I do go on a little rant in this video. The subject is avoidance and awareness for the most vulnerable people in our society. As martial artists and self-defence enthusiasts, we owe it to ourselves, our loved ones and society in general to protect those who are most at risk.

It is for instructors, parents, carers and anyone who trains in the martial arts and wonders what their skills are really for.

Who the Vulnerable Are

We need to teach, and indeed to actively protect, the young, the old, the infirm and the incapable. These are the people least able to defend themselves and, sadly, often the people most likely to be targeted. It is a sad indictment of the present state of things that these philosophies seem to be missing in society.

Why Avoidance and Awareness Come First

For vulnerable people, fighting back is often not a realistic option. That makes avoidance and awareness even more important. The best self-defence is the situation that never happens.

Awareness means noticing what is going on around you. Who is nearby, what they are doing, where the exits are, and whether something feels wrong. Avoidance means acting on that awareness early: crossing the road, staying in well-lit places, not getting into the car, walking away.

Some simple habits help:

  • Keep your phone in your pocket and your eyes up when walking
  • Trust the feeling that something is not right
  • Plan routes and journeys, especially at night
  • Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back
  • Keep valuables out of sight

What Martial Artists Can Do

If you train, you have skills and confidence that others do not. That brings responsibility. You can teach awareness to children and older family members. You can keep an eye out for people who look in trouble. You can make your club a place where these values are taught, not just kicks and punches.

Protecting someone does not always mean physical action. Often it means being present, calling for help, or simply standing with someone so they are not alone. If you ever do have to step in, any force used must be reasonable, and your aim is safety, not a fight.

Teaching the Right Values

Martial arts at their best are about protection, respect and responsibility. If we forget that, we are just teaching people how to hurt each other.

Take It Further

For older or less athletic people, Fight Like An Old Man is built around simple self-defence that does not rely on strength. The Pressure Point Self Defense Course gives you a full system.