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“Fronting”: The dodge to get in close to you. The frontal assault, as opposed to the ambush.

Fronting can be either a direct confrontation (intimidation) or it can make use of “artifice”, i.e. “got a light?”, “got the time?”, “how do I get to such and such?” Anything “innocent” to throw you off your guard and allow the assailant to “get into your safety zone”. That is the area where action is ALWAYS faster than re-action.

The key here is NEVER TRUST anyone’s “intention”, NEVER!

Maintaining the “reactionary gap” is the single most important “thing” in this situation. In order for ANY attack to be optimally effective three things must “work” in the attackers favor: Time - Distance - Opportunity.

NEVER “allow” anyone within arms distance. If they are close enough to simply reach out and touch you, you have a BIG PROBLEM.

How did you get there?

I wish I had a dime for every self-defense “expert” that starts with this line - OK, the bad guy throws a punch……………

WHAT? Did he just appear in a cloud of smoke? Simply materialize from nowhere? What preceded this “punch”?

How did he approach you and manage to get into your safety zone? Is it an “ambush”? How did you wind up dealing with the attack?
The equation for dealing with this is NOT the “defense”, it’s understanding our “triad”, TIME - DISTANCE - OPPORTUNITY.

Increase the TIME necessary for the assailant to be effective.

Decrease the TIME necessary for YOUR attack to be effective.

Increase the DISTANCE necessary for the assailant to be effective.

Decrease the DISTANCE necessary for YOUR attack to be effective.

Remove or minimize the OPPORTUNITY necessary for the assailant to be effective.

MAXIMIZE your OPPORTUNITY to make YOUR attack effective.

The assailant has to TARGET YOU, COVER THE DISTANCE TO GET TO YOU, and then have THE OPPORTUNITY to implement his assault, in other words you have to be there when he gets there.

Now! Time - Distance - Opportunity = SPEED - POWER - ACCURACY.

That’s the full “combat” equation. It works for the assailant AND it works for you.

So, I’m more concerned with “how” we disrupt the equation for the attacker and use it to our advantage, than I am about “defending against the punch”.

Here are two good ones:

“A miss is as good as a mile”
“Almost only works for horseshoes and hand-grenades”

That’s also what I mean when I say look at the “big picture”.

Combat shooting:

Speed and “man-killing” accuracy: “nail driving” accuracy is great as long as it doesn’t affect your SPEED!

Distance: measure off the longest “area” in your home. Hallway, bedroom, kitchen, or all the places that an attack may occur. What’s the distance? Don’t waste time at firing ranges over that!

I know people that have weapons strategically placed around their living environment. Never know where you’ll be when you need what you don’t have, right?

How about the one place where you really are naked as a jay-bird? How about the shower? Drawstring or a plastic bag (waterproof) with you, in the shower, containing 230 grains of “soap”. No, I’m NOT kidding. Better to have “it” and NOT ever need it, than to need “it” and NOT have it. ALWAYS, ALWAYS…..remember Uncle Murphy! The SOB will always show up when least expected, ALWAYS!

Copyright 2003 www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com ©

Carl Cestari began his study of the martial arts with judo at the age of 7 under the direction of Yoshisada Yonezuka. During the past forty plus years Carl has dedicated his life to studying the martial arts, hand to hand combat systems, history and religion. What makes Carl unique is his combination of martial arts, law enforcement, military and real world experience. Carl has been exposed to a multitude of people with a wide variety experience. The following is a list of some of Carl’s ranks and honors.

Shinan (Founder) Tekkenryu jujutsu
Ryokudan (6th degree) Koshinkai Karate under John Burrelle
Godan (5th degree) Jujutsu under Clarke of the World Jujutsu Fedaration (now defunct)
Sandan (3rd degree) Nippon Kempo under Narabu Sada
Nidan (2nd degree) Judo under Masafumi Suzuki
Shodan (1st degree) Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka
Shodan (1st degree) Shukokai Karate under Kimura, Kadachi and Yonezuka
Shodan (1st degree) Daitoryu Aikijujutsu
Instructors Certificate- Charles Nelson System of Self Defense under Charlie Nelson

http://www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com

So you are thinking of starting to train in okinawan karate. There are a lot of choices as far as okinawan karate schools are concerned. Which school do you choose ? What is the best school or system? If you are a parent, what okinawan karate school is best for your children?

