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Fights are won with weapons. A weapon can be the human body itself
or an object like a stick, knife or gun.
Karate practitioners treat their bare hands as
their primary weapons hence the literal translation of the term
“karate,” which means “empty hand.” The most profound
benefit of karate’s tameshiwara (the art of breaking boards and
tiles with bare hands and feet), as far as I’m concerned, is that
it gives a practitioner a clear picture of what his natural weapons
can do, thus boosting his confidence.
If you have doubts on your ability to use a
weapon and the efficacy of the weapon itself, then you might as well
not carry it at all.
Stick fighters should ponder on the possibility
that when a real fight erupts chances are he won’t have his yantok
or collapsible steel baton with him so it would be wise to practice
with impromptu weaponry. Experiment if you can still generate bone
shattering and flesh tearing impact with a rolled magazine or a
broomstick handle. Shadow fight with whatever improvised impact
weapons are available using stick fighting patterns; the goal is to
be able to adapt the same combative motions to odd-shaped substitute
weapons.
If you’re keen on using edged weapons as a
tool for personal defense, then, don’t just settle with using mere
wooden or aluminum training knives in honing your skills. Get a real
knife and know your blade. Ex-street fighter and author Marc
MacYoung has a no-nonsense advice on appreciating the lethal nature
of bladed weapons, it says, “One of the best ways to learn about
what a blade can do is to get a machete and go clear a lot. You’ll
learn all kinds of things about blades that won’t be taught in
school. You’ll also learn to have a deep and abiding fear of them,
which is a good starting point.”
If you’re a gun owner and carry firearm for
defensive purposes, don’t be contented with just being able to put
your shots in a paper target from a distance. Know what your gun can
do and what it cannot do. This applies to such aspects as draw and
ammunition. Based on research, there is a big possibility that a
person will fire his handgun single handedly while under stress.
Consider how this possibility will affect your choice handgun,
should you carry a revolver or a semi-automatic instead?
A fighter must also know the moral and legal
ramifications of carrying and using a weapon. One aspect of weapons
training that fascinates me most is the paradox that a man can learn
compassion from an implement of destruction. Knowing that you
possess superior firepower will allow you to be gentle to people
because you know you can afford to be.
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