Gun disarming tips

If you've read my blog post on "self defense against a gunman" (http://everythingselfdefense.blogspot.com/2016/11/self-defense-against-gunman.html) then you have a basic understanding on how to disarm a gunman. In this post, i will give you several tips that will greatly enhance your skills in gun disarming along with some helpful videos. They are as follows:

* Strike first - As long as a gunman hasn't shot you dead upon the 1st encounter, you have the opportunity to act. As soon as you see someone threatening your life as he/she reaches to grab something from his/her pockets, move in and strike first. It could be anything - a knife, a gun, or another weapon you are unaware of. By taking the initiative, you eliminate the threat before it even begins. Don't wait until the gun is drawn for you to act.

* Practice realistic gun disarm training - The problem with many gun disarms is they rely on a compliant partner using a rubber gun with no trigger to fire fake bullets. Why is this ineffective training? Because there's no way for you to test whether or not your disarming techniques work in a situation where the gunman is noncompliant. In a real gun situation, the gun can go off at any given moment. You'll want to determine if the bullets go past you or in you. When your training in gun disarms, you must train with a gun that can shoot bullets in order to mimic a real gunman scenario. That being said, get a practice gun that can shoot fake bullets. It could be an airsoft gun or any other tool as long as it mimics a real gun. By simulating a real gun as much as possible, you learn how to improve timing and judgement. Be sure to also allow your partner to freely resist a disarm and the option to pull the trigger at any moment. Recreate different types of scenarios such as robberies, active shooters, kidnappers, hostage situations, etc.  

* Know your enemy - Assess the type of gunman your dealing with. Are you dealing with a murderer? An armed robber? A kidnapper? Active shooter? If it's an assassin,he/she will likely aim from a distance before firing. If it's an armed robber, he/she will approach you making demands. According to police reports, armed robbers rarely plan their moves out well so they most likely had no prior firearms training (1). If it's a kidnapper, he/she will try to subdue you into a vehicle for ransom or other crimes. By determining the kind of gunman you are dealing with, you can decide what the appropriate response will be.

* Communicate verbally and nonverbally - Verbal and non-verbal communication is so important in self defense against guns. When staring down the barrel of a gun, your body language will affect how well you can disarm a gunman. When someone comes up to you at close range making demands, put your hands up like your surrendering. Start talking to your attacker to find out more about him/her by asking "what do you want? Money? My wallet? I don't want trouble.." Communicate non-verbally and verbally that you are not a threat. Why? Because if the gunman sees you are unusually calm despite having a gun pointed at you, he/she may keep at a distance and tread cautiously. Get the gunman to lower his guard before you attempt a disarm. If the gunman is behind you, slowly move to a position where your facing a gunman at close range. If you are pinned to a wall, distract the gunman with your speech as you move away from it. Raise your hands at the gun's level and act like your surrendering so you can quickly redirect the gun away from you. This is all important because your body position will help you perform a successful gun disarm. Most likely, your attacker will not even notice your setting up for a disarm and thus will not take precautions to ensure his or her safety.

* Use distractions - By distracting the gunman, you are taking the focus away from the gun and towards what your saying or doing thus slowing down the gunman's reaction time. It's not a good idea to attempt a disarm right away because you don't know how the gunman will react and how fast. The gun will most likely go off and you may get shot. It's best to distract with gunman with words and actions. If you got money, throw it in front of your attacker as a distraction then disarm at lightning speed. Beg for mercy. Use something to divert the gunman's attention away from the gun before you go in for a gun disarm. It could be words, objects, or attacks.

* Target the gunman's vision, balance, and structure - Gunmen must have proper vision, balance, and structure in order to land accurate shots. Focus on obstructing their vision and disrupting their balance. You could trip him/her over or throw a shirt in the gunman's face before you disarm.

