The techniques are both practical and effective, the aim is to avoid any confrontation as quickly as possible with the minimum of force, if not, then to use necessary force as hard and as fast as possible (this includes the use of pre-emptive strikes).  Training must be progressively as close to the real thing as possible (within reason), containing no techniques that would be applied differently in a real situation.  This is to take the decision making out of self protection and reduce the risk of using a technique that would be inappropriate. Ideally, using threat assessment in conjunction with effective techniques few decisions need be made. 

Complex techniques, regardless of how good they look or how well they work in the class are doomed to failure in the street, this is due to the effects of stress and adrenaline on our ability to perform complex motor skills. In other words, stress makes us clumsy (if you've ever been in a rush to open your door and found yourself fumbling with the keys you'll know what I'm talking about).  There are of course, those who would disagree and could quite easily perform extremely complex techniques effectively under intense pressure but do these people really need an effective self protection system to defend themselves?  It is the average person with a real fear for their personal safety who will find themselves unable to perform such techniques properly in a real situation and these are exactly the people who will rely on and be let down by what they have been taught.  If a system cannot be used effectively by people of all abilities and not just a talented few, then what kind of system is it?  Our instructors do not assume an 'if I can, you can' attitude. 

Many students will all too readily believe that their instruction is sound and that the techniques are street effective, testimony to this is the number of stories about 'the black belt who got his arse kicked'.  Students are encouraged to question their instructor and take nothing for granted.  Some instructors would have you believe that this is disrespectful but unless they have something to hide or an inflated ego this shouldn't be a problem.  Only by asking questions on all aspects of training and theory will a fuller understanding of their system come about.  It is not possible to judge the merits or failings of a system from a position of ignorance. 

The S.P.A. syllabus uses techniques that work with the body rather than against it.  As stated above, stress makes you clumsy but to make up for this the adrenaline will give you strength and speed. We take advantage of this fact by using simple rounded techniques that require less complex motor skills that will be made more effective by the added speed and power that this type of stress provides. 

The patterns and drills in the syllabus are designed to progress in effectiveness and ferocity within a structured belt system.  The S.P.A. syllabus does contain spinning kicks but these are for senior belts only as a physical discipline for balance and speed and are not considered practical for use in the street.