Most Common...

Most Common “First Action” Attacking Methods:

Right or Left (70/30) Side being utilized by Aggressor.

Arm Strikes: “Roundhouse” Punch

                     “Shoulder-Cocked” Punch

                                    Punch from Waist (Straight Punch)

                      Upper-Cut Punch

Leg Strikes: Knee Strike

                    Front Kick

                    Roundhouse Kick

                   “Spinning” Kick (type is irrelevant)

Grabs & Pushes: Push to Chest/Shoulder (1&2-Hand)

                            Forearm Grab (High-Straight & Cross)

                            Upper Arm Grab (Single/Cross-Straight, Double)

                            Bear-Hugs From Rear (Outside & Inside)

    

  These are the most commonly encountered “First Action” aggressions that are encountered in a typical (unarmed) altercation. The most commonly taught response/reaction that is taught to “new” students (from the majority of martial arts methodology's), is to respond by retreating/backing-up. Though seeming to be a logical reaction (and often based upon the premiss that one will do so naturally anyhow), by doing so, it more often places the defender/tori into a more perilous position.

    

  By “backing-up”, the tori has started his body-weight motioning in a rearward direction (away from the aggressor). This will cause any counter-strikes being made (on their part) to be less effective.

     

  They are also moving (further) into the effective range of the aggressor's (initial) strike. Successive strikes (by the uke) are very often performed in sets (of 2, or 3), with the first, and the final strikes of the set (that's being performed) intending to be the most damage producing blows.

     

  This strategy is intended to cause the defender to “cover-up” (defensively), and thus causing/creating further openings for the aggressor to exploit.

     

  This is a time-tested (and proven) tactic, that is very often completely effective (which is why many people use it). It is also (but one of the reasons) why, we don't train our student's to back-up.

     

  We (as most every other system, LOL) begin our (new) student's with learning the basic motions and stances. As they become more familiar with these, we introduce them to basic applications (of the various types of defensive actions, ie. For Grabs, pushes, strike attempts, etc.).

        

  Once they've became familiar with those basic motions, we have them begin to utilize them in various (combined) protective sequences.

     

  Although there are numerous responsive actions for each of the individual aggressive manors presented, we (initially) have them work on (singular) motions that can be used (equally) for any of the various methods of aggression.

    

  As the student progresses, they can/will determine (for themselves) which method is the most natural (and productive) for their own defensive practice.

 I've previously described one of these (types of) motions and have explained how they are practiced against the common manors utilized in an assault (like those listed above). 

 Very often, it seems that systems will attempt to have students practice defenses for manors of assault that are more appropriate in an action movie, than in a typical assault.

 
 The situations listed above, are far more common than what are more often seen practiced in the average school/dojo. Many schools attempt to have students practice against aggressor's who utilize martial arts types of aggressive techniques.

   
 Aside from being unrealistic (much less common) practicing against those types of techniques doesn't acclimate the student to recognizing the more commonly encountered assault methods. 
  
 As opposed to retreating, we will either motion to one (either) side, or forward. If/when we motion to one side, we will most often follow-up that motion with a forward motion.
  
 Motioning forward has numerous advantages, initially it changes the distancing that the aggressor had initially planned for. It also allows the defender to apply the necessary counter-measures to neutralize the aggressor faster (than retreating, then having to move back forward in order to apply the counter measures). 
   
 Though these motions are (individually) simple forms of the taught basic motions, when combined they could (initially) be considered confusing (to the student). It's the continued practice of these motions that will simplify their use for the student. 
  
 If student's are practicing against unrealistic manners of assault, then that practice is (in fact) useless. Practicing to defend from assaults that could (most probably) only be perpetrated by a martial artist, is both unrealistic and to some degree, somewhat pointless.
  
 For the average student, practicing to prevent the more commonly used (types of) techniques such as those listed, are of far greater benefit to those who's wishes are geared towards self-protection.