Become a Free Fighter

Krav Maga No Responses »
Dec 282009
Jerry Garcia asked:

When learning techniques from your instructor, you can pretty much be sure that they were developed for self defense. Though they work perfectly in the studio, that’s not the case when it comes down to really using them in a real fight. You don’t know what the other person is going to do. How do you over come this? By training yourself to become independent from your techniques, what we in San Soo call a “Free Fighter”.

In Kung Fu San Soo I’ve learned thousands of different techniques for self defense, yet when involved in a real confrontation I never used a complete technique exactly the way I learned it. Don’t get me wrong you will still fight within the teachings of your art, the way you move and strike etc. It has been my experience that after you learn so many techniques you brain will naturally tend to mix, match them. And I think this is a normal reaction to whats being learned, a learned response or reaction to what is happening to you in training. So when involved in a real fight you will use bits and pieces of what you have in your arsenal of techniques. You have in your brain probably millions of combinations to use and they come out as you react to the situation. Not being restricted to using or having to think, if he does this I have to do that technique, causes your response to become automatic.

Again don’t get me wrong you still have to control where and how hard you strike. But that comes with training. So how do you become a free fighter? If your in an art like San Soo you practice and learn as many techniques as you can. Have your training partner come at you and throw everything thing he has or can think of at you and sharpen your reactions. See what you come up with, and when your actions become automatic reactions you will be a “Free Fighter.”

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Street Self Defense - Why Be Limited to 1 Style of Self Defense When You Can Defend Yourself With 4?

Self Defense Street Fight No Responses »
Dec 242009
Jeffrey Miller asked:

In the world of self defense and martial arts training, most people believe that 1 method – one approach or style – is all you need to protect yourself. When, the truth is that, the more options you have in any given situation, the greater will be your chances for success.

This is true in the business world – true with regards to setting and achieving goals…

…and it is especially true when we’re talking about being able to protect yourself against danger.

Could you imagine how successful military or police professionals would be if they trained this way? Especially the special forces of each branch – the teams trained to be able to handle an emergency situation at a moment’s notice?

These groups, who have no idea where they’ll be going next, or what the next situation will present them with, don’t have the luxury of having a favorite “style,” or method for getting results and winning. That’s why they train to have different strategies, tactics, and techniques – so that they can be ready and able to adapt to whatever a particular situation or enemy presents them with.

And, if you’re serious about being able to protect yourself against a real assailant, in a real street self defense situation, then you must be able to adapt to whatever he throws at you!

Instead of being limited to just one style or approach to self defense against a raging assailant intent on hurting you, here are 4 different methods, or strategies, that will allow you to meet your aggressor with the right tactics against his own.

4 Self Defense Modes For Effective Street Self Defense
Strong & Stable – Here, you hold your ground and use your strength and superior positioning to stop his attempts to get at you. You use the principle of using your strong points against his weak ones to crush his attack and bring him under your control. In the world of Japanese martial arts, this is very much like Sumo. Long-Range, Defensive Angling – Against a bigger, more aggressive assailant, you use the principles of long-range distancing and strategic angling to cause his attacks to miss you, while simultaneously opening his own targets to you. From this newer, more advantageous position, you crash back in with powerful, full-body attacks that knock him back and down. Judo and jujitsu are good examples of this type of strategy. Direct, Committed Aggression – Before he ever gets a chance to touch you, you explode forward and take the fight to him. He finds himself going on the defense against your onslaught of punches, kicks, and other directed techniques that blast him backwards before he ever has a chance to know what happened! If we were to look for an example of this type of forward-moving, “get-’em” kind of fight strategy, Karate and Tae kwon do almost immediately come to mind. Slippery Evasion – Using this strategy, you use tricky, last-second timing to evade and avoid his incoming attacks. He finds that, what he thought was an easy target in front of him, is now a formidable adversary who has him tied up or off balance and reeling. This is the kind of strategy and principles that we would associate with the Japanese martial art of Aikido. I know how easy and instinctive it might be to look at the above list and be drawn to one or two of these strategies. However, you must consider the fact that, street self defense is not the same thing as a contest with mutually agreed upon rules and a referee to insure fairness.