* Practice effective gun disarming techniques - I've seen many ineffective gun disarming techniques and few effective disarming techniques. Ineffective gun disarming techniques don't address redirecting the line of fire, evasion, speed, and firm control over the attacker's weapon arm. Instead you might see instructors teach you to grab the barrel of the gun as you slap the wrist or break the grip through pain compliance without moving out of the gun's line of fire. Realistically, you won't be able to grab the gun from gunman as he/she can simply move back and redirect the gun towards you or just shoot you all together. If the techniques you are learning aren't addressing all of these fundamentals then you ought to learn those that do. The best gun disarm techniques i've learned are simply a two handed grip on the wrist so the gunman can't easily redirect the gun as i move out of the line of the fire. If the gunman moves back, i follow. From there, i can either control the elbow then go into an armbreak from an outside position or quickly grab the gun with one hand then turn it inwards to break the grip. Once the grip is broken and possibly his/her finger, i quickly move back as i make my escape pointing the gun at my attacker. I would not advise moving closer to the attacker's free hand or you'll likely get hit. Ideally, you'll want to move to his/her outside where you'll have better control. You could strike and compromise your attacker's balance.  


* Have a back up plan - Sometimes, you won't be able to successfully disarm a gunman and if you do then you'll have to address possible resistance. If you disarm a gunman, are you prepared to shoot? If not then you are better off using the gun as a melee weapon as you engage in hand-to-hand combat. Plus the gunman may have a back up weapon such as a knife. It may go from an attempted disarm to an all out fight for the weapon. Don't get so focused on the gun that you forget about the attacker's body. Focus on addressing both the weapon and the body via. immobilization but always have a back up plan in case your primary one fails.

* Adapt to the distance - If your in close range with no obstacles providing cover or concealment between you and the gunman, go for a disarm. If your far away and find cover/concealment, make a run for it. If your somewhere in between then you must decide how to close the distance. Why would you go for a disarm at close range instead of running from a gunman? Because as soon as you turn your back and run, you would've already been shot than if you rushed in to attack with a chance of surviving. The distance between you and the gunman will tell you how to respond. Practice good judgement and choose your moves wisely.

* Use cover and concealment - In some cases, you don't have to fully engage a gunman when cover and concealment is available. As soon as you see someone pull out a gun from a distance and there's cover or concealment, rush behind it then escape. Cover and concealment provide you with many options (surprise attacks, evasion, protection, etc.)

* When under fire, run in an unpredictable pattern - If you have to close the distance between you and a gunman or evade the gun entirely, run in an unpredictable pattern. Don't run in a straight line because that's a predictable moving pattern. Don't run in a zig-zag motion either because that's also a predictable moving pattern. Use a combination of straight lines, zig zags, head and body evasion, rolls to cover or concealment,etc. at unpredictable patterns. Change the speed of your movements. Slow down before you explosively move out of the line of fire and rush in or out. This makes you a much harder target to hit even for a trained gunman. Timing is very critical so you can only stay moving in one position for about a second or two before the gunman fires an accurate shot. Sometimes moving in a straight line as you run as fast as possible to an escape route or behind cover and concealment is ideal in some situations. This video demonstrates running in a straight line vs. running in a zig zag pattern.

* Know the different lines of fire and how to respond to each one - A gunman will point his/her gun high (at head level), to the middle (around your upper back area, neck, or sides), or low (in your lower back). If the gun is pointed at head level, you evade with head movements and turn to strike as you disarm. If the gun is pointed at your upper back area, sides, neck, or lower back then you would use your shoulders and arms to attack while you control the weapon arm.  

* Learn how to deal with a gun to the back - If a gunman puts a gun to your back, you'll want to feel the gun so you can perform the same principles in gun disarming. If you don't feel the gun against your back then you'll have to either back up or at the very least look over your shoulder slightly to see where the gun is if possible. Once you know where the gun is, you apply the same principles you would when the gun is pointed in front of you.

* Learn how to deal with a gun from the ground - If the gunman asks you to get on the ground, you put your hands up but keep his balance in mind. If you turn around with your hands up, strike at the back of the knee with your legs as you control the arm with the gun using your other hand then compromise his/her balance and disarm.

