Monday, July 31, 2006

FEATHER PUNCHES

Here's a question from one of the readers.

I noticed that your self defense system doesn't involve throwing any punches. Would it not make sense to teach your students on how strike with there fists?

Good question and Im glad you brought this up. The reason why my self defense system does not use punching techniques is because it takes years for someone to develope there punching power. You need to learn how to put your hips and weight into the punch for it to be effective. Most people want a quick system to learn so they can defend themselves. Unless you have years of training behind you most punches thrown in a fight are "feather punches" ( punch which has no power behind it because there is no hip rotation when the punch is thrown which allows you to put your weight into the blow) There are much more powerful and easier techniques that an individual can learn such as an elbow strike or palm thrust which the hip naturally follows through with the execution of the technique giving you greater impact.

Monday, July 24, 2006

Grappling vs Striking

One of my readers sent me an email asking me what I thought was better for a self defense system a style that incorporated striking methods or one with grappling methods? My response both. But don't be fooled when I say grappling I don't mean wrestling and the like. People see the UFC and think that they will have the upper hand on someone if they learn grappling skills. The answer is correct to some extent and incorrect in the other. On the street you don't have time playing the grappling chess game with an attacker. The longer you stay on the ground the more dangerous the situation becomes especially if your attacker has friends...you will get your head kicked in and curb bashed within seconds. This holds true for your striking skills also, self defense is not give and take, your not there to exchange blows. Have the battle is already won if you know these truths.

Monday, July 17, 2006

We Are What We Eat

A question came from a reader asking about his anxiety issues whenever he was confronted slightly with aggression. The individual once worked as a bouncer a few years back but was finding that since he left the profession his anxiety had increased alot when dealing with aggressive individuals. My first question was have you seen a doctor? His reply yes. My second question to him was what do you eat and drink? The reply that got my attention was" I drink 8 cups of coffee a day". Caffine is a drug causing many different affects to the body including anxiety and hyperactivety. My answer was cut down on the java or best yet stop drinking the stuff altogether. Sounds to hard to do...I was once the guy you would see seating at the local Starbucks every morning , plus coming in at noon and night ordering my venti coffees. After years of sucking back the stuff and paying someone in the companys mortage I found myself always feeling anxiety when I went out. I thought I was going a little nuts and spoke to my doctor asking if I should be concerned. His response was how much coffee did I drink and after I told him he told me to cut down. I not only cut down I quit completely only drinking decaffe. To my surprise the anxiety and hyperactivity disappeared in about a month. That's how long it takes to get out of your system. I would of not be able to quit the stuff if it hadn't affected the way I lived. So until it gets bad enough and youre tired of being sick and tired of feeling a certain way will you do something about it.

P.S. Not all issues are dealt with so easily seek professional medical advice for there could be a medical condition causing the problem.

Monday, July 10, 2006

Having A Plan Is The Key To Success

All successful people have one thing in common...they had a good soild plan and followed it. Everyone from pro sports coaches to men such as Donald Trump have a planto reach they goals. Success in self defense and in life follows the same principles. Have an emergency plan where everyone in your home knows what to do if there is an emergency so people do not panic and freeze in fear. Practice this emergency plan at least twice a year so everyone is familiar with it and also to see if you need to make any corrections. Seek expert advice if you need help. People who have a plan are better able to handle and survive a crisis.

The same applies with your business and success plans you have set for yourself this year. Write out your plan and take so many steps everyday to work towards achieving your goals. If you hit a bump in the road ask for help from someone who has gone through and succeeded with the obsticle you are going experiencing now. By having a solid game plan you can accomplish anything.

Monday, July 03, 2006

What's Important To You


The other day I heard of a story about a woman who was 3 months pregnant was loading some groceries bags into her car with her 7 year old child in the parking lot of a mall in small town America. All of a sudden she feels someone tugging at her purse which is hanging off her shoulder. She turns and sees a large male determined to get her purse but she refuses to let him have it having a tug a war with him down the parking lot. Her 7 year old begins helping mom by hitting and kicking the mugger. People begin to take notice and a few decide to help her fend off the attacker and some call 911.

I give total credit to this woman for protecting herself but at the same time I think what she did was a foolish thing. First for putting her her unborn babies life at risk, the first three months is the most fragile period where many things can affect the unborn child success of surviving. Second she put her 7 years old child life at risk. Third she put her own life at risk all for protecting her money and identification.

Later when the woman was interviewed she was asked if it happened again would she of done the same thing the woman replied "No now when I think about it, it was a stupid thing to do my kid could of been hurt" Right or wrong the bottom line is not everyone as the same views. What's important for one person may not be of importance to another. As we train to protect ourselves we have to know where to draw that line of when to fight and not to. Leaving our egos out of the decision making process and looking deep down inside on what is really important to us.

AddThis

Bookmark and Share

Blog Archive

About Me

Norm Bettencourt is the Creator/President of Tactical Self Defense which specializes in personal protection tactics against modern day threats of violence. For more information visit www.tactselfdefense.com