Karate began in Okinawa, which is one of the many islands which make up Japan. Okinawa was invaded by the highly organized samurai clans from the larger Japanese islands. The islanders developed okinawan karate to defend themselves. Okinawan karate was kept alive, passed down from master to student through the generations and eventually became integrated into the school system for all of Japan

Original Okinawan karate wass divided into styles which were named after the cities in Okinawa that they were developed in. Shuri-te, Tomari-te and Naha-te are all derived from cities in Okinawa. Okinawan karate is heavily influenced by Chinese kung fu or kempo. Okinawans often traded with mainland china and maintained friendly relations.

Today, there appear to be a enormous number of karate styles. However, all are derived in one way or another from okinawan karate. One okinawan master, Gichin Funakoshi introduced karate to the japanese school system. His shotokan style became one of most popular karate styles in the world. Often students would leave to create their own style. Many honoured their teachers instruction to preserve the art but often, students would have disagreements with their teachers and move out on their own.

Regardless of original okinawan karate style or mixture, it is important that the style has a detailed curriculum, chance for future advancement to ranks above black belt and lots of students and many instructors. You want to be sure if the school is going to be around for a long time if you are going to be devoting years of study.

Some schools are run for profit while others are not. You could say not-for-profit schools are closer to the Original okinawan karate system where karate was passed from father to son, master to student. Of course, If we trained like they did in original Okinawan karate, there would only be 1 or 2 students!

So long as the karate school has the students welfare at heart, operating for a profit is not a bad thing. My own experience has been with not-for–profit schools, and I have had great instructors but there are just as many dedicated teachers in for-profit schools.

True okinawan karate is more about self defence than tournaments and competition but competition is often important to young karate-ka. If you are going to involved in tournaments then be sure the school is affiliated with other karate organizations and provides proper coaching and tournament instruction. Many large governing bodies issue teaching and coaching certification to karate judges and officials. You want to be sure you or your children will competing in a safe and controlled environment and not a slugfest or free for all. So seek out qualified people.

Okinawan karate can improve your health and well being, develop great self confidence and life skills such as persistence and self control. Do your research and find the club that you feel most comfortable with. If you are interested, try out a couple of styles. See if okinawan karate is for you. Most clubs will allow 1 or more free visits to help you make up your mind.

Adrian Dunevein is a karate instructor with Mississauga Parks and Recreation and helps with karate instruction at the South Common and Rivergrove fitness centers in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Check the website at: http://home.cogeco.ca/~adunevein/

Kendo is a very physical sport and and its practicioners need lots of protective equiptment. The gear include the kendo bogu (armor), the kendo uniform (worn under the bogu; consists of a hakama and G.I.), and the kendo stick/sword (also known as a shinai).

Bogu can be bought at specialized kendo stores, like E-Bogu. E-bogu is known to be one of the BEST sites to buy bogu and other kendo equiptment from. The majority or kendoka buy their equiptment from E-Bogu.

The bogu is comprised of the men (helment), kote (arm guard), do (chest protector), and tare (groin protector).
Kendo, Kumdo, Kenjutsu, kendo bogu

The kendo shinai must be properly taken care of or else it will pose a danger to both you and your opponent. The shinai must be checked for splinters and oiled regularly. This helps keep the shinai from breaking and sending razor sharp shrapnel into you and your opponents faces.

The shinai’s string must also be kept tight. This is to keep the top from slipping off and making the shinai go through your opponents men.

If you think your shinai or bogu are damaged or not safe, do NOT use it and tell your sensei. Help keep your dojo safe for everyone.

International-kendo.com is an up and comming kendo site with a wealth of information.

Aside from the dojo precepts, kata is traditionally Karate-do’s primary tool for personal development. It is the textbook of Karate-do that is to be learned, understood, and applied. It is the tool by which Karate-do demonstrates fighting principles, but also creates unity in one’s body, mind, and soul.

The fighting principles, when well applied, will work in many situations. Awareness and defensive principles help avoid, assess, or diffuse encounters. The search for unity means we should use lethal force as a last resort. The key is to move last, but hit first. In this way, there is no first strike in karate, but we meet force with a passive counter. Look for new ways to interpret kata - many secrets may be found…or created.

