The 12 Principles of Presas Arnis - Always Respect Your Opponent
- Jackie Bradbury
- Nov 5
- 2 min read
When you've trained in the martial arts a long time, and you've become very skilled, it's easy to become... let's call it... overconfident.
Maybe the person you're up against is smaller than you, less fit, less experienced, or just someone you think can't possibly be a threat to you.
You just know there's no chance at all that this week loser can beat you.
Well... there's a reason, in sports, they bother to play the game, even if the odds are overwhelmingly in favor of one team. Remember the "Miracle on Ice"?
The 11th Principle of Presas Arnis is "Always Respect Your Opponent".
We like to say that part of our strategic thinking when training at Kindred Protective Arts is one of "always the underdog". We don't ever want to believe we're the favorites in the fight.
This mentality helps us avoid mistakes of overconfidence: ignoring fundamentals, getting lazy with mechanics and energy, and not taking a potential threat seriously enough.
This principle goes hand in hand with "Learn from Everyone", the 9th Principle of Presas Arnis.
Just as we believe everyone has something to teach us, we also believe that anybody can have skills and knowledge we don't have, and those unknown skills may give them an advantage over us we didn't realize they've got.
This is also very applicable in the realm of self defense.
It is absolutely possible for a smaller or weaker person to overcome a bigger and stronger person when it comes to self defense. It happens every day, in domestic disputes, in bar fights, and in criminal encounters.
It's also possible that someone smaller or weaker may be armed, and be knowledgeable enough, and willing enough, to use it.
That's another part of our strategy - always assume a weapon, even if we can't see it. It's another way to respect your opponent.
Learn why respecting your opponent is so very important by scheduling a free trial lesson at Kindred Protective Arts today!
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