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An Easy, High Amplitude Throw from MMA

October 4, 2019 By Stephan Kesting

High Amplitude MMA Throw

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 … [Read more...]

5 Mistakes Grapplers Make When Striking

September 16, 2019 By Stephan Kesting

striking mistakes for grapplers

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 … [Read more...]

Wing Chun Trapping in Self Defense

February 22, 2019 By Stephan Kesting

self defense trapping sequence

This is bound to be controversial, but I don't think that trapping works in real self defense situations. At least not the way it's normally taught and trained. Here's my video on the topic, along with a few examples of where some of these techniques might actually be useful... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rxl5ukLDICM What is Trapping Hands? Trapping hands is an … [Read more...]

The Simplest Guard Pass for Self Defense and MMA

February 1, 2019 By Stephan Kesting

Fedor Guard Pass and Smash

In the old days, two guys fighting would typically back up, square off, and swing for the fences until one of them went down. The whole idea of taking the fight to the ground, passing the guard, securing a good position, and using ground and pound to finish a fight or set up a submission would have been considered ludicrous. But the popularity of MMA and BJJ have done a … [Read more...]

The BJJ Guard for Self Defense… on Your Phone!

January 14, 2019 By Stephan Kesting

The Self Defense Guard in an iPhone

I've just released the Self Defense Guard as a 2 module instructional for iPhone and Android. It covers the techniques and strategies from the bottom of guard that are most useful in a real fight.  From defending yourself against strikes, to getting back to your feet, to choking your opponent out or sweeping him and getting on top, it's all covered here. (Watch the video … [Read more...]

BJJ in a Streetfight, the Merciful Option

January 13, 2019 By Stephan Kesting

BJJ being Used in a Streetfight

Adam Nadow is a Machado jiu-jitsu black belt and he was recently attacked in the street by a mentally unstable individual.  He used his BJJ training to defend himself and control his attacker until the police arrived. He used a rear naked choke and a bow and arrow lapel choke to control his opponent (and there are people who say that gi-based grappling is irrelevant for self … [Read more...]

Do Pressure Points Work for Self Defense?

December 1, 2018 By Stephan Kesting

pressure point attack

In more than 35 years of training I've been hurt many times by pressure point attacks. Instructors and training partners have poked, prodded, gouged, and pressed their way into many nerve clusters all over my body. These pressure point attacks hurt like hell when someone shows them to you, but you'd be a fool to rely on them in a real fight. Here's a video in which I … [Read more...]

Martial Art Ranges for Fighting

November 23, 2018 By Stephan Kesting

5 ranges of combat

There are many different ways to classify martial arts ranges, but one relatively simple method way to divide all combat up into 5 distances... Projectile range (guns, javelins, arrows, thrown rocks, etc.) Handheld weapons range (sticks, swords, handheld spears, knives, clubs, etc.) Striking range (punches, kicks, elbows, knees, headbutts, etc.) Clinching range … [Read more...]

How to Train Eye Gouges, Throat Grabs and Groin Strikes

October 16, 2018 By Stephan Kesting

biting and other dirty fighting moves

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5b98N_VzgQ OK, I get it: on the street you don't want to be limited by the rules of a sport. On the street you may need to pull hair, gouge the eyes, kick the groin, grab the throat, and if all that doesn't work then you'll need to start fighting dirty ;) But a martial art is more than just the techniques that you find in that martial … [Read more...]

Air Chokes vs Blood Chokes – What’s Better?

September 23, 2018 By Stephan Kesting

2 types of chokes

Even if you're a world class striker, with knockout power in both hands, I would still argue that it's absolutely critical to also master a few reliable chokes from different positions! A properly applied choke can render even a big guy unconscious in about 10 seconds - it's that powerful. And, contrary to what you might think, a choke is actually much safer than a left … [Read more...]

BJJ Punch Defense Using a T Shirt Grip

August 28, 2018 By Stephan Kesting

defending punches with the t shirt grip

I've said it many times... BJJ is a great sport, a fun fitness activity and a fantastic way to make friends, but at it's core it's a martial art! And one of the things that 'martial art' means is being able to defend against punches. And one of the most important places to defend punches from is when you're on the bottom, in the guard. Why the Guard? On the ground it's … [Read more...]

