SELF DEFENSE TRAINING TIP FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT & SECURITY PERSONNEL

I truly believe that you are only half as good as when you train when it comes to executing your self defense tactics in real life scenarios. So this post will help security and law enforcement personnel get more realism and effectiveness out of there training. When you practice restraint holds or handcuffing techniques have the subject place message oil on there entire arm, this way when you try executing an arm bar or try grabbing the subjects wrist when trying to cuff him it will simulate the slipperiness that sweat can cause when trying to subdue and control someone. As well you will find that when you do execute these techniques for real they will seem easier to perform because of this training method that you have incorporated.

"REAL" STREET FIGHTING VIDEOS

Today's post I would like to discuss the issue of street fighting videos posted on such sites as You Tube and others. I would like to state that these are by no means "real" street fighting videos. Just because two guys fight in front of a camera on the street doesn't meant its a street fight. These so called street fighter's are people who prearrange a fight to take place at a certain location and rules are set on what can be done and what can't during the fight. Far from anything like a "real" street fight.

If you want to take a look at a "real" street fight, watch footage from security camera's outside of bars or in other locations. You will see that it's not only fists that come out in the fight but also weapons and 5 on 1 situations happen as well. So if you want to learn from video footage on how to be a better realistic fighter stop watching these fake street fights being filmed in some parking lot for in real street fights there are no rules only dirty moves, sucker punches, low blows cuz anything goes for if I can't take out my blade or any other weapon to stop you then it's not a real fight.

BLOCKING KICKS IN SELF DEFENSE SITUATIONS

In the TACT Self Defense System we believe in the philosophy of killing two birds with one stone when we execute a self defense technique. Here this is what we do when we block a kick using the "shin kick block tactic" Instead of blocking kicks using your hand/fists which usually ends up damaging your hand and breaking a few fingers along the way, we block the kick using our lead foot. So an example of this would be if your attacker tried executing a kick straight for your groin you would simply bring your lead foot up and slam your heel onto the shin area of his leg.

This in turn will soften him up and slow his momentum down hard and fast due to all the sensitive nerves on the shin area. You have done two things at once, block his kick but disable him all at the same time with one quick simple tactic. From there you would then finish him off much easier and quicker.

FIGHT OR FLIGHT WHEN IT COMES TO SELF DEFENSE



BRANDON, MAN. - A young man traveling on a Greyhound bus was stabbed at least 40 times and beheaded by a stranger in a horrifying act of apparently random violence.
The incident occurred on a bus traveling from Edmonton to Winnipeg on July 31/08. Now you would assume that someone on that bus full of people would help out since there were more passengers then just one lone attacker.

But the reality is most people go into flight response because fear takes over and people feel like they are having an outer body experience when visually experiencing such a horrifying act of violence. The reality is that most people will not help there fellow man but instead self preservation steps in and people run for cover and safety.

So instead of bull shitting yourself thinking if I ever do need help someone would come to the rescue so I can hold of on taking a combat/self defense course your only kidding yourself. The reality is you are out on your own to fend for yourself.

KEEPING ON TOP OF THINGS IN THE SELF DEFENSE INDUSTRY

In this day and age of instant information we can keep on top of any topic easily and quickly. I believe that by keeping on top of new products in the self defense industry will keep you on your toes and save your ass as well. Here is an example by staying on top of new self defense products you not only know what you can purchase to protect yourself with but you can also be aware of what to look out for when it come to your staying aware of possible weapons that your attacker may have.

Nowadays most ordinary items can be innocent looking but in reality are self defense weapons. You can now purchase pepper spray rings, cell phones which are tasers, pen knifes and the list can go on and on. So stay on top of things by visiting a self defense weapons site and taking a look at what's new on the market that way you know what to look out for when dealing with an attacker so your not caught off guard.

OVERCOMING YOUR PERSONAL FEARS

Everyone has a fear of some sort when it comes to combat. It may be that people have a fear of being hit with a fist or with an object such as a pipe. Others may have the fear of dealing with someone with an edged weapon. Regardless of what your fear is the only way to overcome your fear is to face it head on.

So how to you go about facing these demons head on, well by having a trainer who you can trust but as well is highly trained and experienced in what he is doing. When I first started training years ago I had a habit of closing my eyes whenever I was hit in the face so to overcome this fear my trainer would use my face & body as a punching bag. This would force me to look dead on onto a punch that was connecting to my face. After awhile my fear was gone because I know I could handle getting hit in the face with a fist because I experienced it so often that it was like an every day event to me.

