You know, being “shocked” is I think the real downfall in a self-defense situation. You do need the right mindset. You need the right awareness and the right way of understanding criminal and violent behavior. I think it was Silva who got carjacked in Brazil…awareness stops things like that not martial arts.
The Reality vs. Sport argument has been done to death.
And I really think the two should merge. There are so many “reality” schools who don’t spar and don’t teach athleticism…how can you possibly be realistic if you aren’t in shape??
There are lots of NHB people who think anyone who isn’t in a ring is wasting their time…like it means they don’t grapple, spar, box, etc.
Everyone (especially on the internet) is an “expert” and has an opinion. But when it comes down to it, the real situations I’ve been in I’ve seen much more opportunity to use tactics taught by people like Sammy Franco and Richard Dimitri then anything else.
And it’s not “martial arts” It’s de-escalation stances, first strikes, etc. I give their material a lot of credit actually. I use it too.
If you want to call yourself a “reality” martial artist you have to spar (no exceptions) you have to grapple (no exceptions) you have to box (no exceptions) and you have to know how to use weapons, and guns. You have to know how to deal with encroachments, victim “interviews”, stalking, passive and aggressive encroachment, sucker punching, hidden weapons, and the realities of how and why fights start, what kinds of places most have them, etc. I don’t frequent bars and clubs a lot, but the few times that I do I always enjoy observing how people act. Alcohol is the #1 reason for violence. By not drinking I’ll at least always have my mind and judgment in check.
I don’t know where I’m going with this. 
LOL Just that my goals are realistic self-defense. I’m interested in protecting myself in real altercations. I’m not interested in competition, but that does NOT mean competitive training is not realistic. In my mind competitive training, lifting weights, being athletic, sparring, grappling full contact is the “vehicle” you need to make the other things work. But when someone gets in your face, and you immediately drop down into a vale tudo stance…that might be the most fatal mistake you could have made depending on the situation. The mindset IS the key. You’re absolutely right about that. Some people are sincerely thinking about self-defense and they train very realistically for it. They spar basically the same way NHB people fight. They do things full contact, and with athleticism in mind. You should do it that way.
sigh…
if I walked in on them? I hope I would have a gun. 
If not… I at least know I train the best I can for right now. Training with “aliveness” gives you the understanding of how your body reacts in a crisis…
…but I know I’m not Superman…
All we can do is keep training, and keep looking for the best ways to train.
Speaking of which, I think I’ll put in some solo practice in for two hours or so.
Ryu
