Why most self defense systems will get you killed

I'm going to lay down the brutally honest truth that most people teaching self defense are unaware of or simply don't want you to know. Most self defense systems will get you killed on the streets. There i said it. I'm not going to sugar coat it. I'm not going to try and persuade you why what i teach is better. I'm simply going to give reason why most self defense systems do not and will not work in a real world setting. You can choose to ignore the facts or embrace them. The reasons are as follows:

* No training in situational awareness - When was the last time you heard your self defense instructor talk about situational awareness? There's alot of schools teaching self defense who focus on combat but very few who actually talk about situational awareness. What is situational awareness about? The ability to observe your surroundings and comprehend their meaning. It's about finding which observations are critical to your survival (ex. body language, odd behavior, etc.) and which are just distractions. Many martial arts instructors and people teaching "reality-based" self defense ignore it. What do you think the average reaction time is? According to science, it's around 150-300 milliseconds. During that period of time, your brain has to see the threat coming and process the information in order to respond. That's not alot of time to act. Even if you see the threat coming, there's a chance you still won't be able to respond in time to defend yourself due to factors such as distance. You can test it out for yourself and find out (see link below).

It doesn't matter how good you are in sparring. You will always get caught off guard by the first hit on the street if you don't understand how to be situationally aware. One hit is all it takes to end your life be it from a gunshot, a knife, a KO punch, or any other deadly weapon. Many people teaching self defense ignore that and think that you can defend yourself effectively from any surprise attack.

* No training in de-escalating or defusing violent situations - Alot of people emphasize combat but almost no time is spent on resolving conflict before it starts. People think that a simple apology will suffice when it won't in all situations. You won't learn about the psychology of human behavior and the dynamics of human relationships in a dojo or a "reality based" self defense school. It's this lack of training that leads people to treat self defense as street fighting rather than an actual process of ending conflict peacefully. If you want more, read my post "the most fatal mistakes you can make in self defense." Just look at what happens when you fail to defuse a potentially violent situation properly. (http://everythingselfdefense.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-most-fatal-mistakes-you-can-make-in.html)

* A sports mindset - When alot of people hear self defense, they automatically picture two guys sparring in a ring or mat with protective gear and gloves on. They might also jump on the MMA bandwagon and believe that martial arts alone will save them in any violent situation. In reality, the sports mentality limits and often hinders your ability to defend yourself. On the street, anything goes. In sport, there are rules and rules are limitations (ex. no dirty fighting, no weapons, no multiple attackers, etc.) Do you realistically expect to survive EVERY violent situation that comes your way by training in a sports environment? If you want to learn more, read my post "Not all combat is the same for self defense!" (http://everythingselfdefense.blogspot.com/2017/04/not-all-combat-is-same-for-self-defense.html)

* Unrealistic static and flashy combat - I've seen countless martial artists and "reality based" self defense systems show a fancy or "cool" demonstration of techniques. What's the problem? They don't tell you under what conditions the techniques work and when they won't. When a technique or a sequence of attacks are being demonstrated, you'll have a student comply by offering little to no resistance such as shown here. The reality is combat is unpredictable. You don't know how your attacker will respond and that's the scary truth - you don't know. Why don't self defense instructors tell you that? Because it doesn't sell! Let's face it - no one wants to pay for a self defense system that admits it isn't 100% effective. Nevertheless, people want to learn techniques as a "quick fix" for all their problems. Techniques are eye -catching but they are not what will save you in self defense. If there was a set of techniques that worked for every situation, i wouldn't be writing this post but there isn't.  

It's easy for a self defense instructor to put on camo pants and act like a tough marine who knows what he's doing. It's easy to apply a wrist lock under a calm controlled environment with a compliant student after a bit of practice. It's easy to get out of a bearhug by delivering a kick to another student's shin in a dojo. That is until your attacker throws you on the ground, beats you up, and renders your technique useless. Until you realize it's all impractical in the streets and you start to blame your instructor or he/she says "you did it wrong.." Assuming you live to tell the story.

