Safety in Training and Reality

In class, we avoid striking the head, even when wearing protective gear. To be a good partner, we either move slowly, change the target (do a full speed strike beside the head), or practice those hard strikes against a safe target like the heavy bag or focus pads.

And when it comes to real self-defense, being knocked out may turn out to be the start of your troubles. We want to avoid taking punches, kicks or other impacts to the head though awareness, avoidance and appropriate actions.

Head of Stage Combat at Academie Duello and certified Instructor with Fight Directors Canada. Head of Bartitsu at Academie Duello, the longest continuously running Bartitsu program in the world.
Read more from David McCormick.