I recently got a great question from a tae kwon do student about fighting.

Here’s what he asked:

“I’m in taekwondo but I would like to know what to do if an opponent was to go low at me and make a dive at my legs, what would be a quick counter attack before he attempts to take me down and after?”

Great question. And the answer is actually pretty simple:

If someone dives in at your legs (a popular attack from someone who understands wrestling and grappling) all you do is bring your knee up into his face.

At best, you’ll knock him out cold. At the very least, you’ll give him a whopping headache or a broken nose. Either way, he’ll be down for the count.

Sounds simple, doesn’t it?

That’s because it IS simple.

And that’s the whole point. In order for a fighting move or tactic to work in the real world, it must be simple.

In other words, if you try to use “fine” motor movements — like applying some kind of joint manipulation or reverse take down — you’re going to be beaten and humiliated.

If you instead use “gross” motor movements — like simply bringing your knee into the guy’s face or pounding the tip of your elbow into the back of his neck — you’ll not only get the job done (regardless of how fast or experienced you are) but you’ll also cause a lot more pain and suffering to your attacker.

I thought this was a great question for two reasons:

1.) It’s very common for someone to try to dive in for your legs in a fight.

2.) And secondly, it proves why, if you want to learn how to take care of yourself in a real fight, you need to know the difference between street-fighting self defense
and tournament-based self defense like tae kwon do.

I am not against learning the tournament based martial arts, but when it comes to surviving a real fight, you need to know those types of arts will only do so much to help you out. Especially if you’re dealing with someone who is armed or if you are dealing with multiple opponents.

Sifu Matt Numrich is one of only a few instructors with Full Certification in Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do, and also the Filipino Martial Arts. His students include everyone from Federal Air Marshals and military elites…to small children and 65-year old ladies. Matt also offers free weekly street-fighting lessons by email at http://jkdondvd.com

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