Tag: Self-Defense

  • Why Martial Arts Isn’t Just About Fighting

    Why Martial Arts Isn’t Just About Fighting

    Martial arts often get boiled down to punches, kicks, and takedowns—but training offers far more than self-defense skills. Whether you’re looking to boost your fitness, sharpen your mind, or build lasting friendships, the practice delivers holistic benefits that extend well beyond the dojo floor.


    1. Physical Health and Functional Fitness

    • Strength & Conditioning
      Traditional drills—push-ups, stances, strikes on heavy bags—build muscular endurance, core stability, and joint resilience in ways that generic gym routines can’t match.
    • Mobility & Balance
      Kicks, stances, and footwork patterns train your body through full ranges of motion, improving flexibility and proprioception. This translates to better posture, fewer injuries, and easier daily movement.
    • Cardiovascular Endurance
      Circuit-style pad work, sparring rounds, and partner drills spike your heart rate and build aerobic capacity, all while keeping training varied and fun.

    2. Mental Clarity and Stress Relief

    • Mind-Body Connection
      Every technique demands focus on breath, body alignment, and timing—drawing you fully into the present moment and dialing down distracting thoughts.
    • Stress Inoculation
      Controlled contact drills and timed sparring provide a safe environment to experience and manage adrenaline. Learning to remain calm under simulated pressure equips you to handle life’s stresses more gracefully.
    • Mindfulness & Meditation
      Many schools incorporate seated meditation, breathing exercises, or slow-flow kata to cultivate mental stillness, reduce anxiety, and improve emotional regulation.

    3. Personal Development and Discipline

    • Goal Setting & Achievement
      Progressing through belt levels or mastering new techniques reinforces a growth mindset: set a goal, put in the work, and earn tangible rewards.
    • Resilience & Grit
      Facing physical challenges—like a grueling conditioning circuit or a tough sparring session—teaches you to push through discomfort, develop patience, and embrace constructive criticism.
    • Self-Confidence
      As your skills and fitness grow, so does your belief in your own abilities. That confidence often carries over into career, relationships, and everyday challenges.

    4. Community and Connection

    • Supportive Training Environment
      Dojos and gyms become second homes—places where peers cheer your progress, partners hold pads through exhaustion, and instructors guide you through setbacks.
    • Cross-Generational Bonds
      Martial arts classrooms often mix ages and backgrounds, fostering mutual respect between beginners, seasoned practitioners, and senior instructors.
    • Shared Values
      Courtesy, integrity, perseverance, and respect are foundational principles in most schools. Living these values strengthens social bonds and creates a positive culture on and off the mat.

    5. Lifelong Learning and Adaptability

    • Evolving Curriculum
      Many martial artists cross-train in weapons, grappling arts, or modern self-defense systems—transforming their practice into a dynamic, ever-growing journey.
    • Problem-Solving Skills
      Drills that pit you against unpredictable attacks or multiple partners develop creative thinking and split-second decision-making.
    • A Practice for Every Stage of Life
      From children learning discipline to seniors seeking mobility and community, martial arts adapts to every age and ability—meaning it can truly be a lifelong pursuit.

    Conclusion

    Martial arts is far more than a collection of fighting techniques. It’s a comprehensive system for improving your body, mind, and social well-being. Whether you want to manage stress, build practical fitness, or find a supportive community, the lessons you learn in the dojo will ripple through every aspect of your life.

  • One Touch, One Kill: Debunking the Myth of the “Death Touch”

    One Touch, One Kill: Debunking the Myth of the “Death Touch”

    Can a single strike truly end a fight instantly? Can a master drop someone with just a tap to the chest or wrist?
    If you’ve watched enough kung fu movies or heard legends whispered in dojos, you’ve probably encountered this myth: the idea that highly trained martial artists can disable, paralyze, or even kill with a single finger strike to a pressure point.

    It sounds incredible.
    It is incredible — because it’s not real.


