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
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
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...]
BJJ in a Streetfight, the Merciful Option
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...]
A Great Ground and Pound Drill
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...]
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...]
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...]
Clothing Chokes, Sweater Slams, and Techniques to Use During the Holidays
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...]
How to Headbutt Someone
Want to learn the fine points of headbutting someone into oblivion and how to avoid hurting yourself in the process? How about using your head to amplify takedowns, set up strikes, and dominate the clinching range? It's all covered in this video on the Self Defense Tutorials channel in a video called "How to Use Your Head as a … [Read more...]
How to Get Behind Enemy Lines in a Streetfight
If you and your opponent are squaring off face-to-face then it's sort of an equal situation. From here he can swing at you and you can swing at him... He can try to tackle you, and you can try to clinch him. To paraphrase the old song, at this point anything he can do, hopefully you can do better! But we don't want it to be a fair fight. Ideally you should set up a … [Read more...]
How to Make Sure Your Martial Art Will Work in the Street
You may train in a martial art, but will your techniques really work in the street, in real life, against a real attacker? This is a question a lot of martial artists wrestle with... No matter what martial art you are learning, there are countless techniques you will be trying to master and then combine to serve various purposes. It can be overwhelming, and even once you … [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...]
Why the Mount is So Devastating in a Streetfight
It's absolutely devastating to be on the bottom of mount in a street fight. First of all the guy on top has the power of gravity behind the strikes, making them much more powerful. This can turn just a regular punch to your face into an absolute BOMB! Secondly, the guy on top can rotate his upper body to increase the power of the strikes. Just like hip rotation is the key … [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...]
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...]