IS STRIKING THE GROIN AN EFFECTIVE SELF DEFENSE TECHNIQUE?
Many people who write to me ask if attacking the groin is an effective self defense technique to protect themselves with since most self defense schools teach striking this area of the body. The answer to this question is sometimes since there are many variables that have to be in place to make striking this area effective. You have to remember that every man is taught at a very young age to protect this area because it is one of the first areas to get hit, so a simple squeezing the upper thighs together usually can get the job done when protecting this area.
The other variable that needs to be considered is that when someone is wearing clothing such as jeans it changes the effectiveness of your self defense technique drastically. When training most people wear loose clothing such as track pants or a martial arts uniform but on the street most people wear jeans. Now try grabbing or twisting the groin area of someone now, much harder now since that variable came into the picture isn't it? This does not go to say that it is not an effective area to strike but be prepared that it may not work so well for you and that many variables need to be in place for it to work for you.
Monday, December 24, 2007
SELF DEFENSE TIPS FROM IDENTITY THEFT
The results are in the biggest and most problematic crime for 2007 was identity theft and it's growing at a rapid rate. The reason it's on the rise is due to people's lack of knowledge on what to not give out when it comes to information on themselves.
Social networking sites such as Facebook are a great example. When filling out profiles on this site or on any others avoid giving out your date of birth, address, phone number or full name. By having this information on your profile you give criminals everything they need to steal your identity away from you.
The results are in the biggest and most problematic crime for 2007 was identity theft and it's growing at a rapid rate. The reason it's on the rise is due to people's lack of knowledge on what to not give out when it comes to information on themselves.
Social networking sites such as Facebook are a great example. When filling out profiles on this site or on any others avoid giving out your date of birth, address, phone number or full name. By having this information on your profile you give criminals everything they need to steal your identity away from you.
Friday, December 21, 2007
HOW TO PRACTICE REALISTIC SELF DEFENSE BITING TECHNIQUES
You have heard me say countless times that one of the most powerful self defense techniques out there is biting. No matter what position you are in this self defense tactic can usually be executed and is very successful without having to have much skill at it.
Now the question is how do you practice this self defense technique? Well there is a realistic way and that is by buying meat such as pork because its the cheapest, frying it up and then practicing biting it and tearing the meat off the pork chop. This will give you a realistic feel on how much force you need behind your bite and tear to get the job done correctly.
You have heard me say countless times that one of the most powerful self defense techniques out there is biting. No matter what position you are in this self defense tactic can usually be executed and is very successful without having to have much skill at it.
Now the question is how do you practice this self defense technique? Well there is a realistic way and that is by buying meat such as pork because its the cheapest, frying it up and then practicing biting it and tearing the meat off the pork chop. This will give you a realistic feel on how much force you need behind your bite and tear to get the job done correctly.
Monday, December 17, 2007
FINDING VARIABLES IN SELF DEFENSE TECHNIQUES
A good question to ask yourself whenever you learn a new self defense technique is "If something could go wrong what would it be?" From here you can see if the self defense tactic you are using is realistic or full of fluff. Ask questions such as if the attacker has a longer reach than me could I still do this?, If I was fighting in a confined area could I still move this way? If my attacker was on higher ground would my self defense technique be successful still? If my body was pumped full of adrenaline would I still be able to execute this tactic involving fine motor coordination? By asking these questions and being honest with the answer you will get no surprises when you have to put them to the ultimate test.
A good question to ask yourself whenever you learn a new self defense technique is "If something could go wrong what would it be?" From here you can see if the self defense tactic you are using is realistic or full of fluff. Ask questions such as if the attacker has a longer reach than me could I still do this?, If I was fighting in a confined area could I still move this way? If my attacker was on higher ground would my self defense technique be successful still? If my body was pumped full of adrenaline would I still be able to execute this tactic involving fine motor coordination? By asking these questions and being honest with the answer you will get no surprises when you have to put them to the ultimate test.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
SELF DEFENSE FOR YOUR SELF CONFIDENCE
To have confidence is to trust yourself and what you know.
Trust that even if you don't know how to do something that you will
one day. If you don't have confidence in yourself, then you don't
trust yourself. If you don't trust yourself, then who can you trust?
"Experience tells you what do to do, confidence allows you to do it" ~
Stan Smith
To have confidence is to trust yourself and what you know.
Trust that even if you don't know how to do something that you will
one day. If you don't have confidence in yourself, then you don't
trust yourself. If you don't trust yourself, then who can you trust?