Getting Back to Your Feet From the Ground

June 2, 2018 By Stephan Kesting

getting back to your feet from the ground

If you're talking about sport jiu-jitsu tactics then pulling guard and fighting an entire match from the bottom position can make total sense. But in a real fight, where punches, kicks, and stomps are being used, you definitely DON'T want to spend one second more than necessary in the guard position. You want to submit, sweep or standup as fast as possible! Today's … [Read more...]

New Release: The Self Defense Guard with Elliott Bayev and Stephan Kesting

May 26, 2018 By Stephan Kesting

Self Defense Guard Trapsheet with Elliott Bayev

I've been working on it for a LONG time, but the 'Self Defense Guard' is finally live at Self Defense Tutorials! This is a really in-depth instructional about how to use the guard in a self defense situation. In a real fight there is always the chance that you're going to end up on the bottom.  And if that happens the guard could save your life. But fighting off your … [Read more...]

Escaping One of the Worst Positions for Ground and Pound

March 17, 2018 By Stephan Kesting

escaping from giftwrap ground and pound

The ground and pound strategy in MMA is one that relies on getting on top, staying on top, and then beating your opponent into unconsciousness with your fists, forearms and elbows. In other words, it's a slightly more sophisticated version of your basic street fighter's approach to groundfighting... One of the worst ground and pound positions is the so-called 'giftwrap' … [Read more...]

Clothing Chokes, Sweater Slams, and Techniques to Use During the Holidays

December 19, 2017 By Stephan Kesting

clothing choke

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...]

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5 Most Important Self Defense Lessons from Jiu-Jitsu

5 Most Important Self Defense Lessons from Jiu-Jitsu

This free downloadable PDF reveals the 5 most important self-defense lessons from Jiu-Jitsu that will keep you safe in real-life street confrontations.

SELF DEFENSE TUTORIALS

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Recent Articles

The jab, the most important punch in boxing

How to Throw the Jab, The Most Important Punch in Boxing

In the video below Ritchie Yip, head instructor of Infighting Martial Arts, delivers an absolute masterclass on the jab, the most important punch in boxing. The jab can be used offensively and defensively. The jab allows you to dictate the range and pace of a fight. It can be used to cut someone, tire them […]

Knee Ride for Self Defense

How to Control Your Attacker with the Knee Ride Position

The knee ride is the most soul-crushing position in all of jiu-jitsu and is one of the most important tools in your self defense toolbox! This position – also known as a knee mount or knee on belly – puts HUGE pressure on your opponent, which gives you tons of submission opportunities because of all […]

How to Pass the Guard When Your Opponent Can Kick You

How to Pass the Guard When Your Opponent Can Kick You

If you’re approaching someone who is flat on their back with their knees pulled in to their chest be very, very careful.  It’s a sign that the other guy could have some training and might be planning to kick your teeth down your throat as soon as you close the distance. This is a legit […]

I accidentally followed the advice of a mini-mall ninja master

I’m limping around right now because of a torn groin.  It’s not serious; it’ll heal up, but it’s my own damn fault. You see, I had just walked into the dojo when someone asked me how much distance you can cover with a jumping front kick. “Show, don’t tell,” I responded and launched myself across […]

Recent Articles

  • How to Throw the Jab, The Most Important Punch in Boxing
  • How to Control Your Attacker with the Knee Ride Position
  • How to Pass the Guard When Your Opponent Can Kick You
  • I accidentally followed the advice of a mini-mall ninja master
  • Kicking from the Ground – How to Do It Properly!

ARTICLE INDEX

  • Advanced Tutorials (2)
  • Conditioning (13)
  • Featured (125)
  • Firearms (3)
  • Grappling (46)
  • Lethal Force (7)
  • Martial Arts Mythbusting (8)
  • Mindset (23)
  • Product Reviews (2)
  • Self Defense Basics (96)
  • Self Defense Tutorials (7)
  • Striking (55)
  • Weapons (19)

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