• HOME
  • ONLINE TRAINING
  • JOIN US
  • CONTACT US

Self Defense Tutorials

Learn self-defense quickly and efficiently

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Featured Today

Back Pain from Martial Arts Training

Back Pain from Martial Arts Training

Almost every martial artist experiences back pain at some point in their training. It hurts like hell and brings your training to a screeching halt. And in the worst case some people are even permanently sidelined by it. Understanding what's causing your pain, changing your movement patterns to prevent it, and implementing 'spinal hygiene' so that you place less wear and tear on your back are all part of the solution. When it comes to … [Read More...]

Kime in Martial Arts is Mostly a Bad Idea…

Kime in Martial Arts is Mostly a Bad Idea…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpIynSBWj6A&feature=youtu.be The idea of 'Kime' is very widespread in Japanese martial arts like Karate, and is also found in Okinawan and Chinese Martial Arts. While the term can be translated as 'intent' or 'decision' the truth is that, most of the time, it's used to describe that robot-like freezing used all the time in kata and forms. You know the drill: block, block, punch, freeze.  Kick, punch … [Read More...]

The Trap of Placating Your Ego with Terrible Form

The Trap of Placating Your Ego with Terrible Form

Over 40 years of martial arts training I figure I’ve done something like 500,000 pushups. Practice makes perfect, so with that many reps under my belt you’d probably think I’d be good at them, right? Sadly the answer is a resounding “No!” Or, more precisely, the answer is “Not right now” You see, 9 months ago I completely buggered my shoulder taking a spectacular fall while racing on an electric skateboard (I know, I know... what was I doing … [Read More...]

The Most Fierce Improvised Weapon – The Scythe!

The Most Fierce Improvised Weapon – The Scythe!

I recently came across one of the cooler martial arts videos I've seen in a while. In this video a couple of Dutch Historical European Martial Arts practitioners demonstrate scythe techniques. The techniques they're showing come from German martial arts manual written in the 1500's. The large hooked blade, very pointy tip, and offset handles make the scythe a very interesting weapon that functions quite differently from 'regular' weapons. … [Read More...]

How Hard Should You Go In Sparring?

How Hard Should You Go In Sparring?

How hard should you go in sparring? That's a good question! At one end of the spectrum you have light, relaxed and friendly sparring. And at the other end you have fights to the death that would make Roman gladiators proud. I once asked a Judo coaches whether I should go light or hard in the sparring part of class, and his answer has stuck with me ever since. "Both!" he said. "You need to have both kinds of sparring in your curriculum … [Read More...]

MMA Fighter Fights for His Life in Home Invasion

MMA Fighter Fights for His Life in Home Invasion

On Sunday April 5th, 2020, at 4 am in the morning, MMA fighter Anthony Smith found himself in the fight of his life to protect his wife and kids. He went from being sound asleep to fighting an intruder a few seconds later who just wouldn't quit no matter what was thrown at him. What might sound strange is that he 6' 4", 230 lb, highly athletic, super conditioned fighter with 46 bouts under his belt had difficulty controlling a young kid … [Read More...]

Rooting and Grounding – A ‘Proof’ of Internal Energy, Debunked!

Rooting and Grounding – A ‘Proof’ of Internal Energy, Debunked!

There’s a trick that I’ve seen demonstrated by martial artists who really should know better. And the more people I talk to the more common this charade seems to be. Basically it’s a ‘test' of internal energy which roots the person to the floor while the demonstration partner turns red in the face trying to push him over. With the help of my Mini-Mall Karate Master character, here's a video showing both the 'internal energy' trick and exactly … [Read More...]

Practical Control Techniques for Law Enforcement

Practical Control Techniques for Law Enforcement

Law enforcement officers (including police officers, sheriffs, state troopers, corrections officers, deputies and more) have an incredibly difficult job. Part of that job is the possibility of physical confrontations with aggressive individuals or groups. Very broadly physical confrontations can be divided into two categories... Controlling someone who doesn't want  he or she is being instructed to do, or Defending yourself against … [Read More...]

BJJ vs Boxing

BJJ vs Boxing

A question came up on a recent Instagram Live Q&A I did about a streetfight video in which a 'boxer' beat up a 'jiu-jitsu guy'. This was a great entry point into a really interesting discussion about the street applicability of BJJ, the importance of cross training in today's martial arts environment, and specific drills BJJ guys should be doing if they want their art to be effective on the street. I ranted about these topics in episode … [Read More...]

Surviving the Worst Case Scenario – BJJ vs a Gun on the Ground!

Surviving the Worst Case Scenario – BJJ vs a Gun on the Ground!

Beware the weapon draw! If you’re on the bottom using your guard in a submission grappling situation then the single worst thing that can happen is that the other guy drops back and locks on a heel hook submission, forcing you to tap out or suffer a potentially serious ankle or knee injury. If you’re using your guard in an MMA situation then the worst thing that can happen is that you get hit with a super powerful haymaker or elbow that … [Read More...]