"Experience tells you what do to do, confidence allows you to do it" ~
Stan Smith
Monday, December 10, 2007
SELF DEFENSE STANCE
Whenever in a threatening situation knowing how to properly stand can mean the difference between life and death for you. If you stand square toe to toe with your attacker it will be much harder for you to move out of the line of attack or move backwards when your attacker attacks you.
The best stance to take is the bladed stance or a 45 degree stance so that your body is not directly in front of your attackers. By having your feet face a slight 45 degree angle you are better able to move in any direction quicker and easier than in a square stance and there are less points of the body you have to worry about protecting. Remember to always talk with your hands at chest level so you dont telegraph your intent of attack and you can easily deflect any blows coming your way.
Whenever in a threatening situation knowing how to properly stand can mean the difference between life and death for you. If you stand square toe to toe with your attacker it will be much harder for you to move out of the line of attack or move backwards when your attacker attacks you.
The best stance to take is the bladed stance or a 45 degree stance so that your body is not directly in front of your attackers. By having your feet face a slight 45 degree angle you are better able to move in any direction quicker and easier than in a square stance and there are less points of the body you have to worry about protecting. Remember to always talk with your hands at chest level so you dont telegraph your intent of attack and you can easily deflect any blows coming your way.
Friday, December 07, 2007
HOW YOU TRAIN IS EXACTLY HOW YOU RESPOND IN SELF DEFENSE SITUATIONS
Last week I spend the entire week training with a cop regarding use of force, restraint techniques and learning different teaching methods. We talked about the importance of training and how you train is how you will respond in a real life self defense situation. We exchanged stories of what we found that worked best for teaching our students and we also shared horror stories of bad training habits, here is one of them.
A cop learns a new gun disarming technique at the academy he begins by putting his hands up then makes a statement while at the same time hitting the gun so he is out of the line of fire. He then grabs and twists the gun away from his partner and takes 4 steps back so he is at a safe distance and points the gun at his partner. He repeats these steps though out the day with his training partner.
He then goes home and gets his wife to play the attacker, he does every step of the technique expect for the last part of stepping back and pointing the gun. Instead due to limited space he just passes the gun back to his wife after he disarms her. He continues training like this for the next two weeks.
Six months later he is walking the beat and has someone pull out a gun on him. Instinct takes over he disarms the attacker then hands him the gun, the attacker shoots him dead. At a later time after all was said and done and the killer was found. During his questioning he stated that he was totally surprised why the cop disarmed him then handed him the gun back. But in all honesty we know why, you respond exactly like how you train so keep your training as real as possible keeping watch for any bad habits.
Last week I spend the entire week training with a cop regarding use of force, restraint techniques and learning different teaching methods. We talked about the importance of training and how you train is how you will respond in a real life self defense situation. We exchanged stories of what we found that worked best for teaching our students and we also shared horror stories of bad training habits, here is one of them.
A cop learns a new gun disarming technique at the academy he begins by putting his hands up then makes a statement while at the same time hitting the gun so he is out of the line of fire. He then grabs and twists the gun away from his partner and takes 4 steps back so he is at a safe distance and points the gun at his partner. He repeats these steps though out the day with his training partner.
He then goes home and gets his wife to play the attacker, he does every step of the technique expect for the last part of stepping back and pointing the gun. Instead due to limited space he just passes the gun back to his wife after he disarms her. He continues training like this for the next two weeks.
Six months later he is walking the beat and has someone pull out a gun on him. Instinct takes over he disarms the attacker then hands him the gun, the attacker shoots him dead. At a later time after all was said and done and the killer was found. During his questioning he stated that he was totally surprised why the cop disarmed him then handed him the gun back. But in all honesty we know why, you respond exactly like how you train so keep your training as real as possible keeping watch for any bad habits.
Monday, December 03, 2007
KNOWING YOUR RIGHTS IN SELF DEFENSE SITUATIONS
Many people ask me what is my rights as a citizen when it comes to use of force and protecting themselves in a self defense situation. Well it is a bit difficult to get into detail on this blog posting on what your rights are when it comes to use of force but to break it down quickly here is a quick explanation. You as a citizen have the right to protect themselves when you feel a threat towards your safety is occurring.
That means that you don't have to wait for an attacker to throw the first punch or kick to be able to physically fight back. A threat is also considered if the person in front of you is verbally threatening you such as saying " I am going to kick your ass" That gives you the legal right to protect yourself physically. Now that does not go to say that you can pull a gun on him and shoot him cause that would be excessive force but you can protect yourself with empty hand tactics if need be.
