1stimestar, whatever you take, also practice running; increase speed as it gets easier.
Sometimes being able to outrun your attacker is exactly what might be called for.
1stimestar, whatever you take, also practice running; increase speed as it gets easier.
Sometimes being able to outrun your attacker is exactly what might be called for.
Hahaha.... That whole point scoring sparring is what I was talking about. Karate and other things sometimes base their fighting on point systems rather than effectiveness. Real fighting isn't about points. There are a lot of techniques that can't even be done in a ring without causing permanent damage
Ugh, one time I ran every day for a year. I did a race, my first and only 10K. I won a prize. I never ran again. That was about 3 years ago. I get shin splints really easily. I've always wanted to be a runner so when I had the opportunity to do so (unemployed so had the time), I did. Never could get rid of those dang shin splints though.Originally Posted by BENESSE
Oh by the way, I ran that 10K in a Batman costume hahahha.
Why do I live in Alaska? Because I can.
Alaska, the Madness! Bloggity Stories of the North Country
"Building Codes, Alaskans don't need no stinking Building Codes." Sourdough
Yes, I have wifi in my outhouse!
The one big misgiving I have about the blanket "take a martial art" idea is that some are competitive, some are practical. I honestly don't want to invest the time and money in a competitive class, because while that's all great fun, good exercise, and possibly slightly helpful in an emergency, it seems that learning a practical fighting system as taught by police, military, or general brawlers would serve best. Such classes are out there, I know, but I know I won't practice unless comfortable, and I'm most comfortable sparring with my friends that are military or police cadets, and people who themselves have taken the practical classes but aren't as hot-blooded or violent-minded as some of their fellow students.
I am to misbehave - Captain Mal
Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, you aren't entitled to your own set of facts. - Anonymous
That reminds me of a time many, many years ago.
In my first year of college I decided to take a karate course. The style was Isshinryu, but the class was "street defense". The instructor was a 5th degree black belt.
One of the guys in the class - a really big guy - reallllllllllly big kept interrupting, asking when we were going to learn to break boards. The instructor tired of the interruptions - went to his office - returned with a board and a baseball bat - handed the board to the student who immediately held it up in a "traditional" manner in preparation for the instructor to break it.
The instructor told him to toss the board in the air, high over his head. The student complied. While the board was way over his head, the instructor performed a jumping back kick - splintering the board in mid air. He then took the baseball bat and hit the heavy bag really hard, saying this class is to make sure you can prevent this, not break boards.
The student was still a little skeptical. The instructor held out the baseball bat and said - OK - break this with your fist. The student cried that it was impossible. The instructors assistant then held the bat as the instructor, with a single punch, broke the bat in two at about the label level.
The student was quiet the rest of the course.
I must be missing the point to this.
That still lacks any evidence of being a practical fighting style. Breaking boards and bats doesn't mean you can hold your own in a fight, or stop an attacker.
This^
If you want to have fun and go duel people with some fancy moves, go for it. But if your goal is to learn how to protect yourself from someone outside of a controlled ring with something handing out points, I strongly advise not wasting your time on Karate.
Just ask 5th degree Karate blackbelt Fred Ettish. Bahahaha..
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/80675093/
I studied various martial arts. I have fought more men than anyone I know. Not, more than anyone. But, more than anyone I have ever met.
Why? I escalated or allowed the situation to escalate rather than de-escalating the situation. Now for 1stimer's post. I would say that first study situational awareness. Observe your environment. Avoid high risk environments. If faced with an unavoidable violent encounter use overwhelming high yield violence and get out.
With good situational awareness you can avoid 90% of any type of conflict. The other 10% needs you to not escalate and to de-escalate with a failure to do so followed up with high yield run throughs like a solid chin jab or a cow catcher followed through with thumbs in the eyes or a rake and a run over. Then get out right now.
As an example. This dude could hold his own with most. He bled out on the way to the ramp. His friends were on their way back to the boat when he got stabbed. The guy who killed him gets out next year.
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/200...lligator-alley
Folks I know said that if he would have walked away with his friends he would be alive today.
That's the point he was making. I guess I didn't explain it well.
My apologies, I thought you were saying the opposite.
I would say take it. I went to a couple of classes with a girl I know and was amazed at some of the simple concepts that can completely incapacitate a person. You don't have to be strong, but quick, to strike someone's adam's apple. Unless the person is a beast or on something, they will grab their throat from pain/not being able to breath and lean forward. It's that moment you knee them in the face. Same is true for nut shots, it's not the nut shot that stops them completely, but the follow up when they are vulnerable.
