Reality Based Training - Choosing A System

September 9, 2008

Jim Wagner Training Can reality based training really remain associated with the core martial arts world and concepts?

The definition of the term Reality-Based as defined by originator Jim Wagner is:

“Training and survival skills based on modern conflict situations that the practitioner is likely to encounter in their environment (their “reality”), in an accordance with the use-of-force continuum of that jurisdiction.”

Now, martial arts as generally taught today likes to think it has a strong element of reality based training, but generally it’s the same martial art with a bit more ‘ooomph’ added! Loosely, they are divided into two main sections:

Sports - family and kids orientated. Sport-based systems, such as TaeKwonDo, JuJitsu, Judo, Greco-Roman Wrestling, Western boxing and others, may have their roots in traditional-based martial arts, but adhere to sporting rules in order to compete in various tournaments, sporting events, or even the Olympics!Like the traditional-base martial arts mentioned below, some viable self-defense techniques and training methods can be seen in the sport-based systems, but by definition they lack many modern conflict solutions!

Traditional - practiced in the way it was centuries ago (plus different country, history and social structures). Traditional-based systems, such as Karate, Kung-fu, and others, are ancient systems that adhere to ancient techniques and training methods. They typically wear uniforms, have a belt ranking system, and require their students to learn foreign customs, traditions and terminology.There are within these systems fundamental self-defense principals derived from that era, but they are not structured to teach students modern criminal and terrorism situations such as:bombings
armed robberies
drive-by shooting
carjackings
gang violence
threat assessment, etc.

I think all of us on this website are well aware of these first two, because that’s where we all started - or may still belong to, but ‘reality based’ arts are becoming a bit hyped up in the martial arts world. There are many systems that claim to be reality based, for instance,

Krav Maga, Kapap, Lotar, PATS, Defendokai, etc.

and all of these systems have their own views on training and methods.

The concept of reality based training was already used by police and military instructors long before it drifted into vogue with civilian martial arts. In warfare and combat you have, shall we say, a little more leeway in how ‘forceful’ you can be with an aggressor

Within the reality based section there are differences between systems depending on the participants role in society and it is important to find a system that fits your needs.

Being able to physically defend yourself is only a small, all be it important, portion of a reality based system.

Reality Based Personal Protection Training.
Reality-based systems are those systems that teach the fundamental self-defense techniques that are found in both the above traditional-based and sport-based systems, but go a step(s) further by training specifically for modern conflict situations, and eliminating outdated techniques and training methods.

A good system will contain the following aspects as defined by the originator of reality based training, Jim Wagner:

Pre-conflict
Conflict
Post-conflict.

Further you need an instructor that gives the correct training - because training in an incorrect way will not condition you properly for a brutal attack on the streets or during your role as a ‘peace keeper’ or security person. Lets dig a little deeper into this.

High Kick Defence I know some of you are probably thinking that you have a “reality-based” system because you are training more realistically and have abandoned the non-essential customs and traditions in your core martial art, but it is probably not a “complete reality-based” systems.
Within the syllabus there is no carefully thought out program to deal with the situation and environment leading up to a potential conflict, nor how to deal with the aftermath of a conflict. In other words, the system lacks Pre-Conflict and Post-Conflict training.

The bit in the middle - the actual conflict and training for it - may be lacking simply because all concerned have a ‘film world’ concept of situations rather than real-world experience with criminals, the unstable, terrorism, and cruel violence.

If you look at the Jim Wagner Reality-Based Personal Protection system it includes the required Pre-Conflict, Conflict, and Post-Conflict. Not surprising as Jim Wagner created the world’s original reality-based system and coined the term for the civilian martial arts.

Pre-Conflict training is the foundation for all of his courses which includes,

Threat Assessment
Situational Awareness
Conflict Cues (reading a person for hostilities)
the O.O.D.A. process
legal issues
criminal counter-surveillance
knowing the Assault Elements
Threat Zone Management Conflict Conditioning (mentally and physically)
training documentation
and much more.

Post-Conflict training are those actions immediately following a physical conflict, such as

Self-Triage and Combat First Aid
victim rescues
citizen’s arrest methods
Incident Recollection
evidence identification and preservation
police contact
the Conflict Cycle
courtroom survival
and the list goes on.

Conflict training is where Jim’s training goes way beyond what any other self-defense system teaches. The techniques come from the world’s elite police, military, corrections, and security units, which ultimately ties into an understanding of criminal and terrorist tactics. He’ll teach you what few instructors are qualified to teach:

defense against terrorist bombings and small arms attacks,
criminal style stabbings,
carjackings,
drive-by shootings,
kidnappings,
sexual assault,
armed robbery,
criminal chemical attacks,
gang violence,
school and workplace massacres,
child abductions,
sniper attacks – just to name a few.

Of course you learn all the strikes, blocks, and movements common to other systems, but only those techniques that will actually work in the streets or the battlefield. That’s right – battlefield. Although Jim teaches a civilian personal protection system, police and military personnel often attend these courses simply because much of what he teaches is not even taught in many units and agencies, or in such a comprehensive manner.

Jim Wagner Reality-Based Personal Protection

Malcolm Keith
UltimatePressurePoints
PeterboroughMartialArts
YoshikiGoshinJutsu

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