You wouldn't think that something like stretching before a martial arts class could be controversial, but it is (I blame the running community for muddying the waters)! Some evidence and experts suggest that you should only do it after your workout, whereas most traditions say that you should do it before. Who's right and what should you do? Well, in the following … [Read more...]
What Are the Most Powerful Strikes with a Stick?
OK, you're walking down the street and three guys jump out at you... You have to fight; you can't run, but there is a stick close to your feet. Do you A) ignore the stick and defend yourself with the third technique from the second kata, or B) you pick up the stick and start swinging for the fences? In 99% of cases the right answer the answer is B - use the bloody … [Read more...]
For A Smooth, Powerful Punch Relax the Shoulders
A common problem when people learn boxing is that they think they need to be tense through their whole body. They lumber forward, both fists clenched, every muscle clenched like they're bracing for impact. Or posing at a bodybuilding show. But look at someone like Anderson Silva, who, in his prime, was considered the best striker who had ever set foot inside the … [Read more...]
A Case for Simplifying Your Self Defense Techniques
Supposedly there is a sign at Apple HQ that reads "Simplify. Simplify. Simplify." with the second two "simplifies" crossed out. I think that's a really elegant (and funny) way to get a point across when it comes to design, but it's also really important for training in the martial arts for self defense purposes. Training in class, as we get better over time we also tend … [Read more...]
5 Basics of Martial Arts Nutrition
You know what's funny? If I told someone - anyone - that they could only drive one car for the rest of their life then they would take amazing care of that car. No cheap waterlogged Tijuana gas would ever go into that fuel tank, and only the highest grade synthetic lubricants would be used for oil changes. If you can never replace that vehicle then you would do … [Read more...]
Clothing Chokes, Sweater Slams, and Techniques to Use During the Holidays
If you're a normal human being leading a normal life and you suddenly have to defend yourself, then most of the time you're going to be wearing some sort of clothing. (If you're wandering down the street naked and get in a violent confrontation then it's likely, as BJJ black belt Kurt Osiander likes to say so bluntly, that "Son, you f**ked up a long time ago...") Now … [Read more...]
Shadowboxing Tips
Muhammad Ali, Lomanchenko, Saenchai, Georges St Pierre and just about every other great boxer, kickboxer and MMA fighter used or uses shadowboxing to refine his skills. These fighters depend on their combat skills to earn a living and keep them safe, so if it wasn't important then they probably wouldn't do it. Conversely, if they all do it then you probably should do it … [Read more...]
Get Your Hands Out of Your Pockets!!!
Today's message is short and really simple, but it's important. And it's a mistake that I see people make all the time... The mistake is walking around with your hands buried in your pocket. If someone decides to attack you when you're like this, with your best weapons sheathed and out of commission, then you're a sitting duck. It's already tough enough to defend … [Read more...]
Leg Kicks, the Forgotten Tool
The leg kick isn't as sexy a technique as a superman punch or a spinning heel kick to the head, but that doesn't mean you can ignore it! It's been proven in countless Muay Thai kickboxing and MMA matches, and definitely has it's applications in the street as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0qkY4oKmRg Low kicks have one HUGE advantage over kicks to the body or … [Read more...]
Improvised Weapons Found in the Street
Wherever you are right now as you're reading this, look up and try to spot three different improvised weapons you could grab if an attack was imminent. Seriously: if you're at home pretend that you've got 5 seconds to get your hands on something because someone's breaking in. What exactly are you going to grab? And if you can't get your hands on that object, what's your … [Read more...]
Standing Armlocks in Self Defense
Standing armlocks are a staple in the martial arts, including Aikido, classical ju-jujutsu, and many modern self defense systems. They're usually practised something like this: your partner comes in with a lunging punch, you block and sidestep, control the arm, step in, and then apply pressure to the arm until he taps out. Here's what some of those standing armbars from … [Read more...]
A Guide to Elbow Strikes for Self Defense
Getting punched in the face is bad enough, but the prospect of getting an elbow to the head is downright scary. Depending on how exactly you land an elbow, it can knock someone out cold, or cut them open like a razor blade. And unlike hitting someone with your fist, where your technique needs to be perfect to avoid breaking the small bones in your hand, your elbow is … [Read more...]
Countering Made Easy, with Examples from the Filipino Martial Arts and Kickboxing
There's a Filipino martial arts demonstration I saw once which really impressed me. A teacher and his student stood facing each other, and the student, armed with stick in hand, was swinging the stick in fast, powerful figure 8's in the air ahead of him. The teacher stood just out of range and waiting impassively. Then slowly - almost leisurely - he walked towards his … [Read more...]
Self Defense Against a Stick Attack
Let's talk about self defense against a stick attack. And keep in mind that this information also applies to bats, saps, batons, clubs, tactical flashlights, or pieces of 2x4 lumber. We're just using the word 'stick' as shorthand, because the principles and techniques are the same for dealing with all blunt weapons. First I'll give you the information in video form (this … [Read more...]
The Most Important Physical Attribute for Self Defense
There are many different physical attributes that help with your martial arts training and self defense skills: strength, power, explosiveness, endurance, coordination, sensitivity, speed, and flexibility, to name just a few. But what's the most important one? There are various martial artists who build their game around a few special attributes, but if you were going to … [Read more...]