In fact, in a real-world, street self defense attack, you will not know…
Who your attacker will be If he (or they) will be armed What the attack or situation will be like How much experience your attacker has at doing damage… …and a whole range of other unknowns! The only things that you will know are:
That you’re being attacked! What you think you know about handling a situation like the one you’re in, and… How you feel about your attacker and the attack they’re throwing at you. That’s it.

Based on that, and the attention you put into the details of any training you’ve had in dealing with THIS particular type of attack, you’ll go into action.

The only question that remains is…will you be prepared for what will really happen in the moment? Not what you think might happen, or what some teacher told you.

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Proactive Vs Reactive Self Defense Training

Self Defense Street Fight No Responses »
Dec 242009
Damian Ross asked:

Self defense can be broken down into two categories: Proactive and Reactive. The difference between the two is based on the amount of time and distance you have to react.

Proactive self defense is when you see the threat and you have the time to establish distance, put a strategy together and proceed accordingly. If you’re being fronted or you’re in a situation where you can identify the threat, you will have the time to prepare and position yourself for your initial offensive assault.

Reactive self defense is when your threat gets the jump on you and you’re taken by surprise. In this situation you must react as fast as possible. Since your assailant has the momentum you must react in a way that will give you the best chance to shift momentum in your favor and take the fight to the enemy.

So its stands to reason that proactive and reactive self defense must be trained and treated differently.

Proactive training: always train your strong or comfortable side and practice in combinations of 3 or 4 instinctive and convulsive techniques. Since you know where your target is, you have time to establish distance and take the fight to your target. In this situation, there’s no need to train both sides of your body, like you would in some Karate or Tae Kwon Do systems. You only need to train out of one “stance” or position in the way you feel most comfortable. Because when you’re stressed, you will go with what you feel most comfortable. You will react in the way that you feel you’ll have the best chance for success. For this reason there’s no need to practice both sides of your body in proactive self defense scenarios.

However, reactive self defense training is a different story. Instead of training 3 or 4 technique combinations you only have to train 2 techniques but you MUST train them from ALL directions (front, rear, left and right), since these are the only conceivable directions by which you can be attacked. When you’re taken by surprise you obviously don’t have the time to prepare your strategy, so you have to react in such away that allows you to mount a counter assault as fast as possible. For this you only have to train two techniques (which techniques depends on what you are comfortable with- you’ll discover that in your training) and practice them until they are instinctive and convulsive (what else is new).

Why only two techniques? Well, after you react and you’ve managed to get a couple of techniques off you will now move onto the offensive which is proactive self defense. At this point, the fight is under way, you now know where your threat is and you are going to proceed in a manner that feels most comfortable to you.

As a rule when you train you practice combinations of 3 to 4 techniques with your target in front of you. Then you train single and double combinations from all four directions and from mid range and close range.

How long do you do it for? Until it becomes “INSTINCTIVE AND CONVULSIVE”.

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Master Self Protection With This New Self Defense Weapon Classification System

Self Defense Street Fight No Responses »
Dec 242009
Jeffrey Miller asked:

In the world of martial arts and self defense, it seems that there is no end to the number of self defense weapons available. Open a martial arts magazine or self defense supply catalog and you’ll find everything from ancient models like the long staff to modern inventions like pepper spray – from nunchaku to firearms.

The problem is often, not which weapon is best for self defense, but…

…how do you go about training with several without spending the rest of your life trying to develop sufficient skills with them all, or choose the right ones so that you’ll have one at hand in case of an attack?

And, it’s easy to see how you might think and feel this way. There are very few schools, instructors, or self defense systems that make it any easier. With each one claiming to have an “official” number within their own particular style, students find it very difficult, if not impossible, do develop the critical faculties of strategic thinking and creative application with regards to effective self defense.

However, rather than focus on specific weapons, you could use an alternate method – a classification system which serves to do 2 things:

1) Helps you to see beyond a set list of “official” weapons, and…

2) Increase your overall ability in the realm of self defense weapons

This is not to say that there are no set weapons to learn. But, instead of limiting yourself to set “items,” this new classification system allows you to focus on the common principles and concepts of each “group” – thus maximizing your effectiveness and personal power to accomplish the results you need.

