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Back Pain from Martial Arts Training

November 24, 2020 By Self Defense Tutorials

martial arts training back pain

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 … [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...]

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...]

Standing Armlocks in Self Defense

November 4, 2017 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...]

The 3 Components of Every Martial Art

March 19, 2017 By Stephan Kesting

3 components of every martial art

If you've spent any time in the world of martial arts then you know there can be a dizzying variety of disciplines to train in. And within each of those martial arts styles there are further differences depending on which school or instructor you train with. But there's an easy way to simplify all these different martial arts and styles and it comes down to something the … [Read more...]

Best Takedowns for Self Defense

February 10, 2017 By Stephan Kesting

Best Takedowns for Self Defense

I've never advocated that every fight go to the ground; sometimes it's the right decision and sometimes it's not.  The fact is that street situations are far too variable to have a one-size-fits-all approach. That being said, taking a fight to the ground is an important tool to have in your toolbox. For example that option could prevent someone from running away, or if your … [Read more...]

Self Defense Against a Lapel Grab

January 27, 2017 By Stephan Kesting

A simple technique for lapel grip self defense

  Today we're going to talk about self defense vs a lapel grab, a classic problem that every martial arts student needs several solutions to. Notice I said 'several solutions', and that's because any one technique can never be equally applicable to all situations. If a crazed serial killer is coming after you with a hatchet then morally (and, in most places, … [Read more...]

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SELF DEFENSE TUTORIALS

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Recent Articles

The Zombie Walk Footwork Drill

The Zombie Walk Drill for Improving Your Footwork in Striking

The Zombie Walk is a great warmup drill that’ll sharpen your footwork, improve your ability to get angles on your opponent, and blend movement with striking. To do this drill your partner – the feeder – holds his hands forwards to simulate a fighting position. Then he walks towards you at a slow, zombie-like pace. […]

Stephan Kesting vs Chris Leben

Is This Good Pain or Bad Pain?

Pain is subjective and contextual. Awakening to chest pain in the middle of the night is terrifying — a possible sign of a heart attack. But the very same stabbing pain after a hard workout is experienced completely differently: maybe it’s your pectoral muscles shrieking from too many pushups, or your lungs burning from hard […]

Striking Stamina and Power Drill

A 1 Minute Burnout Drill for Aggression, Power and Stamina

Here’s the world’s simplest conditioning drill that I want you to try… Set a timer for one minute Unload on a heavy bag with punches as hard as you can Keep it super simple: just left-right-left-right-left-right Hit as hard as you can and as fast as you can, making every single punch a knockout shot […]

Illegal but Effective Combat Sports Techniques

Too Deadly for Boxing, MMA and BJJ: Illegal but Effective Combat Sport 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. […]

Recent Articles

  • The Zombie Walk Drill for Improving Your Footwork in Striking
  • Is This Good Pain or Bad Pain?
  • A 1 Minute Burnout Drill for Aggression, Power and Stamina
  • Too Deadly for Boxing, MMA and BJJ: Illegal but Effective Combat Sport Techniques
  • The 4 Deceptions to Set Up Your Knockout Strike

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  • Product Reviews (2)
  • Self Defense Basics (91)
  • Self Defense Tutorials (6)
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