The guy teaching was black belt in several styles and this was his own concept of self defense. It was avoid it, but if you have no option, here are some ways to handle it.
He may have been crazy, but told me if I'm ever outnumbered in a fight, and I get the chance, rip someone's ear off and act crazy. One of two things are gonna happen, I'm either getting my *** kicked anyway, or they'll back off cause who wants to fight someone who rips off ears? I laughed, but I guess it makes some sense in a twisted way.
Last edited by JPGreco; 04-24-2013 at 12:06 AM.
Ha, I like that JP.I learned a long time ago that I'm not going to win a lot of fights. But even through I'm five six my mind says six five.
One of the things I did with my son was to take Judo. all balance and holds. Get em down quick and beat feet. Now that I'm old..I'm not so tall.
Take the class!
Yes we are taking it. Although I am loath to have to drive into town one more day a week, and give up my Sundays, it's only for 4 weeks. What better reason could there be, right.
Why do I live in Alaska? Because I can.
Alaska, the Madness! Bloggity Stories of the North Country
"Building Codes, Alaskans don't need no stinking Building Codes." Sourdough
Yes, I have wifi in my outhouse!
Hi,
I am new to the forum and I realize this thread is a month old and the OP has likely completed or is likely near the completion of these classes but I thought I would add my thoughts. Hope you don't mind the thoughts of a newbie here.
First off there is a huge difference between self-defense and martial arts. Yes, some martial arts are geared toward self-defense and may be applicable in real situations but they generally require months and years to master. Real self-defense is generally based on natural and instinctive skills, primal movement patterns that most people already know. This being the case, they can be learned quickly, retained longer, and be used almost immediately. If this training incorporates adrenal response scenarios, this can actually anchor the physical skills into the neural-pathways even quicker. Real self-defense also includes numerous aspects of safety beyond physical skills. This includes verbal-self-defense and conflict resolution as well as pre-conflict (awareness, mind-set development, legalities, physiology of self-defense, etc), and post-conflict (dealing with the physical, emotional and legal aftermath). These are things often neglected in martial arts training.
All of this being said…real self-defense can be learned in just a few hours of hands-on training. I have personally taught 1-day seminars (3-4 hours in length) for over 10 years with great success. This includes three previous attendees successfully using their skills to escape bad situations. There are also many programs out there that have shown even greater success. One such program called “Model Mugging” has been doing this successfully for over 40 years. There are many variations of this program out there to include FAST Defense, Impact Personal Safety, WAMM self-Defense, etc that have also shown great success. The key to these types of programs is combining reality-based scenario that invoke an adrenal response with natural and instinctive skills.
So, I do agree with some on here in that martial arts self-defense programs (what I call traditional self-defense) do require dedication in time and training to be effective, usually years. Unfortunately these types of traditional programs can lead to false confidence because they include unrealistic training against compliant training partners. However, solid self-defense programs (like those I mentioned above) that are based on what really happens during real attacks can provide effective skills and true confidence. While you may not always be able to find these types of programs near you, I would suggest checking out the various videos on youtube to get an idea of what they include. You can also purchase DVD’s of some of the material from these programs that will definitely help better prepare you for violence. Many of the physical techniques and drills can be performed with a willing partner and some striking pads/shields.
Hope that helps.
Steve
Thanks Steve and welcome to the forum. We went to the first class and didn't go back. The guy was just too flaky and unorganized. We did learn the technique of how to get loose if someone grabbed us by the wrist and started to learn how to get away if someone grabbed us around the neck from behind. But at that point, the class had already gone fully twice as long as it was supposed to and I had a meeting to go to.
Why do I live in Alaska? Because I can.
Alaska, the Madness! Bloggity Stories of the North Country
"Building Codes, Alaskans don't need no stinking Building Codes." Sourdough
Yes, I have wifi in my outhouse!
Did the wrist grab defense include pulling against the thumb or toward the opening in the attacker's grip without first striking the attacker to soften him up? Did it include putting the grab in context so everyone knew when such a grab would likely occur? In other words did he just tell you to stand there and let your partner grab your wrist? If so, he was teaching "traditional self-defense". Generally speaking an attacker grabs a wrist to do one of three things 1) move the intended victim to a vehicle or more secluded location 2) to prevent the intended victim from fighting back or 3) to momentarily keep the intended victim from moving away while the attacker strikes or deploys a weapon with the other hand. The easiest way to avoid a wrist grab is to use awareness and avoid letting someone get that close to you. However, even with the best awareness in the world there is always a chance someone can catch us by surprise. Even if that is the case, most attackers will not begin their attack with the wrist grab. It will generally be an "interview" or an "ambush". The interview will allow you to see them coming and easily prevent the wrist grab while the ambush can catch you by surprise but will generally be a tackle, a bear hug, or strike.
