Tag Archives: self defense video

A Night at the Improv

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Car ThiefSally was leaving work after a particularly long and draining day.  As she made her way to her car, her hand was feverishly searching her purse for her car key.  Halfway down the block, a strange feeling enveloped her, causing her to quicken her step and look around.  The sight of an empty street made her laugh to herself.  A grown, professional woman who has been trained in martial arts doesn’t just get the “eeby-geebies”!

As Sally finally approaches her vehicle, her hand magically lands on her car keys.  She breathes a sigh of relief at not having to empty her purse on the hood of her black Lexus…again.  She glances into the backseat, as is her habit.  All that is visible is the martial arts DVD that she bought to practice with at home.  She makes a mental note that the tool would do her much better in the house than in her backseat.

Sticking her keys into the door, Sally hears footsteps rapidly approaching.  The hair on the back of her neck stands up and she quickly turns toward the sound, ready to explode in a cloud of martial arts moves by instinct.  However, her attacker meets her swiftly and knocks her down to the ground.  Her hope is that all he wants is her car or her purse.  Perhaps he will grab her keys and take off, leaving her safely on the street.

No such luck.  Seeing this damsel in distress causes the bad guy to feel indestructible.  He turns to make his way to Sally….What should she do?  What would you do?

This type of a scene plays out in less than thirty seconds.  That is not much time.  Sally (or you..or your wife or daughter) needs to be able to think quickly.  The truth of the matter is that even with martial arts training and practice with a martial arts DVD, you need more in order to handle a situation like this.  You need applicable training and tools.  Tools, in this case, means weapons.

Weapons training used to be a large part of any martial arts training.  However, today we have quickie schools geared for sport or self defense.  Many of these schools teach ample hand techniques.  While this is great, and I myself teach plenty of hand to hand combat techniques; you can’t underestimate the power of weapons.  I’ve talked about this before, but I want to expand on it by offering up a short list of potential weapons.

Because Sally is at her vehicle when her attack occurs, she could use the following as a weapon:

•    Car Keys – Thrust or rake at soft tissue targets or pressure points.  Soft tissue will be more effective because you don’t have to think about where the pressure points are.
•    CD Case – Can be used for sharp edges to scratch the face or soft tissue
•    Flashlight – Every vehicle should contain a flashlight. The more accessible, the better.  That means right next to your seat or in your door panel.  A flashlight (especially a long handled one) makes a great stick with which you can inflict some blunt force on your attacker.

Now here’s the thing…I’m all for weapons in self defense.  The more you can improvise, the better.  Watch some news stories and see how many times you hear that a bad guy has the weapon.  How many times do you hear of an attack or robbery thwarted by hand techniques?

The question of weapons is how well can you use what is available to you?  The question is not whether or not you should; but how quickly you can identify a weapon and use it.  A street fight or attack is nothing like what you get into in martial arts class.  While you need to learn moves to get free, you also need to address the options of weapons and learn how to use as many as possible.

The Criminal and the Lion

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Granny with a gunSierra Vista Herald, March 14, 2010

“At 3:12 p.m. Friday, police got a report of shots fired in the area behind Walmart, 657 N. Highway 90 Bypass. Officers were in the area and able to respond in about a minute, said Tracy Grady, Sierra Vista police public information officer.

During the incident, police said, Prickett struck the victim, 82-year-old Mary Doutt, in the head with her own cane several times as he attempted to rob her.

Doutt took a handgun from her purse and attempted to shoot Prickett, police said. He wrestled with her for the gun, police said. At one point during the struggle, Prickett pointed the gun at Doutt, Grady said. No one was shot during the incident.”

Luckily for Ms. Doutt, our 82-year old heroine, she recovered from her minor injuries and is happy and healthy today.  Luckily for her, she lives in a state where she is granted the freedom of carrying her firearm.  She used what she knew she could. Had she also watched some self defense videos, she may have been even more effective at fighting off her attacker.  But the truth is that a self defense video doesn’t teach you about the way a criminal will target; or who they will target.

This is not about my opinion on the right to carry a concealed weapon; it is more about the mindset of the criminal.  For the average (sane) person, the consideration for the elderly or the disabled is far different than that of a criminal.  While we look at those with disabilities as our equals or those who could possibly use our help at times; a criminal will look upon these people as prey.

It’s as simple as instinct.  In the jungle, the lion doesn’t pick out the strongest, healthiest of the pack to pounce on. No, he (or she) knows that they will conserve their energy by focusing their efforts on the older, sicker of the bunch.  This is an easy target; an easy meal ticket.

Criminals are just like the lion in the jungle.  They do have a target.  They take their time to find the one that is weak; the one that is distracted; the one who won’t be able to fight them off.

Learn from Ms. Doutt and do what you can to learn to defend yourself.  Buy a self defense video.  Practice with different self defense videos.  Practice with a partner.  Practice in different locations, such as your dark bedroom or the stairwell in your house, or your garage.  You don’t necessarily have to pack heat.  Your weapon could be your own cane; it could be pepper spray; it could even be your hands.