Again, this classification system does not focus on set weapons. So, instead of seeing a list with individual tools like “long staff, knife, nunchaku, etc,” your new list will be broad enough to allow for many more self defense weapons than any closed system with a predetermined set.

Here is a brief outline of this new self defense weapon classification system that I use with my own students:

Remember – rather than seeing each class of weapons as having a set example or three items, try to look around your world and see how even everyday items can be included in any particular class.

Also note that the following list is not numbered in order of importance, power, or effectiveness. No one class should be seen as any more or less effective than any other. And, in fact, doing so actually serves to further limit your abilities – rather than help you to develop true mastery.

The 5 Weapon Classes are:

1) Staff and stick – This includes both the obvious martial arts weapons, as-well-as other common items like rolled up magazines and newspapers, the closed umbrella, and even pens and pencils. The thing to remember is that we’re talking about anything that fits the “blunt and solid” definition, and that can be used for striking, crushing, ramming, and levering.

2) Bladed – While knives seem to be the only thing which naturally fits this category, which can also include the sword for the traditional martial artist, we can also see how even pieces of broken glass, as-well-as other thin or pointed objects that are also capable of cutting and/or stabbing fit into this classification.

3) Flexible – Belts, chains, and cords are natural items which fit this category. And, since the idea here is any item which is “flexible,” even things like an open newspaper – which can be used to catch or parry – can be easily adapted to the same concepts and principles.

4) Projectile – Anything that can be thrown, or that can cause something else to fly out and cause damage to your assailant is a natural part of this category. Everything from rocks to shuriken – from credit cards to firearms – and everything in-between which can be used as a missile and thrown in your defense is grouped here.

5) Combination – As with all “ninja” lists, this is the part of the list which recognizes that there are some items which do not fit neatly into any one class of weapons. This category includes weapons like the nunchaku (combining the stick and flexible classes), and even firearms which are typically seen as projectile weapons but can also be used as clubbing members of the stick and staff group.

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Learn Ninjutsu - The Ninja's Secret of Kihon Happo and Why You Only Need 1 Technique to Be a Master

Krav Maga No Responses »
Dec 222009
Jeffrey Miller asked:

If you really want to learn ninjutsu, and unlock the power that lies at the heart of the training, then you cannot fall into the habit of being a kata collector. Doing so is no different than being a stamp collector, where the only value your “collection” has is to other collectors. This article will give you a better understanding as to why, if you’re serious about wanting to learn ninjutsu, and you understand the true lesson of the kihon happo – you only need 1 technique to become a master of all of them!

Contrary to popular belief, the ninja’s technique models known as the kihon happo will teach you lessons far beyond mere blocking, punching, and applying joint locks. In fact, if you understand the secrets hidden within any one form, and you apply the formula of “kihon happo,” then you will be able to “discover” all of the other forms through diligent training.

It’s ironic how collecting techniques – as though the techniques were the lessons themselves – will actually limit and distract you from the real mastery that you’re probably looking for. I say “probably,” because there are those students out their who focus more on:

1) Being a celebrity (being a teacher rather than a student)
2) How they look as opposed to what they can do, and…
3) Being able to impress people with their knowledge about historical details, etc.If you’re one of these students, I probably can’t help you. However, if you’re looking for the keys to be able to transcend the models and be able to develop the skills critical to combat survival – then perhaps.

To understand how to master this art with only one technique, you must first understand the secret formula of the Kihon Happo. That formula, when applied, will lead you to mastery, but it will also…
Distract you from the collector mindset (or, at the very least, allow you to use it for beneficial purposes!)And, it will…
Keep you very busy for a long time!In case you don’t know the kihon happo formula, here it is:

Step one – learn any foundational (kihon) technique. Note: It DOES NOT have to be one of the “official” techniques being passed around today. But, it DOES have to be “correct.”

Step two – create 8 variations of this technique. You can do this by

1) doing the technique on the other side, against a left punch instead of a right – against a left hand grab instead of a right, etc.
2) Change the level of the attack or, in the case of grabs, replace a single hand grab with a double
3) Change the attack itself (replace a punch or grab with a kick, or introduce a weapon instead of unarmed, etc.Step three – create 8 more variations of each of the variation techniques that you came up with in step 2.

