Stick Article on Weapons and Reality

Looks can be deceiving
“Oh my goodness!”

In the April 2000 issue of KARATE illustrated (page 76) something very unusual yet typical for martial arts magazines caught my eye.  First, I noticed a series of photos depicting a self-defense tactic against a stick-wielding opponent.  I looked at the photos and after mentally and physically reviewing the defense, tossed it out with the rest of the garbage about real combat.   This isn’t what bothered me most, since so many articles show unrealistic responses to dangerous situations.  What really got me going was that just under the article, there was a title and it read:

“Simple Self-Defense Moves That Work“

This made me laugh.  First of all, the tactics were not simple and second, they will not work in a real combat situation.  These kinds of claims should not be allowed into the martial art magazines unless they have been reviewed by some kind of educated board on self-defense (real self-defense). Since this will probably never happen, people and students are stuck with getting ridiculous information from the magazines.

After more review I noticed that the title was actually for a different section and not directly related to the stick defense.  Still, this only spawned the realization that there should be a focus applied to all the photos in a self-defense magazine with the following concept in mind Simple and effective.

My goal is not to have you throw out your new issue of “Black Belt” magazine or any other martial related material.  My focus with this article is to bring to the your attention that just because you read it in a popular magazine and just because the title said: Simple and Realistic, does not mean that it is. This is just a lie to help sell the article.  Okay, that was a little harsh, but still, reality is truth.  I love to read martial arts magazines and there are many great articles.  So keep reading and enjoying your issues, just make sure you question the concepts.

Although there are hundreds of photos and articles out there depicting totally unrealistic tactics, I am choosing one for the purpose of this article.

Okay, we had to re-shoot the photos so we could show you what they looked like in the magazine (avoiding copyright laws).  However, we are extremely accurate, as silly as the techniques may seem.

NOTE:  These tactics are the ones that you should NOT do.

Unrealistic Stick Defense

1. Guy jumps out and attacks with a stick

Okay, so this really isn’t that odd looking. The only argument I have here is that the attacker is supposed to be jumping from out of nowhere.  The defender probably wouldn’t have much time to react.  Still, this photo is depicting a “standing off” situation and does no t really deserve any comment. If it did, I would say this, “The stance is leaning back and the hands are down: bad ninja.”

2. Defender blocks the blow

This reminds me of two things:

One, is the way people demonstrate the psycho knife attack.  Two, is the popular Karate cross block.  Both are unrealistic when dealing with weapons.

The cross block can be applied if there is a jamming motion and the defender moves his head out of the way.  If someone is jumping from out of the shadows swinging a stick B you will be lucky just to protect your head.  You probably won’t have much time to develop a defense or respond with a high block.  The attacker above looks more like he is attacking with a hammer fist than a stick .  We must understand that people do not hit or swing sticks the way most schools teach their students to strike.  The photo basically looks like the attacker is swinging his fist or arm at the defender.  The only time you will get that swing is when the opponent exaggerates the attack or you get really close, really fast.  If you had to hit someone with a stick, how would you do it?  Although it happens that people swing like this, the problem is that students limit their defenses to only these kinds of strikes.  If this tactic was to work it would require at least two ingredients:

1.  That your opponent swing in that high arc.
2.  That you move in and JAM the attack.

3. Disarms opponent and delivers a blow to the groin with the stick

This is ridiculous and would only work in the training hall with a submissive opponent.  This picture dictates that the defender (after only blocking the attack) will be able to now control the motion (and the opponents hand/arm) of the stick.   Not only is this unrealistic, but striking to the groin with your opponent still holding the stick wouldn’t do much anyway.  Getting control of your opponent would require at least one break up technique.

4. Holds onto opponent’s wrist

Okay, let’s say that you were able to get into this position, but since the above tactics wouldn’t work, you won’t get into this position.  However, if you did, it wouldn’t be that bad.  If you have a proper wrist lock and you managed to get the stick in your hand, you would be in a very good position.  The opponent is facing away, you have some control with wrist lock and you have a weapon ready to strike.  Great, if in fact you could actually get here.

5. Sweeps opponent’s right leg

Here we go again.  We tried this over and over to see where the author was getting this technique from.  But in all our test this sweep turned out to be just as we suspected – worthless.  First of all you should never, I repeat “never” cross your legs in a combat situation.  This isn’t Kung-Fu theater and you don’t have time to be tying up your legs.   Whenever you sweep, do so without cross stepping.   Next, even if you could sweep, the way the opponent is positioned in the first photo doesn’t allow for a realistic follow through.  Your opponent would have to literally throw himself to the floor.

Try it!

6. Prepares to run away

This shot helps you to see the stance and understand how unrealistic this shot really is.

Now let’s talk about what you COULD do in the same situation.  Please note that we have a variety of ways to respond to a stick attack, this particular response is to reflect a more realistic reaction as compared to the above photo series.  Also please note that this article is not about stick self defense, it is about unrealistic tactics that end up in popular martial arts magazines.  Anyway…

So, what CAN you do?

Follow Me to Part Two: ———->