Here's a really interesting MMA drill with a TON of applications for self defense... It's features Greg Nelson who has coached 3 different fighters to UFC championships (Dave Menne, Sean Sherk and Brock Lesnar) and has also done a ton of work with law enforcement and the military. Anyway, here's video I think you should watch. The ground and pound section is mostly in … [Read more...]
Kickboxing Sparring without Brain Damage
There's a fundamental problem with learning kickboxing... On the one hand, to get good at it and know that your techniques will work under pressure you HAVE to spar. On the other hand, it's undeniable now that repeated shots to the head are no good at all for your brain. Everyone has heard of punch drunk boxers and football players with CTE, and we DON'T want to do … [Read more...]
Can Karate Kata Be Applied On The Street?
I've been pretty vocal about the uselessness of kata and forms, especially when they're not combined with partner drills, pressure training and actual sparring. And this has created a LOT of hurt feelings and pushback! In fact the video I put on Youtube called "Why Kung Fu Forms and Karate Kata are (Mostly) Pretty Useless!" has about one dislike for every 3 likes, which … [Read more...]
BJJ Punch Defense Using a 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...]
19 Ways to Counter the Right Cross, and the ‘Triple H Formula’ for Punch Defense
The right cross to the face is one of the most powerful attacks in boxing and kickboxing. It's relatively non-telegraphic but still has the power to knock you out and leave you drooling on the floor. So you absolutely need to know multiple effective counters to the right cross. Boxing and kickboxing coach Ritchie Yip has a formula for defending punches that I would … [Read more...]
New Release: The Self Defense Guard with Elliott Bayev and Stephan Kesting
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...]
What Are the Most Powerful Strikes with a Stick?
OK, you're walking down the street and three guys jump out at you... You have to fight; you can't run, but there is a stick close to your feet. Do you A) ignore the stick and defend yourself with the third technique from the second kata, or B) you pick up the stick and start swinging for the fences? In 99% of cases the right answer the answer is B - use the bloody … [Read more...]
For A Smooth, Powerful Punch Relax the Shoulders
A common problem when people learn boxing is that they think they need to be tense through their whole body. They lumber forward, both fists clenched, every muscle clenched like they're bracing for impact. Or posing at a bodybuilding show. But look at someone like Anderson Silva, who, in his prime, was considered the best striker who had ever set foot inside the … [Read more...]
A Case for Simplifying Your Self Defense Techniques
Supposedly there is a sign at Apple HQ that reads "Simplify. Simplify. Simplify." with the second two "simplifies" crossed out. I think that's a really elegant (and funny) way to get a point across when it comes to design, but it's also really important for training in the martial arts for self defense purposes. Training in class, as we get better over time we also tend … [Read more...]
Countering Made Easy, with Examples from the Filipino Martial Arts and Kickboxing
There's a Filipino martial arts demonstration I saw once which really impressed me. A teacher and his student stood facing each other, and the student, armed with stick in hand, was swinging the stick in fast, powerful figure 8's in the air ahead of him. The teacher stood just out of range and waiting impassively. Then slowly - almost leisurely - he walked towards his … [Read more...]
Self Defense Against a Stick Attack
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...]
How to Deal with Fear in the Street
Fear is the mind killer. Well, it certainly can be, if you don’t know how to control it. Many people worry about how they would react if they suddenly had to use their martial arts skills in a real life situation. Even if you train regularly, there is a huge difference between practicing in the safety of a dojo with a partner, and dealing with the wildly unpredictable … [Read more...]
The Fastest Way to Stay Safe on the Ground
If you’re interested in self defense in the modern era then it’s absolutely essential to have at least some BJJ skills. While no one wants to start a fight on the ground, the fact is that ground happens. A larger opponent could tackle you to the ground… A wannabe tough guy who has watched too many UFC fights might take you down… You could get your legs kicked out from … [Read more...]
Too Deadly to Spar?
When it comes to self defense, we’ve all heard guys talking about the devastating, “deadly” techniques that are illegal in combat sports. These guys are pretty sure that while they might get schooled on the mats when they have to follow sport rules, but in a real fight, they would certainly win. Of course, because these “deadly” techniques can’t ever actually be tested in … [Read more...]
The 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...]