Never the first attack,
but always the first strike!
Mudit Srivastava
Master Gichin Funakoshi stated that,“There is no first attack in Karate.” Many people don’t quite understand what Master Funakoshi meant by this teaching. It simply means that a true martial artist will not use his skills to go around bullying people or attacking people with no reason. That is the “first attack.”
But, as my dear friend, Mudit Srivastava, puts it, “Never the first attack, but always the first strike!” This is exactly what Master Funakoshi taught, although it may not seem like it at first.
There is a difference between the first attack and the first strike. This is where many martial artists get confused. The first attack does not have to be physical. In fact, the first attack is rarely physical. Most thugs don’t merely walk up to someone and start swinging.
The first attack happens long before the first punch is thrown. The first attack may be with words or other telltale signs that signify that the predator is about to attack, although the predator hasn’t thrown a punch yet, you are indeed under attack. This is where your environment awareness comes into play.
The first attack can be with words, with looks which give away his intentions, or with hand movements, such as someone reaching into his pocket for a knife or into his coat for a gun. You must be acutely aware of the predator’s mind, movements, and intentions. Learn to read people well.
You have to be alert and notice what is going on around you. If you aren’t, you may miss these small, telltale signs that alert you that you are under attack. If you wait until you are hit before you strike back, you may not have the opportunity to strike back or to defend yourself. It only takes one lucky punch to put you on the ground.
You must sense the first attack in time to make the first strike. Strike back fast and hard. Don’t give your attacker the opportunity to do damage to you. And don’t stop until you know for a fact that your attacker is out of commission!
Never use your skills to bully people, to intimidate people, or in order to take what you want illegally. Your martial arts skills are only to be used for self-defense. And in order to use your skills correctly, you need to be able to sense when some thug or predator has made the decision to attack you.
If you stay aware of your environment, you can thwart most would be attackers without having to get physical. But if you know that you have no choice, always make sure that you launch the first strike and never give the predator a chance to injure or kill you.
I consider Shihan Bohdi Sanders to be one of the modern era great American authors and his views on Martial Arts Philosophy and multiple Styles of Self Defense disciplines to be second to no one. That’s why I felt he deserved the Official Title of “Shihan” which is rarely given and only by a GM of verifiable Rank and Authority to do so. He has earned my friendship and respect in his teachings and expertise in the Arts. He will always be, in my book, a teacher of teachers. Live long and always teach Shihan! Yosh!