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How Can John Wick Teach You Self-Defense?
The John Wick movies are a great example of how martial arts can be used for self-defense. However, it is important to remember that the movies are not realistic representations of real-world self-defense. In the movies, John Wick is able to take on multiple attackers and defeat them with ease with his Gun-Fu. This is simply not possible for most people in real life.
Several factors make self-defense in the real world more difficult than it is in the movies. First, most people do not have the same level of training as John Wick. Second, most people are not as prepared for a fight as John Wick is. Third, most people do not have the same access to weapons as John Wick does.
Here are some of the key differences between John Wick’s self-defense strategies and real-world self-defense:
- John Wick is a highly skilled assassin. He has been trained in a variety of martial arts and weapons, and he can take down multiple opponents. Most people do not have this level of training or experience.
- John Wick is willing to use deadly force. He is not afraid to kill his attackers, if necessary. Most people do not want to kill someone, even if they are being attacked.
- John Wick is in a fictional world. The laws of physics and the rules of engagement are different in the movies than they are in the real world.
Despite these challenges, there are several things that people can do to improve their chances of surviving a self-defense situation. Here are a few tips:
- Get training. The best way to improve your chances of surviving a self-defense situation is to get training. Many different martial arts can be used for self-defense, so find one that interests you and that you can commit to practicing regularly.
- Be prepared. It is important to be prepared for a self-defense situation. This means being aware of your surroundings and being prepared to run or fight if necessary. It also means carrying a personal alarm or other form of self-defense weapon.
- Stay calm. The most important thing to remember in a self-defense situation is to stay calm. If you panic, you are more likely to make mistakes. Take a deep breath and focus on the task at hand.
If you are ever in a self-defense situation, the most important thing is to do whatever it takes to protect yourself. Do not hesitate to use force if necessary. Your safety is the most important thing.
Here are some additional security practices that can help to prevent a self-defense situation from happening in the first place:
- Be aware of your surroundings. This means being aware of who is around you and what they are doing. If you see something that seems suspicious, trust your gut and report it to the authorities.
- Don’t walk alone at night. If you must walk alone at night, try to stay in well-lit areas and be aware of your surroundings.
- Carry a personal alarm or other form of self-defense weapon. This can help to deter attackers and give you a chance to escape.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you feel threatened, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a passerby or the police.
- Trust your gut. If you feel uncomfortable in a situation, trust your instincts and leave.
- Be assertive. If someone is being aggressive towards you, stand up for yourself and let them know that you are not afraid.
- Use your voice. If you are being attacked, scream or yell for help. This will startle your attacker and may attract attention from others.
- Fight back. If you are unable to escape, fight back in a way that will protect yourself. This could mean using your hands, feet, or any object that is available to you.
It is also important to take steps to secure your home and property. This could include installing security alarms, deadbolt locks, and motion-sensor lights. You should also keep your doors and windows locked, even when you are home.
By following these tips, you can help to protect yourself from harm.
If you are interested in learning self-defense, there are many reputable schools and organizations that offer classes. It is important to find a school that teaches a realistic and practical self-defense system. You should also make sure that the instructor is qualified and experienced.
How John Wick Helps People Defend Themselves
Watching movies like ‘The Karate Kid’ or ‘John Wick’ can undoubtedly influence people to learn how to defend themselves physically and emotionally. You are not necessarily going to learn the self-defense moves explicitly off the big screen. But they undoubtedly inspire individuals to gain a better understanding of self-defense techniques and to seek out professional martial arts and firearms training to significantly improve their skills.
The cinematic martial arts battles and shooter sequences can ignite a spark in an individual and motivate them to seek out more information and knowledge about the techniques they watch. This type of motivation can lead to a renewed commitment to take action toward acquiring the necessary skills to defend oneself properly.
Entertainment can be a great source of inspiration for people to seek out better ways to protect themselves and their loved ones, which is undoubtedly a significant positive outcome.
I personally started my martial arts journey in the late 1980s, soon after The Karate Kid (1984) and The Karate Kid, Part II (1986). By the time The Karate Kid, Part III (1989) came out, I was already taking Tae Kwon Do classes. But if I were to think back even further, watching Hanna-Barbera’s animated Hong Kong Phooey (1974) reruns in the late 1970s and early 1980s can probably be attributed to sparking my fascination with martial arts.
There were very few worthwhile techniques that “Penry Pooch’s” secret identity could have taught you out of his copy of The Hong Kong Book of Kung Fu. But whatever it is that motivates you to pursue education and instruction, celebrate that drive and allow it to lead you toward new challenges and accomplishments.
So What Style Does John Wick Actually Use?
Affectionately known as “Gun Fu,” the style of fighting that is seen in many modern action films can be traced back to the late 1980s, when it was pioneered by iconic director John Woo. He expertly combined martial arts with firearms to create an exciting new form of combat. Versions of this style were seen in movies like A Better Tomorrow (1986), The Killer (1989), and Hard Boiled (1992). Over the years, Gun Fu has made its way across the ocean, being featured in many US films such as Bulletproof Monk (2003) and Kick-Ass 1 and 2 (2010/2013).
However, it is in the John Wick franchise that the style is at its most intriguing, and most popular with the masses. According to director Chad Stahelski, Gun Fu in John Wick is an awesome composite of several different styles, mostly utilizing Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, tactical 3-gun, standing Judo, and various traditional martial arts weapons. Coordinated by Jonathan Eusebio, Keanu Reeves has blended different fighting techniques together to produce a captivating and unique style that combines the traditional with the experimental arts, making it ideal for dazzling the big screen.
So if John Wick is your idol, that is your training regiment. A couple of different Jiu-Jitsu flavors, some standing Judo, and of course intense tactical 3-gun training. Sadly, I have only seen Taran Butler train movie stars and celebrities at his gun range. However, if you are willing to get on the waitlist, you can order several different John Wick-themed firearms from his Taran Tactical Innovations gunsmithing website. I have four, a JW Glock 17, 19, and 34 pistols and a TTI/Sig Sauer MPX 9mm Carbine. I have a Benelli M4 Tactical shotgun, I just haven’t gotten the TTI package yet. Soon.
It’s important to recognize that motivation can come from many different sources, and it’s different for everyone. That being said, whatever it is that drives you to seek out various instruction and knowledge can be considered a positive influence in your life. Whether it’s a personal interest, a desire to improve your skills, or a need to meet professional or academic requirements, the act of seeking out instruction is the first step towards achieving your goals.
By embracing your desire to learn and expand your horizons, you open yourself up to new opportunities and experiences that you may not have otherwise had. In addition, the knowledge and skills you gain from martial arts instruction can help you in many different areas of your life, from personal growth to career advancement.
I kind of wish John Wick utilized some pepper spray or other non-lethal self-defense weapons, to popularize them and increase my sales… But then again, you are not John Wick, so you probably should buy some pepper spray to level the playing field a bit in your favor anyways.
For me, I’d like to thank both Hong Kong Phooey, John Wick, and everyone else in between for inspiring my training!
As always, be safe and be prepared.
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