Tommy Hayes asked:

The U.S. Marine Corps has, like most elite military units in the world, developed its own unique style of hand to hand combat. The keys to fighting in a life and death situation are to improve reaction time, develop a “killer” instinct, and once the engagement begins, to not hesitate in the attack. Marines are trained through Basic and Advanced courses to hone their natural aggressions into a series of relentless and methodical attacks. The secret to success is, ironically, to master the control of the attack.

One way to master control is through endless repetitions of punching and kicking heavy bags and speed bags. There are no “easy ways out”. You must count your strikes to the bags in the hundreds and thousands until your mind literally becomes numb with the seemingly endless drone of numbers and by constantly consciously correcting your own technique. An important point to remember, is to stop training when fatigue sets in…the reason being, is that you fight the way you train. The reason you are doing repetitions is to actually force your muscles to strike in the most perfect way without having to think or having the luxury of preparing for an engagement, as when you are in a competition with judges and rules. When fatigue sets in, you tend to lower the defensive fist that is guarding your jaw and drop your punch as you draw it back from its full range of motion. You can punch and kick at 50% speed during practice, and I assure you, in the moment of trial, when you are moving faster than your mind can keep up with, your technique will be flawless and their resistance will be futile.

Another way to master control is to stymie the body’s desire to flood your system with adrenaline. Your body pumps adrenaline into your veins to give you a 125% strength for a short period of time to deal with threats; this is bad. You want to train your body to slowly dose your system with this God given Hulk transformer. By allowing your body to slowly inject adrenaline, you can maintain 105% strength over a much longer period of time and deal with multiple threats as they arise, instead of just the first threat that you are suddenly and unexpectedly faced with. You can control the adrenaline rush through practicing breathing techniques. Most people that first enter a sparring match in a classroom setting, actually hold their breath! I did it. I’ve seen countless others do it. The best way to overcome this odd natural quirk we all have, is to train with an experienced partner, someone who can pause for a moment and simply say, “breathe”. Also, you can go to the local bookstore and gloss over some books in the yoga or meditation section. You will be able to find countless breathing techniques that have been practiced and proven true throughout the history of mankind.

Yet another method to mastering control is through the quashing of ones own ego. There is always someone that is stronger, faster, and better trained; the key, then, is to better your opponent at the critical moment of confrontation. When I first trained with my instructor, he subtly and not so subtly, broke down my ego over a three month period. He didn’t do it because he needed to stoke the fires of his own ego, because he was devoid of that emotion. He broke down my fantasies that I was a super warrior because that is the greatest way to build confidence and ingrain a desire to relentlessly attack once the situation has reached an impasse.

Kravmagathailand.com‘>Krav Maga Israeli Masters Seminar DVD

Jack Krohn asked:

Mom and dad may not know how potentially dangerous college campuses are. One on six women are ***** while in college. On campus crime is growing as the number of students grows. The bad guys see young naive college students as new prey. So what should they do?

What is easy to carry and easy to conceal? The answer is basic self defense products for college students. Students face unknown dangers if they come home alone too late or walk through the college campus when most of the students are out or locked safe in their dorm room.

There are many scenarios that justify the needs for some type of products that promote self defense. Perhaps a student is at the computer lab till late at night, innocently gathering information for an English paper that is due in a few days. This scene plays out of the computer lab into the hands of a perpetrator bent on committing an act of violence. The studying student could be caught off guard and find him or herself a victim of a random act of violence.

Or, the student could be prepared with self defense products for college students. You could have a personal alarm that is designed to as loud 130db. All the student needs do is is activate the alarm by pulling the strap that is attached to the alarm pin. This alarm can be carried in a purse or hooked to a belt for easy access. The sudden loud noise of this little alarm startles the attacker and immediately others know that there is possible danger.

Another scenario could involve a stalker. Maybe you have been finding notes where you generally sit in some of your classes. Someone knows your name, your schedule, what dorm you live in, and you find that you are freaked out at the thought of some sick person following you around. You don’t feel safe and your friends may just see it as some silly infatuation that some guy has for you. Maybe it’s nothing, but you are scared.