* Learn how to deal with a leveraging hand - Sometimes a gunman will use a free hand to control you by grabbing your shirt with the other hand pointing the gun at you. Your first priority should be the free hand instead of the gun because it's the closest target to you. As soon as you see the gunman try to grab you with the free hand, move out of the line of fire as you grab the leveraging hand then throw your attacker to the ground or use it to slam him/her against a wall. From there, you have excellent control over the gun.

* Use gunman's pressure against him/her - Depending on how much pressure the gunman is exerting, you will want to go with the flow of energy. If the gunman is pushing forwards, move forwards and move out of the line of fire.

* Don't telegraph your moves - If you make it obvious that you are planning a disarm when the gun is jammed into you, the gunman will shoot. Don't give away your intentions such as making eye contact with the gunman. Your pupils can give away your intentions (2). Don't rotate your body when the gun is pushed against you as the gunmen will feel your movements. Make your movements look as natural as possible while appearing submissive. Everything must be done swiftly and without warning.

* Know when to strike and when not to - If you want to perform a successful gun disarm, you must know when to strike and when not to. Don't just assume the role of the victim because there's a gun involved. Are there multiple gunmen? Is the gunman's gun drawn? Is it lowered? Is he/she distracted? Is the safety on? Did the gun jam? Are you in the proper distance and position to disarm the gun? If the gunman gives you a command that compromises your ability to disarm the gun successfully, that's a critical time to strike because you may not get another chance. There are many different variables you must taken into account. If the risks are too great, comply but be patient and optimistic. You have no idea what a gunman or gunmen will do to you once you are no longer useful. As soon as the opportunity presents itself such as the gunman's focus is lost or the gun jams, do not hesitate for a split second. Strike at full force and disarm if possible.  

* Use noncomplementary behavior - A woman and her family when confronted with an armed robber, disarmed him by offering a glass of wine. Why does this work? People follow behavioral scripts based on expected outcomes. Criminals (robbers, murderers, etc.) expect you to do two things - comply or fight back. When you do something out of the ordinary expectations, what's the result? Confusion ultimately leading to diffusion. Even if the effects are temporary, noncomplementary behavior gives you a split second to launch an attack of your own.

Gun disarms against long guns:

* Control the gun and use it as leverage to disarm - Long guns such as shotguns are easier to disarm than handguns because they provide great leverage. By repositioning the gun with one hand on the barrel and the other on a handle near the trigger, you make the gunman's grip weaker due to the pressure and can force it out easier. Regardless of the position you are in, you apply almost the same principles as you would a handgun.

Gun disarms against executioners with guns:

* Make requests - People may think that once under an executioner armed with a gun, it's all over but this is far from the truth. From a psychological level, people are more likely to comply to bigger requests if you begin by making smaller ones. This is also known as the Ben Franklin effect (3). Make a small last dying request. Say something like "I'd like a last meal before i die." If your back is turned against your executioner, say something like "..please face me when your killing me..." If your executioner complies, that's when you strike. You can use an eating utensil or broken glass then start stabbing or striking away or rush in on the executioner. As long as you can make seemingly harmless demands, you still have some mental control over your enemy.

* Learn how to deal with the execution style position - If your in the execution style position then it's a sign your probably about to die. You will need to act quickly. From this position, it's better to trap the gun arm and disarm from the ground as you'll be in a better position to control your attacker as you create distance to shoot. If the gunman is behind you, know where the gun is located and move back into your attacker as you trap the gun arm then disarm.

* Use psychology - Not all executioners are necessarily heartless. Some feel guilt over their line of work. Some are forced into it. Interview your executioner. Figure out what kind of person he/she is by asking questions such as "how many times have you done this? Are you getting paid to kill? What do you hope to achieve? Does your family know you do this?" Use guilt trips, reverse psychology, empathy, demand eye contact - get inside your attacker's head. If you can somehow pry into his/her conscience and emotions, you can be a huge influence in whether or not the trigger is pulled. Maybe your executioner will hesitate or even let you go. If you can influence your executioner for a split second, that may give you an opportunity to attack.