As well I had a fear of dealing with knifes so my trainer would first teach me knife disarming tactics using a rubber knife then after I knew the tactic well enough he would use a real knife in a controlled manner whenever practicing disarming techniques. This exercise made me comfortable when cold steel was presented in a situation because I had dealt with the issue so many times during training and was immume to the stimuli of cold steel.

Now this training is not for everyone and you have to be under the supervision of a trained professional to train in this manner. I have taught this method to my students for years now and have never cut or hurt anyone because I can do this exercise in a controlled safe manner. This exercise needs to be done with someone you can trust but as well someone who is a professional who knows what he is doing and is not just any joe blow off the street or dojo.

By training this way you will overcome your fears in rapid time not only in combat but in your everyday life as well because your confidence will increase ten fold. Remember this MUST be done with a professional trainer, most people teaching martial arts or combat do not have this type of skill level but those people that you find who do, network with them and watch your self confidence explode to unimaginable new levels.

HOW TO SPOT SOMEONE WITH A CONCEALED WEAPON

In this post I would like to go over how someone can spot or pick up signs that there is a criminal who is carrying a concealed weapon on them. Remember awareness is your best weapon when it comes to your personal self defense without it you cannot avoid or respond in time to the danger coming your way. Below are some suggestions taken from the site www.frontsight.com

•Wearing concealment garments such as a jacket, coat, or vest when it is noticeably too hot for such attire.

•Wearing a coat that is completely unzipped when weather is cold enough to warrant a zipped jacket.

•Wearing a shirt with the tail out and or only buttoned near the top.
Note that most criminals do not carry a gun in a holster. The most common method of carry is to slip the gun inside their waistband near the front pocket of their pants or in the small of their back.

•Repeatedly touching the areas where you would likely carry a gun to adjust it when walking.

•Excessively keeping one hand in the pocket to keep the gun stabilized or to camouflage the print of the gun through the clothing.

•When running, pressing a hand against clothing in an attempt to stabilize the gun.

•When walking, only swinging one arm, using the other arm to stabilize the gun or to prevent concealment garment from opening in a breeze.

•When your eyes meet, the criminal looks down quickly to where the gun is concealed or moves an arm to cover the possible printing of the weapon against his clothing, then avoids any eye contact with you and moves away.

•Clothing that does not fit properly due to the weight of the gun in a pocket of a jacket pulling the collar.

•The centerline of the pants in the crotch or buttock area pulled excessively to one side due to the gun being placed inside the waistband.

•Bulges under the clothes in the waist area.

•Bulky pockets.

•Printing of the shape of the gun against the clothing or actually seeing the gun when bending over, reaching overhead, or turning.

•Hearing the sound of something solid (the gun) striking a door frame, counter, shopping cart, etc.

If you do see someone carrying a concealed weapon do not approach them instead call 911 and let the authorities deal with the situation since they have the training, weapons and back up to deal with the situation more safely than you do.

KILL ZONES IN SELF DEFENSE SITUATIONS

Here is an interesting article from US Concealed Carry that was forwarded to me from a friend. Just click the link or copy & paste it to your browser if the link doesn't work.

http://www.usconcealedcarry.org/InnerCircle/free/KillZone.html

NEW TACT SELF DEFENSE T's

We have just launched our brand new "Primal Fighter" TACT Self Defense t-shirts. To view and order your t-shirt just go to www.tactselfdefense.com/tshirt.php

LEG WRAP TAKE-DOWN

One Legged Take-Down Self Defense Tactic

PRACTICING SELF DEFENSE PRINCIPLES WHEREVER YOU ARE

Violence and crime can happen anytime wherever we go. A situation such as going out for dinner with family and friends may seem like there is no threat to that situation but it can be in a blink of an eye. An incident a while back occurred at a high end restaurant near where I live. Where two men enter the restaurant and execute a hit on a local gang member who was having dinner there. Now this is not the bad side of town this is a high end area and this type of crime occurred here so people thinking that they have nothing to worry about because they don't live around drug dealers and such are giving themselves a false since of security because violence can happen anywhere.