Mentally, kata teaches focus, and attention to all angles. One must cut through disclarity of mind to understand kata, and with this a growing process takes place. You will find bunkai where you did not before, as you imagine the problems the kata creators faced. This problem solving that kata teaches is invaluable. It balances the mind and grounds it to a reality that is still unpredictable, yet enriched by clearer understanding.

Physically, kata enforces proper use of body structure. It also strengthens the muscles through natural body weight exercises. Practiced vigorously, kata improves cardiovascular efficiency. Kata is therapeutic and empowering.

Spiritually, kata provides a path of self awareness. In practicing or even creating new kata, one builds resolve. In aiming for mastery, one builds patience. In either, one has to continually search in and outside of themselves, that one may learn how to apply the truths contained within kata.

Owen Johnston lives and teaches Wado ryu Karate in Lake City, South Carolina. For more information, please visit Johnston Wado ryu Karate.

The martial arts make up an exciting sport that is a great tool for self defense and discipline. Training involves intense mental concentration and physical stamina. The key of each technique is to sharpen you thinking to the point that you simply react. There are many different forms of martial arts that specialize in a wide range of self defense and offensive combat.

Aikido is a Japanese form of martial arts that is derived form Jujitsu. It is not an offensive type of fighting that involves punching and kicking. It focuses on using your opponents own moves against himself by focusing on the flow of energy. By manipulating the force someone uses towards you, they can be thrown aside or even flipped over backwards in the direction of their energy.

Karate is the original form of martial arts. It is translated to mean “empty hand”. This is because the fighting techniques do not include and weapons. Kicking and punching are the main form of defense and offense. The wide variety of moves makes Karate the most versatile and total body martial art of them all. It is the type of martial art that is used in many self defense classes. Recent scientific research has broken down the many complex moves into more effective combinations that are now taught today.

Kung Fu is a very popular martial art that is the basis for many theatrical stunts. It is based on many low stance blocking moves that are very powerful. Some blocks can be so powerful that they injure the opponent. Styles of Kung Fu include drunken boxing, serpent and crane. Many other animal styles exist and are passed down by families. Jackie Chan is a famous actor that has mastered over five major animal fighting styles of Kung Fu. Another actor, Jet Li is famous for using Wu Shu, which is a very fluid form of Kung Fu.

A matt pull is the simple act of lying on flat on your stomach, reaching in front of you and pulling your self across the mat. This is one exercise that helps develop your muscles for grappling. We do these as a part of our warm up.

The other day, I was beginning a prospective student and when we got to mat pulls, this man does three of them and then pulls up lame. Still, not a problem, I am in the business of training people, as long as you have the desire and the will, I am going to help you. It’s my job. After that, the guy was barely useless for the rest of the hour class. He didn’t hit a pad since he was clutching his stomach the entire time. Still, no problem, I’ll train you if you want it.

I just received an email saying “The training was too combat oriented”. I don’t know what this means, it’s a martial art. It wouldn’t be so bad except, this person was a pretty beefy guy who claimed he worked out regularly and power lifted. Believe me, after his performance on the mat, I seriously question the validity of this statement.

Keep in mind, I am not trying to train an “uber-samurai”, I train college and professional women, mothers of one, two or more, training with me, men and women from a variety of backgrounds. All of them have one thing in common, the desire to improve. The class is rigorous, but you can participate at your own speed.

So how does this pertain to your training and life as we know it? First off, if your training for anything where the end result is contact with another human being you better be ready for this. You will get hurt. You will lesson the degree of which you will get hurt by how good of shape you are in and how hard you train. If you think you are going to get into a real fight without sustaining injury, you will be sadly, or gravely disappointed. If you think you will not get winded or exhausted in a few short moments, you are in for a world of hurt. You need to be in the best shape you can possibly be in period. Knowing what to do is only half of it. How to training it and keeping yourself in shape is the other. The better in shape you are in, the better you will perform. It’s like having a Ferrari Enzo and having no fuel and no insurance. It looks good and in theory, it will be the fastest thing on the road. The reality is, it’s a $1,000,000 paper weight that couldn’t beat a scooter.

