Defense Methods

Three methods may be used in defending oneself against an attack. Various styles of martial arts have been developed to exploit each method. The methods are:

• Meet the attack with force, using mainly punches and kicks. Uses medium to close range fighting. Uses limited throws. Rarely uses locks or submission holds. Examples are Taekwondo, Karate, Boxing, and other striking arts.
• Greet and engage the attack, using mainly throws, takedowns, pins, and submission holds. Uses close range fighting. Uses limited punches and rarely uses kicks. Examples are Judo, Wrestling, and other grappling arts.
• Retreat from the attack, using avoidance, locks, and throws. Uses medium to close range fighting. Rarely uses punches or kicks. Examples are Aikido, Jujutsu, and other avoidance arts.

While each of these methods may be useful under the right circumstances, they are mutually exclusive. For example, it is difficult to grapple and strike at the same time, to avoid and grapple at the same time, or to strike and avoid at the same time.

Martial artists are people who study a martial art. Most study one art exclusively, but some may also try a different art, usually one from the same method as their original art. For example, a Taekwondo practitioner may also study boxing. By staying within a specific method, the student learns ways to respond to almost every conceivable attack. However, when a student studies an art from a different method, problems may arise. In a surprise attack on the street, you must react instinctively or reflexively, since there is no time to think consciously about a defense.