How to Spar in Kickboxing for the First Time

How to Spar in Kickboxing for the First Time

I've watched a lot of beginners spar for the first time. Usually it takes only about 30 seconds for all thoughts of defense or strategy or finesse vanish and the exercise quickly devolves into two people trading giant haymakers. This is totally understandable - sparring is stressful especially if you're not used to it. But throwing heavy leather on your first time in the ring is just plain dangerous and does not build any kind of refined … [Read More...]

An Easy, High Amplitude Throw from MMA

An Easy, High Amplitude Throw from MMA

There's no way to sugar coat it - an opponent who is resisting you full force is HARD to take down to the ground! Most throws involve some combination of off balancing someone, level changing, penetrating under his center of gravity, and then forcing him off his feet before finishing him off by hitting him with the planet (i.e. bouncing him off the pavement). But what if there was a way to actually use his own energy and evil intentions … [Read More...]

5 Mistakes Grapplers Make When Striking

5 Mistakes Grapplers Make When Striking

If you’re a grapplers that wants to learn boxing or kickboxing then there are several very common mistakes that you’re probably going to make. This is because each style of fighting (grappling vs striking) trains you to use your body slightly differently which can set you up for failure in the other art Here's a video showing 5 common mistakes for grapplers when they start striking and how to fix them. If you prefer to read your information … [Read More...]

The Worst Problem with  Martial Arts Training

The Worst Problem with Martial Arts Training

In martial arts training it's very common for the person in the attacker role to lunge forward with a single punch and then stand there like a statue with the arm outstretched. The defender can now do all kinds of fancy counters including multiple strikes, jointlocks, takedowns and cool finishes. This type of training makes you feel like you've reached John Wick levels of badassery, but in reality this is one of the WORST habits you can … [Read More...]

Fight For Your Life with Brett Piperni

Fight For Your Life with Brett Piperni

Today's guest on my podcast (The Strenuous Life Podcast) is Brett Piperni who was was a nationally ranked Taekwondo competitor diagnosed with an illness that crippled him. Specialists told him was incurable. He fought through it, returned to competition, and even managed to medal at a national championship again. He's spoken about mindset and motivation on the TED stage. I was thrilled to have him on the podcast today where he shared some … [Read More...]

Click Here for More Articles

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

SELF DEFENSE TUTORIALS

Detailed Self Defense Tutorials coming soon - click here for more info

Recent Articles

Back Pain from Martial Arts Training

Back Pain from Martial Arts Training

Almost every martial artist experiences back pain at some point in their training. It hurts like hell and brings your training to a screeching halt. And in the worst case some people are even permanently sidelined by it. Understanding what’s causing your pain, changing your movement patterns to prevent it, and implementing ‘spinal hygiene’ so […]

Kime in Martial Arts is Mostly a Bad Idea…

Kime in Martial Arts is Mostly a Bad Idea…

The idea of ‘Kime’ is very widespread in Japanese martial arts like Karate, and is also found in Okinawan and Chinese Martial Arts. While the term can be translated as ‘intent’ or ‘decision’ the truth is that, most of the time, it’s used to describe that robot-like freezing used all the time in kata and […]

The Trap of Placating Your Ego with Terrible Form

The Trap of Placating Your Ego with Terrible Form

Over 40 years of martial arts training I figure I’ve done something like 500,000 pushups. Practice makes perfect, so with that many reps under my belt you’d probably think I’d be good at them, right? Sadly the answer is a resounding “No!” Or, more precisely, the answer is “Not right now” You see, 9 months […]

The Most Fierce Improvised Weapon – The Scythe!

The Most Fierce Improvised Weapon – The Scythe!

I recently came across one of the cooler martial arts videos I’ve seen in a while. In this video a couple of Dutch Historical European Martial Arts practitioners demonstrate scythe techniques. The techniques they’re showing come from German martial arts manual written in the 1500’s. The large hooked blade, very pointy tip, and offset handles […]

Recent Articles

  • Back Pain from Martial Arts Training
  • Kime in Martial Arts is Mostly a Bad Idea…
  • The Trap of Placating Your Ego with Terrible Form
  • The Most Fierce Improvised Weapon – The Scythe!
  • How Hard Should You Go In Sparring?

ARTICLE INDEX

  • Advanced Tutorials (2)
  • Conditioning (7)
  • Featured (103)
  • Firearms (2)
  • Grappling (39)
  • Lethal Force (6)
  • Martial Arts Mythbusting (6)
  • Mindset (18)
  • Product Reviews (2)
  • Self Defense Basics (84)
  • Self Defense Tutorials (5)
  • Striking (47)
  • Weapons (16)

Go Shopping

Self Defense Products on Amazon

Other Great Sites

Grapplearts

Resources

Striking
Grappling
Weapons
Mindset
About Us
Privacy Policy
Contact Us
©Stephan Kesting, All Rights Reserved