Regular or De-escalated – Martial-Arts
Regular or De-escalated
We always stress that NOTHING occurs in a vacuum. There always exists stepping stones or a progression of events that lead up to a "situation". Whether YOU are AWARE of them or not is not the issue(it should be, but as they say "sh%& happens").Regardless whether you saw it "coming" or BAM it just kicks you in the ass there were any number of factors that occured PRIOR to the "trouble" you are now facing. Some of those "factors" were quite literally YEARS in the making.The idea of developing "de-escalation" skills is generally understood as a way to defuse or lower the level of aggressive intent and minimize the possibility of serious hands on physical violence. This is done thru verbal and physical actions that are designed to calm the stormy seas.Sometimes it will work and sometimes it won't. I for one would RARELY place a bet on the general altruistic, logical, compassionate and thoughtful "nature" of humankind. So I would ALWAYS opt for the "mindset" that NO MATTER what I do, it most probably WON'T WORK. Somebody is GOING to get a severe asskicking or worse NO MATTER what is done to quell the "potential" violence. So it ONLY makes sense to hedge EVERY bet and do your UTMOST to insure YOU are the asskicker and NOT the asskickee.Consider YOURSELF very fortunate that you even have the OPPORTUNITY to attempt a run at "de-escalation". That MEANS that you haven't just been KILLED or rendered hors d'combat OUTRIGHT. SO USE THIS "GIFT" TO YOUR FULL ADVANTAGE!DE-ESCALTION, both verbal and physical should be a TACTICAL tool that at it's ESSENCE has NOTHING to do with your "percieved" intent BUT EVERYTHING to do with SETTING UP YOUR MOST ADVANTAGEOUS STRATEGY FOR ATTACK OR SURVIVAL!I don't BELIEVE for a SECOND that Joey Dirtbag is GOING TO BUY INTO the idea of any "peaceable negotiation" ANYMORE THAN I WOULD! A grift is grift and a "front" is a "front". I KNOW the GAME and so does HE! AT BEST we're "dancing the dance".MY JOB is be MORE believeable and SMARTER than the other guy. 'Cause we are BOTH RUNNING THE GAME. The best I can hope for is that my opposition wonders if I really am THAT STUPID to believe that my attempts at "backing it down" will really sway his intent to DO what he SET OUT TO DO!So while I'm acting like my whole demeanor is screaming "HEY, BROTHER DEAREST, CAN'T WE ALL JUST GETTING ALONG". What I'm really doing is setting HIM UP for the inevitable crash landing.He's thinking......LOOK at THIS sappy, pussy-assed schmuck. I'M gonna PLAY him right into the boneyard. I'M using ARTIFICE and guile to manuever HIM for MY BENEFIT.Dance the dance of the biggest galatic wussy appeaser that was ever BORN. And while YOUR doing that bit of street level "pys-ops" manuever him into YOUR TRAP.Curbs, poles, fire-hydrants, sharp edges and corners, brick facades, plate glass windows, on rushing traffic, whatever.........Get his back to the nastiest most damaging shit in your environment. Place YOURSELF in the BEST attack line which is HIS worst DEFENSE line. Manuever yourself to the BEST position to ATTACK while SETTING UP YOUR BEST AVENUE OF ESCAPE.THAT is what the DANCE of "de-escalation" SHOULD BE PRIMARILY ABOUT!AND........if by some chance the gods of fortune smile upon you AND the mis-direction or your "de-escalation" PLOY actually WORKS................................................GREAT!BUT ALWAYS...........ALWAYS PREPARE FOR THE WORST!DE-ESCALATION is the ARTIFICE that SETS UP THE VEHEMENCE.Besides I don't believe ANYTHING is ever going to work as "advertised".Don't be a sucker.Copyright 2003 www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com
How To Defend Against A Knife – Dont Use The Stuff Taught In The Dojo! – Martial-Arts
How To Defend Against A Knife - Dont Use The Stuff Taught In The Dojo!