Your method of self defense is only as good as the delivery system it comes in (that’s you). If you think that knowing something will save you, maybe under the optimum circumstances. Maybe if you can get a clean first shot off. Maybe if you get the drop on your target. Unfortunately this is rarely the case. Usually you don’t get the opportunity to pick the time and the place, your assailant does. Oh yeah, you may miss. People have a tendency to a …move. So you better be ready for the long haul. If you can end the fight before it starts, great. But plan for the worst and hope for the best.

Like my coach @ Lehigh, Thad Turner told me, “Any idiot can get in shape; you just want to do it”. Nothing worth anything comes fast, easy and without a price. Yes there are more efficient ways of getting the job done, but EASY is a relative term.

Damian Ross is the owner of Zenshin and instructor of Tekkenryu jujutsu and Kodokan Judo. He started competing in the combative sport of wrestling in 1975 at the age of 7 and began his study of Asian martial arts with Moo Duk Kwan Tae Kwon Do at the age of 16 in 1984. In 1989, Shinan Cestari gave a seminar at Sensei Ross’s dojo. Sensei Ross has trained under Shinan Cestari’s direction ever since. In addition to Tekkenryu Jujutsu, Judo and Tae Kwon Do, Sensei Ross has also studied Bando. Sensei Ross continues his study of Judo under the direction of 8th degree black belt Yoshisada Yonezuka and Tekkenryu Jujutsu under it’s founder, Carl Cestari. Below are is a list of some of his title ranks:

Yodan (fourth degree black belt) Tekkenryu Jujutsu under Carl Cestari

Shodan (First degree black belt) Kodokan Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka

Varsity Wrestling Lehigh University under Thad Turner

2nd Degree Black Belt Tae Kwon Do

http://www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com

Brief History:

Jujitsu is a 2500 year old unarmed combat discipline that has its roots in ancient Japan. The exact date on the creation of this martial art form is hard to trace but techniques resembling that of Jujitsu had already been incorporated into the training methods of the Samurai, from the 8th to the 6th centuries. Earliest Japanese historical records such as the Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) and the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan) also have passages related to unarmed combat systems.

Before this Japanese martial art developed into what we know as Jujitsu today, there were many other Japanese combat techniques such as Kogusoku, yawara, kumiuchi, and hakuda etc, also collectively known as Sengoku Jujutsu. Traditions finally gave rise to the modern Nihon Jujutsu we know today, which is classified under Edo Jujutsu – the true unarmed Japanese combat system.

Jujitsu gained prominence during the reign of Tokugawa in the 1600s but was soon alienated when Emperor Melse regained power. However, towards the mid-20th century, the ban on Jujitsu in Japan was lifted, following the Meiji restoration, and the combat art form began to be widely practiced.

The Philosophy:

Jujitsu revolves around three basic states of mind – Zanshin, Mushin and Fudoshin. The proper combination of these elements gave the power, preparation and potential to the practitioner to excel in the Jujitsu art.

1. Zanshin – “remaining spirit” – connotes the readiness for anything at any given time.

2. Mushin – “no mind” – Its spontaneity permits instantaneous action without conscious thought.

3. Fudoshin - “immovable mind” –during times of confrontation.

Basic Methods:

Jujitsu is a circular, hard and soft, external combat style. The basic techniques of attacks includes throws, locks, hitting and striking, thrusting and punching, pinning and immobilizing, strangling and joint-locking, with strong emphasis on throws, locks, and defensive techniques. In-fighting and close work are also focused upon.

Even though Jujitsu is basically an unarmed fighting system, small weapons like the Jitte (truncheon), Tanto (knife), or Kakushi Buki (hidden weapons), which include the Ryofundo Kusari (weighted chain) or the Bankokuchoki (a type of knuckle-duster) may also be used in combat.

Competition Systems:

Conventional Jujitsu can be dangerous, or maybe even fatal if its fundamental techniques were to be applied. So, in order to make the art a safer sport for the competitive arena, systems and rules have to be introduced. That is why most of the competition methods have incorporated “Half-contact”, which prohibits serious attempts to knock out an opponent.

