And Combat Sports For The Prepper
Guest Post: By Rich Steggles
Before I get started on this article, I just want to make it perfectly clear that I have absolutely no affiliations with any organisations or disciplines, if you train already in a martial art or combat sport and you enjoy it then that’s what really counts.
This article is purely to identify how to improve on base knowledge and how to train around a budget.
My name is Rich I have been interested in martial arts and combat sports for as long as I can remember, my Dad being an ex-boxer and wrestler and also an ex-police officer was my main influence for creating my interest, (that and the turtles of course).
So I embarked on my martial arts journey and studied in various disciplines, however I never really truly found what I was looking for until later on in life.
I trained in Mixed Martial arts (or MMA) and having this knowledge provided me with a rounded style that would eliminate most confrontations from a self-defence perspective, I competed in a couple of fights to truly test my knowledge and came out on top.
Self Defence Is Not Just For Turtles
Following my MMA training I came to realise that there were still questions left unanswered, so I went searching for something even more street savvy and I stumbled across Krav Maga and KFM (or Keysi).
I trained in Keysi and I became an instructor providing my services to Police, Military and private security services. But like all styles and disciplines they all have their flaws.
Time goes on and I now train in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, and in all honesty I have never felt more tested in martial arts as I do in BJJ.
If I could go back and do it all again I would have begun my journey here. For the simple reason that it is a great base for self-defence, and the knowledge is endless.
Now realistically not everyone has the budget to train in 4+ disciplines of martial art.
However my advice would be to join a Brazilian jiu jitsu gym or an MMA gym which can cost as little as £45 per month, and then maybe attend a few Krav Maga or CQC seminars each year just to give you a better insight to weapons defence etc.
The reason I think this is the best way to go are simple:
- You get to train with more than one person which helps get used to fighting against people with various physiques
- Joining a gym is credible, it is social and you can sharpen your knowledge in a controlled environment
- Joining an MMA gym is a really good way of developing lots of knowledge very quickly as opposed to concentrating on one discipline you can learn 2 or 3 in the same facility and really develop your knowledge.
Now of course there is nothing stopping you from joining self-defence class and learning a self defence specific style. That is fine also and again there may not be the facilities around to train in MMA or BJJ.
Very simply put, training is vital, the information is based on my own experiences and everyone is different, but if you think £45 a month is too much money to invest in your own protection then maybe you haven’t thought it through.
If you think that watching a few youtube clips and “sparring” with your mate from down the pub is going to give you the tools you need then you are deluded.
I know this sounds harsh but it is reality. Training with the same person repeatedly will not give you the same knowledge as training with several in one session.
So to conclude this I would recommend learning and training in MMA, BJJ and some form Close Quarters Combat (Krav Maga, Keysi, Systema).
Train. Learn. Repeat.
A big thanks To Rich for this interesting article - Self defence is an often forgotten part of prepping.
Mainly because it takes a time and commitment, but isn't that what prepping is all about.!?
You will be amazed at how much you can learn in a short space of time if you just give it a go.
Self defence is a definite 'must have' skill, much the same as learning your bushcraft skills, so don't get caught out - get prepared first.
If you interested in knowing more about any of the martial arts Rich has mentioned, you can contact him at [email protected]
More...
Happy Prepping Folks.
Steve
Keep updated with all the latest prepping news and information
* Enter your name & a valid Email address
* You will receive an Email titled 'Preppers Newsletter Subscription'.
* Simply confirm to have access to our regular newsletter and also get your free PDF copy of: 'Beginning Prepping'
2 comments
Good article. BJJ is surely a testing martial art and as you mentioned and like other styles is not the complete solution. For people wanting to learn self defense, good MMA trainers could certainly be helpful or finding a local martial arts dojo with instructors that have good experience in multiple styles.
Thank you for a very useful site. I was one of those people who thought it would never happen to me. The other night me and my husband and two dogs were at home. At 6.30pm the doorbell rang. I was expecting a delivery that day and really thought that that was it. My husband shouted he would answer the door and I remained in the lounge. I heard a commotion going on outside, with my husband shouting “get out you bastards.” I opened the lounge door to see what was going on and a guy pushed me back. I fell to the floor and he ran off with my bag, which contained my purse. The whole incident took about a minute and we were lucky that no one got hurt. Now, I am really security conscious and I knew that pepper spray was illegal and it was while doing a search for things that were legal in the UK I came across this site. So glad I did. Kep up the good work.