No First Attack In Karate

Karate is a defensive art. Attacking first in karate is never considered. It is not taught during karate training and is never used in a real-life situation. It is a purely defensive art, intended to subdue the attacker without injuring him or the martial artist.

In most of the movements in karate-ka, except in sparring and some Katas, the defensive action starts with blocking or countering the attacker. There is very little time spent on how to initiate action in karate training. This is done on purpose.

Normally a person is vulnerable on two occasions. The first is when he or she is least suspecting or not aware of the danger approaching. Attacking an unsuspecting person goes against the principles of karate training and therefore one is not expected to do so. The second is when the individual is being attacked.

During any altercation and before the confrontation starts, the opponent is always on guard. It is not possible to attack a person who is on guard. It is not even possible to initiate attack on an untrained person. However, in every situation a form of karate-ka should be chosen, which presents the least, threatening defensive technique, always with the aim of protecting yourself and the attacker. In any case, if the attacker attacks and does not defend, when the opportunity arises, an appropriate move must be made to protect the attacker and self.

The best thing is to avoid any confrontation. In a situation where the probability of attack is very high, it is important to maintain a non-aggressive attitude. This will help in diffusing the ugly situation. The attacker may not fight an unwilling opponent or they may take the opponent's attitude as a sign of weakness. In this way, the attacker may think he has gained an upper hand and will become overconfident. In the first instance, the confrontation has been avoided which is one of the principles of karate. In the second, the karate practitioner has gained a moral victory over the attacker, which indicates the advantage of karate training. It shows the peace and harmony that has been found through in by karate training.

Karate teaches self-control over the mind and force of will over actions. In a fight against an opponent who does not know martial arts, the knowledge of karate techniques should not be not used to injure the opponent. Though superior by virtue of having learned the techniques of karate, these techniques should never be used to attack. Karate is purely a defensive art.

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