When teaching new folks I always stress how to defend first
for many reasons. Attacking seems easier to folks defense seems harder.
I mean real defense, It is human nature to flinch/shy away from a attack

example: watch kids playing football baseball etc etc the ball comes at them
"WHAM"
and they move their head or try and move their body out of the way. now swing a
bat at a student
most the time you will get some crazy move to cover up or flinching to get out
of the way.

It takes some folks along time to beat (no pun) this natural reaction so I start
with a solid defense
not to mention in the beginning you get hit allot :) in any art, the student and
you feel better when you/they
know they are defending themselves and showing progress.

While they are doing this they are picking up on what to look for in striking,
openings, telegraphing etc etc
just a few reasons there are others. Sometimes you need to be defensive until
your chance comes.

Now with that said the police will not show up in time :) trust me the chances
of your fight still going on
by the time they get there is 0 and the chances of you fighting right next to an
officer -0 ;)

Now your about to get into a fight and there is no way around it well.. strike
first, strike hard, strike repeatedly, and then leave quickly
no bows no autographs no talking about it just leave, remember the guys face
just in case but forget the rest :)

Personally a good offense is the best defense but don't cheat yourself while
training and ignore either.

Craig "Kodiakc" Black




----- Original Message -----
From: tom21obrien
To: bata@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, July 03, 2009 12:35 PM
Subject: [bata] Attack or defend





During a practice we were discussing what is more important if not equal,
should you learn to defend, or attack. We thought blocking your attacker was a
more important skill for the simple fact that when cops show up you just look
like a guy who was defending yourself and the attacker gets tossed in the jail.
Were not saying that you shoudnt lay the smack down on some one if they need it.
Just that keeping yourself from getting hit at all may be a better skill and
worth more time on. Whats your take?





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