What you need are some self defense products for college students. Could be a personal alarm that you carry around in your purse or maybe a stun gun or pepper spray they all are designed to give you time to get away from a dangerous situation anywhere on campus. When are you getting some?

Some states and college campuses may have restrictions on some self defense products so check your local police or campus police department first before you buy anything.

Kravmagathailand.com‘>Krav Maga Israeli Masters Seminar DVD

Stephen Spivey asked:

Here is a bold statement – self defense is not rocket science. In its simplest form it should be a natural flow of devastating strikes and movements. No matter what you hear from the up-teen million experts on the subject, it breaks down very simply. Protect your life at all cost, using the most devastating forms of hand to hand that you can. It would be nice if we had 10 years to train in Kung Fu and a red pill to take to become a combination of Bruce Lee and Neo from the Matrix, easily rendering our aggressor harmless while gliding through the air. However, that is not reality, and it never will be, no matter who you are.

Crucial Points in Self Defense:

1. Violent encounters require that you become a conqueror, a warrior who does not accept defeat. Here is a good mental note to take with you in your training. Whenever you go for your self defense training, go into it with a gladiator’s mindset. This means you must train with intensity!

2. When you go through a mock attack (and it is a must to find an instructor who trains in this manner!) employ the mindset that you are really being attacked. This will allow you to download a trained response onto your hard-drive for future use. So if the worst case scenario happens, you are prepared.

3. Students should be taught that, once they determine someone is an aggressor, they must use an “offensive” defense to control the attacker. The aggressor always presents biological giveaways such as clinched jaw, clinched fist, overall body posture, closing of distance, or verbal aggression before an attack. Once you identify these signals, you unleash preemptively with a barrage of debilitating strikes.

4. This next point is vital – a violent attack must be met with a violent response greater than what was delivered by the attacker. An equal and opposite reaction will not suffice. This will ensure that your attacker knows you have a “do not go gently” policy and in fact, you have turned the tables and you are now the aggressor. This is psychologically defeating for the attacker.

When you were deciding what you wanted to do in life, you more than likely prepared yourself for it. Whether it was through college, self-education, finding a mentor, you took steps to prepare for the future. Take this life principle and apply it to your education in self defense. You will be surprised how little time it takes for you to protect your most valuable asset.

Kravmagathailand.com‘>Krav Maga Israeli Masters Seminar DVD

Richard Armen asked:

If you were to look around at all of the martial arts schools and self defense training programs, you might come to the conclusion that all that is needed for effective self defense is to learn a few moves or techniques. However, true self defense is so much more than that. Without considering the mental side of the defense scenario, you will be unable to act in a dangerous situation, even after taking self defense courses.

Many martial arts-based self defense classes are missing the key factor of the mental fight. The strategies taught in such classes may or may not work under pressure, when your life is on the line. If you are evaluating potential self defense strategies, don’t make the error of neglecting the important issue of emotions and your natural emotional response to the stress of an attack.

While it’s pretty easy right now to rationalize that you’ll be able to keep your calm in the heat of the moment, the truth is that humans are emotional beings. Before you can even think of a potential way out of an attack, you must overcome your body’s natural response to the stress. This is often described as the “fight, flight, or freeze” response. It is perfectly natural, but it is a very dangerous thing at a time when seconds can mean the difference between life or death, especially if you’re not expecting your body to respond in this manner.

Although your personality type can have an affect on your body’s response in a time of panic, there are four general response possibilities recognized by experts. These responses come not from thinking about the predicament but from primitive instincts hard-wired into the brain. The four recognized response modes include:

Confident and Relaxed. In this mode, we don’t really perceive the actions as a threat. Even when presented with a serious attacker, the response is strength and confidence. Those who are able to remain in this mode hold their ground and are able to respond to the attacker’s moves quickly and efficiently.

Direct and Committed. In this mode, the victim fights back quickly with direct, committed actions prompted by either fear or anger. In this mode, we take a direct approach, “going for it” no matter the consequences. This can be an effective self defense mode, although it can result in overly reckless actions.

Defensive and Emotional. Far more often, the person being attacked is overwhelmed by the aggression displayed by the assailant. The body’s natural response will be covering vital targets and fleeing to a safer distance, perhaps by literally jumping backwards at the sight of the attacker.