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.

http://www.paywithapost.de/pay?id=7b715806-c78b-4bfd-badf-4242da2bf8f2 1. http://www.popcenter.org/library/crimeprevention/volume_05/08_morrison.pdf

2. http://www.stevenaitchison.co.uk/blog/how-we-use-our-eyes-to-give-away-what-we-are-thinking/

3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Franklin_effect

Should you groundfight in self defense?

Since the rise of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA, groundfighting has become increasingly popular especially in the area of self defense. A very important question that people have asked is "should you take a fight to the ground?" Many self defense instructors bring up legitimate reasons why this is a bad idea such as the possibility of weapons, limited vision, vulnerability to attack, and multiple attackers. I can't give you a solid answer. All i can tell you is generally, you should not groundfight in self defense but that does not mean there are no exceptions. Here's some considerations you ought to take into account before you end up groundfighting:

1. Are there weapons involved? If so, don't go to the ground.

2. Are there multiple attackers? If so, don't go to the ground.

3. Are you running out of options in defeating a difficult opponent? Ground fighting may be a measure of last resort.

This does not mean that you can use any techniques or strategies found in BJJ or other grappling arts. Groundfighting in UFC and groundfighting in self defense should have two completely different objectives. If your going to make groundfighting in self defense then you must have certain objectives. For one you should not go for a takedown against an intensely difficult opponent as it exposes your head, neck, and back to attack. Instead wait until your opponent takes you down. Second, your objective should be to immediately seize the opportunity to immobilize your attacker primarily through a chokehold or using armbars for armbreaks. Remember the goal is not to make your opponent submit. It's a desperate measure to cut off the flow of oxygen so he/she can stop attacking you. You don't want to apply an armbar or a leglock for a submission to make your attacker tap out only to risk getting hit after you release the locks. You'll want to break limbs and move into a better position for attack. Forget about point systems and treating groundfighting like a sport. Focus on ending the fight as quickly as possible on the ground with a self defense mindset and then get up.

This is just my opinion. If you've tried striking and kicking with no success then groundfighting may be a measure of last resort but i don't recommend it as your first priority. What do you think? Should groundfighting be apart of self defense? Why or why not? Let me know in the comments below.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 running may get you killed in self defense

It's conventional wisdom among so many self defense instructors that when there's an attacker, you should always run. In reality, this is bad advice because you won't always have the luxury of running away from a threat. Even if you do, this won't guarantee that you will successfully get away from your attacker. Why is running bad advice for self defense?

First of all, you don't know how fast your attacker can run. If you somehow knew that you could outrun your attacker then running would be the best option but you don't know anything about who your facing. Second, you may not run fast enough to get away. If you don't run or work on cardio then how do you expect to outrun an attacker who's probably in better shape than you? He may have done more exercise from say evading police than you have. If you don't get enough exercise, you can bet that you will get taken down. Last, you may not have the time or distance to run. If your in a small building just a few feet away from an attacker, you won't be able to run to the door and open it so you can escape in time to escape. Let's say your on a moving bus or train when suddenly someone decides to swing at you? Where are you going to run? There's absolutely nowhere to go!

To illustrate my point with an example, just watch what happens when someone tried to outrun his attackers in the video below. From my unfortunate experience, i tried to outrun an attacker (a kid i knew from my neighborhood). Despite my fitness level from all the cardio i did as a child, he still caught up to me and took me down.

The other reason why running away is bad advice is because it's so vague. When self defense instructors say "just run away!", what does that even mean? There's absolutely no specifics as to how you can outrun your attackers. Sometimes the only way you can outrun your attacker is by attacking before you take off or after you win a fight.

If you do plan on outrunning your attackers, the questions you ought to be asking yourself should be - 1) Is there an escape route? 2) Do i have the time and distance needed to run away from danger? 3) What are the risks of running vs. the risks of fighting? 4) Where am i going to run?

