Iain Abernethy Interview
I don’t expect many (if any) people here will actually watch this entire video (or even read my long-winded posts)
, but Iain Abernethy has a wealth of very good knowledge. I agree with almost 100% of what he’s saying.
However, one issue that goes unaddressed here, and everywhere else that self-defense and/or martial arts are discussed, is that for some (many?), “running away” is not a viable option. I’m talking about those who are older and/or not in the best of shape, or who have some type of chronic condition (injury, illness, etc.) that prevents them from running. OR…if they are with somebody, like a significant other, a child, or an elderly parent who can’t or won’t run or move quickly enough, and the target cannot just run away and abandon the person/people they’re with. Even someone well-versed in practical self-defense who is young, healthy, in good shape and uninjured NOW will not necessarily be that way all of his/her life.
In addition, an attacker or attackers aren’t necessarily out of shape; many street predators can easily outrun most average people; many outrun police all the time. In fact, many of the very people who post on the internet to “just run away” from danger most likely couldn’t outrun young attackers themselves. This is a glaring issue I don’t think I’ve EVER seen addressed by self-defense instructors, even some of the best, in their writings or videos.
I’m still healthy, in very good shape for my age, still possess my striking speed, and can run *a little*, but at 58 I’m not as fast a runner as I was when I was young, and a chronic injury adds to that. But the first time I REALLY pondered this issue was when I was caring for my mom full-time and had to take her for her doctor’s appointments, etc. If something had gone down while I was taking her around with her walker, there is NO WAY I could or would have been able to just cut my losses and run away from danger. An almost similar issue is if you were with a little kid; they don’t, and cannot, react or move quickly enough. Again,
nobody seems to consider this problem.
Note: I am aware that this long-winded post has little to do with the video itself, but it's something that needs to be said.
https://youtu.be/V55uLJ-kvDA
Jim