“However, the more interesting observation is that, of the cases I dug up, 60 percent of those who used martial arts to smack down an attacker (even if only temporarily) were blind or elderly. Sure, maybe only the man-bites-dog cases find their way into news accounts. But it’s tempting to say blind and/or elderly + martial arts training = decent chance of kicked bad-guy ass.”
This is not surprising. People with serious martial arts training develop a manner of movement that reflects control of their personal space. If someone moves like that, and is young and tough-looking, muggers will find someone else to victimize, and the martial artist doesn’t get to demonstrate his/her prowess. Thus, it’s only among the apparently easy victims - the elderly and seemingly vulnerable - that muggers will find the unpleasant surprises that get the stories into the news.
My plan to use martial arts against muggers is to sweep out my fencing foil and strike an en garde in seconde. Then while the muggers are bent over double laughing, I make my escape with catlike swiftness…
Well, I act in an Arthurian “Renaissance” faire, so if I did happen to be wearing my sword (a Starfire LS-28), I’d be a bit more dangerous.
(Actually, I do wear my sword from time to time, specifically, when shopping for gloves. It’s amazing how many people don’t look twice. I recommend doeskins, by the way; they’re like Playtex Living Gauntlets.)
I’ve often wondered how well vets from WWII and Korea fare against muggers. The hand to hand fighting techniques they learned in boot camp wouldn’t be easily forgotten. Some of the combat in those wars was up close and personal. There were cases of men fighting hand to hand and with the army issue Ka-Bar knife. I don’t think muggers want to face off against a ka-bar.
Maybe gramps needs to carry one when he goes shopping. http://www.militarypictures.info/d/1609-6/ka-bar-ww2.JPG
Anyone know what boot camp self-defense was taught in WWII and Korea? Wasn’t it basic judo or maybe Jujitsu? I’m not what the difference is. Judo throws could still easily be executed by a 75 year old ex-paratrooper. It’s mostly requires leverage and not strength.
I have to disagree with the bolded statement. It is the appearance of confidence that is important, not the appearance of age. Bad guys profile for victims and they look for people that they believe they can screw around with no resistance. They’ll jump on a 30 year old faster than a 60 year old if the 60 year old looks like he would put up a fight and the young guy doesn’t.
I took several years of Kenpo Karate. One time at night while I was at my vehicle a flash in my periphery and a tap on the shoulder prompted a reverse hand chop at the throat. It was an elderly lady. I stopped the chop before doing any damage. She was only wanting directions. I told next time she should cough, sneeze, or fart before sneaking up on someone.
Some years later I was at a party. A younger guy was trying to impress his GF by feigning punches to my nose. He connected once that stung my nose. Before I realized it, I had my thumb buried into his juggler and he dropped to the floor on his knees. I informed him I was leaving and I would let go to get my coat. I asked him if he agreed. He gurgled okay. When I let go I mistakenly turned my back on him. I turned around as he was coming at me with a butcher knife in each hand jabbing and swinging. I blocked them all and managed a punch that floored him.
If it hadn’t been for all the practice in Kenpo he would have cut my heart out. It all came so naturally in a pinch.