Evasive and Avoiding. People in this mode tend to avoid conflict at all costs. The first impulse will be to naturally create distance between ourselves and our attacker. Those who are in this emotional mode at the time of the attack will duck or evade the assailant’s blows, but probably won’t be able to land any punches of their own.

Even in similar circumstances, our emotional states are constantly changing to reflect the situation. The emotional state in which you find yourself during an attack can be affected by the situation surrounding the attack, as well as the actual assailant you’re dealing with. Your body may respond to one attack with confidence, while remaining evasive or defensive during another. The important point is to train yourself to be able to fight back effectively regardless of your emotional response to the situation.

Kravmagathailand.com‘>Krav Maga Israeli Masters Seminar DVD

Jeffrey Miller asked:

Are you looking to learn real street self defense, or do you just want to master some cool looking moves? I know this sounds like a strange question, but your answer might make all the difference in whether or not you ever learn what you need to survive a real-world street attack!

You know, almost regularly, I read in the “letters” section of this or that martial art magazine, a question sent in by some confused soul. These letters, while worded differently, pretty much all sound the same. They go something like this:

“My friend has been training in (name conventional martial art of choice) for over (12) years. He’s a (Nth degree) black belt and I thought he was really awesome in the demos and competitions he was in. In fact, he never lost a fight.

But, last week, my friend got jumped by a street fighter and was left beaten and broken in an ally. I don’t understand how this happened. I mean, my friend has been training for over ten years and the guy who attacked him has never had any training. And my friend got the $&!% kicked out of him.

How did this happen?”

And, as much as the editor tries to answer these sincere questions – and I’ve seen answers that range from “…I don’t know what to tell you,” to “…your friend trained for respect and honor, while the street fighter will do whatever it takes to win” – the real problem is never addressed.

And that problem is this:

Most classical, and sport martial art systems do not prepare students for what it’s like inside of a real-world street attack! In fact, many of Today’s students engage in little more than organized aerobics and fitness classes using martial arts movements and skills as the exercises – more than they are learning anything about defending against a brutal attacker who learned his skills on the street – in the “school of hard-knocks!”

If you’re really serious about learning real-world self defense skills, then I suggest that you begin your training in the only place that matters. I recommend doing some research and first learning what the most common attacks are that you’ll have to deal with.

There’s nothing wrong with learning classical martial arts. I teach ninjutsu – the art of Japan’s ancient Ninja families. You don’t get more classical than that.

However, I don’t have my beginner students defending against a so-called “traditional” or “classical” tsuki (pronounced more like: ’ski). Why? Because 98% of the attackers who might ever throw a punch at you – at least here in the West…will be throwing a right cross!

Does that mean that I don’t teach traditional Ninjutsu?

Absolutely not!

It means that I teach the techniques, tactics, and strategies that have worked for centuries in ways that allow them to work against a 21st century mugger, or bar brawler! Because, unless you’ve got a time machine that I don’t know about, your likelihood of having to defend against someone who’s really devastating with a 16th century punch, is slim to none!

Do I know anyone who can punch like that with power and devastating results? You bet.

But, you know what?

I’m friends will all of them!

Regardless of whether you’re looking for a classical answer to modern self defense or you want to learn a non-martial art defensive system…you still need to begin at the same place. You need to know what you’re greatest threats are – what types of attacks and attack-scenarios you’re most likely to find yourself in.

Then, armed with this critical, life-saving knowledge, find someone who can show you how to defend against and survive these attacks in a way that gives you the greatest advantage and requires the least amount of wear-and-tear on you in the process!

self defense

Fred P Nichols asked:

Okinawan martial arts are comprised of punches, strikes, blocks, and kicks to make the entire human body a weapon. These techniques are combined with evasive footwork maneuvers and joint locks to create a hand-to-hand or hand-to-weapon combat method of basic self defense, also called Karate.

