(Approx 2 minute 10 second read)

As we get older, our karate should change. We no longer need to prove ourselves like we did in our twenties.
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Instead, we add another layer to our practical, pragmatic training – moving meditation, more introspection, and a sense of dignity. We begin to think about the legacy we’ll leave behind. Unlike many physical disciplines that fade with age, karate adapts. Its lessons deepen even as the body slows down.
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I was discussing this recently with a senior dan grade. We talked about how we might respond if we were attacked by someone bigger, younger, and faster. At our age, we don’t have the same fitness or durability we once did. We certainly can’t run as fast, and despite working out daily, our strength isn’t what it was.
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Old injuries nag more often, and just getting out of bed can feel like an Olympic event.
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Our conversation turned to this question – how bad (or good) are untrained people at fighting?
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Karate was originally created to protect oneself from civilian attacks – “villains or ruffians,” as Itosu wrote.
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Of course, it depends on what we mean by untrained. Some people learn to fight simply by getting into fights.
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Many untrained people lack the conditioning for a prolonged struggle – poor stamina, poor resilience – but size and strength still count. A bigger, stronger person may have an advantage, even without formal skill.
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While technique and training can offset that, sheer size and aggression remain serious factors. An untrained attacker might throw wild haymakers or have a hidden weapon without any plan – but that unpredictability is exactly the danger.
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A colleague of mine from Northern Ireland was reminded of this just this week. He was visiting California and was jumped upon in a car park in San Francisco. Thankfully, he got away unharmed – but it shows how unpredictable things can be when these so-called untrained individuals strike.
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And there are many ways things can go wrong, even for an experienced martial artist. An untrained opponent is unpredictable.
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He won’t react like your partner in the dojo. He’ll resist, struggle, and refuse to let you neatly finish that arm-lock you’ve drilled a thousand times.
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Some people are just natural fighters, even without formal training. Assuming an attacker is incompetent is dangerous thinking.
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In a real self-defense situation, the danger from the untrained isn’t just their intent but their chaos. Instinctive, erratic reactions can escalate things quickly.
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So when facing someone untrained, awareness is everything. Without a plan or discipline, they rely on surprise and brute force. You have to read and stop that force before it stops you.
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Beware the untrained – their unpredictability can make them the most dangerous kind of adversary. The bad guy always knows when the attack is coming.
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We might not be as fast or sharp as we once were, but we can still meet what comes with clear eyes and the sense to know when to act – and when to walk away. And that is still the best option at any age.
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Written by Adam Carter – Shuri Dojo