Burton Richardson is BJJ black belt and has an incredible lineage in the Filipino Martial Arts as well, having trained with many of the top instructors in the world. I was thrilled to have him on the podcast to talk about pressure tested self defense in the real world. If you prefer, here's our whole conversation in video format... And here's the streaming … [Read more...]
Surviving the Worst Case Scenario – BJJ vs a Gun on the Ground!
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 … [Read more...]
Martial Art Ranges for Fighting
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...]
Self Defense Tips from a Long Time 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...]
Awareness – the Single Most Important Factor in Self Defense
There are many different aspects of self defense, including everything from weapons, to striking, to clinching, to wrestling on the ground. But there's one particular aspect to protecting yourself that's hands down more important than all the rest combined... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yR2iVwkCfM It's not your striking. You might have a killer … [Read more...]
The Many Areas of Self Defense
Imagine you're in the stereotypical self defense situation: you're walking down a dark street, someone lunges out from a dark alley and grabs you. Responding quickly you break his grips, kick his legs out from under him, and knock him out with a punch from knee mount. This is a situation where your striking and grappling abilities made the difference. Had you not known … [Read more...]
Navy SEAL and BJJ Black Belt Jocko Willink on Which Martial Art to Learn First
Jocko Willink is a former Navy Seal with his own podcast (The Jocko Podcast), but he's also a high level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. In the following segment he talks with Echo Charles about why Jiu-jitsu is the most important martial art to learn first. Just click play on the video below to start the conversation at the correct point, but for your convenience we've … [Read more...]