Black Belt Interview of Diana Lee Inosanto

[bart]

Hey There,

I just picked up the last Black Belt and there's an interesting interview of Diana Lee Inosanto about Women's self-defense. I think she brings up some good issues. Did anybody else read it?

[bart]

She listed some things that I agree with:

1. Women need to learn to strike hard

2. Women need to train with men

3. The training environment needs to be nurturing for both sexes

4. Weapons are equalizers

5. Self-defense isn't about hate, it's about building skills and learning to fight smart


6. self-defense skills empower women

There was only one thing I was shaky on:

1. Brandishing knives as an effective self-defense move.

I think she's right to a point, but here in Cali, that's highly illegal and you can get in major trouble for it. Of course "better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6". It may be a good idea in some situations but a very bad idea in others. Part of the curriculum that encourages that should also be instruction on when a good time or a bad time may be.


Any thoughts.

[kenpo12]

But did you see the picture sequences of self defence? Why on earth would you drop to the ground to start kicking? That is the worst idea I have ever seen. You're saving the attacker half his work by taking yourself to the ground. I like the article but the self defense techniques will get someone hurt or worse.

Matt

[Elfan]

Originally posted by bart
There was only one thing I was shaky on:

1. Brandishing knives as an effective self-defense move.

I think she's right to a point, but here in Cali, that's highly illegal and you can get in major trouble for it. Of course "better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6". It may be a good idea in some situations but a very bad idea in others. Part of the curriculum that encourages that should also be instruction on when a good time or a bad time may be.

I agree, you should only pull a knife on someone if you are prepared to kill them, not to try to "scare" them off.

[bart]

Hey,

I would have to agree about the ground techniques. I would never advise purposefully going down like that. You maybe able to handle someone like that, but you introduce a large rock, a weapon, glass on the dance floor, or an extra assailant and you have some trouble you most likely can't get out of.

I think it's important though to teach people what to do if they find themselves on the ground. But my emphasis is always on getting back up again as soon as possible. If her technique were to have been brought up under the auspices of "what do you do if you've been tripped?" then her techniques are right on the money. If not, they maybe a recipe for disaster.

I also took issue with her on the emphasis of muay thai for women's self-defense. I think it's a devastating art, but it requires stamina and constant, consistent training. In short self-defense courses you want to emphasize techniques and practices that will assist you in defending yourself, but do not require constant and consistent training. Instead of devastating power kicks that require you to be in good shape from throwing several thousands of them a week, you might instead emphasize eye strikes and throat strikes with the knuckles that practiced a few times will give someone a tool that they can use should the need arise.