Now knowing this, IF someone is able to grab your wrist the worst thing to do is to start an upper-body struggle with this person. They will likely be adrenalized or worse on some kind of drug and they will probably have a convulsive death grip on your wrist. You won't be able to easily pull away from them like you can in training against a compliant partner, at least not without diminishing the attacker's ability to continue the assault. Ask yourself this- is the wrist grab likely to seriously injure you? Can it kill you? The answer to both is NO! This being the case, instead of worrying about trying to fight free of the attacker's grip, it's better to focus on doing something that will statistically slow or stop the assault. Remember, the grab won't hurt you, it's what he does with the other hand that you need to worry about. The simple thing to do is use the free hand and slam it into the attacker's face and head while alternating that with a hard and powerful knee driven into the attacker groin/bladder area. Continue to alternate hand to head and knee to groin as hard as possible until the attacker lets go or falls down. Regardless of whichever comes first the next things to do is obviously get out of there as quickly as possible.
I know that many of these instructors have good intentions but unfortunately they don't always teach things that reflect reality.
Sorry if I sound like a wannabe "know-it-all", it just bothers me when martial artists try to teach self-defense with only martial arts experience to guide them. The martial arts training environment is so different than reality.
Steve
Nope, none of that. Like I said, he was a bit flaky. The technique was to rotate your arm to loosen the grip, bringing your hand up towards your face, then pushing away from your body with your hand to break the grip. This did work well with a compliant partner...
We had one of our annual "rallies" called Take Back the Night, at the college. (I work for the local women's shelter.) Anyways, he was one of our speakers. We won't be asking him to return... Even though he says he has been "studying this for many years", I don't believe he was studying sexual abuse or domestic violence. It's about power and control. He got up in front of everyone and said it was due to alcohol. So yea, while he may have studied martial arts for many years, as you say, self defense is a different thing.
Why do I live in Alaska? Because I can.
Alaska, the Madness! Bloggity Stories of the North Country
"Building Codes, Alaskans don't need no stinking Building Codes." Sourdough
Yes, I have wifi in my outhouse!
I am sorry to hear that but unfortunately that's pretty typical in this field. You are right, the topics of sexual assault and domestic violence require specialized training that many martial artists generally won't do. At least you were able to recognize these issues.
I don't know how far this is from you but there is a Model Mugging instructor in Fairbanks according to one of the websites. If nothing else they may be willing to travel to you if you need a speaker for next year. The Model Mugging / IMPACT program is highly recommended.
Alaska
Fairbanks
AIMM (Alaska Impact Model Mugging)
3875 Geist Road Suite E Box 304
Fairbanks, AK 99709
Phone: 907 455-6783
Steve
I work in Fairbanks. I drive into Fairbanks every day though I live closer to a little community called Ester. That business seems to be out of business. Their page is gone at least and I never heard of one of those types of businesses in that area. But really, the only reason I was taking it was because he offered it to free for anyone who attended Take Back the Night and at the time, I had an escalating perpetrator who is also a law enforcement officer from out of state. He was pretty intense. But mostly, I just stay aware and carry and sleep with my guns.
Why do I live in Alaska? Because I can.
Alaska, the Madness! Bloggity Stories of the North Country
"Building Codes, Alaskans don't need no stinking Building Codes." Sourdough
Yes, I have wifi in my outhouse!
Beautifully said.
Sorry to hear to about your situation but it sounds as if the guy is no longer around?
I believe everyone should attend a solid self-defense course, regardless of age, gender, athletic ability, etc. I have been involved in martial arts and self-defense for 24 years and you would be surprised how many young athletic males (often martial artists) that I have seen fail realistic scenario training. Often times this is due to a lack of proper mind-set more so than anything else. It should be included in every elementary school in the country and the reality is we would have fewer victims of crime, assault, and bullying.
Awareness is a good thing. It's the foundation (along with mind-set) to effective personal security. Guns are obviously a good thing as well. The key though is to be prepared if the awareness fails or if a situation presents itself where the gun doesn't work, isn't available, or has somehow been taken away. This is where empty hands and the use of improvised weapons become vitally important. Whether we have a weapon on our person or not, we are never unarmed as long as we have the mind-set and know what to look for and how to use what we find.
Take care,
Steve
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