When starting Karate a student learns the basic rigid linear movements to strengthen and condition the body. As a student progresses they learn to achieve an advantage over an opponent by implementing and combining linear and circular techniques from basic Karate moves. Here’s a SECRET about Karate not many practitioners know. All these basic Karate moves can be sorted into basic segments:

1. Long Strike
2. Short Strike
3. Single Strike
4. Multiple Strikes
5. Soft Strikes
6. Hard Strikes

Any combination of these segments creates separate styles. For instance combining short strike with multiple strikes combines extremely well with soft strikes making the style similar to one branch of Shorin-Ryu Karate. Within Shorin-Ryu there are several branches that embody many combinations of the basic segments.

Karate is more than mere self defense. Karate builds physical and inner strength by coordination of mind and body. For some of you who would like to know, inner strength is defined as finding your authentic self allowing you to achieve peak performance in all aspects of life. As with any martial art, Karate is only as good as the individual or student practicing the art of Karate.

Physical strength is gained by the discipline and willpower to push oneself beyond present physical barriers. Once the student exceeds these limitations, not only is physical strength improved, but other benefits are gained, as well. Improved reactions, coordination, balance, and increase energy level to name a few. This in itself makes Karate an excellent addition to any athlete’s regimented training.

The unification of mind and body changes a Karate student’s attitude towards many beliefs and fears. It, also, eliminates negative emotions of helplessness, powerlessness, and vulnerability and teaches perseverance. In essence a student is transformed from weak to strong individuals with a positive set of core values.

Combat Karate is only as effective as the practitioner executing the technique. Improper training and incompetent instructors have given Combat Karate a bad reputation by the lack of knowledge in the proper execution of techniques. A high number of martial artists have been shown basic techniques incorrectly and practiced like this for years without knowing any different. Once the martial artist is in an actual physical conflict they find out their techniques are ineffective for the confrontation.

The reason most martial artist lack understanding of basic Karate moves is master instructors kept certain elements of the techniques secret for centuries. They feared these techniques would get into the wrong hands. Plus they were too dangerous to practice. These secret techniques were only available to students of sound mind and judgment, as well kept within families for combat self defense advantages.

Understanding is critical in executing proper Karate punching techniques. Anyone can throw a punch. But not everyone can execute a proper punch while stepping. With some practice a Karate practitioner can move 4 to 6 feet across the floor in a fraction of a second to strike a would-be assailant.

Training and understanding of basic Karate moves, a student, no matter how big they are, whether male or female, can deliver one of the most explosive and devastating Karate strikes to any attacker rendering them incapacitated.

hand to hand combat

Jack Krohn asked:

For many years now I have been a strong advocate of school-age children learning some basic self-defense techniques. Some basic techniques are taught at an early age and reinforced periodically they will form a firm foundation for a self defense program that will last a lifetime.

The fact is knowing and practicing some street fighting techniques AKA ‘Jeet Kune Do’ will keep you out of 95 percent of all street confrontations. It also builds enormous self-confidence in your ability to defend yourself. This affects the way you walk and the way you carry yourself also known as body language which sends a message to would-be assailants that you are not to be messed with.

One of the theories of this style of defense is that you should do whatever you have to do to defend yourself regardless of technique. People who use it believe that the best defense is a strong offense. In most assault situations, the last thing an assailant expects is resistance from his victim.

It is a philosophy and a hybrid system of fighting founded by Bruce Lee over 40 years ago. It uses direct and straightforward movements based on a combination of fighting systems. Some people call it a “style without a style.” It is basically an openhanded system that works on the use of different tools for different particular situations from kicking, punching and grappling.

It is one of the most successful self-defense techniques ever developed because it is easy to use and easy to learn. It is a perfect learning tool for beginner men and women to either learn by themselves, with their friends in a group or as a family unit. What a great way to spend time with your family.

So get going and start learning some basic self defense techniques today.

Kravmagathailand.com‘>Krav Maga Israeli Masters Seminar DVD

Jack Krohn asked:

Can you remember a time when you were out for a walk minding your own business and a dog started charging at you? If that has ever happened to you, you know how terrifying it can be. Joggers, cyclists, walkers and delivery people can benefit from dog repellants.

If your job requires going into residential areas, you are most vulnerable to dog attacks. Whether you are a mail carrier, delivery person, realtor, home health professional or anyone who needs to spend time in a residential area, you are under constant threat of dog attacks.