Step four – repeat step three until you have more options than you will probably ever need to survive a real combat attack situation against an attacker (NOT your training partner) who is doing anything he wants, and at an intensity that will be designed to completely end any delusions you have of greatness or mastery!

At the end of all this, you will find that, not only did you attain a level of proficiency greater than you thought possible, but if you took the time to look at the “collectors” lists, you would find that you rediscovered all of the techniques, on all of the scrolls, and then some – from just one technique!

The question to ask yourself now is…

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Krav Maga Explained

Krav Maga No Responses »
Dec 182009
Aidan Carroll asked:

Krav Maga is the official self defense and hand to hand combat system of Israel and is the most battle tested self defence and hand to hand combat system in the world today. The English translation of the Hebrew name means contact fight. The system was created and developed by Grand master Imi Sde-Or 1910-1998. Imi originally developed the system for the Israel Defence forces (I.D.F) and other national security services. The principle of the system focus’s on the natural reactions of the body when threatened or attacked by an armed or unarmed assailant or assailants. The beginner student will be surprised how quickly they learn to react fast and without hesitation to many different types of threat and attack. The chief instructor of the International Krav Maga Federation is Eyal Yanilov (born 1959). Eyal is highest ranked instructor in the system today. He is the only man in the world to hold the grade of Master level 3/Expert level 8. The system is used by the FBI, S.W.A.T teams and many other elite military and police units throughout the world.

Today Krav Maga has been developed to meet civilian needs throughout the world and has since gained interest with civilians and celebrities and the system is widely used by military and law enforcement personnel. Krav Maga is an ideal self defense system for men and women, and children of all ages and physical abilities – anyone can take part without any previous martial arts background. On browsing the internet you will discover that Krav Maga training is available to all at venues such as sports centres, martial arts schools and dedicated Krav Maga training centres.

A typical Krav Maga training session combines aerobic training with self defense techniques. Emphasis is put on speed, endurance, strength, accuracy and co-ordination especially for intensive Krav Maga training. According to medical and fitness experts, Krav Maga training provides a superb full-body workout. If you are already a martial artist, you will find Krav Maga to be an excellent addition to your training! Krav Maga training focuses on teaching simple Krav Maga techniques which are specifically catered to reality based attack situations and specifically designed to get quick results in a short training period. With self defense as a goal, the Krav Maga programs teach students to expect the unexpected. In today’s world you never know when you might have to defend yourself or somebody else from an unprovoked attack. The system will teach you how to defend yourself against various situations such as chokes, strangles, kicks, knife and weapon threats to name a few. Krav Maga training also carries the additional benefit of greatly improving your physical fitness while increasing your confidence that comes from not being afraid in threatening situations. Krav Maga training will also teach the student to be more aware of their surroundings at all times in order to avoid attack while gaining a greater understanding of reading body language and understanding the body’s vulnerable areas and pressure points.

Increasingly popular with women, Krav Maga is tailored for the average person, combining psychological preparation, strong will, and physical skill. The combination of interesting training and potentially useful Krav Maga techniques for present-day situations has made Krav Maga the success that it is today.

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Can You Go to Jail For Self Defense?

Self Defense eBooks No Responses »
Dec 112009
Jim Wilkinson Sr. asked:

One of the biggest concerns people have is if they can end up in jail for the use of self defense. The last thing that you want to happen is to appear as the aggressor when you are just defending yourself. There are many factors considered by the courts when you defend yourself and there are two bills being considered by the courts also.

Self defense is in place to protect people who may be harmed from protecting themselves. This allows someone to defend themselves physically if they have to and not be responsible for any legal charges that may be brought against them in court. The factors that the courts consider include the person who you are defending yourself against, the extent of the defense, and why the fighting is even taking place. These are big factors that are determined if a decision is to put you in jail.

Political rounds in the legal arena concerning the concept of self defense include two concepts that may make it easier for people to defend themselves and not have to worry about going to jail. Some states allow you to carry weapons on you and others allow you to shoot and kill an attacker. Find out what the laws are in your state so you know exactly what you can do against an attacker and you will not be convicted of a crime.