The best advice i can give you if running is an option is to familiarize yourself with your environment. Make sure you have an escape route and that you don't give away your intention to your attacker via body language. Make sure that you are able to avoid your attacker by obstructing his vision and slowing him down if possible. If you do parkour, jumping over obstacles and climbing buildings could prove useful in getting away from danger. Finally have a safe zone such as a police station with cops inside or areas with a bunch of people. If there's people, that may discourage your attacker and give you enough time to get help.

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 do effective solo sparring

Whether you have access to a local self defense school or you don't, you must spar in your own time if you want to dramatically improve your performance. Why is solo sparring important? Helps you see where you need to improve in hand to hand combat. If you don't spar alone, you won't be able to excel in fighting as well as those who do. This is also be known as shadow boxing except for self defense, you don't solo spar to win a fight. You solo spar to be proficient for survival in self defense. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to effectively shadow box for self defense.

1) Have the proper mindset - Remember you are solo sparring for self defense. You are not sparring for a boxing match. You are not sparring for a UFC or a martial arts fight. You are not sparring to win a street fight. You are sparring for survival. Your mindset should be to eliminate the threat as quickly and effectively as possible then prepare yourself for the next threat if it exists. You are sparring to survive by any means necessary against every possible situation even the unexpected. Practice fighting dirty. Once you have the proper mindset then you will understand how to excel in self defense training. 

2) Have a goal - What are you trying to improve? Techniques? Footwork? Kicking? Speed? Power? Punching? Coordination? Dealing with weapons? Strategy? Don't try to do everything at once as it can be overwhelming. Focus on improving one at a time with a set schedule. Make sure that you assimilated what you've learned well in muscle memory during drills before you begin to solo spar. 

3) Have a set schedule - You should have a schedule to spar in many different situations for your solo sparring regimen. If you've read my other posts then you can apply the principles in solo sparring. These are the following situations you ought to spar with: 

* Hand to hand combat - Spar to be proficient against various types of attackers (faster, stronger, more resilient, more aggressive, more experienced, etc.) and learn how to adapt to each one.

* Multiple attackers - Practice your strategy against multiple attackers. Prioritize which attackers are most important first and eliminating them before the rest. Make sure that you are moving to positions where you can fight only one at a time. 

* Weapons - Practice disarming weapons and skillfully using them as well. Recognize when they are useful and when they aren't in certain situations. Learn when to avoid and when to engage certain armed attackers. 

* Use of the environment - Remember to use the environment as a weapon and be mindful that it can be used against you. Use dirt, sand, clothing, lights, and other objects as distractions. Practice sparring in many different types of environments such as uneven ground, in the dark or light, in confined spaces or wide open areas. Use whatever weapons you can improvise against your attackers when applicable. Use vehicles, trees, and other obstacles as shields against your attackers. 

4) Practice mental rehearsals - Part of stress inoculation are mental rehearsals which are used by the military and other professionals. The first step is to remain calm and relaxed. Clear your mind of all distractions. The next step is to imagine being in a dangerous stressful situation. Recreate the visuals, the sounds, and feelings as much as possible. Imagine yourself being attacked in various heated scenarios. How would you respond? Visualize yourself performing proper techniques, strategies, and movements. Resist the urge to lose focus and rationalize it by thinking "let's hope that never happens.." or you won't effectively train for self defense. From a psychological level, mental rehearsals strengthen neural pathways required to perform a certain set of skills under high stress. 

5) Gain feedback - Look in the mirror and make sure that you are performing everything correctly (good posture, footwork, proper techniques, movements, etc.) You can also film yourself and ask others for advice. By looking for improvement, you can hone your skills and correct your weaknesses. 