* Ignoring physiology, psychology, anatomy, and other factors - A huge part of why most self defense training systems fail is the lack of knowledge on the effects of stress and adrenaline on the body. I've seen alot of Krav Maga practitioners attack by clinching an opponent and knee striking the groin. This might work but that's assuming your attacker isn't under adrenaline. The effects of adrenaline on the body can cause people to perform amazing feats and tolerate huge amounts of pain. If your attacker is determined to kill you and is undergoing an adrenaline rush, inflicting pain isn't going to end the threat. What it will probably do is make him or her angrier and more determined to kill you. There's also demonstrations where your instructed to attack the body. The problem? Most instructors aren't telling you where to hit and that greatly reduces your chances of surviving. If you hit solid bone and your hand breaks, that hand is now useless in combat. The only reason why it works in a school is because of gloves, light contact, or no contact at all in hard target areas. There's also the psychology of conflict that plays a role in your survival. Do you realistically expect an emotionally sensitive soccer mom to have the will to gouge out her attacker's eyes under high levels of stress and tunnel vision?

Unfortunately, many professing to teach self defense ignore all that and assume that what they teach works in every situation.    

* Neglecting the laws of self defense - Perhaps a huge neglect in self defense circles is the legal system. Alot of people just assume that they can attack in any manner and claim self defense in court. How you handle a situation is going to determine whether or not you legally acted in self defense. If the police find that you used excessive deadly force on an attacker, it's going to make YOU look bad. Unfortunately, alot of self defense schools neglect incorporating the law and ignorance of the law is what will get you locked up.

* Unrealistic view of combat - Alot of martial artists and "reality-based" self defense systems paint a beautiful picture of combat. The reality is combat is anything but beautiful. It's hideous. It's bloody. It's vile. It's grotesque. The notion that your going to walk out of an intense violent battle without any flesh wound is an illusion. When people get punched multiple times, there is bleeding on an internal level that people often aren't aware of. You will likely be left with "battle scars" be it psychological or physical. Whether you survive or not is irrelevant. You have to accept that you might be left with irreversible damage no matter what happens. Could be the loss of an organ, blindness, a limb, or any other permanent reminders. That's the price you pay for getting into violent situations.      

In conclusion, these are just some of the reasons why most self defense systems fail. The choice is yours. You can choose to continue living in a fantasy world where the facts don't apply. You can choose to continue searching for "the best martial art for self defense." You can choose to invest in courses teaching you static techniques on how to deal with situations than face the reality of combat. You can also choose to acknowledge the facts and base your training around them. After all, it's your life. I hope that you make the right choice because it means the difference between life and death.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-reaction-time/ 

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Is sword-fighting effective for self defense?

You've probably seen many martial arts utilize combat with the sword in training such as HEMA, Kendo,Iaido, Kenjutsu, and others. If you've been wondering if sword-fighting has practical applications for self defense then there's some things you'll want to consider.

  

My answer is no, sword-fighting is not effective for self defense and i'll tell you why. It's not because of the skills, techniques, deadly nature of the blade. Those are all very effective. The ultimate reason why sword-fighting is not effective for self defense is because swords are illegal in many areas (see link below.) You are only allowed to have a sword up to a certain length which varies from state to state. Even then, you cannot use it in public. Perhaps the only exceptions are for historical and cultural purposes. In some areas, you potentially could use it in home defense such as the UK but you might face two problems. 

1) Imprisonment or a fine - if the judge finds that the sword was a dangerous weapon or that the deadly force was not proportional to the threat, your screwed. As i stated before in my post "should you kill in self defense?" (http://everythingselfdefense.blogspot.com/2017/04/should-you-kill-in-self-defense.html), it will look bad on your part if you killed someone especially with a sword. This severely limits your effective use of sword-fighting for self defense. 

2) Limited range and motion - Swords such as Katanas are great for the outdoors but terrible indoors if you live in a confined area. You probably won't have enough space to move around and attack.   

For legal reasons, i don't recommend that you use sword-fighting for self defense. In fact, i strongly suggest that you don't. Any martial art that uses sword-fighting should be used mainly for historical and cultural purposes or a hobby. 

http://blogs.findlaw.com/blotter/2014/02/is-it-legal-to-carry-a-sword-in-public.html

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Is grappling effective in self defense?

I've often heard people talk about grappling's use in self defense. Some say it's a bad idea and others say it's a good idea. Is grappling effective in self defense? I will give my stance on the subject.

