Reality Based disciplines are the modern incarnations of traditional warrior training, tending to branch off into two factions: Those that are effective and those that are not.

• Reality Based disciplines that fail are properly seeking "victory" through survival, however the traditional forms and weaponry concepts are removed due to the overloaded modern schedule and current feeble attention span. Students are taught specific responses to explicit attacks, while little to no time is given to the conceptual understanding behind violence and its modern legal ramifications. In addition, since most of the training's emphasis is situational, students tend to lack the fundamental skill development behind what actually makes those situational techniques work.
• Reality Based disciplines that succeed are likewise properly seeking "victory" through survival, however traditional forms and weaponry are replaced by drills developing foundational skill and era appropriate weaponry/weapon defense. Specific techniques are avoided; instead conceptual responses are trained for efficiency in varying scenarios. Students are also taught a spectrum of responses, ranging from non-contact and avoidance to the justified use of lethal force. Disciplines that can excel (and unfortunately can also fail) in a Reality Based framework include Krav Maga, Haganah, Systema, MCMAP (Marine Core Martial Arts Program), Army Combatives, etc.

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Recommended read: Meditations on Violence: A Comparison of Martial Arts Training & Real World Violence

by Rory Miller