    Where the Myth Comes From

    The “one touch kill” myth comes largely from:

    • Kung fu movies: Characters like Pai Mei or Huo Yuanjia delivering delayed-death strikes.
    • Anime and video games: Think pressure point knockouts, chakra blocks, or energy blasts.
    • Martial arts mysticism: Esoteric traditions claiming secret internal knowledge passed only to select disciples.

    It’s cinematic. It’s dramatic. It’s also not how real violence works.


    The Reality of Pressure Points

    Yes, the human body has vulnerable targets:

    • The throat
    • The eyes
    • The groin
    • The carotid artery
    • The solar plexus

    And yes, a precise strike to one of these places can cause pain, unconsciousness, or even death under specific, high-force conditions. But that’s not what most people mean when they talk about a “death touch.”

    The myth isn’t about practical vulnerability — it’s about magical ability.


    Real Fights Are Messy

    Even trained professionals — boxers, MMA fighters, soldiers, law enforcement — don’t rely on one perfect hit. Why?

    • People flinch, move, and fight back.
    • Adrenaline blunts pain and reaction.
    • Chaos makes perfection rare.

    Training for perfection is great. Expecting it is deadly.


    What’s Actually Worth Learning?

    Instead of chasing secret techniques, study:

    • Timing and targeting: Hitting at the right moment matters far more than hitting a specific point.
    • Power generation and delivery: Not just where you hit, but how.
    • Positioning and control: Setups, angles, and footwork lead to success.
    • Intent and awareness: Understanding real violence and how to avoid or survive it.

    The Danger of Believing the Myth

    Believing in the “one touch kill” can lead to:

    • Overconfidence in a real altercation
    • Neglecting realistic training
    • Dangerous or even fatal misunderstandings of self-defense law

    Real self-defense is about preparedness, not parlor tricks.


    The Takeaway

    You don’t need secret knowledge to be effective. You need:

    • Good training
    • Pressure testing
    • Awareness
    • Adaptability

    There’s no shame in mastering the basics.
    In fact, that’s where the real power lives.

  • Footwork First: Why Movement Is the Secret Weapon in FMA

    Footwork First: Why Movement Is the Secret Weapon in FMA

    Part I of the Eye Square Footwork Series

    “Most people only move forward and back. If you can’t move off the line, you’re just a target with good intentions.”


    The Problem: Flat-Footed Fighters

    Under pressure, most students default to simple forward-and-back motion—just like walking.

    Sure, people talk about lateral movement and pivots…
    But very few actually train them to the point where they show up under stress.


    So Let’s Break That Pattern.

    • What are the other ways to move?
    • How do you train them?
    • Most importantly—how do you make them instinctive?

    Footwork Basics

    “Start with the step. Then make it smarter.”

    The building blocks of all movement start here:

    • Step-Drag – Advance while maintaining stance integrity.
    • Drag-Step – Retreat without crossing or twisting your base.
    • Push-Drag – Explosive motion forward or back.
    • Crossover / Cross-Behind – Move laterally with a tight profile.

    Weight Distribution

    “Balance is not stillness—it’s readiness.”

    When stepping, heel strikes are natural… but wrong.

    To stay mobile:

    • Lead foot: 60% weight on the ball of your foot
    • Rear foot: 90% on the ball, heel elevated
    • Keep your stance just slightly wider than shoulder-width

    📸 [Image suggestion: Foot diagram showing ideal weight distribution and heel elevation]


    Angle Stepping

    This is how you stop being a target.

    Angle stepping lets you:

    • Move off the line of attack
    • Create or close distance
    • Set up your next strike, block, or counter

    “In Kamatuuran, angle stepping is baked into Cinco and Doce Teros from day one.”

    📸 [Image suggestion: Overhead diagram of angle step entry and exit]


    Whole-Body Movement

    “Your legs move you. Your torso makes you dangerous.”

    Don’t just step—rotate.
    Your spine is your axis. Use it.

    Train your body to:

    • Rotate through attacks
    • Torque during blocks
    • Align your center with your intent

    Also: Keep your off-hand alive.

