Why It is OK To Be Scared Of Fighting In Self-Defence

Testosterone has a lot to answer for in the self-defence world.

Even online you can start to see the testosterone rise when passionate martial arts instructors get into a debate about what works in self-defence.

Yet some go further, they want to go from self-defence to offence.

I have seen people threaten others, offer to fight people and even once I read that one man was going to attend seminars and offer to fight the self-defence instructor.

It seems that a lot of individuals involved in self-defence are actually really just interested in fighting others.

But why?

This seems almost bizarre that an industry that is designed to make sure people are able to protect themselves against criminal assault is full of people, so eager to attack others?

I know the answer.

They have never felt fear.

In this article, I will explain why it is ok to be afraid to fight and why people who say they are not scared are either telling lies or are just plain stupid.

Fear Is About The Risk of Losing

Faith in anything is very powerful, and self-belief can be incredible.

But what happens if self-belief leads to your downfall?

Sadly we see this a lot now with youngsters travelling abroad who try and ‘balcony hop’ while drunk. They believe they can jump to the next balcony while under the influence of alcohol and sadly many have fallen and suffered severe or fatal injuries.

The same thing happens with fighting ability.

Go to any town centre, and you will see two young men or women squaring up to each other and saying ‘come on then, I’ll smash your face in’ or words to that effect.

They truly believe they will destroy the other person.

But what references do they have to support this view?

Sure some might have training, but in truth, usually neither one will be experienced in real violence.

But what about self- defence students and instructors?

Why are they so eager to fight?

My opinion is that they have ‘positive violence associations’ cause by training.

This is how advertising works, it alters what they call memory structures by linking positive feelings toward products. For example, you link drinking Rum and Coke with having a great time with friends.

So when a Coke or Rum advert shows friends having fun in a bar drinking Rum and Coke, you link the product with a positive experience.

The same thing happens with self-defence training.

You link fighting to having a good time.

This is especially an issue if your training is all one way and sees you as the ‘victor’ in every situation and drill.

But what about instructors with some experience who are like this?

We will cover this next.

Why Some Experience Is Dangerous

In self-defence we have a lot of people with some experience, maybe they were in the police, a door supervisor, security, armed forces or prison service.

The thing with experience is simple, you can have one experience repeated over 20 years, or you can have 20 years of experience.

There is a huge difference.

So when someone says that they were a police officer, a door supervisor or any other profession like this, it does not mean anything.

Sure they could have an incredible depth of experience, or they could just be great at dealing with very drunk people at 3 am.

But where ‘inexperience’ shines through is in the eagerness to fight and the belief they will win with ease.

Many self-defence instructors have had a small amount of experience and as a result they start to have ‘less fear’ or zero fear of a fight because they think every fight is easy!

Experienced people are scared of violence.

They have seen more incidents and know that there is the potential of defeat.

Rickson Gracie On Fear

The above video is taken from the documentary called Choke which stars the BJJ legend, Rickson Gracie.

Rickson says he believes fear and intelligence are closely linked and that he is afraid of everything.

This is a man who we know is a fighting machine. The guy that Royce Gracie (his brother) said was far better than him.

Why is Rickson afraid?

Because he has a lot of experience of fighting, both in the ring and of course on the streets and beaches of Rio, Brazil.

So if you are afraid of getting into a self-defence situation, you are in good company.

What Happens When You Lack Fear?

Bruce Lee said:

“When Being Attacked By A Thug, The Fact Is That He Has But A One Track Mind Which Is Bent On Your Destruction, Rarely Considering What You Can Do”

I have found that this is always the case.

The simple truth is that if you lack fear in self-defence teaching or training, then you may actually even be a thug.

Never Mistake Fear For A Lack Of Ability

The above video is the legendary boxing trainer Cus D’Amato talking about how the hero and the coward feel the same in the presence of fear, it what action they take that separates them.

In this article, we need to make it clear that fear does not mean you cannot fight.

Instead, it is a healthy mechanism that shows your training is both spot on and so is your attitude.

Now I will also add that there is nothing wrong with confidence. It is fine to feel fear and also have faith that you will defeat your attacker.

You need this confidence in any self-defence situation.

So if you are reading this and wondering why you are still scared of fighting when you see and hear so many people that are unafraid.

Do not worry.

Fear is not only natural but essential, and it shows you are on the right path.

Thanks for reading