Finally practice warm ups and warm downs. Continue sparring by yourself and combining mental rehearsals with your physical movements then you will see dramatic increase in performance.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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Self defense against a baseball bat

Baseball bats can cause serious damage when used as a blunt weapon. The force of the impact can break bone and cause other injuries especially if delivered to the head. Loss of consciousness or even death can occur. This is why it's important to understand how to defend yourself against an attacker wielding a baseball bat for a weapon:

1) Stay close to your attacker - Keep at a close distance just enough to where the bat can barely reach you. Don't move too far back or you will likely get hit. 

2) Use a weapon - Get an improvised weapon such as a chair, a stick, anything that you can use to deflect strikes or deliver strikes to your attacker. 

3) Move in and control the weapon - Timing is critical in these situations. The best time to close the gap is before or after an attack is made. Once you move in whether it's through a takedown or by other means, control the weapon. Alternatively, you could also control the arms holding the weapon. 

4) Disarm - There's several ways you can disarm an attacker. You could use his own momentum against him by controlling his head and throwing him. You could use the bat as leverage and force it out of his grip. You could use a Judo throw. The overall aim is to disarm your attacker. 

Additional tips: 

* Don't try to block the bat with your arm - Some self defense instructors teach you should try to block the weapon with some part of your arm. This is a bad idea as the bat could break bone and damage tissue. 

* Avoid the tip of the weapon - The most dangerous part of the bat is the tip. Once the bat has passed the centerline, it becomes safer to intercept your attacker.

* Don't hesitate - The only safe zones are outside of striking range or inside the grappling range. If your stuck anywhere between those two ranges, you will get hit. Keep in mind that your attacker can change the direction of the bat. Do not hesitate to close the gap between you and your attacker when the opportunity presents itself. 

Practice your these principles especially timing and interceptions with a sparring partner using a foam bat.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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Self defense against a Machete

If you've read my post on "how to defend yourself against a swordsman" (http://everythingselfdefense.blogspot.com/2016/11/defense-against-swordsman.html) then you should have an idea of how to takedown someone armed with a Machete. Here are several tips on how to disarm an attacker wielding a Machete following certain principles.

1) Use a weapon - Use whatever improvised weapon you have at your disposal as an equalizer to the Machete. The aim is to either deflect or deliver vicious attacks of your own.

2) Keep at a close distance - Like a sword, you must stay within a reasonable distance in order to rush in for a disarm. Remember that the goal of staying at a close distance from the blade is to intercept your attacker before he/she makes a strike. If you keep backing up and don't move in, you increase the chances of getting hit. This is a near perfect example of how defense against a Machete ought to be done. The man being attacked keeps at a close distance not straying too far away as he uses a chair to deflect the strikes before he performs a double leg takedown:

2) Close in and control the attacking arm - Once you have the opportunity, rush into your attacker and control the arm wielding the Machete by grabbing it. From there, you could headbutt or elbow strike and do whatever attack you want as a distraction. It's more risky if you try to move to the outside of the opponent's attacking arm as you will likely get hit due to the quickness of the weapon. Your best bet is to get into the attacker's inside first before you move to the outside. Quickly get in a position where you can control the elbow and wrist at once.

3) Disarm - To disarm, you could break the arm or knock your attacker off balance. Whether you do a Judo throw or a kick to the back of the knee and a joint lock, the goal is to ensure that your attacker cannot use the Machete against you. One of the best ways to do this is by knocking your attacker off balance as you force the Machete out of his/her hands.

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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Self defense against brass knuckles

Brass knuckles can be a very dangerous weapon in the wrong hands. One hit could mean death. Therefore if you want to defend yourself against an assailant wielding brass knuckles, you must abide by several principles.

1) Strike first - Don't wait until you see your attacker reaches into his/her pocket and pulls out a pair of brass knuckles. Soon as you see someone threatening you and reaching into his or her pockets, close the gap then bring your attacker to the ground.

2) Avoid getting hit with the brass knuckles - Brass knuckles could severely injure vital organs and break bone. Treat it as you would a knife (http://everythingselfdefense.blogspot.com/2016/11/self-defense-against-knife.html.) Block and redirect the incoming hits but make sure that your arms do not make direct contact with the weapon.