Many people ask me what is my rights as a citizen when it comes to use of force and protecting themselves in a self defense situation. Well it is a bit difficult to get into detail on this blog posting on what your rights are when it comes to use of force but to break it down quickly here is a quick explanation. You as a citizen have the right to protect themselves when you feel a threat towards your safety is occurring.
That means that you don't have to wait for an attacker to throw the first punch or kick to be able to physically fight back. A threat is also considered if the person in front of you is verbally threatening you such as saying " I am going to kick your ass" That gives you the legal right to protect yourself physically. Now that does not go to say that you can pull a gun on him and shoot him cause that would be excessive force but you can protect yourself with empty hand tactics if need be.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
SELF DEFENSE TIP WHILE IN A HOSTAGE SITUATION
So lets say someone attempts to abduct you and succeeded. What do you do now to help yourself to be found? A few tips that can help you is to leave clues around where you have been. Leave pieces of clothing, id and jewelery so police have something to follow and police dogs have a scent to go by. Another tip is to turn on your cell phone, dial someones number and call them. Now hide it either on yourself or in the building you are located in. Even if you can't speak with the person this will raise suspicion and give authorities a signal of what area you are in.
So lets say someone attempts to abduct you and succeeded. What do you do now to help yourself to be found? A few tips that can help you is to leave clues around where you have been. Leave pieces of clothing, id and jewelery so police have something to follow and police dogs have a scent to go by. Another tip is to turn on your cell phone, dial someones number and call them. Now hide it either on yourself or in the building you are located in. Even if you can't speak with the person this will raise suspicion and give authorities a signal of what area you are in.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
USE OF FORCE LEVELS IN SELF DEFENSE SITUATIONS
Level One
Personnel Presence: The presence of a person can prevent and deter from an assault from happening to another patron by the person running, standing, walking towards an attacker . By using simple body language and gestures that are non-threatening you deal with the situation.
Level Two
Communication: Used with presence, the use of the voice can usually achieve the desired results. Words can be whispered, used normally, or shouted to be effective. The content of the message is as important as your demeanor. It’s always best to start out calm but firm and non-threatening. Choice of words and intensity can be increased as necessary or used in short commands in serious situations. The right combination of words in combination with presence can de-escalate a tense situation and prevent the need for a physical altercation.
Level Three
Control Holds & Tactics: Certain situations may arise where words alone does not reduce the aggression. At this level, minimal force would involve the use of bare hands to guide, hold, and restrain a patron. This does not include offensive moves such as punching, tackling, and choking. Pain compliance holds could apply here, but only after ordinary holds fail to control an aggressive patron
Level Four
Chemical Agents: Sometimes when the suspect is violent or threatening, more extreme, but non-deadly measures must be used in defense to bring the suspect under control or affect an arrest. Before moving to level four, it is assumed that other less physical measures had been tried or was deemed inappropriate. When used by surprise, pepper spray and tear gas is an excellent distraction, allowing the security officer time to get away, call the police, or subdue the suspect.
Level Five
Temporary Incapacitation: To use force under level five means that the situation was so extreme, violent, and immediate that it was necessary to temporarily incapacitate a suspect prior to arrival of the police. This includes the use of all methods of non-deadly force beginning with the empty hand up through and including impact tools. At level five, properly used defensive and offensive moves are allowed under the right circumstances. Choke holds and carotid neck holds can be used, but at great risk. Although still taught at many police academies, neck compressions are very risky and used only in extreme situations.
Level Six
Deadly Force: When you are in immediate fear of death or great bodily injury at the hands of a perpetrator you are authorized to use deadly force in most cases. Check your state & provincial laws to be sure. Deadly force can be applied by your hands, impact tools, or with a firearm. There are no rules, other than negligence, for applying deadly force when it’s justified. However, deadly force is the highest standard and must be justified.
Level One
Personnel Presence: The presence of a person can prevent and deter from an assault from happening to another patron by the person running, standing, walking towards an attacker . By using simple body language and gestures that are non-threatening you deal with the situation.
Level Two
Communication: Used with presence, the use of the voice can usually achieve the desired results. Words can be whispered, used normally, or shouted to be effective. The content of the message is as important as your demeanor. It’s always best to start out calm but firm and non-threatening. Choice of words and intensity can be increased as necessary or used in short commands in serious situations. The right combination of words in combination with presence can de-escalate a tense situation and prevent the need for a physical altercation.