The Colors of Self Defense

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Military Self DefenseIn any organization, organization is key.  This goes for the military, especially.  That is why color codes were developed long ago.  After World War II, the late Col. Jeff Cooper worked to streamline military color codes.

Because military combat is not much different than your personal safety practices, I thought I would go over the color codes used in the military after World War II to show you the similarities and remind you of the basics of self defense.  On my self defense videos, I teach the moves necessary to save you from harm.  What you may not pick up from any self defense video is the mindset that is so necessary to stay safe.  That is why these reminders are important.

White

In the White mode, you are going about business as usual.  You are operating in automaton; not thinking of what you are doing.  In this state, you are in no position to defend yourself.  Danger could walk right up and poke you in the eye before you are aware of its presence.  When you are not thinking of your surroundings or your actions, you should not be out in public, let alone behind the wheel of a car or operating machinery.  You should just go back to bed or get a nice strong cup of coffee if you notice you are in White mode.  No self defense video can help you stay out of white mode.  You have to learn how to recognize it and stay away from it.

Yellow

In the Yellow mode is where you ought to reside.  White doesn’t work unless you are sleeping.  In yellow, you are alert but relaxed.  You can go about your routine with ease, but your mental alertness exists at the point where you know who and what is around you.  In this state, you are prepared to jump to the next color of self defense at the first sign of trouble.

Orange

Orange mode is where you would be in a crowded place such as a bar or nightclub or concert.  In orange mode, you are at a higher state of alertness and there is a presence of danger.  From this state, you can escalate or de-escalate as needed.  In the orange state, you are on the lookout for danger and prepared to handle it however necessary.

Red

When you are in red mode, you are dealing with a specific threat.  This could be someone knocking on your car window angrily or grabbing for your wallet.  It could be a rowdy partygoer blocking you from leaving a party.  The scene can play out a thousand different ways; but when you are in the red state, you are face to face with danger and prepared to deal with it.

While you can learn exactly how to deal with danger through my self defense videos, it is up to you to maintain your mental awareness at all times.

Self Defense For Safety And Fitness

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When most people talk about self defense often they only talk about the benefits of learning these techniques in order to protect yourself from potential attack both in the public and for home safety as well. But there are other benefits of learning self defense that make this one of the most effective tools for getting fit available for those looking to sculpt a lean cut body.

Both men and women can get some serious fitness benefits from martial arts training while also learning the skills and techniques for protecting themselves from crime. No matter what style of self defense or martial arts is chosen to study regular practice will not only make the individual more effective at the techniques but fitter as well. The demands placed on the body punching, kicking, and moving about is a high intensity work out that will help reduce the body fat while improving muscle tone for the entire body.

While using a self defense video to learn the techniques to ward off an attacker may be the primary goal for most, the added bonus of a highly effective workout makes this a perfect way to spend a few minutes each and every day. Many are so happy with these effects of training that they continue to study and practice the techniques taught in the videos in order to continue to use them as a work out for continued improvements in fitness levels.

Not only will users be healthier but the confidence that comes from the feeling you can protect yourself against anyone will make a huge difference as well. The techniques taught can teach even the smallest person to defend themselves against even an attacker who is more than twice their size all while increasing health and fitness levels for a completely improved life.

Learning Self Defense With Videos

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With crime on the rise it is even more important than ever for everyone in the family to know how to defend themselves. Should an attacker ever try to harm them while they are away from the home or even attempt to break into their home they will know exactly what to do to take care of themselves. Of course attending self defenses classes can start to be expensive, especially for a family who wants everyone to learn these techniques to protect themselves.

Self defense videos are an affordable way for families to learn self defense techniques together all in a more convenient package. These videos allow busy families the opportunity to learn together in the privacy of their own home. No longer will everyone have to rearrange their schedule in order to attend classes across town since the lessons can be when it is good for the family.

While classes are also perfect for learning these techniques in groups they do tend to move at a quick clip. With a self defense video, key moves can be done again and again until everyone has them exactly as they should be performed to get results. So it is easy to learn at your own pace whether that pace is very fast or slow and at a rate that even young members of the family can learn the techniques they need to protect themselves.

Of course not all self defense videos are created equally and it is important for those looking to learn these techniques to choose one made by a true professional. Only quality instructors who truly know military style self defense can teach the skills needed to ward off an attacker effectively. For that reason it is important to get videos made by someone who can teach these techniques effectively.

Can Weight Training Improve the Benefits of Your Self Defense Video?

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There is some debate about whether or not the benefits of a self defense video can be enhanced with weight training. Self defense training relies are variety of different skills and abilities which many or may not be enhanced with weight training. They are speed, flexibility endurance, and strength. In order to determine what can of benefits weight gaining can provide, it is important to look at each of these elements individually and how they will be affected. Obviously, you can greatly enhance your strength, which is one of the key elements, so here is a look at the other three.