3) Control the arm and elbow - Grab hold of the wrist or elbow and then trap the entire arm. From there, you can trip your attacker or deliver a stomp kick to the side of one knee or in the back of knee.

4) Disarm - Once you've gotten control of the arm, you can break it by applying force on the elbow joint. Alternatively, you could put your attacker in a wrist lock as you force the brass knuckles out of his/her fingers. You could land a few strikes and make your escape.

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Why martial arts does not mean self defense

Most people (including myself at one point) have a mistaken assumption that to learn self defense, you must practice martial arts. Self defense and martial arts are almost two completely different fields. Here's a list of things that make self defense different from martial arts.

* Self defense is about survival, martial arts is about the art - Not every martial art was created for the purpose of self defense. Tai Chi for example was originally designed for health benefits. Self defense is about survival whereas martial arts is about the preservation of the art whether it's applicable in self defense or not.

* Martial arts has rules, self defense doesn't - Many martial arts practiced today such as Karate, Judo, Jiu Jitsu, Taekwon Do, etc. are being used for purposes other than what was originally intended. Many martial arts are sports based as they have point systems and rules such as no kicks to the groin. Self defense has no rules. That means anything goes such as biting, hitting below the waist, eye gouging, weapons, etc.

* Martial arts has form, self defense is fluid - In martial arts, instructors are concerned about you learning proper structure and technique in sparring. In self defense, you survive by any means necessary whether you perform techniques correctly or not. Many martial arts are bound by the limits of their art. If your martial art specializes in close range fighting but not in other ranges, you cannot go beyond those limits without breaking tradition. Self defense is about taking what works effectively and applying it to real combat.

* Martial arts training is unrealistic, self defense isn't - Many martial artists aren't prepared to deal with all sorts of encounters. They practice katas, drills, forms, and fancy techniques that are unrealistic in actual combat. They don't intensely train for armed robbers, weapons, bullies, rapists, killers, all the situations that our modern world faces. Martial artists use tradition or mysticism to come up with solutions for tradition's sake. For example, much of Kali knife fighting has no real world application but is practiced for the preservation of the art. In self defense, you find practical modern day solutions to real problems.

* Self defense teaches the dynamics of combat, martial arts doesn't - Self defense trains you to deal with many variables of combat such as situational awareness, avoidance of conflict, weapons, multiple attackers, stress, adrenaline, emotions, the environment, and so on. Traditional martial arts doesn't and if they do, it's not as extensive as it would be in a self defense setting.


* Martial arts has ranks, self defense doesn't - Many martial arts have a sash or belt system to identify the rank and skill level of it's practitioners. They also instill awards to those members who are most improved. While this is good for improving self confidence and esteem, it doesn't mean anything in the streets. Self defense is about reaching your uttermost potential with no regard for rank so you can survive.

Can you use martial arts for self defense? Yes but you must ensure that you are training for self defense and may have to modify the martial arts you practice for the streets. 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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Ineffective Wing Chun training for self defense

Despite being a Wing Chun practitioner, i must be honest and admit that there are several ineffective training methods in Wing Chun that will get you hurt or killed in a street fight. They only work for health benefits, sparring with a Wing Chun partner, preserving tradition, etc. They don't transition well to self defense unless you adapt your training methods for that specific purpose. The list is as follows:

* Forms - Wing Chun usually begins with practicing forms. There's nothing wrong with forms except that your doing all sorts of movements and you have no idea how to apply them in combat. You probably won't even use most of the techniques from the Wing Chun forms in a street fight. Why not spar all out with a partner and apply the ones you will need instead? The only useful form that will help you is the Mook Yan Jong Wing Chun wooden dummy form. It will develop your reflexes, arm conditioning, understanding of angles, centerline, positions, power, speed, simultaneous attack and defense, etc.

