NCJ Number
166485
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 58 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1996) Pages: 74,76-79
Date Published
1996
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Martial arts can equip community corrections officers (CCO's) with an enhanced level of safety and, at the same time, improve their physical condition, general coordination, and reaction time.
Abstract
For the purposes of this article the martial arts refers to systems such as karate (Japanese/Okinawan), tae kwon do (Korean), and kung fu (Chinese), which teach striking and kicking techniques. Other systems, such as the slow-motion tai chi ch'uan and judo, include defensive techniques but are not recommended. The crucial philosophy that generally accompanies martial arts training is that one should use force to defend oneself against an attacker. Martial arts training, in addition to form practice, includes sparring, control techniques, and numerous physical conditioning exercises. With sufficient practice, a person learns how to act and react without thinking, creating "muscle memory." The basics of self-defense can be learned in 2 to 5 years with regular practice. With advanced levels of training, a person can respond to an attack before the opponent can complete it. The ability to react spontaneously and immediately with debilitating techniques, using nothing more than the mind coupled with fists, elbows, arms, legs, and feet, is what gives the martial arts its advantage over most other weapons systems. The CCO responds to the attack with only sufficient force to control the threat and prevent injury or death to himself/herself. Force should never be used to punish an attacker but only to ward off the attack. 5 references