5 Benefits of Scenario Training of Self-Defense Techniques

Uncategorized May 11, 2020

Originally posted on February 26th, 2016 by Dustin B. Denson

Confidence Building

What I mean by "Self-Defense Techniques" are those common attacks and self-defense techniques that you are taught regardless of the martial art that you may have practiced or still practice.  These include, but are not limited to grabs, cross-grabs, two-hand grabs, lapel grab with either hand on either side, two-hand lapel grab, front choke, rear choke, bear hug, being pushed or shoved, and defending against basic punches to name a few.  I remember from when I first started training in Taekwondo back in 1986 that these were some of the first martial arts moves that I learned.  I believe, they are still a staple of all martial arts training.  They can be and are, I believe, excellent ways to teach basic principles, strategies, and tactics of armed and unarmed close quarters combat. Furthermore, they can be used to build confidence in new students.

How Did I Get Here?

However, there has always been something that has bothered me about these attacks and techniques.   How do you end up there in the first place?  How do you end up in a position where your wrist has been grabbed, your upper arm, or the collar of you shirt?  With some of these techniques, it is easier to imagine how you ended up in that position than it is with others.  For example, we have all been pushed or shoved at some point; but what about a wrist grab?  Maybe it was just the fact that I was young and not experienced or just not imaginative enough back then.  At any rate, to answer these questions, I recommend scenario training.

Serial Scenarios

A scenario is "a description of possible actions or events in the future" (dictionary.cambridge.org). Scenarios can provide the who, what, where, when, why, and how when engaging in any kind of martial arts practice.  Consequently, this is true when practicing self-defense techniques. Constructing scenarios require imagination and creativity, but should be grounded in reality.  Essentially, what you are doing is creating a short story, a context or situation, for whatever technique you happen to be training.  This is better than just demonstrating a technique and having students practice it repetitively.  Of course, that has to be done too..

A Walk Through Your Town

Ideas for scenarios can come from student questions, actual attacks taken from news stories, or based on places you may find yourself where ever you live or travel.  For example, the River Walk here in San Antonio has been the subject of many scenarios during my classes because of its unique location, structure, and number and flow of people.  The River Walk has narrow sidewalks on either side of the river.  So, you have a river on one side of the sidewalk and usually the entrance to some restaurant, shop, or seating area where people are dining on the other.  This can present unique problems because there can be a lot of people on both sides traveling in both directions.  If you are with a large group or your family, then this can become even more interesting.  Another example is when I teach the sidestepping footwork from PTK.  A simple self-defense technique to demonstrate with the sidestepping footwork is against a forward push, shove, or attempted grab with both hands.  While students are practicing the footwork, I tell them that the scenario is that they are in close quarters, they don't have a lot of room for controlling the range or maneuvering and that the attacker is already right in front of them and close.  Then, with a partner, I have them alternate practicing the sidestep while their partner is lunging forward to try push them.  A simple parry with the hands and/or strike to the head can be added to amplify the training.  This is also applicable to encounters on the River Walk.

Scenario training is important and beneficial for several reasons.  I'm sure there are more, but here are a few:

1.  Motivation

It is motivating.  When students have a context in which they can imagine having to execute whatever technique they are training, it gives them a reason for doing it.  If they can imagine themselves in that exact situation having to execute that technique, then they will want to give it there all in order to learn and execute it successfully.  After all, their safety and/or the safety of their family or loved ones may depend on it.

2.  Relevant

It makes it relevant.  People learn better when something is relevant to them.  This helps them to make a connection and realize the importance of the training.  This also provides purpose and meaning for what is being learned.  That is absolutely crucial to learning anything.  If it isn't relevant then you aren't going to care and this will affect motivation, understanding and retention.

3.  Understanding

Scenario training leads to a better understanding of the material learned (the technique).  This is related to relevancy.  We have a tendency to understand things better if it is relevant to us and we can actually "see" ourselves in that situation executing the technique we are practicing.  The more realistic the scenario, the better the understanding.

4.  Retention

Of course, if students are motivated, know that something is relevant to them, and understand what they are doing, then retention of the material learned is going to be better.  This is the point of martial arts training - retain what you have learned so you will be able to execute it without thinking when the need arises.

5.  Fun

Finally, scenario training is fun.  It makes training more interesting because it is dynamic and realistic.  If the training is realistic, effective, and fun, then all the better.  This can also improve attendance, because students look forward to coming to class because they have a good time while learning something valuable.

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