    • Single stick: Chest-high checking hand
    • Double stick: Active stick or chambered off-hand

    Footwork Patterns

    Patterns teach flow, positioning, and recovery.

    Key drills:

    • Triangle: Close → Lateral → Retreat
    • Reverse Triangle: Retreat → Lateral → Close
    • X Pattern: Range fluidly from Cuarto to Largo Mano
    • Hourglass: Merge triangle, reverse, and X
    • Diamond: “What if” flow when opponent creates space

    Pivoting

    Sometimes, you don’t need to move—just face a different way.

    Practice:

    • Triangles with 90° pivots on step 2 or 3
    • Four pivots in a row
    • 180° turns under control
    • Free-flow between angles and directions

    “Pivoting lets you change context without changing location.”


    The Paradox of Patterns

    Drills and patterns are scaffolding.
    They help you build instinct—but they’re not the goal.

    “The real goal is to move when you need to, how you need to—without having to think about it.”


    Coming Up Next:

    Part II – How to Build Instinctive Movement (Without Thinking About It)
    We’ll dive into how to take all of this and make it automatic under pressure.

  • How to Start Training (Even if You’re Out of Shape, Busy, or Over 40)

    How to Start Training (Even if You’re Out of Shape, Busy, or Over 40)

    You’re Not Too Late, and You’re Not Alone

    If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve been thinking about starting martial arts or some kind of self-defense training—but something’s held you back. Maybe you think you’re too out of shape. Maybe your schedule is overloaded. Or maybe you’ve hit your 40s and you’re wondering if your body can keep up.

    Good news: You can start training, and you should. Your future self will thank you.


    Myth: “I Need to Get in Shape Before I Train”

    One of the biggest mental traps is thinking you have to already be fit to start training. That’s like saying you need to know how to play guitar before taking music lessons. Martial arts is the training.

    Start where you are. The best programs will meet you there.

    When I started training, I was pre-hypertensive!


    Tip #1: Choose a System That Values Longevity

    Not every martial arts system is built with older beginners in mind. Look for schools that:

    • Emphasize proper technique over raw athleticism
    • Scale training intensity to the individual
    • Prioritize injury prevention and mobility

    Systems like Filipino Martial Arts (FMA), which emphasize leverage, timing, and coordination over brute strength, are a great place to start.


    Tip #2: Time Management = Priority Management

    Think you don’t have time? Start small:

    • 10 minutes of solo practice at home
    • 1 class per week to build the habit
    • Walking or stretching during work breaks

    You don’t need hours a day. You need consistency.


    Tip #3: Train Smart, Not Just Hard

    Especially after 40, your body’s recovery is as important as your workout. Some key tips:

    • Warm up before and cool down after every session
    • Focus on quality reps, not just reps
    • Listen to your body—tweaks become injuries if ignored

    Tip #4: Mindset Is Your Best Asset

    You bring something younger athletes often don’t: life experience. You know how to commit. You’ve overcome harder things. Use that.

    Training in your 40s and beyond is less about competition and more about capability—building a body and mind that can move, defend, and thrive.


    Getting Started: A Simple Plan

    1. Find a beginner-friendly school – Look for instructors who care about your goals, not just their own style.
    2. Start with one class per week – Build the habit before worrying about more.
    3. Practice at home – Basic drills, footwork, and mobility go a long way.
    4. Track your wins – Each session is progress, not perfection.

    Closing Thought:

    You’re not too late. You’re not too broken. You’re not too busy.

    You’re just getting started.

  • Mutual Combat vs. Sudden Assault: What Defensive Gun Use Really Looks Like

    Mutual Combat vs. Sudden Assault: What Defensive Gun Use Really Looks Like

    When most people imagine using a gun in self-defense, they picture something from a movie—a standoff, a gunfight, or a dramatic chase. But in real life, defensive gun use (DGU) is rarely that cinematic.

    It’s fast. It’s messy. And it usually doesn’t involve a shot being fired at all.


    What Counts as Defensive Gun Use?