1. The Fighting System: This is the most popular method, divided into three phases. The first is for striking only, the second for striking, grappling and throwing, and the third includes ground-fighting such as chokeholds.

2. The Practical System: According to this rule, two defenders are surrounded by four attackers from four corners. Highest points go to the best defender judged upon effectiveness, oversight and control of the situation.

3. The Duo System: In this system, contestants are randomly chosen and awarded points for effective defences. The attacks are divided into four groups of five attacks each.

4. Combat Jujitsu: The most recent system developed in the United States. Victory in the competition is based on submission. The combat round between the two opponents lasts for not more than two minutes.

Martial Arts HQ offers articles, tips and tricks about different martial arts.

Do you know what the single most vulnerable spot on a person’s body is? The spot people will drop everything and anything they are doing to protect? The spot even people jacked up on mind altering drugs or illegal steroids will do everything in their power to cover?

It’s the eyes.

The eye ball is the single most vulnerable spot on the human body.

In fact, if you can jab a person’s eye — and I don’t care how ripped up with muscle he is or how “tough” he thinks he is — you will cause him a lot of pain. Sometimes immense pain.

It’s true.

And we’re all born with a natural instinct to protect our eyes at all costs. Whether it be from a small speck of dust…or a protruding finger in the middle of a vicious street fight.

That’s why, if someone ever attacks you on the street, one of the first things you should do — before messing around with complicated martial arts kicks and punches — is simply jab one or both of his eyes.

At best, you’ll connect and cause him enough pain to forget all about attacking you. At the very least, you’ll cause him to slow down and protect himself, giving you a chance to either escape or go in for an attack of your own.

I realize poking someone’s eye isn’t the most sexy martial arts move in the world, but it works like gangbusters and can keep you alive and in one piece if some lunatic attacks you on the street.

This is based on something that I wrote in my “KUBOTAN: Self-Defense Keychain” ebook. And, although the discussion was aimed at the weapon that served as the focus of the book, in actuality, any weapon, modern or traditional, can be substituted.

Now, please don’t confuse what I’m about to say with whether or not I use weapons. Weapons should be a part of any sound self-defense and martial arts program, training, and strategy. However, far too many people rely on a quick-fix. The Self-Defense Keychain book, in fact none of my books or videos were created to be a comprehensive training course in the use of any particular weapon. No single resource can be.

This is so for two very important reasons…

1. No weapon can take the place of a sound self-defense training program and plan - no matter how powerful you think it is, and…

2. Most weapons, especially those like the Kubotan, were designed to augment, or provide additional power and effectiveness, to unarmed self-defense techniques and tactics.

Do you have to be a trained martial artist to defend yourself with this or any other weapon?

No. Of course not.

Firearms are a good case-in-point. Knives are another. These two in particular have the potential of creating serious damage with relatively little to no formal training. But, remember…

…there is a huge difference between an effective self-defense strategy based on “knowing” what to do to increase your ability to escape with the least amount of wear-and-tear, and…

…the dependence on luck or the fact that you’re carrying a self-defense weapon.

In the case of firearms, people brag and tout how many rounds the weapon can fire before reloading, but…

…you can’t MISS often enough to win!

You can simply pick up a knife and start slashing and probably do okay. However…

…there are times during the year, at least in the temperate region where I live, that the clothing being worn by an attacker can make it difficult to cut him - even with a large knife. And…

…as we say in the self-defense world - “you can’t bring a knife to a gun fight and expect to win!

The choice is yours…

…luck or strategic application of trained skills.

Both can be effective. However,…

…which one do you want to “bet your life on?”

And, in the long run…

…your weapon, regardless of whether it’s a handgun, knife, or even a simple weapon like the Kubotan…

…is only as good as YOU are!

Jeffrey M. Miller is the founder and director of Warrior Concepts International in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. He is the author of the “Foundations of Self-Defense Mastery” eCourse, which is available free of charge to subscribers of his self defense newsletter. You can subscribe to the newsletter at: http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/newsletter-subscribe-self-defense.html He is also the creator of the EDR: Non-Martial Arts Defensive Training Program, author of the book, “The Karate-Myth” as-well-as the powerful, “Danger Prevention Tactics” video. Additional information is available by visiting http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com