self-defense

Targets & Attacks

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 07:40:51 +0100

I'm keeping this one simple. It is just a list of targets with the best ways to attack them:
1) Temple: hook punch, backfist, or knee (only if you can get the opponent in a clench and twist their head)
2) Eyes: finger strike for grazing, or finger gouges
3) Nose: jab or cross punch, palm heel, hammer fist, headbutt
4) Jaw: jab, cross, hook, uppercut, palm heel
5) Ears: palm slap
6) Throat: karate chop, pinching windpipe
7) Carodit Arteries: karate chop
8) collarbone: karate chop, hammer fist
9) Solarplex: punch
10) Groin: kick, knee, slap. grab
11) knee: stomp kick

Now add some of this knowlege.

Technique vs Target

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 02:13:22 +0100

After a good defense, you should be in a position to attack. The vital aspect of this is the transition, moving from defense to attack. You cannot give the opponent time to recover from your defense.

One of the most effective ways to do this is a few quick strikes. Technique is not as important as keeping the opponent in a defensive position here. So, a fancy time consuming technique is disasterous here.

The best method of attack is a target oriented one. Instead of worrying about a perfect technique, you should focus on hitting a vital target. Here is a list of some of the best targets:
-temple of the head
-eyes
-nose
-side of the jaw
-carodit arteries
-throat
-solarplex
-groin
-knees

Notice that most of the targets are above the shoulders and below the waist. So, throwing a few strikes to the head area and then moving directly to a few low line kicks will be very effective.

The main thing you want to do here is get the opponent moving backwards, which keeps them in a defensive position. So remember, quick strikes to vital targets are more effective than a perfectly thrown technique.

And one more thing, do not focus on perfectly hitting the targets either. A quick hit will make your opponent move back whether you hit the target or not. The best thing to do is: throw about 3 strikes to the head, then three low kicks to the legs.

Defense

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 05:51:57 +0100

Just like in anything, defense will not give you a win. In self defense, you want to jump to offense as soon as possible. Now some times you know when the opponent is about to attack and can attack them first (preemptive attacks), but this is not always the case. Sometimes the opponent strikes and you have that split moment to stop them before the strike gets to you.

This is where a defense comes in. You have three basic defenses to choose from: Blocking, parrying, and defensive attacks.

Blocking is exactly what it sounds like: putting a guard up for the opponent to hit instead of their target. Blocking is the easiest way to keep the opponent from hitting vital areas, but it is very hard to jump to an offense from it.

Parrying is a way of deflecting the opponent's strike. Most commonly, it includes slapping the opponent's punch off line. This is very effective, and puts you in good position to attack. The only thing you have to worry about is missing the opponent's strike and still getting hit.

Defensive attacks are attacks to stop the opponent's attack and automatically be in an offensive position. These are usually strikes to the eyes, to the attacking arm, or pushes. defensive attacks are great for transitioning to offense, but if they are not successful, you will most likely get hit. Another advantage to using these: they are reletively new to the martial arts world.

Defense is used to stop an initial strike and jump into offense. Using parrys and defensive attacks are the best for this, blocking should be used as a last resort.

Some Moves To Throw in

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 05:28:52 +0100

You now have a grasp on mindset. So, now you need some moves. There are so many moves out there, where to start? Remember that you will be under pressure, so any fancy spin kicks or punches that take all day are high risk. Instead, use low risk, high damage techniques. Jabs and crosses are a good start, but you need more.

Most of these high damage moves are banned in the combat sports sector. These illegal moves have been sold as systems by many experts, but here is a list of most of them.

-Headbutts
-Eye gouges
-Biting
-Hair pulling
-Fishhooks
-Clawing
-Strikes to the groin
-Strikes to the back of the head
-Strikes to the spine
-Strikes to the throat
-Kicking grounded opponent
-Clothing manipulations
-Use of weapons

You will have a much better chance of walking away by adding some of these techniques to your arsenal.

Mindset Part II

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 18:09:25 +0100

Once you know how to use your fear as a weapon, you need to build your fighting mindset. This is called many things: killer instinct and controlled insanity are a few. But the best definition of this is a want to destroy. You have to want to destroy your opponent, though you do not have to do so. Understand, you do not have to beat them to a bloody pulp, you can still just hit them and get away. This mindset just makes you want to do so, and in doing that, it keeps you from holding back.

A good drill to develope this is: stand perfectly still with your head clear, and at the sound of something (a noise, beep, start of a song) start running foreward while punching with as much force as possible and as fast as possible.

The drill looks odd to say the least, but it works.

Another good point about this mindset is: you can think of the situations that would make you want to do this to someone. Thus, answering the question: What would make you want to fight someone?

Quick Self defense

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 06:18:14 +0100

For those that need a strategy quick, This post will have some basics.

You need some techniques for all three basic ranges: standup striking, in close, and ground.
-standup= Basically some boxing with a few kicks: jab, cross, hook, straight kick, and a round kick
-in close= clench, elbows, and takedowns.
-ground= basic positions, basic submissions, and escapes.

This is about as basic as self defense can be. This only works for hand to hand and has little effectiveness against multiple opponents. But It is better than nothing. With this, you increase your chances of success and It can be learned in about an hour easilly. Remember you are not looking for perfection here, just something to keep you alive.

The good thing about today's society: We have access to the world. You can find this information easily by going to youtube. So look up some basic boxing, in close fighting, and basic groundfightng. You will be well on your way to being able to defend yourself

Mindset: controlling fear

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 08:50:16 +0100

A good mindset is important. I remember being told that the mindset accounts for 90% of the fight. Now, it is very important, but there is no way it is that important, plus I believe that most percents are made up on the spot anyway. The fact is: a good mindset is important and should be understood before you go into actual fighting. And the first part of a good mindset is manipulating fear.