It all depends on many factors. I can't give you a resounding "yes! It's effective!" or a "no you should never grapple in self defense.." It's what you make of it as a practitioner that determines whether or not it's effective for self defense. What i can say is that much of what is taught in grappling arts such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Combat Sambo, etc. will most likely not work in self defense.

You've probably seen or underwent some training involving stand up grappling as shown in this video. You take your opponent down and apply grappling maneuvers in order to apply a firm grappling hold. In addition, you will probably be given rules that forbid you from striking or be expected to primarily focus on grappling. The problem with this is that 1) There's no soft mat in the street to break your fall. There might be solid concrete or glass that could cause injury or knock you out if your head makes full contact with it. 2) Your training with grapplers, not strikers. Your attacker is probably not going to move around trying to "feel you out" (at least not in America.) Most likely, your attacker will either attack by striking or with a deadly weapon. If your attacker does use grappling and goes for a takedown, it's probably going to be so he or she can continue striking you!    

Will that type of training prepare you for self defense? Most likely not. This does not mean that grappling is completely useless in self defense. Sure you might be able to apply an armbar every now and then but not against every attacker. The effectiveness of grappling depends on several things and more

1) The purpose of grappling
2) How you use it to end the threat quickly
3) Controlling the range between you and your attacker
4) Controlling your attacker.

For example, if someone tries to apply a rear naked chokehold then i'd use a Jiu Jitsu throw. It'd take too much time to figure out how to escape using some fancy grappling techniques then apply a chokehold of my own to make my opponent pass out until a few seconds. It's alot more effective for me at least to throw my attacker to the ground and go into my kicking or striking range (ex. stomp kick to the head.) If you want to learn more, read my post "grappling for self defense vs. grappling for UFC" ( http://everythingselfdefense.blogspot.com/2017/01/grappling-for-self-defense-vs-grappling.html)

In conclusion, grappling's effectiveness depends on how you use it. There's no martial art style that is guaranteed to make grappling 100% effective for you in self defense. Once you understand the basic principles of grappling and combat, you can understand how to make grappling work for you.

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Do you need to learn self defense?

I'm sure with all the training, techniques, hard work, conditioning, crimes, etc. people have asked themselves at least once "do i need to learn physical self defense?" I give some of my thoughts and things you should consider regarding that question.

To start, i'm not one of those people who resort to scare tactics. I don't like pulling up a horrible violent crime or statistics and say "see! This is why you need to learn self defense!" Scaring people into learning self defense isn't a healthy much less productive way of building their confidence. Should you learn self defense? It really depends on you. Do you really need it? Personally, i don't need to learn self defense because it's not practical in everyday life. Self defense for me is more of a hobby than it is a dire need. In the areas that i lived, there was no need to defend myself from strangers. I was never attacked or a victim of a violent crime because the crime rate was low. My philosophy was as long as i avoided trouble, i'd have little to no problems with violence. So far, it's worked 100% of the time. Unfortunately, i can't say the same for people living in different areas of the world where violent crime is a daily occurrence. 

When you are trying to decide whether or not you should learn self defense, you should ask yourself these questions 

1) Do i need physical self defense? Some people will give into irrational fears perpetuated by the media on violent crimes and thus, end up learning self defense the wrong way. Others use self defense for the wrong motives such as revenge or controlling others. Do your research and see if violent crime in your area is a big issue unless you are a witness to it in daily life. 

2) What kind of self defense is more practical for you to learn? If you are a victim of verbal abuse (insults, threats, teasing, blaming, blackmail, list goes on) then learning verbal self defense is more practical than hand-to-hand combat. It's not practical for you to have a physical response to a verbal action. 

3) What do you expect to get out of it? - If you don't have any specific goals in mind, you won't get very far in self defense. Could be developing confidence, defending yourself against weapons, hand-to-hand combat, and so forth. Once you have an end goal in mind, work towards achieving it. Make your goals realistic. Don't just ask the typical question "what's the best martial art for self defense?" and then expect to realistically defend yourself in every situation.  

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How to apply Krav Maga in self defense training

Krav Maga is a fighting system developed for the Israelidefense forces. Krav Maga is not a traditional martial art as some make it out to be. There's no katas involved for one. Krav Maga is a modern system combining techniques taken from boxing, Aikido, wrestling, Judo, and other martial arts strictly for self defense. This is a self defense guide on how to apply the most fundamental principles of Krav Maga to your training. I don't believe the Krav Maga schools in the U.S accurately represent the essence of Krav Maga so this guide will help you understand what Krav Maga is about.

