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 gave him the experience to provide much wisdom in his writings and videos. And now he’s using that experience and expertise in a new fiction series that I also really enjoy. Here are a few self-defense tips and tidbits of wisdom for you to think about:<\/p>\n

“It’s common knowledge these days in martial arts circles that hitting the head with the fist can injure said fist. So here is the rule on that: Don’t do it.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

From:\u00a0 Defensive Tactics: Modern Arrest & Control Techniques For Today\u2019s Police Warrior<\/em><\/p>\n

“Follow your common sense and avoid dangerous bars, street corners, convenience stores and parks. People often get into trouble because they blunder into situations that, after the dust settles and their wounds heal, they see that their decision was not a wise one. Avoid a problem by not putting yourself into its midst.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

From:\u00a0 Fighter\u2019s Fact Book 2: Street Fighting Essentials<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cPredators want immediate gratification and they don\u2019t want to work hard for it. They always look for an easy mark, one that appears vulnerable and afraid.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

From:\u00a0 How To Live Safely In A Dangerous World<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIn whatever setting I\u2019ve taught over the years, whether law enforcement or private citizens, students are always anxious to practice the fun stuff \u2013 punches, kicks, throws, joint locks \u2013 missing the glaring fact that if an attacker hits them first they might not get a chance to do the fun stuff.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

From:\u00a0 Defensive Tactics: Modern Arrest & Control Techniques For Today\u2019s Police Warrior<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cJust as I have always encouraged my students to train alone, I want to encourage you to do the same. Those few minutes, just once or twice a week, that you devote to your fighting art outside of your normal class training, will give you returns on your effort many times over. Training alone will increase your knowledge of your fighting art\u2019s concepts, principles and techniques, and greatly increase your awareness of your inner strengths and weaknesses and physical strengths and weaknesses.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

From: Solo Training: The Martial Artist\u2019s Guide to Training Alone<\/em><\/p>\n

“For self-defense, a sudden, thumb-activated light beam in a bully’s eyes will make him jerk his head away and curse you.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

From:\u00a0 Fighter\u2019s Fact Book 2: Street Fighting Essentials<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s important to think about and analyze your experiences so that you develop an understanding of your warrior spirit, and by understanding it, you learn to control it, tame it if necessary, and then use it for good. But be warned: Even after you understand it, or think you do, you must never let down your guard; you must remain ever vigilant. For after all, your warrior spirit is a crouching tiger.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

From: Crouching Tiger: Taming The Warrior Within<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a truth in the world of hand-to-hand combat that too many martial artists aren\u2019t aware of or refuse to believe: Every time you discover a sure-thing technique, one that makes all your training partners groan and writhe in agony, there exists out there in the mean streets, a host of people who won\u2019t feel it. If you haven\u2019t dealt with such a person, understand that the sudden realization that your technique isn\u2019t working can create an instant pause in your thinking and in your actions.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

From: Fighting the Pain Resistant Attacker: Fighting Drunks, Dopers, the Deranged and Others Who Tolerate Pain<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cKnow and understand the law where you live. Remember, in the eyes of the law, ignorance is no excuse.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

From:\u00a0 Fighter\u2019s Fact Book 2: Street Fighting Essentials<\/em><\/p>\n

“Ground fighting in police work isn’t Greco-Roman wrestling, judo, Sambo, submission grappling or any other grappling sport that tests your skill under time limits and rules. That said, many of these arts contain technical aspects that apply to the specific needs of real fighting – though they need to be modified.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

From:\u00a0 Defensive Tactics: Modern Arrest & Control Techniques For Today\u2019s Police Warrior<\/em><\/p>\n

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