Once I strolled through the Old City in Warsaw with a female relative. In a narrow street ahead of us, on the sidewalk, a man was reclining. He seemed to be getting some metallic object out from his clothes. I thought that perhaps it is a harmonica and that he was getting ready to play […]
Self-Defense Tip 35 A Walk Through the City Read More »
Crime bills to increase sentences for crimes committed with firearms, but not for crimes committed with knives Several firearms and crime bills in the current (108th) session of U.S. Congress are designed to promote use of bladed and blunt weapons (such as knives or clubs) in commission of crimes. Really. Here are examples: H.R. 54
Self-Defense Tip 34 Gun Crime Bad, Knife Crime Not Bad Read More »
Large inner reap (o-uchi-gari) — a grappling technique useful for boxers and street-fighters This self-defense tip continues the subject of grappling drills that transfer well to many fighting techniques of various combat sports, for example, to boxing. In this tip I describe technique and drills for o-uchi-gari (large inner reap). Practice of o-uchi-gari develops awareness
Self-Defense Tip 33 Stand-Up Grappling Drills for Striking Skills — Large Inner Reap Read More »
Forward foot sweep (de-ashi-barai) — a grappling technique useful for boxers, mma fighters, and street-fighters If done right drills for grappling skills can improve your striking skills, whether for boxing, or mixed martial arts (mma), or street-fighting. There are moments during one’s steps when one is unable to attack or even to defend effectively. These
Self-Defense Tip 32 Stand-Up Grappling Drills for Striking Skills — Forward Foot Sweep Read More »
Keys to fighters’ speed — mastery of techniques, muscular endurance, physical and mental relaxation There are several requirements for being very fast, or better yet, for being “on time.” Key technical requirements are mastery of the movement and relaxation, or more accurately, lack of needless tension. There is an obvious connection with conditioning here because
Self-Defense Tip 31 Keys to Fighting Speed Read More »
Question: I was reading your remarks on the knockdown karate and it’s effectiveness. Do you consider “Olympic” or WTF TaeKwonDo a form of knockdown Karate on par with Enshin, Kyokushin or San Da? I am not trying to start a controversy, I am only interested in your opinion. I have bought several of your videos
Self-Defense Tip 30 Effectiveness of Various Combat Sports and Martial Arts Read More »
Demonstrating fighting skills is not enough for teaching the right way to learn and practice them Most self-defense books and videos, and even many seminars and classes, demonstrate fighting techniques and tactics (set-ups) but not the methods or drills for learning them. Few people realize that repeating a technique many times is not always the
Self-Defense Tip 29 Learning Fighting Skills: Techniques, Tactics, and Drills Read More »
Someone has asked me about the video Self-Defense: Tools of Attack. He said that he already has the video Basic Instincts of Self-Defense and likes the moves it shows and the way these moves are taught. He liked that all moves build one upon each other and that similar moves are used against many different
Knowing how to use common street weapons is critical in cases of armed attacks This self-defense tip continues to deal with the need for proficiency with the weapons and tactics that one is likely to encounter. To put it briefly, you and your training partners have to be proficient in the real methods of attack
Self-Defense Tip 27 The Need for Proficiency with Weapons Read More »
Commonly taught defenses against weapon attacks (with clubs, knives, razors) are even less realistic than those against empty-hand attacks The two previous self-defense tips (tip no. 24 and no. 25) explained why proficiency with the methods of attack is essential for developing working defense skills. The examples given in those two tips were of unarmed