* The spirit of Krav Maga - The essence of Krav Maga is to never stop fighting. Doesn't matter if you are bleeding profusely, suffered broken bones, a severed limb, the list goes on - never surrender. The fight doesn't end until you survive or your completely dead. When you train, you must train with this mindset in order to capture the spirit of Krav Maga.

* Build your techniques on natural instinct - What makes Krav Maga different from other martial arts training is the reliance on your body's natural movement to form techniques. For example, if my natural reaction to wild punches is to guard my head then i can base my Krav Maga techniques on that natural reaction. It's much easier because it's already in my instincts as opposed to relearning how to walk and fight in other martial arts.

* Ending the threat as quickly as possible - In Krav Maga, we deal with the most immediate threat first as quickly as possible. We don't spend too much time on dealing with one opponent. We end the threat quickly as we look for the next possible threat. Some Krav Maga schools introduce an MMA setting or rules during sparring. This isn't authentic Krav Maga. When your in a sparring session, your goal is to end the end the threat as quickly and efficiently as possible. Moving around and waiting until you see an opening to attack isn't adhering to Krav Maga principles. Krav Maga is focused on aggression and going "all in" at full force until your enemy is on the ground.      

* Efficiency - Krav Maga stresses efficiency in movement and ending the threat as quickly as possible. If it takes you years to perfect one technique then that's not efficiency. If it takes you a tremendous of practice to perfect one attack then that's not efficiency. If you continue attacking an opponent even after he or she is down then that's not efficiency. While your doing that, someone else could sneak up from behind and hit you. Attacks in Krav Maga should be simple, take little energy, and very easy to learn. You should have already learned the basic skills to defend yourself by the end of the first class.

* Simultaneous attack and defense - In Krav Maga much like Wing Chun, you attack and defend at the same time. If someone throws a straight punch at you, your response should be to parry and counter-attack with a punch in one swift motion. Blocking and then throwing a punch of your own takes too much time.

* Retzev or continuous motion - In Krav Maga, you should be in continuous motion when attacking and constantly attack your enemy's unguarded areas. As soon as your opponent guards the upper body with his or her arms, you attack the lower body with kicks and other strikes. When your opponent lowers the arms to defend the lower body, you repeatedly strike the upper body.

* Targeting the body's vital areas - In Krav Maga, you must make every hit count by attacking the body's vital areas. This includes the eyes, groin, knees, shins, feet, throat, neck, eyes, sternum, temples, nose, face, etc. It would take longer for you to end the threat by hitting anywhere other than those areas.

* Realistic fight training - When training, you need to fight against a moving resistant opponent and engage in various intense scenarios. It's important that you learn how to apply techniques in sparring as opposed to demos. with a compliant partner. You might see traditional Krav Maga instructors teaching you that when faced with a gunman, you should grab the barrel or slide and repeatedly punch your attacker. This is unrealistic training because it doesn't address possible resistance. The gunman could move back and redirect the line of fire then shoot you. The gunman might also be quicker than you and move back to avoid your hand grab then shoot you. Krav Maga focuses on fighting in hand-to-hand combat, weapon disarms, hostage situations, multiple attackers, active shooters, distractions such as smoke to simulate fog, ambushes, the list goes on. Since an attack can happen at any time or place, you need to learn how to fight in any position - standing, lying on the ground, or sitting. Stress is also a must. If your not stressed under pressure in Krav Maga training then you won't perform at your best when you are faced with a real street confrontation. Krav Maga training also puts emphasis on intense cardio work outs and pad-work. This video demonstrates how accurate Krav Maga training is more or less conducted.

* Use improvised weapons - In Krav Maga, your aim is to use whatever weapons are at your disposal or the environment to end the threat quickly. It's a waste of time to engage your enemy in hand-to-hand combat when you have a baseball bat in your hand. You need to be aware of your surroundings and use whatever tools are there. When fighting armed attackers and you disarm one, pick up the weapon then start using it on the rest. You must train your mind to see everything as a weapon.

* Use what works - Krav Maga is different from other martial arts in that it uses what works even if it's not in your school's curriculum. If a weapon, technique, or attack is effective then use it.

