Can mental toughness training prevent a freeze response in a street fight? Mental toughness is more important in self-defense than in sports. The price of “freezing up” is much higher outside the competitive arena than inside it. Here are two questions from martial artists on mental toughness training and the answer from Dariusz Nowicki, author […]
Self-Defense Tip 19 Freezing Up When Physically Threatened Read More »
Striking martial arts (karate, kempo, kung-fu, etc.) — non-contact vs. knock-down (popularly called “full-contact”) I just read an article — “The Night I Met Bruce Lee” by Chuck Sullivan in Blitz, October 1999 (vol. 13, no. 10, p. 38) — reporting an argument between Chuck Sullivan (9th dan Kenpo) and Ed Parker (Grandmaster of American
Self-Defense Tip 18 Non-Contact Systems vs. Knock-Down Systems Read More »
How to tell competent instructors of self-defense and martial arts from frauds and bullshido masters Here is what Mac Mierzejewski — author of Power High Kicks with No Warm-Up! — has to say on this: “Take a good look at the instructor. If the instructor tells you that he was in Special Forces and `his
Self-Defense Tip 17 Selecting a Self-Defense Instructor Read More »
Reputable sources of self-defense instruction, other than full-contact martial arts and sports In an earlier self-defense tip, I discussed the benefits and gave a warning about the limitations of self-defense instruction from a full-contact sports system, such as boxing, judo, or wrestling. In this issue, you will learn about some alternative to these systems from
Self-Defense Tip 16 Selecting a Self-Defense System, Part III Read More »
This is a continuation of the tip no. 14 on selecting a self-defense system. Essential information for this issue’s tip was provided by Mr. Jazz Gill, instructor of Southern Praying Mantis Kung-Fu, Slough, Great Britain, and Mr. Ron Beaubien, former editor of “The Martial Arts Consumer Protection Site.” Beware of martial art schools that claim
Self-Defense Tip 15 Selecting a Self-Defense System, Part II Read More »
This issue’s tip deals with selecting a self-defense system or instructor. In selecting a self-defense system, the foremost concern is with the validity of skills taught. In this article I use the term skill in the sense of art or trade and so here by a self-defense skill I mean the sum of your a)
Self-Defense Tip 14 Selecting a Self-Defense System, Part I Read More »
Pros and cons of two opposing approaches to teaching and learning defenses against attacks There are two approaches to learning self-defense skills. One approach starts with students practicing predetermined defenses, each against a known attack, for example, a left block against a right punch. With considerable practice, students eventually learn to anticipate the form of
Self-Defense Tip 13 Two Approaches to Learning Self-Defense Skills Read More »
What if an attacker succeeds with a front under-the-arms bear hug? This issue’s tip deals with an attack that can end up the same as the over-the-arms bear hug described in the self-defense tip no. 10. An attacker who grabs you in a front under-the-arms bear hug can bend you backward and push you down,
Self-Defense Tip 12 Front Under-the-Arms Bear Hug Read More »
Real knife attacks vs. martial arts class knife attacks If you think that knife attacks look anything like those typically seen in martial arts classes — you can be dead wrong. Real attacks, by people who are familiar with a knife’s properties and true potential, are a blur of short, noncommitted stabs and cuts that
Self-Defense Tip 11 Knife Attacks Read More »
How badly a front over-the-arms bear hug can hurt you? An attacker who grabs you in a front over-the-arms bear hug can either bend you backward and throw you down or lift you up and throw you down by sweeping your legs aside with his foot or by throwing you back overhead (judo uranage, wrestling
Self-Defense Tip 10 Front Over-the-Arms Bear Hug Read More »