You may think that a general pepper spray used against human attacks will work on dogs. They will, but they are too strong and can have a very adverse effect on dogs. A dog repellant is specially formulated and designed specifically for dogs. They contain approximately 3% of the concentrate that a normal spray has or about a .35% concentration of OC.

You may encounter a vicious dog anytime in your life so it is important to keep a dog repellant with you always. It is a great self defense device to protect your family, children and friends from serious canine attacks.

Chances are very good that you are reading this because in some way dog attacks have touched your life or you want to be proactive and protect yourself and family from the ravages and fear of dog attacks. That is the first step.

self defense

Pattrick Jhonson asked:

Self defense is the preventive measure which is used by a person or individual if he/ she thinks that their is a danger to his/ her life from some one. Just imagine a film scene in which a girl is walking across a street. Suddenly a ugly looking man comes in her way. The girl without getting scared pinches the man in his eyes with the keys and then run away to a safe place. But this is totally a filmy situation in which you know in advance what will be going to happen. In real life Self defense is not so easy.

If a person gets scared by attack he makes the situation worse. One of the best way of self defense is to use your common sense and trust your abilities. For example understand your environment, avoid walking at nights and avoid shortcuts or walk in a group at night. The other measure of self defense is to use self defense techniques. One such technique is de- escalation technique which is a strategy to behave in a manner which balances the situation. For example if robbers comes in your way then give all of your costly stuffs and money to them. There are some other techniques also which can be used . But first of all we have to learn those techniques. Self defense manuals are the best guide for these techniques.

self defense manuals

The crime in our society is increasing day by day. People are getting more violent. There is law and law agencies to deal with crime and criminal. But they do their work when they are reported. The use of self defense manuals generally reduces the crime as you use their tips in emergency situations before a crime has been committed. But for that we need to learn some tactics. These tactics are provided by self defense manual. These manuals contains information about

How to deal with threatening situations?

How to avoid such situations?

What to do if you face such situation?

How to deal with an attack personally or legally?

How to resolve a misunderstanding?

Beside this self defense manuals also provides information about self defense law. They provide us information about the situations in which the use of self defense products and techniques is not a crime and when the use of self defense techniques and products falls into the category of crime. Thus the self defense manuals are the best source for personal safety.

self defense

Judy Ringer asked:

“Ouch! That was my arm you just hit with your unconscious, wild swimming!” I looked up at the lifeguard, who gave me a slow head shake and wry smile. I smiled back. My lane partner swam on oblivious. Later, standing at one end of the pool waiting for him to pass me, I couldn’t seem to move far enough into the corner. He almost hit me again as he somersaulted into his turn. It was as if I wasn’t there. I was definitely not on his radar screen.

I kept on swimming, but with more awareness. My thoughts:

What a lane hog! Doesn’t he know I’m swimming here? I was in this lane first; I even greeted him when he got in. He must realize I’m here. His unconsciousness is fascinating. Amazing.

As I continued swimming and musing, my attitude gradually moved from anger to reflection and curiosity. I thought, this isn’t so different from life.

There are characters in my life anyway who seem to think nothing of taking up lots of space. They don’t worry when they speak whether their words might hurt. They weave in and out of traffic, seemingly oblivious to other vehicles nearby. All of life seems to be there just for them; this is their lane, regardless of who else might be swimming, working, or living alongside them.

So, what should we do with these people? What I did that morning at the pool was to increase my own awareness. Self-Defense begins with me. If I know that this “partner” is oblivious of my feelings, my presence, my being, I first must keep myself from being hurt. In the lane, I was visually and physically vigilant. In life, I center myself and increase my awareness of the other person and their possible actions.

As I center myself, I am able to jump into Discovery. I can be curious and amused and interested, instead of judgmental, angry and victimized. This mind shift is the best form of inner self defense and is very powerful.

I may choose to speak to my partner. In this case, I was almost ready to get out of the pool. Centering, discovery, and the lifeguard’s smile were enough. But, in life, I would probably have a conversation with my friend, my coworker, my life partner. I would let them know how their unconscious behavior is impacting me, and I’d invite them into dialogue.

The point is to know that we have choices. Start with inner self-defense: center, smile, and jump into Discovery. Then you’ll know what to do next.

self defense