* Quickly going from the defensive to offensive - In Krav Maga, you must learn how to quickly go from defending yourself to attacking your opponent. The longer you stay in the defensive, the more danger you are in. You need to create an opportunity to aggressively strike back against your enemy.

In conclusion, Krav Maga is about using a few solutions to answer various problems. Keep this in mind rather than look for countless Krav Maga techniques. Practice applying these principles in self defense training. If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to my blog for updates, more advice, and exclusive content in the near future. I'm proud and excited to offer a FREE sample chapter of my E-book "Jeet Kune Do: How to build your own fighting system for self defense!" It's essentially a step-by-step guide on how to make your own self defense system suited to fit your own needs using Jeet Kune Do. If you would love to receive your FREE chapter of my e-book, click on the link below and share a post via. social media then it's yours for FREE! Be sure to also fill out the survey on the right and provide feedback on my blog. Leave questions, comments, and suggestions below.

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Why dialing 911 will get you killed in self defense

Some people have the notion that they don't need to learn any martial art or steps to defend themselves. They think that calling the police is enough to stop a crime from happening. There are several problems with dialing 911 that will get you killed in self defense.

The first is the distance and time of an attack. Let's suppose you are on the street and someone out of nowhere attacks you within 5 feet. It's ridiculous to think you would have time to pull out your phone and dial 911. You would've dropped your phone or your attacker wouldn't have allowed you to commit to any action. The average time it takes for the police to arrive to your house is around 10 minutes (1). Do you realistically expect the cops to make it in time before you are about to get seriously hurt or killed? Think again.

The second is that under stress, you wouldn't be able to dial 911. You would probably freeze up and that would hinder you from dialing any number. Your phone might not even be working or worse, your phone conversation gives your exact location to your attacker.

The last and biggest problem with simply dialing 911 is that the police are under no obligation to legally protect you. The Supreme court has ruled this in the Warren vs. Distract of Columbia case. What about the "to serve and protect" phrase? Well that only applies to the state, not to you. This video explains more.

It is thus your own responsibility to defend yourself in a life or death situation. The purpose of dialing 911 is to address civil matters and conduct criminal investigations. Cops are there to enforce the law, not to be your own personal bodyguards. If you are to dial 911, you must address the most immediate threat first or have someone else call the police. Once you are out of danger, you can then dial 911 to handle a violent criminal.

1. http://freedomoutpost.com/when-seconds-count-police-are-minutes-awayor-your-911-call-goes-to-voicemail/

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How to learn martial arts and self defense online

If you are interested in learning martial arts for the purpose of self defense but don't know where to start, you've come to the right place. This guide will teach you a general step by step how to learn martial arts online and give you some helpful tips in the process.

1) Research a martial arts you like - If you have no idea what martial arts or hand to hand combat system you want to train in, do some research. What are you good at? What are you comfortable with doing? What are your strengths? Weaknesses? For example, i don't like executing Muay Thai kicks and the training methods some martial arts require. I've found Wing Chun to fit my personal preference. It's time to find yours.

2) Find a quality online school - Now that you know which martial arts you want to train in, you can find a school that trains in that particular martial art. Make sure that the online school is meeting all of your needs and wants for self defense. You will want to find an instructor who is about quality. For example, i find Master Wong a very credible instructor for self defense and Wing Chun. He has free online courses, DVD's, videos, helpful products, live seminars, and other helpful resources to learn martial arts (see link below).

3) Build your own training area - In order for you to get high quality training, you'll need to make space for you to practice. A large open room is preferable. Make sure that there's no objects or obstacles that could cause injury or get in the way of your training. You might need to invest some money in training equipment such as dummies, punching bags, wall punching pads, punching gloves, list goes on. If you don't have money, you might need to improvise and use everyday objects in the meantime. For example, i use a wall to practice timing my kicks at a certain range. I also use them to condition my knuckles and practice good form.

4) Practice the basics first - Before you learn anything about a martial art, you must first understand the basics. Spend time practicing footwork, proper body alignment, drills, guard, list goes on. Without understanding the basics, you won't be able to understand much less do the art well. Once you've grasped the basics then you can move onto the more advanced material.

