Self Defense: Technical or Tactical?

Most self defense instructors teach a technique-oriented program. "If he does this, you do that."

Technique-oriented programs require scores, if not hundreds, of techniques in order to comprehensively cover the various situations and avenues of attack. Such a large number of choices is bound to slow down your OODA loop.

Bruce Lee practiced and taught a concept called No Technique. He operated in terms of a few simple principles, such as see the closest target and strike with the nearest weapon and find/create an opening and strike. These are tactics rather than techniques.

Steve Golden trained under Bruce Lee. If you are on any of Keith Pascal's e-mail lists, you recently received a link to the Steve Golden video below. If you missed it, here's your chance to gain a little insight into his approach.