The first element to consider is speed. Speed is imperative to effectively utilizing a variety of moves that are taught in a self defense video. Through continual self defense training, your body can naturally become much faster. The problem that you can face with weight training is that by focusing solely on building strength, you can actually slow down your muscles reaction time. When adding weight training to your daily routine, it is important that you take speed into consideration. There are definitely a lot exercises that you can do to enhance, or at least maintain, your current muscle speed. As long as you incorporate these types of exercises into your weight training, you can minimize the potential negative effects of weight training.

The second element is flexibility. One of the problems that many people who utilize weight training face is a loss of flexibility. This is because weight training can limit your range of motion if the training is done poorly. This is because improper weight training can create a muscle imbalance. Your entire body is moved by pairs of muscles and when one muscle is stronger than its partner, your range of motion can become limited. Fortunately, if you train with a self defense video immediately after you lift weights, it can help maintain muscle balance. Self defense training relies on every muscle, which means that you will be strengthening every muscle when you are practicing your techniques. This will give a chance for the weaker muscles to catch up to the stronger muscles, because they will have to work hard during each move.

The final element is endurance. Endurance can be difficult to gain with weight training because if you are lifting to add bulk, then you will be exercises that are the exact opposite of endurance building exercises. However, that does not necessarily mean that your endurance will be affected. By still utilizing a self defense video to practice on a daily basis, you should be able to maintain your endurance. To maximize your endurance, it is best to do your weight training first and your self defense training immediately afterwards

As you can see, weight training can immediately improve the strength element that is utilized during self defense training, however if you do not plan your workouts correctly, the other three elements can be negatively affected. A great way to minimize the potential side effects is to use your self defense video immediately after your weight training. This is because your muscles are already tired, which will improve endurance; your muscles will be stretching when fatigued, which increases flexibility; and your muscles will already be physically exhausted, which will help you build endurance.

Kids Need Practice Too

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Karate KidWhenever a high profile kidnapping case hits the airwaves, parents can slip into panic mode; wondering what they can do to keep their child safe.  The issue of child abduction – and prevention of it – is a big issue that families must face head on.  Through acknowledgement and preparation, you can increase your child’s awareness of their own personal safety and lead them to an ability to protect themselves.

The challenge with kids is that, well, they are kids.  Kids don’t have the same awareness that you and I have.  When you think of how many times you may take your personal safety for granted, it can be alarming.  Apply everyday scenarios to a child’s mind, and you can see why about 40% of child abductions are crimes of opportunity.  The bottom line is, we are just too caught up in the moment to maintain the level of alertness required for ample personal safety.

Ok, you know the why…you need to know the how.  Many parents turn to martial arts to teach their child how to “fight”.   Great.  This is good.  But you need to go further.  When it comes to martial arts training for children, you are going to find more sport than anything else.  This is good; but also bad.  You don’t want your child getting the impression that a bad guy will approach them in the same way as their cooperative sparring partner at the local dojo.  And believe me, many children do come up with this assumption!

Your child can learn martial arts for fun and fitness; but they also need to learn self defense.  A martial arts DVD will show them how to perfect moves and learn new ones; but it won’t necessarily teach them about the dangers they face and how to avoid or get away.  This is up to you to make sure your child gains knowledge.  It is also up to you to give your child practice.

Practicing personal safety for children begins early and continues throughout their life.  This is an important part of life that needs constant teaching.  Remember the kids I referred to the other day at Starbucks?  Ya..They needed further teaching in personal safety!  Here are some things that you need to do to increase your child’s personal safety.

•    Talk to your children about safety.  It is important first and foremost that your children learn to think about the subject.  Encourage them to tell you or a trusted adult if anyone or anything makes them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused. Discussions about safety issues should be a regular occurrence with your children so they will understand the need for precautions.  These discussions will be relevant to your child’s age; but may be the same for older children.  It is important that you talk to them in terms they can understand.

With older children, it is important that you know their friends and their families. It     is also important that YOU build strong relationships with your children and give     them plenty of attention. If you don’t, someone else may. And others may have     ulterior motives.

•    Practice what you teach by role playing with your children.  This is a great way to show them how stranger danger works!  Kids are unfortunately easily fooled by “friendly” adults and can fall into traps if they don’t know what to expect or how to trust their instincts.  Set up scenarios such as being followed by a car and teach your child to run in the opposite direction to a place where they are safe (This doesn’t mean under a bush or in a strangers yard!).  Teach them what to do if someone comes to the door at your home; and how to play safely in your neighborhood.

Obviously, the safest way to parent is to never let your child out of your sight.  But his is not practical and just seems like everyone is scared.  You deserve freedom from fear; and so does your child.  Through proper education and training in self defense, you can create and confident and safety minded person in your child.

These are just two important tips in child safety.  There are more to follow!