5) Learn from videos and practice techniques - Doesn't matter how many videos you've watched, you won't be able to use the techniques and moves shown unless you spend alot of time practicing them at home. Make sure that you observe the instructor and pay attention to crucial details. Rewind the video and play it as many times as you need or ask questions. Keep practicing until you finally get the proper technique or movement done correctly. Integrate them in your muscle memory and they will be second nature when you need them. This is how one student of Jiu Jitsu learned online.

6) Practice solo sparring or with a partner - If you don't have a partner then spar by yourself (see "http://everythingselfdefense.blogspot.com/2016/12/how-to-do-effective-solo-sparring.html") and imagine an opponent. If you do have a partner (a trusted friend) then spar with him or her in a large open area such as a backyard or a park. Make sure that you use sparring gear and equipment for safety. Focus on recalling what you've learned from the martial art you are practicing. You could also practice drills with your partner.

7) Gain feedback - If you are confused then you need to ask questions and gain feedback on your performance. Join and interact in online communities or ask your online instructor for guidance. You may need to film yourself sparring and post the video on forums or other social platforms so you can gain effective feedback. Practicing in front of a mirror also works in understanding where you need to improve.

And my last final words on the matter is simply keep practicing. There's no secrets or shortcuts other than quality practice. If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to my blog for updates, more advice, and exclusive content in the near future. I'm proud and excited to offer a FREE sample chapter of my E-book "Jeet Kune Do: How to build your own fighting system for self defense!" It's essentially a step-by-step guide on how to make your own self defense system suited to fit your own needs using Jeet Kune Do. If you would love to receive your FREE chapter of my e-book, click on the link below and share a post via. social media then it's yours for FREE! Be sure to also fill out the survey on the right and provide feedback on my blog. Leave questions, comments, and suggestions below.

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masterwongacademy.com/

The differences between MMA and Jeet Kune Do

There seems to be a misconception as to what MMA is and what Jeet Kune Do (JKD) is as taught by Bruce Lee. What Bruce did was NOT mixed martial arts. He developed a fighting philosophy that incorporated certain aspects of martial arts he found useful and scientific. While MMA and Jeet Kune Do share some similarities, they are not one in the same. Hopefully, this guide will help you get a better insight on how to adapt your training and mindset in the self defense setting. Here's a list highlighting the key differences:

MMA is made of styles, JKD is a liberation from them - MMA fighters typically train under traditional martial arts for ring fighting in the areas of striking, kicking, ground-fighting, and grappling. Jeet Kune Do is a non-traditional approach to martial arts or combat sport. Jeet Kune Do is only about taking certain efficient or useful tools or ideas of a martial art and discarding the rest of the style. Your focus is on creating your own fighting system and being proficient with what you skillfully use in combat. Jeet Kune Do focuses primarily on striking, kicking, trapping, grappling, possibly some groundfighting but practitioners don't necessarily have to train extensively in all of these ranges.

MMA is for sport, JKD is for combat - Another difference between MMA and Jeet Kune Do is that MMA typically suited for sport while Jeet Kune Do is for combat. Jeet Kune Do trains full contact no holds barred sparring with equipment and gear for safety. MMA training is typically suited for sports fighting rather than the streets.

MMA has rules, JKD doesn't - According to UFC rules, you are forbidden from doing certain moves and thus will not be trained to do them in an MMA environment. Jeet Kune Do has a no holds barred mentality and fighting dirty is allowed. That means you could headbutt, eye gouge, use weapons, elbow strike, bite, throw low blows, have help, pull hair, hit the eyes, the throat, use the environment to your advantage, brutal moves to vital areas, joint breaks, the list goes on.

MMA and JKD have different strategies - The purpose of MMA is to ultimately lead to submissions or knock out. The cross training in various martial arts is to counter their opponent's strengths. The strategies used in MMA may include sprawl and brawl, clinching, ground and pound, the list goes on. Jeet Kune Do on the other hand has a list of principles that the user can freely use or discard. In Jeet Kune Do, your goal is to simply end the fight through interception or other ways of attack in JKD concepts. There's no wasted movement or much thought involved. Rather than learn the best martial art to counter an opponent's ground-fighting ability for example, you either avoid a takedown or execute a counter-attack in the striking and/or other ranges.

