09/06/2026
As an instructor, I've been debating a gentleman who wears an extra long fishing shirt, fully buttoned, and a budget nylon/leather (fleather) metal clip pocket holster with no retention. He claims to be a "fast" draw and the shirt alone makes it a 3-5 second effort. That kind of cocky overconfidence as we get older is beyond dangerous and often leads to the mouth getting you into trouble.
Now I can bash his equipment and clothing choice all day, but it was his why that caught my attention. He's had a major joint surgery and believes this is his only option. Folks, if you believe your joint mobility is a handicap in the self-defense world, then you've lost the fight before it begins.
Warfare 101: It only takes ONE party to believe they're locked in a conflict for that conflict to exist. The other side is living in denial until it's too late to act.
This is why it is important to exercise those mobility limited areas and push what they can do within reason. This is why it is vital that you train around those issues and make solid equipment/attire choices that work well together and do not slow down a response option. I promise, when the real-world stress of a fight lands, your brain and body will find ways to overcome the pain to fight when fleeing is no longer an option.
~ Gear Destroyer