Level Three
Control Holds & Tactics: Certain situations may arise where words alone does not reduce the aggression. At this level, minimal force would involve the use of bare hands to guide, hold, and restrain a patron. This does not include offensive moves such as punching, tackling, and choking. Pain compliance holds could apply here, but only after ordinary holds fail to control an aggressive patron
Level Four
Chemical Agents: Sometimes when the suspect is violent or threatening, more extreme, but non-deadly measures must be used in defense to bring the suspect under control or affect an arrest. Before moving to level four, it is assumed that other less physical measures had been tried or was deemed inappropriate. When used by surprise, pepper spray and tear gas is an excellent distraction, allowing the security officer time to get away, call the police, or subdue the suspect.
Level Five
Temporary Incapacitation: To use force under level five means that the situation was so extreme, violent, and immediate that it was necessary to temporarily incapacitate a suspect prior to arrival of the police. This includes the use of all methods of non-deadly force beginning with the empty hand up through and including impact tools. At level five, properly used defensive and offensive moves are allowed under the right circumstances. Choke holds and carotid neck holds can be used, but at great risk. Although still taught at many police academies, neck compressions are very risky and used only in extreme situations.
Level Six
Deadly Force: When you are in immediate fear of death or great bodily injury at the hands of a perpetrator you are authorized to use deadly force in most cases. Check your state & provincial laws to be sure. Deadly force can be applied by your hands, impact tools, or with a firearm. There are no rules, other than negligence, for applying deadly force when it’s justified. However, deadly force is the highest standard and must be justified.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Thursday, November 01, 2007
SELF DEFENSE IS A SEQUENCE OF STEP 1-2-7-10- & BACK TO 5
Your self defense techniques should be effective if you move from step 1 straight to movement 7 missing out all the moves in between. Self defense is about improvisation for if you are being attacked you begin with step 1 of a technique but half way to step 2 you realize it can not be executed you can move on to step 7 and still have an effective self defense tactic even though you missed out on the 6 steps in between those.
When you watch a self defense technique on a DVD or on the web ask yourself if you need to perform all those steps in order to be able to make the self defense technique work for you. For if you answer yes to that question than it's not a realistic self defense tactic to use, even if it works when you perform the steps to it from start to finish. For we know that fighting out on the streets is never about order but about chaos.
Your self defense techniques should be effective if you move from step 1 straight to movement 7 missing out all the moves in between. Self defense is about improvisation for if you are being attacked you begin with step 1 of a technique but half way to step 2 you realize it can not be executed you can move on to step 7 and still have an effective self defense tactic even though you missed out on the 6 steps in between those.
When you watch a self defense technique on a DVD or on the web ask yourself if you need to perform all those steps in order to be able to make the self defense technique work for you. For if you answer yes to that question than it's not a realistic self defense tactic to use, even if it works when you perform the steps to it from start to finish. For we know that fighting out on the streets is never about order but about chaos.
Monday, October 29, 2007
THE REASON WHY YOUR SELF DEFENSE WEAPON IS USED AGAINST YOU
Body language says more than your vocal skills does. Take an example of someone telling you that that are going to kick your head in and at the same time they are backing away while saying this. What does this tell you? It says that the loud mouth in front of you is all talk and no action. If he was to say this and at the same time walk into your personnel space then the odds of him attacking you is greater due to his body language matching what he is saying.
Now lets take an example of you waking up one night hearing someone in your apartment stealing something. You grab a pipe that you use as a protective weapon walk up to the man in your apartment and tell him to go or you will use the pipe on him. He moves in and grabs the pipe and uses it on you. Now ask yourself why this happened? Its because he knew you didn't mean business cause you stood there with pipe in hand as an intimidation tool instead of a weapon, because he knew how to read your body language and knew you weren't going to use it on him.
Here is what you should of done, grab the pipe automatically strike the man in your apartment then start telling him to leave. The weapon talks first then your mouth not the other way around. For the intruder will know you then mean business and your mindset is in the right place and the weapon will not be used against yourself. Remember the weapon talks first then your mouth second or your intentions will not be true.
Body language says more than your vocal skills does. Take an example of someone telling you that that are going to kick your head in and at the same time they are backing away while saying this. What does this tell you? It says that the loud mouth in front of you is all talk and no action. If he was to say this and at the same time walk into your personnel space then the odds of him attacking you is greater due to his body language matching what he is saying.