MMA has structure, JKD is fluid - In MMA, you have time to study your opponent before a fight and devise a strategy. For example, you might note that your opponent is a superb striker so you work on your long range attacks and stick to the attack plan. In Jeet Kune Do, you simply adapt to every situation whether you have time to devise a strategy or not. MMA has a set standard for using techniques or principles whether in the ring or outside of the ring. Jeet Kune Do doesn't. In Jeet Kune Do, it's about making your ideas work in combat. For example, conventional wisdom says "you should NEVER fight on the ground in a street fight as your enemy could have a weapon..." Jeet Kune Do's question is "can you make it work in training?" If you can, this saying doesn't apply to you under the right circumstances.

 MMA is about competition, JKD is about evolution - In MMA, you learn mixed martial arts to compete - that's it. While you could indeed apply MMA to self defense, you are limited by what the styles have to offer. Jeet Kune Do is about evolution of the self and the knowledge of the past through improvement. In Jeet Kune Do, you bring new insights into the art of combat and go beyond your limits or the ones placed upon you. One of the reasons why Bruce Lee did not compete in sports fighting was because he could not transcend as a martial artist in that environment. Jeet Kune Do is about constant refinement not just in martial arts, but in daily life.

In conclusion, these are several defining characteristics that ultimately separate Jeet Kune Do and MMA from each other. If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to my blog for updates, more advice, and exclusive content in the near future. I'm proud and excited to offer a FREE sample chapter of my E-book "Jeet Kune Do: How to build your own fighting system for self defense!" It's essentially a step-by-step guide on how to make your own self defense system suited to fit your own needs using Jeet Kune Do. If you would love to receive your FREE chapter of my e-book, click on the link below and share a post via. social media then it's yours for FREE! Be sure to also fill out the survey on the right and provide feedback on my blog. Leave questions, comments, and suggestions below.

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Do you need to learn martial arts for self defense?

Many people who are interested in learning about self defense, end up looking into martial arts. With all the different people claiming their martial arts is perfect for the streets, this begs the question - do you really need to learn martial arts to defend yourself?

I'm probably one of the few martial artists if not the only one who will tell you - No, you do not need to learn martial arts for self defense. If you've read my other blog post "why martial arts does not mean self defense" (http://everythingselfdefense.blogspot.com/2016/12/why-martial-arts-does-not-mean-self.html), you would understand my reasons for giving you that answer. I think having some martial arts training would be beneficial depending on the style and how well you use it, but it's not needed. All you need are the bare essentials from any combat system martial arts or not.

I would be more concerned about fighting someone who's only had basic combat techniques but knows how to use them well vs. someone who's devoted years of intense training in martial arts and still doesn't understand the usefulness of his/her moves. Why? Because the person who only learns the basics understands that simplicity and efficiency are what make someone a skilled fighter. He/she uses less movement, energy, and time than someone who uses too much. It's not learning thousands of techniques or spending long hours of training and fitness. My best advice for you is to be simple, efficient, and effective. Choose to stand out from the others who believe that quantity equals quality. While they are learning about how to do all these fancy grapples and other moves, your learning about how to make the first hit count. While they're repeating the same forms or katas countless times, your actually putting your moves into practice with a sparring partner. While they are learning how to fight one on one with an attacker, you are learning how to adapt to every situation.

In conclusion, simplicity and wisdom in using certain techniques are crucial to effective self defense. If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to my blog for updates, more advice, and exclusive content in the near future. I'm proud and excited to offer a FREE sample chapter of my E-book "Jeet Kune Do: How to build your own fighting system for self defense!" It's essentially a step-by-step guide on how to make your own self defense system suited to fit your own needs using Jeet Kune Do. If you would love to receive your FREE chapter of my e-book, click on the link below and share a post via. social media then it's yours for FREE! Be sure to also fill out the survey on the right and provide feedback on my blog. Leave questions, comments, and suggestions below.

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What is the best martial art for self defense?

What is the best martial art for self defense? 

You've probably heard many talks of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Krav Maga, Judo, Karate, Muay Thai, kickboxing, Wing Chun, and other martial arts of being the best for self defense. What's the best martial arts for self defense? The answer is simple and straightforward - there is none.

There's no martial art that triumphs over all. Each martial art has its own pros and cons. No style is superior or inferior over another. There are however times when certain techniques and principles only apply in competition rather than in self defense. It all depends on the skill of the user. 

Bruce Lee, one of the most inspirational martial artists, once said "man, the individual, the creating individual, is always more important than any established style or system."