    A “defensive gun use” doesn’t require pulling the trigger. It simply means using a firearm to stop or deter a threat to your life or the life of another.

    This could include:

    • Drawing a firearm to prevent an assault
    • Displaying a weapon to stop a robbery
    • Firing a warning shot (though not recommended)
    • Actually discharging a weapon in self-defense

    The vast majority of DGUs don’t make the news—because nothing dramatic happened. The threat ended the moment the gun appeared.


    How Often Does It Happen?

    There’s controversy around the numbers, largely due to how “defensive use” is defined and reported. But here are the major data points:

    • A CDC-commissioned report cites estimates ranging from 60,000 to 2.5 million DGUs per year, depending on the methodology. (Source)
    • The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) consistently reports about 100,000 DGUs per year.
    • A 2000s study by criminologist Gary Kleck—widely cited in 2A circles—estimated closer to 2.5 million annually.

    Even using the most conservative number, that’s roughly 275 people per day using a gun in self-defense.


    Real-Life Encounters: What They Teach

    What’s consistent across real-world incidents is this: self-defense happens fast, and the defender is often reacting to a sudden assault.

    Key lessons:

    • You won’t have time to rack a slide, unlock a safe, or “gear up.” Preparedness means accessibility.
    • Most confrontations happen at close range (7 yards or less).
    • The attacker usually has the advantage—they chose the time and place.

    This is why mindset, situational awareness, and training matter more than the gear you carry.


    Mutual Combat vs Sudden Assault

    There’s a big legal and moral difference between getting into a fight and defending yourself from a violent assault.

    • Mutual Combat: Both parties are willingly engaged—think road rage or bar fights. If you escalate, your legal defense may fall apart.
    • Sudden Assault: You’re targeted unexpectedly and must respond with appropriate force to stop the threat. This is where most DGUs fall.

    If you’re carrying, your job isn’t to “win a fight”—it’s to survive a threat and stay within the law.


    Closing Thought

    Guns aren’t magic wands. They don’t guarantee safety. But in the hands of a trained, law-abiding citizen, they can stop evil in its tracks.

    Next time, we’ll explore how to prepare for that moment before it happens—through training, mindset, and responsible carry habits.

  • The Right to Self-Defense: Why It Exists and What It Really Means

    The Right to Self-Defense: Why It Exists and What It Really Means

    Violence, whether we like it or not, is part of the human experience. And with it comes the unavoidable question: when force is used against you, do you have the right to respond with force of your own?

    The right to self-defense is one of the oldest and most widely recognized principles in legal and moral thought. It predates the Constitution, exists in nearly every legal system in the world, and resonates with something deeply instinctual—when faced with danger, we should be able to protect ourselves and those we care about.

    But how far does that right go? And in the American context, how does the firearm—perhaps the most effective and controversial tool of modern self-defense—fit into that framework?


    Self-Defense: A Natural Right

    At its core, the right to self-defense isn’t granted by any government. It’s a natural right—meaning it exists independent of laws, documents, or institutions. You don’t need a license to try to survive. And societies that recognize this right tend to codify it in laws that allow individuals to use force, sometimes even deadly force, when confronted with imminent harm.

    The American legal tradition, rooted in English common law, has always acknowledged this. Early colonists lived in conditions where law enforcement might be days away—if it existed at all. The responsibility for personal safety started at home and extended to family, property, and community.


    The Second Amendment as a Backstop

    Enter the Second Amendment. While it’s often viewed through the lens of resistance to tyranny, it also plays a crucial role in reinforcing the right of individuals to be prepared for self-defense. It doesn’t create the right—it protects it from infringement.

    Modern debates often miss this point. The Second Amendment isn’t about hunting, and it’s not exclusively about militias. It’s about ensuring that individuals have the practical means to respond to threats when law enforcement can’t—or won’t—arrive in time.


    “Whatever Means Are Necessary”

    When I say I believe in defending yourself by whatever means are necessary, I don’t say that recklessly. Violence should always be the last resort. But if a threat is real, immediate, and unavoidable, the response should be effective.

