Violence against humans in the form of destruction, conquering, terrorism, and assaulting by other humans is as old as mankind itself. To deal with this violence man created fighting systems. Developed from street fighting moves these fighting systems evolved into many different types of martial arts. The development of a specific style of martial art depends on how the fighting systems were modified and influenced by cultures and traditions. In Okinawa Combat Karate and combat Self-defense techniques were developed and modified into an organized martial art by the people of Okinawa for a way of personal protection and a way of defending and protecting their culture from Samurai.
Traditional combat Karate becoming popular over the years has developed into competitive Sport Karate. This is called modern day Karate. There are major differences between modern day Karate and Combat self-defense. Modern day Karate has been modified for sport eliminating the dangerous Combat Karate techniques. Modern day sport Karate techniques should not be used for combat self-defense. A lot of the techniques used in sport Karate lack power and accuracy diminishing the effect of striking power if used in combat self-defense. Combat self-defense techniques were designed and developed to incur physical injury by disabling, crippling, bruising, maiming, or even killing opponents.
Combat self defense techniques consist of joint bending, throwing, breathing, applying pressure to pressure points, choking, striking vital areas, defense against hand grabs, and defense against weapons.
A defender executing joint bending techniques applies pressure to joints in a way as to leverage weight and balance controlling the opponent’s movements to their advantage. If the defender executes the techniques correctly any movement by the opponent or additional applied pressure by the defender will cause intense pain, possible dislocation, or broken bones.
Throwing involves physically sending the opponent to the ground by repositioning their balance and weight. This technique may include joint bending, hands, legs arms and hips. Executed properly and the defender uses very little energy and strength. The smallest person can throw an extremely large person.
During the execution of Combat self-defense techniques breathing becomes an important criteria for stability and strength. Breathing should be done from the pit of the stomach. This helps in controlling anxiety and promoting relaxation.
Techniques applied to pressure points involve the knowledge of pressure points on the body. The pressure points are vital areas that are sensitive to touching by pressing these areas with the fingers or striking causing disabling pain. Some areas are easier to strike while other areas are a little more accessible using the fingers. Some vital areas where fingers have easy access are the eyes, carotid in the neck, subclavian at the neck base, and the brachial on the inside of the bicep.
Choking is one of the easiest techniques to execute with minimal training. Choking generally involves a strangle hold on the neck using a forearm or the hand. Using the choke hold correctly and an opponent can be rendered unconscious in 5 to 10 seconds. Done incorrectly and the technique could take minutes.
Striking vital areas involves striking the soft areas of the body. Striking these areas is extremely dangerous because paralysis, severe injury or death can occur.
Some of the most common vital striking areas:
1. Cushy part above the chin with fore fist
2. Fore fist to solar plexus basically boney area and can knock the wind out of an opponent.
3. Side of the neck. Strike with open hand (Knife Hand)
4. Fore fist to the bridge of the nose
5. Back fist to the bridge of the nose
6. Strike groin with palm of hand or front kick.
Training is a necessity if you want to learn to defend yourself. Your subconscious and body must form a memory that you can rely on to defend yourself during a stressful violent confrontation. Look at the navy seals, marines, or any special forces on their training discipline. Experienced military trainers spend hours training individuals for highly stressed combat situations. The same is true for self defense training. You must train to develop the subconscious and physical aspect. You will have to put time into studying some form of martial art.
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