Now lets take an example of you waking up one night hearing someone in your apartment stealing something. You grab a pipe that you use as a protective weapon walk up to the man in your apartment and tell him to go or you will use the pipe on him. He moves in and grabs the pipe and uses it on you. Now ask yourself why this happened? Its because he knew you didn't mean business cause you stood there with pipe in hand as an intimidation tool instead of a weapon, because he knew how to read your body language and knew you weren't going to use it on him.
Here is what you should of done, grab the pipe automatically strike the man in your apartment then start telling him to leave. The weapon talks first then your mouth not the other way around. For the intruder will know you then mean business and your mindset is in the right place and the weapon will not be used against yourself. Remember the weapon talks first then your mouth second or your intentions will not be true.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
SELF DEFENSE TARGETING INSTEAD OF TECHNIQUES
In my self defense classes I teach certain self defense techniques but make sure that my students understand one key element about what they are doing and that is, never focus on execution of your techniques but to focus on hitting your targets. There are only a handful of targets on the human body that can not be conditioned and these are the targets you want to hit for they will cause a domino type of effect to your attackers body. You may be able to start execution of the first couple of steps in lets say the "Palm Thrust Technique" but most likely will have to improvise and change your game plan because fighting is not about how you perfectly execute the techniques you have learned for this is impossible for fighting is all about improvisation. By focusing on hitting targets instead of performing techniques you keep things simple and more effective in a self defense situation.
In my self defense classes I teach certain self defense techniques but make sure that my students understand one key element about what they are doing and that is, never focus on execution of your techniques but to focus on hitting your targets. There are only a handful of targets on the human body that can not be conditioned and these are the targets you want to hit for they will cause a domino type of effect to your attackers body. You may be able to start execution of the first couple of steps in lets say the "Palm Thrust Technique" but most likely will have to improvise and change your game plan because fighting is not about how you perfectly execute the techniques you have learned for this is impossible for fighting is all about improvisation. By focusing on hitting targets instead of performing techniques you keep things simple and more effective in a self defense situation.
Monday, October 22, 2007
SELF DEFENSE CONDITIONING TIP
Many people learn how to break fall using mats, but there is a huge down fall using these when learning how to break fall. The first is that when you land on a mat you tend to get sloppy in your execution and tend to slap your hand and elbow onto the mat. In reality when you land on concrete you would chip your elbow if you were to do this. The other down side to using mats is that you tend to remain "soft" when it comes to conditioning your body. Instead practice from increasingly gradual heights to break fall against a concrete floor so your body is conditioned to land on hard surfaces so it is not stunned or hindered by the impact when your dropped onto the ground in a real situation. For more information on Guerrilla Combatives Conditioning visit www.tactselfdefense.com/index.php#Conditioning
Many people learn how to break fall using mats, but there is a huge down fall using these when learning how to break fall. The first is that when you land on a mat you tend to get sloppy in your execution and tend to slap your hand and elbow onto the mat. In reality when you land on concrete you would chip your elbow if you were to do this. The other down side to using mats is that you tend to remain "soft" when it comes to conditioning your body. Instead practice from increasingly gradual heights to break fall against a concrete floor so your body is conditioned to land on hard surfaces so it is not stunned or hindered by the impact when your dropped onto the ground in a real situation. For more information on Guerrilla Combatives Conditioning visit www.tactselfdefense.com/index.php#Conditioning
Thursday, October 18, 2007
POWER HOUSE KNEES IN SELF DEFENSE SITUATIONS
One self defense technique I love doing espeically in close quarter situations is using my knees to give "Charlie horses" to my attackers thigh or pulling down his head and smashing my knee into his face. A key element into making your knees more powerful and destructive is to bring your leg slightly back then when bringing your knee up and as you make contact to the attacker's head tilt your hips forward, this will increase the impact two fold. Remember to clasp your hands behind your attacker's neck and at the same time you bring one of your legs back, for bringing your leg back helps get all your weight behind his neck pulling his head downward easier and like I stated eariler gives more power to your knee when it makes impact.
One self defense technique I love doing espeically in close quarter situations is using my knees to give "Charlie horses" to my attackers thigh or pulling down his head and smashing my knee into his face. A key element into making your knees more powerful and destructive is to bring your leg slightly back then when bringing your knee up and as you make contact to the attacker's head tilt your hips forward, this will increase the impact two fold. Remember to clasp your hands behind your attacker's neck and at the same time you bring one of your legs back, for bringing your leg back helps get all your weight behind his neck pulling his head downward easier and like I stated eariler gives more power to your knee when it makes impact.
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