    And firearms, for many Americans, are simply the most effective tool available. They are a force equalizer. They don’t rely on size, strength, or youth. They allow a 110-pound woman to stop a 250-pound attacker. They allow a disabled veteran to defend his home when help is minutes—or miles—away.

    This isn’t about paranoia. It’s about preparation. And it starts with recognizing that the right to self-defense is real, valid, and worth protecting.


    Closing Thought

    Self-defense isn’t about looking for a fight—it’s about having the means to survive one. In the next part of this series, we’ll explore how firearms became woven into American culture and why that history matters more than ever in today’s debate.

  • The Filipino Martial Arts Bookshelf: An Annotated Reading List

    The Filipino Martial Arts Bookshelf: An Annotated Reading List

    If you’ve ever been cracked on the knuckles during a sinawali drill and thought, “There’s gotta be a story behind all this,” you’re absolutely right.

    Filipino Martial Arts—Arnis, Eskrima, Kali—are more than just sticks and strikes. They’re deeply rooted in the history, culture, and resistance of the Philippine islands. Whether you’re new to the arts or have been swinging a baston for years, understanding where it all comes from adds depth to every movement.

    Here’s a handpicked, annotated list of books and films to deepen your knowledge of FMA and the cultural forces that shaped it.


    🗡️ Historical and Cultural Foundations

    1. Barangay: Sixteenth-Century Philippine Culture and Society – William Henry Scott
    A must-read for precolonial Filipino life. It covers warfare, social classes, and how early communities functioned. Great for understanding the roots of indigenous martial traditions.

    2. Looking for the Prehispanic Filipino – William Henry Scott
    Debunks colonial myths and gives voice to what pre-Spanish Filipino life may have really looked like. Think of it as the historical groundwork beneath your footwork.

    3. An Anarchy of Families – Edited by Alfred W. McCoy
    Less about martial arts directly, but packed with insight on how power, violence, and family dynasties shaped Filipino society. It gives context to how martial skills were preserved and used.


    🏋️️ Martial Arts-Specific Studies

    4. The Filipino Martial Arts – Dan Inosanto
    The book that opened Western eyes to FMA. A solid intro with history, technique, and personal stories. If you train, you should own this.

    5. Filipino Martial Culture – Mark V. Wiley
    Part cultural anthropology, part martial arts tour. Interviews, system overviews, and an honest look at how the arts have evolved.

    6. The History of Filipino Martial Arts – Felipe P. Jocano Jr.
    An academic and practitioner’s view. This one digs into the historical transitions FMA went through—from tribal warfare to colonial resistance.


    🌍 FMA in the Modern World

    7. Kali’s Odyssey – Christopher Ricketts (interviews)
    A look at how FMA traveled with the Filipino diaspora, especially into the U.S. You’ll get a feel for how the art continues to evolve abroad.

    8. RA 9850 (2009): The Arnis Law
    Not a book, but an official recognition by the Philippine government naming Arnis the national martial art and sport. A big deal for preservation and legitimacy.


    🎥 Documentaries and Oral Histories

    9. Eskrimadors (2010, Dir. Kerwin Go)
    A well-produced doc on Cebu-based masters and their systems. Solid footage and interviews. If you want to see FMA in action, start here.

    10. The Bladed Hand (2012, Dir. Jay Ignacio)
    Explores the global reach of FMA with interviews from masters around the world. Shows how the art thrives far beyond the islands.


    Final Thoughts

    You can swing a stick without knowing the history. But once you do know the history? Every strike hits different.

    Whether you’re building your bookshelf or your footwork, these resources will help you connect the dots between the blade, the hand, and the culture that shaped them both.

  • Part 5: From Jungle to Global – The Rise of Modern Filipino Martial Arts

    Part 5: From Jungle to Global – The Rise of Modern Filipino Martial Arts

    After surviving centuries of colonization and a world war, Filipino Martial Arts emerged from the smoke not just intact—but ready to travel. The second half of the 20th century marked the beginning of FMA’s transformation from a secret kept in backyards and barrios to a respected, global martial system. And it all started with one simple truth: people started talking.