Defences against Knife attacks, Firstly if at all possible get yourself and anyone else out of the potential danger area.....RUN AWAY.Yes you heard right, run away. This is not a cowards way out, this is sensible. After all your potential assailant could be on drugs or just plain crazy. Nobody needs a dead hero.However if you can't get away or you are cornered, try to talk your way out of the situation, tell the guy what he wants to hear or give him what he wants, if it's a mugging, but only if you think this will pacify him...Let me explain. If it is apparent that your assailant is going to stab you whether you give him all your money or not then you must do something about the situation before this happens, either way you may get stabbed. Thats why this is a last resort and only attempted if YOU are certain he is going to attack you no matter what.It's a judgement call that only you can make and if you ever do end up in that situation it won't be easy.So, you're in that nightmare situation. How do you tackle him ?Do you use the knife defences you learned in your martial arts classes ? I hope not because you'll very soon be bleeding to death if your assailant has any idea how to use the knife.I tried an experiment about 5 years ago now with my training partner who is very fast with his hands and can handle a knife. We used a dummy knife (Thankfully) with some red ink on the end of it and I wore a white Gi.I had at this time been training in the martial arts for about 16 years and had learned many many knife defences from many different styles so I was sure that whatever he came at me with I would be able to handle it.He moved the knife very quickly from hand to hand and attacked from a variety of angles, slashing, lunging and really going for it. I successfully disarmed him several times, but each time he had also stabbed me several times (This is why the Police and Prison service use riot shields and several officers when dealing with knife attackers).We worked this scenario using all the knife defences we had both learned from many different styles over the years but the one factor that kept coming up was the fact that this was simulating a real situation, so the attacker wasn't in stance and didn't come with a single attack in a straight line, he'd attack several times from any angle very fast.What we were looking for was something that kept your vital organs as far away from the knife as possible whilst allowing you to attack the assailant.Here's what we came up with: (This is just my opinion, based on over 20 years martial arts experience, and this one worked time after time. But remember only use as a last resort)First you must take your attackers mind off what he's thinking about (I.e. stabbing you !) .........Spit in his face, not nice but remember this guy wants to stab you !This gives you a fraction of a second to move.Next, drop to your side, fast ! (Side breakfall) As you do this hook one of your feet round the back of his front foot and with your other foot, stamp hard onto the front of his knee. This will either snap or dislocate it (Again not nice but this guys going to stab you !) It also doesn't matter too much if you miss with the hook as you can still get the stamp in on the knee.Either disarm him while he's on the floor and wait for the Police or just get out of there, he won't chase you.The fall and hook take some practice to get fast but it's worth it as this is one well worth having in your arsenal.Any comments or feedback would be welcomedPaul Swift has been a student of Martial Arts for 22 years attaining the grades of:5th Dan Karate Jitsu
3rd Dan Ju Jitsu
1st Dan Freestyle Karate
1st Degree Tiger Claw Kung FuAlso studied the following arts without taking any grades:
Boxing, Muay Thai, JKD, Wrestling.More information of this subject and martial arts in general can be found at: http://www.make-your-martial-art-grow.com
Martial Arts Sparring and Training Protective Equipment – Martial-Arts
Martial Arts Sparring and Training Protective Equipment
The benefits of Martial Arts has always appealed its practitioners. The disciplined training of the mind and body give a sense of well being but some aspects of Martial Arts training do present a problem.Most forms of martial art will eventually lead to contact training at some level, whether is is light contact, semi-contact or full contact. Whilst training it is important to wear the right equipment. But what is the right equipment and what protection will it afford you?During this article I hope to point you in the right direction towards choosing the protective sparring gear that is right for you.Head gearThis is probably the most important piece of protective equipment you can purchase. Head injuries are serious and can even be fatal.
When choosing head gear for martial arts sparring there are certain features you should look out for.
What material is used in its construction
What protective features are particular to the model
How large is it
How easy is it to cleanThese questions can be asked of most martial arts equipment.Head gear should be comfortable to wear (not too loose and not too tight), light for ease of movement and padded well around the crown and base of the head as these areas are most likely to be damaged and are most vunerable.Body ArmourBody armour is used primarily in Taekwondo and Karate sparring. Its function is to protect the trunk of the body especially the ribs, kidneys and liver from damage.GlovesThere are varying styles of martial arts glove on the market. Each style has a particular function to perform. Boxing gloves come in standard sizes 10, 12 and 16 ounces. the heavier gloves are for sparring training the lighter gloves are for competitions. Bear in mind, boxing gloves are designed for use with hand wraps.Martial arts sparring gloves are usuall open handed, allowing for strikes with fists or open hands and finger thrusts. They are lighter for quicker strikes. Mixed martial arts use a specific glove that is designed for grappling and is very flexible.Shin and foot guardsshin and foot guards offer as much protection for the attacker as they do for the defender. Often they are made from foam and poly-urethane (P.U.), are easy to clean and light.The most iimportant thing to remember is the cheapest is not always the best. You must feel comfortable in you equipment and be confident it will protect you. Shop around. Many places will be able to tell you what the equipment is designed for and what you can expect from it.
a good site to begin with is
Pad-Up.com
there is a wealth of information here and questions can be answered quite quickly.Good luck in your discipline!