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Standing Armlocks in Self Defense

July 10, 2023 By Stephan Kesting

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...]

Too Deadly for Boxing, MMA and BJJ: Illegal but Effective Combat Sport Techniques

June 22, 2022 By Stephan Kesting

Illegal but Effective Combat Sports Techniques

Many people learn martial arts to learn how to handle themselves in a real fight. But many martial arts are sports and sports have rules while street fights don't. That means many things happen in fights that aren't allowed in certain martial arts. Although it started out as "no-holds-barred", mixed martial arts has rules today. Headbutts, groin strikes, eye pokes, biting … [Read more...]

Five Rear Bearhug Counters

February 13, 2022 By Self Defense Tutorials

Suplex and Slam in MMA from the Rear Bearhug

If someone gets behind you and puts you in a rear bearhug then you have to take defensive action right away! That's because getting picked up and slammed on your head is one of the worst-case scenarios in a confrontation. It's one thing to get punched in the face is bad, but getting hit in the head by a pavement-covered planet is much worse. Here's a video I put out with … [Read more...]

Practical Control Techniques for Law Enforcement

January 2, 2020 By Stephan Kesting

Arm Drag to Seatbelt Control

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  … [Read more...]

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...]

Training Lethwei, The Burmese Art of 9 Limbs

April 8, 2019 By Stephan Kesting

Patrick Marcil and Dave Leduc

Lethwei is an incredibly intense full contact combat sport from Burma that allows punches, kicks, elbows, knees and headbutts. Did I mention that the fighters don't wear gloves and only have a thin layer of gauze over their knuckles? And that there are no judges or decisions: the only way to win a fight is by knockout? Today's guest on my podcast (The Strenuous Life … [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 Perfect Head Positioning for a Headbutt KO

January 20, 2019 By Stephan Kesting

Headbutt KO - how NOT to headbutt

The headbutt is an incredibly vicious and effective way to KO someone in a self defense situation even though it's illegal in most martial arts. But if you use it incorrectly you can hurt yourself as badly as your opponent.  So it's worth thinking about how to do it properly! How NOT to Headbutt! The wrong way to land a headbutt is forehead to forehead. This video of … [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...]

Muay Thai Clinch in a Streetfight

July 16, 2018 By Stephan Kesting

Muay Thai Clinch and knee

Two of the most powerful strikes you can throw in a streetfight at close range come from the Muay Thai clinch. The first big weapon from the clinch is the knee.  The knee strike the one of the most powerful shots you can throw and uses a relatively tough part of your own body. (Unlike a punch, you're not usually going to break your own bones throwing a knee strike in a … [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...]

Self Defense Against a Stick Attack

September 26, 2017 By Stephan Kesting

Full Commitment stick defense

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...]

5 Steps to Defend against the Sucker Punch

August 20, 2017 By Stephan Kesting

In your regular training you may practice all kinds of cool blocks and counters to punches, but what about defending against the punch that you don't see coming? The sucker punch! That's a really tricky, and very scary situation. But there are certain precautions and techniques you can use to minimise the danger from this cowardly ambush scenario. In fact, here are 5 … [Read more...]

Self Defense Tips from a Long Time Bouncer

August 19, 2017 By Stephan Kesting

tales from the door - what we can learn from a bouncer

Doormen and bouncers deal with potential violent confrontations every night they're working, and that makes their experiences and insights super-valuable to the rest of us. In this first instalment of 'Tales from the Door' I pick the brain of my friend, training partner and long-time bouncer Chad Skands. Some of the topics we cover include... Specific strategies to … [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.

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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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