A big misconception in self defense is the theory that the more techniques that you learn the better off you will be when a defensive situation presents itself. Learning multiple techniques is good but there are a couple of issues that should be considered.

Let’s first look at the issue of reaction time when presented with a threat. Reactionary time alone could decide your fate no matter what your skill level might be. The fact is that you may have a straight right that can penetrate a brick wall with ease and drop any attacker, but if you are unable to react in time with the punch it is useless. By overloading your mind with technique options you are drastically reducing your reactionary time. When a threat is perceived your mind has to make a split second decision on what technique is to be used. You mind does not have time to file through dozens of techniques and evaluate each one to see what the best course of action is.

Now let’s discuss the time needed to become proficient in these techniques. A person, whom is studying martial arts, spends hours honing ones skills and dedicates the time that is necessary for reactions to become automatic. Most people, looking to just learn self defense, just want the quickest program one can find. In my years of teaching Police Officers, as well as the general public, I have learned that 95% percent of people are not willing to practice a large number of techniques on a consistent basis. Most self defense programs are limited to a preset amount of time. This is mostly filled with dozens of techniques which causes the form of the techniques to be poorly done, with kicks and punches that generate very little power. To counter this problem, only a few effective techniques are taught, but the focus is now on being able to apply them effectively and correctly. By learning to use the body weight of your attacker to work in your favor and by delivering kicks and punches, utilizing your complete body mass, you can now give a single blow to the common peroneal nerve that causes your attacker to lose the ability to stand.

In a self defense situation, we want to stun the attacker as soon as possible and create the distance that is needed to escape. Most attacks come fast but the attackers are normally unwilling to enter a full out fight. They are looking for the easy score and just do not have the heart to continue once a severe blow has been inflicted upon them. Major motor points can be successfully attacked with only a few basic strikes, a knee, a shin kick, or a straight punch. Just these three strikes when done properly can devastate an attacker and give you the window of time that is needed to escape.

By sticking with a small number of techniques, the time required to become proficient dramatically drops. Your time can now be spent on building good muscle memory in which will give you optimum reaction time with maximum power. Remember the idea is to cause maximum damage as quick as possible while at the same time conserving your energy for your chance to escape.