The Castle Doctrine is a concept that enables any home owner to have the ability to defend themselves and their family members. This doctrine also provides protection on the property you reside on. This bill allows homeowners to use deadly force against a burglar or person that enters your home, from violent attack or an intrusion which may lead to violent attack. You do not have to fear prosecution for killing anyone who enters into your home with the intent of violent attack or an intrusion which may lead to violent attack.

There is another bill that is being enacted into the legislature called the stand your ground. This was brought into Florida in 2005 and is also being considered by 21 other states also. This allows people who are in public to meet force with force in order to defend themselves. This conduct will protect victims against prosecution. As long as the person is defending themselves they will not go to jail.

It is said that states and legislatures are now recognizing that criminals will slow down on their crimes when they are faced with being shot and killed. When criminals know they are protected by laws that won’t let people kill them they will continue to commit robberies, rapes, and other heinous crimes.

There are many people who have went to jail for defending themselves. The laws are changing and are recognizing the factors associated with self defense and that it is okay to meet a criminal with whatever it takes to protect yourself, your family, and your property from harm. Always find out what the laws are in your local state.

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Self Defense Tip - Install Additional Locking Devices on Windows For Home Self Defense

Self Defense Street Fight No Responses »
Dec 082009
Pete Kauffer asked:

Installing additional locking devices on windows and sliding glass doors in your residence is an inexpensive and effective way to defend yourself. Most windows and sliding doors come with locking mechanisms but they are not really designed for self defense. They are merely designed for low end use. If you have a dog or cat door between the sliding glass door and the wall the locking mechanisms are sometimes even less effective.

One of the least expensive window locking devices is a wooden dowel. A wooden dowel is quite effective as well. Purchase a length of dowel from the local hardware store or use an old broom handle, wooden or metal. Cut the dowel to the desired length and lay it in the channel the window or sliding glass door runs through. This works best with windows that move horizontally from left to right or vice versa.

Make sure the dowel is large enough in diameter that the window does not pass over it. Also make sure the dowel is not easily breakable when the window or sliding door is forcefully pushed against it. That would defeat the whole purpose of having it there in the first place. Do not make the length so long that it is difficult to put in or get out. But do not make it short enough to let the dog or the kids out without removing it. Again, if it is too short, it defeats the purpose of having it there.

Vertical windows typically require installing a true manufactured window lock. Obviously there are many sliding glass door and window locks on the market. Both vertical and horizontal window locks and sliding door locks are available in many price ranges. The most important thing to keep in mind when purchasing a window lock is how easy they are to open in the event of an emergency or self defense scenario.

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Why Disguised Self Defense Products Give You the Advantage

Self Defense Street Fight No Responses »
Dec 012009
Jack Krohn asked:

The need for self defense has been around for a long time, and it is not getting any less important as the years go by. There are many different ways people choose to keep themselves safe. Some learn physical self defense techniques, while others rely on disguised self defense products or just normal self defense products.

The bad guys use surprise as a major tactical strategy to gain the upper hand. Using a disguised self defense weapons can turn the tables in your favor exactly what you want in an assault situation-a tactical advantage.

Some rely on taking preventative measures to keep themselves safe. These people use alarms and security devices, but one can never be sure this will protect against an attack. The safest route is to have some form of self defense prepared in case of an attack.

Popular self defense items include pepper sprays and stun guns. However, many people are afraid that an attacker will realize they possess a self defense product before they have a chance to use it. Companies make disguised self defense products to guard against this worry. Pepper spray can look like an ordinary pen or pager. That way, people can carry pepper spray in their pocket or purses, and an attacker would have no idea.

Some of the most popular are key chain personal alarms. These let off a high-pitched alarm that startles attackers and alerts people around a victim. There are many other disguised self defense products like lipstick pepper spray and a camera cell phone stun gun.

Recently, a company has come out with a cell phone stun gun. This stun gun looks like an ordinary cell phone, but it does not function as an ordinary cell phone. It is really one of many disguised self defense products.

The gun projects 800,000 volts of electric shock into an attacker. It comes with an anti-theft wrist strap for security reasons. If the wrist strap is removed, the gun will no longer stun. It also will emit a high-pitched alarm when the wrist strap is pulled. It also has an LED flash light. With so many self defense tools, the world can be a much safer place.

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