“Elbows are devastating tools for self-defense.” – Alain Burrese Never underestimate the power of a well thrown elbow strike. When I was in Thailand one time, I went to the Muay Thai fights in Bangkok one night. During one of the bouts, a fighter threw a quick elbow that caught his opponent right on the…
What is the best form of self-defense for someone out of shape? This, or a similar variation, is a common question to those of us who teach self-defense. And the reality is, size, strength and fitness matter! Yes, there are things you can do to protect or defend yourself against bigger, stronger, and more fit…
I don’t care what martial art or self-defense system you study, or how strong and athletic you are. Nor do I care if you carry a knife or firearm. Tactical folder, Bowie Knife, 9 mm, .357, .45, .44, or a Sherman tank, it doesn’t matter. It just doesn’t matter. The equipment you carry and the…
Self-defense. What is it? Most people immediately think of physical skills such as punching and kicking when you say self-defense. In a flier I saw recently for a woman’s self-defense class, it said participants must bring their own boxing gloves. I’m not sure just what this class taught by some MMA competitors will contain, but…
“You don’t have to fight like me; you just have to fight well.” – Michael D. Janich This is an important concept. We are all different. We must adapt techniques and concepts to our own physical build and capabilities. The goal for safety …and self-defense is personal to each person. I want to help YOU…
Hit him fast. Hit him hard. Hit him a lot. – Alain Burrese Self-Defense Simplified I understand the importance of having a good defense, but I also agree that you won’t stop the other person without a good offense. A quote attributed to General George S. Patton states, “Nobody ever defended anything successfully, there is…
Vital Targets Are Important Many times in my classes or seminars, I will throw out a quick punch beside a student’s head, missing by the tiniest bit. I then ask, “How much did that hurt?” The reply is always, “It didn’t.” I then come back with, “Why not?” Almost universally the reply is, “Because you…
I’m proud to call Self-defense, Martial Arts, and Police Science author Loren W. Christensen a friend. Long before we became friends, I was learning from his articles, books, and DVDs. (And he’s written a lot!) I’m still learning from him. His over 30 years as a police officer and even longer as a martial artist…
In many of my self-defense seminars and courses, I teach that the goal is not to win, but to get home safely. Escape to safety is a common theme regardless if I’m talking to a group of teachers in an Active Shooter Response class or a group of women about woman’s self-defense and rape prevention.…
Is ground fighting important? Yes, it is. Is it the be all and end all of self-defense? No, it isn’t. A number of years ago, a statistic was started that said ninety percent of fights go to the ground. I don’t know who started the statistic, but some claim it was a ground fighting system…