Yes, the mind is the most important weapon you (and the enemy) possess. Shut down their mind and you have a 100% chance of survival.
Need something that trains you to
injure an attacker until he/they are
non-functional via the most
efficient means available. Biggest problem with most stuff out there is it is focused internally (on how you execute that system, how good you are at "X") not externally, on the results you get on the attacker.
I don't give two hoots what your "form" looks like...when you shatter someone's ankle. You can stomp it, fall on it, slam a rock into it, shoot it. If you bust the ankle and the attacker falls (opening up another chance to inujure him) then you are a success. Sure, there are more efficient (and less efficient) ways of striking, but they should involve physics not "art".
Even MMA falls short. Those techniques are designed around what is most efficient and effective against
1 fit, and similarly skilled attacker, in a ring, with rules and a ref. I enjoy MMA, have trained some BJJ in the past and have known people who are starting to compete, so I'm not critiquing at all. It's a matter of goal and focus.
You wouldn't prep a counter-terrorist unit by having them shoot IPSC. What they do will be very effective when lives are on the line, less effective in competition. The training methods are very different even though gun handling and marskmanship is emphasized in each. Sure, you could shoot IPSC on the side...but the success in combat will be based on training and tactics honed at the unit level specifically designed for their expected combat environment.
MMA events
end where criminal violence
begins. Assuming it didn't go to judges score...a MMA bout ends with a KO, TKO, Injury or submission hold (injury immenent if not for the tap). This is the start of violence...injuring another human being then finishing them off (I don't necessarily mean ""kill") before they can recover. In a violent situation...you can be the one doing the injury or the one getting injured.
It's kinda odd, but in every other high risk field (military, LE, executive protection) training is conducted in a controlled manner focusing on simulating the hostile environment as closely as possible. They do not "train" by setting up fair competitions. The martial arts and H2H fields are still doing lots of competitions (emphasis on sparring)...and very little, if any simulations of real hostile events.
You don't train an EP detail by having 4 attackers vs 4 bodyguards, paintball/simunition guns and rules and see who "wins." You may have 4 attackers and 4 BG's, but the training event will have realistic goals for the attackers (kidnap/kill principle) and the goal of the detail isn't to "win" it is to get their client safely out of the area. The techniques they would use to "win" the fight are far different then what they would use to just "get off the X".
Similarly, the techniques a MMA fighter would use in a ring would be very ineffective facing 3 gang bangers; 1 with a knife, one reaching for a gun and the last one swinging a bat. His mind also wouldn't be prepped to deal with 3 threats...his subconscious isn't used to that problem. I'm not saying he wouldn't survive, but if he did...what he did wouldn't resemble a MMA bout.
These threads always seem to get "flamey" because for some reason there is a lot of ego/emotion that people seem to attach to their favorite MA/fighting system...I personally don't care what it is as long as it is effecient and the goal of the system is the same as mine (pure survival of a violent conflict). The goal of a Martial Arts instructor...is to teach you that Martial Art. The goal of MMA is to win MMA bouts. The goal of a "Reality Based" system should (better!) be to train their clients to survive the violent encounters that they are likely to face.
Try these links, the one I train the most in alignment with is the 1st one. TFT just put out an e-book, manual. I have read the first 30 pages of it...it does a great job of outlining what, why and how to use "the tool of violence" in a life or death situation. Even if you don't buy any DVD's or attend any training, this knowledge will be extremely usefull and applicable to any system you decide to train. I think it is $29 with some "bonuses" that are always included for marketing purposes
.
Target Focus Training
www.tftgroup.com EDIT/Update: I just checked out their site, I don't think that manual is released yet...I got a sneak preview. Here's a free DVD though...
http://www.targetfocustraining.com/freedvd/
Special Combat Aggressive Reactionary Systems (SCARS)
www.scars.com
-I've been training the top 2 for about 13 years combined...while looking into lots of other stuff and incorporating what I find effective. TFT is better IMO, an evolution of SCARS with better training methodology and a more civilian focus.
Jim Wagner
www.jimwagnertraining.com
Former military/cop/counter-terrorist operative. Does a great job of developing realistic scenario training and covers pre and post incident considerations as well as use of force. I plan on getting an instructor cert from him when I get back. TFT only covers the use of violence, not anything else.
Always heard good things about Tony Blauer
www.tonyblauer.com
No experience with him...not enough time and $$ yet
Also check out "southnarc"
www.shivworks.com
Was all set for 3 days of training with him, until Katrina messed that up...