    Veterans Started Teaching

    After WWII, many of the men who had fought in the jungles came home and began organizing what they had learned. Some were already informal teachers. But now, systems began to form. Drills were refined. Techniques were cataloged. And for the first time, many of these arts got names—Modern Arnis, Doce Pares, Balintawak, Pekiti-Tirsia, and more.

    Martial arts schools popped up in the Philippines, often still taught behind homes, in church courtyards, or anywhere with enough space to swing a stick. Rank systems were introduced. Uniforms were optional, but pride was not.

    The Diaspora Effect

    As Filipinos migrated abroad—to the U.S., Canada, Australia, Europe—they took their culture with them. And that included their martial arts. What started as stick drills in garages or parks turned into full-blown schools. Filipino martial artists in California played a huge role in spreading the art—especially in places like Stockton and Los Angeles.

    And then, of course, came a little boost from Hollywood.

    Enter Bruce Lee (and Dan Inosanto)

    When Bruce Lee started exploring martial arts beyond Wing Chun, he found himself learning from Dan Inosanto—a Filipino-American martial artist trained in FMA. Suddenly, Filipino techniques were showing up on the big screen. Knife work, stick drills, limb destructions—they all looked cool and hit hard.

    This was huge. Bruce Lee gave FMA a moment on the world stage. Dan Inosanto gave it structure, visibility, and credibility. And the global martial arts community started paying attention.

    From Combat to Curriculum

    By the 1980s and 90s, FMA was becoming a staple in military combatives programs, law enforcement training, and civilian self-defense. The arts adapted again—this time for modern threats. Knife defense. Weapon retention. Multiple attacker scenarios. The same principles that worked against invading forces now applied to street-level survival.

    Seminars became the norm. Global organizations formed. Filipino grandmasters were invited to teach internationally. What was once a village art had become a global phenomenon.

    The Cultural Tradeoff

    Of course, with growth comes change. Some systems leaned into sport formats. Others clung fiercely to tradition. Still others got sliced and diced into weekend workshops with little cultural context. But through it all, one thing remained: the arts still worked.

    They remained brutal, efficient, adaptable—and unapologetically Filipino.

    In the next chapter, we’ll bring things up to the present and explore how Arnis, Eskrima, and Kali are being preserved, promoted, and practiced today—and what it means to be a modern-day practitioner of these warrior arts.

  • The Sword in the Soul of the Islands: Why Filipino Martial History Matters

    The Sword in the Soul of the Islands: Why Filipino Martial History Matters

    When people think about martial arts, they usually imagine kung fu masters leaping off rooftops or UFC fighters trading elbows in a cage. But tucked away in the tropical mess of jungles, islands, and traffic jams we call the Philippines is something just as badass—if not more: Arnis, Eskrima, and Kali.

    These aren’t just some old-school ways to swing a stick around. They’re survival systems. They’re family legacies. They’re the “hold my bolo and watch this” moments passed down from generation to generation. More than that, they’re cultural time capsules—full of grit, improvisation, and a deep refusal to stay conquered.

    See, looking at Philippine history through the lens of its martial arts isn’t just about techniques or training drills. It’s about how people adapted to hundreds of years of colonizers trying to kill their culture—and still found a way to hit back. Sometimes literally.

    When the Spanish said “No weapons allowed,” Filipinos said, “Cool, we’ll just dance with them instead.” When the Americans brought boxing and baseball, the old arts went underground but never disappeared. These arts lived in fiestas, in rituals, in little moments where someone would casually flip a stick around and say, “Yeah, I used to train a bit.”

    This series is going to walk through Philippine history with an eye for the fighters—tribal warriors, resistance leaders, backyard masters, and everyone in between. We’ll talk about why people fought, how they fought, and what they passed down. This isn’t just for the historians. This is for anyone who’s ever taken a shot to the knuckles during a sinawali drill and smiled through the pain.

