REALITY-BASED SELF-DEFENSE OVERVIEW

What Reality-Based Self-Defense Is and Is Not

According to Jim Wagner, "reality-based" is defined as training and survival skills based on modern conflict situations that practitioners are likely to encounter in their environments (their "reality").

Reality-based self-defense eliminates the unnecessary from martial arts, such as tradition, ceremony, formality, and forms/kata. Techniques are not fancy or impractical such as spinning kicks, high kicks to the head, complicated joint locks. It does not take years of training to be proficient.

Reality-based self-defense is also not mixed martial arts (MMA), which is a sport with defined rules and controlled environments.

This system is based on a few simple techniques based on gross motor skills, practiced in a realistic environment with actors and props. Adrenal stress is introduced. The focus is on the few skills that you are most likely to use in a conflict.

Reality-based is now very popular, as more people learn the difference between martial arts and self-defense. Jim Wagner coined the term, developed his system for law enforcement, military, and civilians. He popularized it through his monthly column in Black Belt magazine.

Components

Some common aspects of reality-based self-defense are:

• Realistic Scenario-Based Training. Scenarios include attackers shouting or threatening you, confined spaces, uneven terrain, objects and debris on the ground, clothing you normally would wear, weapon props, and adrenal stress.
• 3 Stages of Conflict – Pre-Conflict, Conflict, Post-Conflict.
• Pre-conflict includes training, conflict cues, and indicators of danger.
• Conflict includes the confrontation and response to attack.
• Post-conflict includes escape, first aid, police contact, litigation, and learning from the experiences.
• Graduated Response. Different levels of threat demand different levels of response. Do not use excessive force from a legal standpoint.
• Techniques. Hybrid of techniques from martial arts and other fighting disciplines. They are instinct based and simple, and can include striking, blocks, takedowns and throws, ground fighting, defending against holds, knives, guns, multiple assailants, and terrorism.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Books Reality-based self-defense books. Includes recommended books.
• Videos Reality-based self-defense DVDs and videos serve as excellent supplemental learning tools. Learn at your own pace in the comfort of your home.
• Training Live reality-based self-defense training from qualified instructors allows more personalized training, technique correction, and practice with partners.
• Information Additional websites that provide reality-based self-defense information.
• More Articles Read more reality-based self-defense articles from our library.