When did you STOP training for self defense?

[cyrijl]

Foxguitar posted some stupid shit about selfdefense, using your art to defend yourself, a streetfight is not the same as a ufc cage, etc. This has been beaten to death. What I am curious about is:

For those who at one time thought they were training for self defense, when did you realize that training only or mainly for self defense was ridiculous? (I realize for LEO and similar professions it might be a little different)

A few years ago I got over the idea of fighting for self defense. I am a relatively nice person, I don't drink and I don't go clubbing. I say thank you and please and sometimes sorry when it is appropriate. I don't drive like a dick or exhibit (much) road rage. There really is no need to train for self defense. If anything self defense is a by-product of training in an alive style. When fighting guys bigger than me in my gym with alot less training I realize i'd do ok in an unarmed one on one fight. If I am ever in any other situation, training is going to take somewhat of a backseat to my aggression, conditioning and craftiness.

Fox is right you can't kick someone in the head when they are on the ground (in most states), but who the fuck trains like that? Where in the world are you allowed to kick your training partner as hard as you can while they just lay there unconscious on the ground? That place doesn't exist. Even in krav where we did groin kicks we were told they weren't that effective unless you had a clear shot. There are much better less 'teh d34d1y' ways to end a fight or confrontation.

So I am proud to say:

You are all correct. I don't train for self defense.

Wow. I feel much better. Time to call my sponsor. I just passed step 2.

[DerAuslander]

I stopped training for sport.

[cyrijl]

I never trained for sport. I don't have the necessary aggression genes. I tell everyone I train because I hate TV.

[DerAuslander]

I train for the chicks.

[M1K3]

When I quit training the _ing _un and I switched to BJJ. I am 54 years old and haven't had a confrontation that went beyond harsh language in over 30 years.

I think a lot of teh d34dly styles/schools promote a large degree of paranoia to sustain their business. That coupled with TV news has the potential to become an unhealthy mental state.

I train as a hobby, a sport, for the exercise and for the people I train with.

[JanusMagus]

It's been about a year now since I started back up MA, and I'd say it wasn't too long ago that I realized I might not ever get in a real fight. That's not to say my only goal at first was self-defense, but I felt sure that I'd end up using my skills within, say, a year or two (maybe, say, at a club where someone would start a fight with my friends.

If I didn't train for self-defense at all, I'd probably never take any bjj/sub-grappling classes in the future, but I plan to so I can deal with any unlikely confrontations better. Although it's unlikely, anyone could be assaulted and it couldn't hurt to have striking skills and a ground defense.

[pyromaniac1918]

i stopped traing for SD a while ago. I train mainly as a hobby and because i enjoy it. Also i find pain arousing :new_Llol:

[M1K3]

i stopped traing for SD a while ago. I train mainly as a hobby and because i enjoy it. Also i find pain arousing :new_Llol:

If this is true wait until you try training when your in your 50s. You will find you are still in a state of 'arousal' several days after training.

[pyromaniac1918]

If this is true wait until you try training when your in your 50s. You will find you are still in a state of 'arousal' several days after training.

sounds fun, niice! But unfortunately that pain doesn't last for me anymore :icon_sad:

[M.C.]

I would argue that you train for SD you just don't realize it.
Since you train you know you can fight and you know you can hold your self up against somebody, you don't need to prove yourself any more (you do that in competition or sparring) you know how to handle stress and keep a calm head. You built self confidence.

All those things help you with SD but with a more important aspect, not to get in a fight in the first place!
Somebody pisses you off? You just ignore him, why start some trouble? Somebody wants to intimidate you? You don't bother what is he going to do? Look at you wrong?

So you all train for SD you just don't paint it like that.

PS: I train because I love it, I love the pain, the struggle, I love to get better and learn new techniques, tune my skills, add a new aspect to my game. And of course the fact that I could hand out some serious ass whopping if I want to. Is that training for SD? I don't know, maybe maybe not who cares?

[Lampa]

Well, now that I'm training regularly, again, I feel justified in posting and getting rid of that fucking enormous message at the top of the screen.

I stopped training for self defense because I got into a fight. The dude was a drunk asshole and started in with me, so I knocked him around a little. Not only was it incredibly easy because I'm bigger than average and he was drunk, but I could have avoided it all together if I just didn't take the bate. I notice most "real fights" work like this and any real challenge comes from the gym.

That being said, I maintain everyone here has that little fantasy in the back of their head that involves being able to whoop someone who really has it coming. It might be childish, but so is driving too fast and ripping someone a new asshole on a web forum. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say people who are complete grown-ups about everything probably play different sports, if any.

[DKJr]

I stopped when I realized kinda like you I have no need for SD I never get attacked or put myself into stupid situations. (Also I bought a gun, I live in a high crime town 9 months out of the year). I train cause I like hitting people, getting hit, and submitting folks.

[pyromaniac1918]

I stopped when I realized kinda like you I have no need for SD I never get attacked or put myself into stupid situations. (Also I bought a gun, I live in a high crime town 9 months out of the year). I train cause I like hitting people, getting hit, and submitting folks.

glad i'm not the only one that enjoys the pain.

[FickleFingerOfFate]

Like M1k3, I train for the exercise, the friends that I have at the school, and the challenge.


Besides, where else can you hit people several times a week, and not end up in jail.

[DKJr]

glad i'm not the only one that enjoys the pain.

A good shin checking and trading some hands make for a good day, however I hate grappling pain. Got my arm popped never again will I wait that long to tap out.