    So if you train in Filipino martial arts—or you’re just curious where this whole stick-twirling madness came from—strap in. This is the story of the Philippines, told through its fighters. It’s a little bit blood, a little bit blade, and a whole lot of spirit.

    Let’s get started.

  • Mutual Combat vs Sudden Assault: The Fantasy of the Fair Fight

    Mutual Combat vs Sudden Assault: The Fantasy of the Fair Fight

    Prepared, Not Violent is an ongoing series from Eye Square Martial Arts exploring how martial artists can understand, avoid, and prepare for real-world violence—without becoming consumed by it.

    This is Part IV: Mutual Combat vs Sudden Assault

    Mutual Combat vs Sudden Assault

    I was watching a video from Inside Fighting on YouTube about Silat, and the presenter brought up something I’ve heard many times: do arts like Silat actually work?

    More specifically—can the techniques taught within systems such as Silat actually work when it matters?

    I come from an American Kenpo background primarily, so I’m very familiar with the mindsets present both inside arts like these and outside them—and both have merit.

    See: Why Do You Train?


    Unrealistic Understandings and Expectations

    Way back when I started in martial arts, I went to a school where we had a set curriculum of American Kenpo-style “self-defense” techniques (and Shotokan Kata, and Sport Karate sparring). I learned rote responses to various types of attacks—which were always practiced in a controlled and predictable manner (insert eye-roll).

    Thank the gods I never had to use that stuff—I would have gotten my ass kicked (or worse).

    But the thing was, I didn’t know any better. I’m pretty sure my instructor didn’t either. The area I live in is pretty damn safe and peaceful—again, thank the gods.

    Training for rules-based combat might win you medals, but it won’t always save your skin.


    MMA Isn’t Enough

    Thinking about it though, I don’t think the “hardcore” MMA guys have a much better understanding of real violence either.

    Many of these folks are tough, and very skilled. But ultimately—they train for a consensual fight in a controlled environment.

    Would MMA fighters still have an advantage over someone like me when I started? Unequivocally—yes. They’re better conditioned, tougher, and more experienced dealing with pain. Not to mention they’re also more grounded in actual violence.

    The thing is—they still have unrealistic expectations of their own.

    Many martial artists train for a consensual fight. Reality rarely asks your permission.


    The 90% Myth

    There’s that often-cited statistic that “90% of fights end up on the ground,” supposedly from a 1991 LAPD report. But I (and ChatGPT) haven’t been able to find said report.

    If it exists, I suspect the “90%” refers to arrests ending up on the ground—which makes sense when you watch police videos from guys like Donut Operator.

    Also—police body cams have done a lot to confirm a sad truth: sh*t people are sh*t people—and usually, it’s not the cops causing the problems.


    Ted Sumner’s Parking Lot

    Tracy Kenpo Grandmaster Ted Sumner, who served as a police officer in San Jose (and survived being shot by a would-be assassin), once told me about an MMA guy who asked for a lesson.

    At some point, the MMA guy said, “Let’s make this more realistic.”

    Ted said, “Alright, come outside with me.”

    Once in the parking lot, Ted smashed a glass bottle on the pavement. Then, he pissed on it. He looked at the MMA guy and said:

    “Okay. You lay on the ground first.”

    I’m assuming the guy declined.

    A graphic—but poignant—illustration of the dangers in assuming “I’ll just take them to the ground.”


    What About Weapons? What About Friends?

    Violence isn’t a sport. It’s chaos.

    • What if he’s got a knife?
    • What if he’s not alone?
    • What if he doesn’t care if he lives?

    Combat is a chaotic circumstance—you get a vote, the enemy gets a vote, and so does lady luck.
    Author

    If your training has only prepared you for mutual combat, it’s time to ask the hard questions:

    • Are you ready for chaos?
    • Have you tested your techniques under pressure?
    • Can your art adapt when the rules disappear?

    At Eye Square Martial Arts, we don’t just train for performance—we train for reality.

    Cultural Preservation… with Bruises.