Let's start off by talking about what happens when you are threatened. To make this short: Fear hits you. Your body respondes to fear by releasing adrenaline. The effects of adrenaline, amoung other things, is a rise in heart rate. As your heart rate increases, you are affected more and more: 60 bpm is normal, 115 bpm you lose fine motor skills(skills beyond basic movements), 145 bpm you start going into instinct mode- and it gets worse from there. The reason you need to know this: Understanding that an elevated heart rate will make it hard to use any fancy techniques and your best chance is to initiate with strikes that only require basic movements.

But, there is some good that comes from this elevated heart rate. The adrenaline dump is preparing your body for the fight. It raises your heart rate, but it also numbs pain receptors and increases your strength. You see, your brain knows that you may get hurt, so it send a signal to the body to suppress pain receptors and inhibitors that keep you from hurting yourself. So, you stand a slightly higher chance of hurting yourself, but you have much more strength and feel less pain.

Ok, let's use that to our advantage: At 115 bpm this starts happening, which is about the time you start shaking. So, once you notice that you have the shakes, you are at full power. Literally, this is the best time to fight.

Who would have thought that you could manipulate fear into a weapon.

Understanding a streetfight

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 08:53:05 +0100

Tip 1:
     First, here is our definition of a streetfight: any situation where reality based tactics are needed. They can include attacks in the streets, in bars, in parking lots, or even in your own home.

     We would like to talk about the differences between combat sports and streetfighting to start with. If you know anything about reality based self defense, you already know this, but it is worth mentioning again. So to make this easy, we are going to provide the differences in a list.

     1) Combat Sports is a one-on-one bout.
         Streetfights can be one-on-on, but can also include any number of fighters: 1-on-2, 1-on-100.
     2) In combat sports, the fighters usually have months to prepare for their fight.
         Streetfights usually start with a surprise attack or a sucker punch. Attackers look for the easy targets.
     3) Combat sports lasts 15 minutes or more.
         streetfights last less than 1 minute, most of the time they don't go over a few seconds.
     4) Combat sports are fought in the perfect environment, open area with padding.
         Streetfights are fought anywhere: on hard uneven ground, mud, closed areas, cluttered areas.
     5) Combat Sports goes to the ground most of the time.
         Streetfights usually don't go to the ground. Most of the time a fighter does go to the ground, but not the fight.

     These are the most common differences. The fact is, if you are training for reality based situations, then you must take these differences into consideration and train for them.

Tip 2:
     Here are 10 things you should do to prepare for a streetfight:
     1) Get proper training in a system that is reality based.
     2) Get proper conditioning. Basic fitness is supplemental to all fighting arts, but mental conditioning is even more important.
     3) Expect your opponent to use a different art. Prepare for this as well.
     4) Expect an outdated art to get you killed. Back to 1, reality based.
     5) Expect hollywood to get you killed. Again, why do we have to drill 1 in so much.
     6) Control your temper so that you can keep your focus.
     7) Commit to a plan and stick with it. Just because you miss a couple shots doesn't mean you should stop and try again tomorrow.
     8) Prepare to run away when you get a chance. Otherwise you stand a better chance of having a weapon pulled on you or his friends jump in.
     9) Notice your environment. Have a plan for each environment, can be a great advantage.
     10) Expect to be on your own. Do not hope for bystanders to jump in.

Tip 3:
    Here are a few things that can help you when faced with a possible streetfight:
     1) Ok to back down- Many people believe that you are less of a man if you do not fight when a conflict emerges. To be honest, we do not care about your beliefs here. The fact remains that by avoiding this situation, you stand a much better chance of surviving or atlease not getting hurt.
     2)Hit them first- A common belief is that you should never hit first. The problem with this is that the first strike usually sets the tone for streetfights. This first strike is very important, and if you already know you are being attacked, then getting the first strike gives you an important advantage.
     3)Don't be fair- Remember, streetfights have no rules. This is not mma, illegal moves are completely fair. Using groin shots, bites, eyegouges, etc. is comletely okay, and may save your life.

     The main thing we are trying to say is that streetfights have no rules or regulations. You use whatever means necessary to walk away. Using dirty moves, weapons, and getting in cheap shots are all part of surviving streetfights. The best way to survive a streetfight, however, is to avoid them. Avoidance has many levels. You can avoid bad bars, bad areas of town, and this can go as far as cities and countries as well. Though you can be attacked anywhere, using avoidance greatly lessens the likelyhood of it happening.

Tip 4:
     Let's talk about what you should expect from an attacker. Oh... another list:
     1) Holy....- Your attacker will most likely be taller than you. They are looking for easy targets, so they usually will not attack someone bigger than them.
     2)Bloodshot eyes- Your attacker will most likely be messed up in some way. This is, however, good and bad: Good- impaired, bad reactions; Bad- He probably can't feel anything either.
     3)Pro-"feshunal"- The most common strikes you will encounter are simply haymakers. Though you should go into the altercation as if you are fighting a world champion, most so called streetfighters know two strikes: A right haymaker, and a left haymaker.
     4)I want your head- Expect headshots. This is more guarunteed than the Haymaker, attacker's strikes usually only know one target: your head.
     5)The shove- If you are shoved, watch out. This is usually a setup for another move. The shove is very effective when in close: it starts the opponent going back, opens them up, and is a great way to create distance.