The best advice I can give you is to embrace all martial arts and take lessons from each one. Practice a martial art that suits you and your physical wellbeing. As long as certain techniques are practical in certain situations, apply them. Learn to see martial arts as a set of tools to aid you instead of fighting styles to use at your disposal. Master using martial arts effectively rather than search for the most effective martial art.

If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to my blog for updates, more advice, and exclusive content in the near future. I'm proud and excited to offer a FREE sample chapter of my E-book "Jeet Kune Do: How to build your own fighting system for self defense!" It's essentially a step-by-step guide on how to make your own self defense system suited to fit your own needs using Jeet Kune Do. If you would love to receive your FREE chapter of my e-book, click on the link below and share a post via. social media then it's yours for FREE! Be sure to also fill out the survey on the right and provide feedback on my blog. Leave questions, comments, and suggestions below.

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How to defend against a dog attack

How to defend against a dog attack:

Unfortunately, some owners irresponsibly let their aggressive and violent dogs on the loose to attack. Dog attacks can cause serious damage or infections and can turn fatal. Therefore you must be vigilant and learn how to defend yourself against a violent dog should it ever happen. There are many ways to fend off an attacking dog but several basic principles should be followed:

a) Distance

b) Control

c) Takedown

d) Immobilization

1. Know the signs of attack and act - A dog may approach growling and barking at you. The best thing to do is turn to the side and remain calm to show the dog you are not a threat. Stay still with your hands balled up in fists to keep it from biting your fingers but be careful not to get too close to the dog. Don't turn your back on it. Give the dog some treats or other objects as a distraction to get away quickly without running. Get to higher ground if your quick enough or inside a building. You can also assert your dominance by making yourself bigger than you are such as using an open umbrella.

2. If the dog attacks, defend yourself - Grab sticks and stones to use as weapons. If that's not an option then get into a fighting stance and keep your distance. Remember the vital areas of the dog such as it's sides, throat, back of the head, nose, eyes, ears, private areas, tail, slender bones in its front legs, or neck when it tries to bite you head on.

3. If the dog persists, control and takedown - Move to the side and grab it by the neck then put your whole body weight on the dog with your knees on it's body. Make sure the dog is on it's back. You may need to use your arm for the dog to bite onto before you quickly take it down. If you have a bat, use it as a biting stick before you take the dog down. The reason being is that if it lets go or tries to violently shake your limb apart, the damage would be less severe and advantageous for you if your on top of the dog.

4. Immobilize the dog - Using the bony part of your forearm, apply as much pressure as you can to the dog's windpipe for about a minute until the dog passes out. If the dog's bitten your arm then you can force it inwards to create a gag reflex rather than pulling out and tearing your flesh in the process. You can also forcefully rip its front arms apart or snap it's neck by turning it to it's side and violently twisting it's head around to the opposite side of it's body. You can gouge out it's eyes. You could also pick up the dog by it's hind legs and throw it into a pool or off a building to give you time to escape.

Important things to remember:

* If all else fails, get in a fetal position and protect yourself - Protect your throat, chest, face, neck, and other vital areas.

* Dogs have a high pain tolerance - You can't hurt a dog in the same way you would a normal human and expect to survive. Pain may anger the dog further so its best to incapacitate or discourage the dog from attacking.

* Never overcommit to an attack - Don't put all of your energy and overextend your body in one attack as the dog can move back then move in to attack. Use just enough force to divert the dog away from attacking you.

* Hold the dog's tongue as a defensive measure - The dog will not bite down for fear of biting off its own tongue if you have a firm grip on it.

* Apply certain self defense and martial art techniques when appropriate - Some techniques from wrestling, BJJ, and other combat systems would work well to choke a dog out.

Hopefully someone will come to help you and you won't have to kill the dog unless its infected. If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to my blog for updates, more advice, and exclusive content in the near future. I'm proud and excited to offer a FREE sample chapter of my E-book "Jeet Kune Do: How to build your own fighting system for self defense!" It's essentially a step-by-step guide on how to make your own self defense system suited to fit your own needs using Jeet Kune Do. If you would love to receive your FREE chapter of my e-book, click on the link below and share a post via. social media then it's yours for FREE! Be sure to also fill out the survey on the right and provide feedback on my blog. Leave questions, comments, and suggestions below.

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