Now I don't want people reading this and thinking that wherever they go they have to be paranoid that is not the objective of this post. The objective is being prepared so if shit does hit the fan your odds of survival will double because you know what to do. Now what would you do in this situation? How would you deal with a shoot out in a restaurant that you were eating in? What would be the best area to be seated in? What should be the first thing you do when you hear a gun go off?

Well here are a few things that will help you out. First try seating with you back towards a wall so you don't have to worry about someone being behind you. Try being seated next to an exit areas to have an escape route. Also at the first sound of gun fire drop to the ground and take cover using a table or chairs. Make it a habit in your everyday life whenever entering a room or establishment to follow these rules, back to wall, near exists, find an object that will cover you so your odds of survival increase.

KNIFE DISARMING TACTICS USING CHAIRS

KNEE STRIKE CONDITIONING EXERCISES FOR SELF DEFENSE PURPOSES

If you want to build more explosive power and speed into your knee tactics here is an exercise that you can practice to give you that. Squat done and have a partner hold a striking pad at his hip level. Now begin jumping up and hit the pad with your knee. Alternate striking with each knee upon each rep. This will not only give you explosive knee techniques but will also strengthen your quads.

USING KEYS IN SELF DEFENSE SITUATIONS

One question I ask people who walk into my training centre is "Do you carry a self defense weapon or product?" Many people give me the response that they hold there keys in there hand in event that a situation may arise they are ready to defend themselves.

When I ask people to show me how they hold there keys most of them hold them in the wrong manner. There is a big myth that you place your key or keys in between your fingers, but if you were to strike someone holding the keys that way the keys will turn into your hand when you make impact. Instead place the key in between your thumb and finger so that the key is secure.

BLOCKING WITH YOUR ELBOWS IN SELF DEFENSE SITUATIONS

There is a tactic that we use in the TACT Self Defense System that we call "defanging the snake" where in theory you are taking away the snakes teeth by hitting it's mouth. Well this theory is done also by using your elbows to block a punch or punches coming at you by blocking with your elbows. The end result is that your attacker hurts his hands as he punches your elbows which in turn slows him down because his hand is hurt taking his weapons away from him and giving you the ability to counter.

DO SELF DEFENSE GUN DISARMING TECHNIQUES WORK?

There are tons of gun disarming techniques out there but how many of them would actually work for you in a self defense situation? Well a good way to finding this out is to test them out yourself while doing it under circumstances as close as possible to real life situations where adrenaline and your attackers responses are in true form.

Now when you have that all taken care of try executing some of these weapons disarming tactics that you have seen and see if they will work for you. Remember people holding guns at someone will either keep there distance from you and or there grip will be strong while holding the gun. Many people find that when adding these variables to the situation there techniques do not work.

There are many videos out there where someone will "twist" a gun from an attacker's hand while braking his finger in the process because his finger gets jammed in the trigger guard while the technique is being executed. Now the reality is no one holds a gun that loose so that disarming technique is not as easily accomplished as people think it can be. Remember test the tactics including real life variables then you won't get any surprises when you need to use them for real.

IN SELF DEFENSE IT'S ABOUT HOW FAST YOU CAN ELEVATE VIOLENCE

What is the difference between an elite military fighter and you when it comes to dealing and being successful with violence? The answer is that an elite military fighter knows how to elevate the level of violence within a split second and most civilians do not. When it comes to being successful with dealing with violence you have to be able to elevate the violence level much quicker than your attacker this in turn will make you successful in surviving an attack.

Thats why when most people are asked who do they fear most when it comes protecting themselves against the answer is a crazed psycho. Why? Because a psycho knows how to elevate the violence level and can keep it elevated for longer periods of time than most people. So remember practice getting into the "killer instinct mode" or "psycho Mode" before executing your self defense tactics for combat is 90% mental and only 10% physical.

SELF DEFENSE CONDITIONING EXERCISE TO BUILD SPEED IN YOUR STRIKES

A lot of people ask me how do they get more speed when executing a self defense technique such as a palm thrust or kick? Well a simple exercise to do is to either grip onto a 5 lb dumbbells or to place wrist/ankle weights on and to begin throwing your kicks or palm thrusts out. Now the major mistake most people make is that they focus on how fast they can hit the target from the start position. Instead focus on how fast your retraction is instead. This will make your kicks and punches much quicker. Do 30 reps per each hand/foot, take a 1 minute rest in between sets perform 4 sets.