This list isn't comprehensive, it's just a few of the things I hear about Jiu Jitsu and self defence.

Going to the Ground is a bad idea in the a self defence scenario

Yes and no.

Yes, being taken down and ending up on your back is not good. But if that does happen, then I'd sooner have skills to fight when I'm on my back than not.

But also, controlling someone when they're pinned to the ground is far easier than controlling them standing. There are many scenarios where going to the ground isn't just a good idea, it's the best idea.

Punching isn't as reliable as the movies make out

Punching is great skill. But take it from someone who has thrown a lot of them- you need to train and spar a lot of boxing to make sure that a) you hit the target, and b) the target doesn't hit you.

Knockout punches are rare. Swinging matches are more common. A key fact- I've never been in a single fight in which I didn't take at least one punch. Win or lose.

(by fight I mean mainly in sporting contests)

So if you don't make contact and finish someone with the very first punch, you're likely to get hit.

Having a clinch and grappling game reduces your chances of being hit.

What about concrete? Or broken glass on the ground?

What about it? If someone is attacking you, then you're in a fight for your safety/survival. Grazing and cuts need Savlon and plasters afterwards. Bruises need ice. It's all risk. None of it is safe and comfortable.

What about if there's more than one person?

Then, and I don't mean to be crude, you're more than likely f*cked. Your job is not to defeat them in a show of martial arts skills, your job is now to get to safety or call for help as quickly as possible.

There are tactics for this, I've trained in them, but even the most optimistic outcome is to beat a careful retreat. Knocking one out and then focusing on the other is in the realm of fantasy.

What about training self defence scenarios?

If that's your thing, go for it. But I would argue that the most realistic self defence scenario you can ever train is if you get a fully resistant opponent to try to prevent you from doing your techniques. That's how all martial sports, like Jiu Jitsu, train.

You also can't train for every scenario. Clothing, surfaces, size, speed, strength, inebriation level, surroundings all can't be prepared for exactly. Fighting isn't like an exam. You can't see sample questions in advance.

What you can do is get a solid base in an adaptable fighting system like Jiu Jitsu, and learn, through athletic training, to be comfortable when it gets uncomfortable.

A few final points

These are from my experience of talking to people about this over the years...

As a man, your chances of being in a physical fight peak in your late teens and reduce as you get older (thankfully).

Men tend to think of self defence as if it will be a duel. That's really incorrect.

Women see self defence through a scarier prism of sexual assault. The "solutions" being sold to them such as weekend courses are snake oil.

A lot of people start training Jiu Jitsu for self defence, and then sort of forget about it after a while and just train to enjoy or for sport.

The greatest gift a young bloke gets from training Jiu Jitsu is confidence and community. These 2 things are self defence attributes in my view. The confidence to walk away, the community that keeps him away from situations.

See you on the mat!

Barry