Context and Current Challenges
Self Defence and related disciplines – including self protection, personal protection, conflict management, and conflict resolution – presently occupy something of a “no man’s land” within the martial arts community. Unlike traditional or modern martial arts systems, these disciplines are not underpinned by a recognised, standardised pathway of grades, belts, or measurable rank. This can make it difficult for the public to understand what qualifies someone as a credible self defence instructor and equally difficult for us, as a governing body, to licence these disciplines consistently.
It is important to stress that while all martial arts are, to some extent, inherently “self defence based,” this does not mean they are the same as structured self defence instruction. A Taekwondo, Judo, or Muay Thai class may impart highly effective skills that can be applied in a real-world confrontation. However, these classes may also be taught in a sporting, non-contact, or traditional setting without ever addressing the broader realities of violence, situational awareness, or the avoidance of conflict.
BMABA’s role is to distinguish between martial arts taught as combat sports or traditional practices, and self defence delivered as a holistic discipline with its own standards, expectations, and safeguards.
Our Licensing Standard for Self Defence
For BMABA to recognise and licence an instructor teaching under the category of Self Defence, Self Protection, or a closely related discipline, we require:
A minimum of 3 years and 7 months of continuous practice in at least one self defence–rooted discipline.
Evidence that the instructor is teaching more than just combative techniques. Sessions must incorporate aspects of personal safety, situational awareness, avoidance strategies, and broader discussions around staying safe in real-world environments.
Ideally, a black belt (or equivalent) in a combative discipline that has direct applicability to real-world confrontation (e.g., Judo, Kickboxing, Karate, BJJ, or similar).
While we continue to apply our standard eligibility processes – including our established black belt equivalency procedure – we do not accept standalone vocational qualifications such as NVQ or BTEC awards in self defence unless they are clearly underpinned by a minimum of 3 years and 7 months of practical training. This is because self defence, when taught responsibly, requires a robust technical foundation and a broad appreciation of martial arts’ mechanics, psychology, and ethics.
The Instructor’s Responsibility
BMABA-licenced self defence instructors are expected to:
Prioritise real-world application. Classes must go beyond the technical execution of techniques to cover risk awareness, situational judgment, and conflict avoidance.
Teach responsible self protection. The mantra should always remain that “the safest way to win a fight is not to be there at all.” Physical self defence must be framed as a last resort, with an emphasis on de-escalation and damage limitation.
Avoid misleading claims. We do not accept instructors who market their systems aggressively with false guarantees, such as promising “guaranteed effectiveness” or suggesting that anyone can always prevail in a confrontation.
Oversight and Discretion
Every application to licence an instructor in self defence or related disciplines is carefully considered by our compliance team. Beyond meeting the technical eligibility criteria, we also assess the instructor’s background, teaching ethos, and general attitude. Our priority is public safety and the credibility of our register.
In cases of doubt, applicants are encouraged to discuss their credentials with us directly. Final approval rests with our compliance team, who will use discretion to decide whether a self defence endorsement is appropriate and safe.