* Trapping - Wing Chun practitioners teach the concept of trapping usually by getting a neutral stance and sparring with a partner in hand to hand combat. The goal is basically to feel your partner out for certain openings and create them by grabbing the arm or wrist as you attack at once. This training method of Wing Chun trapping only works provided that an opponent isn't exerting any pressure at all but how likely is that to happen in a street fight? If you try trapping an aggressive violent attacker who exerts forward pressure, you will be taken down quickly. Furthermore, the attacker could just pull away with the free hand and throw a haymaker or hook punch at you.

* Chi Sao - The same problem arises in Chi Sao as with trapping. Chi Sao's purpose is to feel your opponent's energy before you strike along with training sensitivity. A street fighter won't instigate a fight and say "here let me do my Chi Sao with you.." Chi Sao only works with a compliant partner not a noncompliant attacker on the street.

* Weapons training - Wing Chun weapons training relies on use of Wing Chun butterfly swords and poles. I suppose these would be effective for developing power and proper alignment but as far as self defense goes, they are useless unless you plan on carrying them wherever you go.

* Wing Chun sparring - This training is more effective than the others but it still has it's flaws. Your only sparring to beat a Wing Chun partner instead of the average street attacker. How likely is it for a Wing Chun practitioner to attack you on the street? Your average or above average person on the street will most likely not be compliant and attack you in the same fashion a Wing Chun practitioner would. Even when i knew almost nothing about martial arts in my teen years, i would not attack someone like Wing Chun practitioners do in a sparring session. I'd go for combos with wild attacks before i try a takedown, use improvised weapons, etc.

Now don't get me wrong, i'm not saying that all of these training methods are completely useless. It just depends on how you train them properly. Wing Chun sifus may argue "well these training methods aren't designed for combat, only for you to understand Wing Chun principles and concepts.." To this i respond, if that's the case then why not apply them in actual sparring? Why invest time practicing traditional training methods before you learn how to apply them in combat? These Wing Chun training methods only work for showing off or preserving tradition. How do you train trapping, chi sao, weapons, and forms for self defense? Through all out no holds barred sparring. Instead of forms, practice proper alignment and efficiency with a sparring partner using certain offensive or defensive techniques from Sil Lum Tao, Chum Kiu, or Biu Jee. Instead of trying to trap both arms, you trap only one from the outside and attack at once. Instead of trying to do Chi Sao and feel your opponent's energy before you go in, learn how to control it in sparring against a punch or grapple. Instead of sparring with just Wing Chun practitioners, practice with a variety of partners using different styles. Instead of learning how to use Wing Chun weapons, learn how to use and disarm modern weapons.

In conclusion, Wing Chun must adapt to the present day in order for it to be effective in 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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How to defend yourself in prison

Let's say you've gotten framed for a crime you didn't commit and are now into one of the absolute worst situations of your life - imprisonment. Many innocent people are imprisoned for crimes they did not commit. This is a harsh reality caused by a corrupt political and judicial system. If you've done everything you could in the court of law to prove your innocence, failed, and are now facing a prison sentence then don't give up hope. Self defense can work even in prison and it has been done before. This guide will you give you the principles in surviving attacks in prison.

* Psychological defenses - To be successful in self defense especially behind bars, you must be psychologically prepared. Prisons were designed to break down your will. They were designed to make you feel hopeless and vulnerable but this is all in your head. You control how you respond to the environment. Prison walls and people cannot make you despair unless your mind allows it. Don't let the prison walls and other inmates intimidate you. How do you accomplish this? Change the way you view yourself and prison walls. Stop thinking of prison walls and confined spaces as barriers that limit the ability to defend yourself. Think of them as improvised weapons to use in self defense. Don't be intimidated by the size of other inmates. Just because they are muscular, doesn't mean they know how to skillfully use strength. Show no emotion such as fear, anger, happiness, pain, sorrow, and so on as prisoners can exploit your weaknesses. Meditation, deep breathing exercises, and positivity will keep you from having a breakdown.

* Learn the inmate code of conduct - In order to survive, you must learn how to interact with prisoners and guards. The golden rule still applies even in prison. Treat others how you want to be treated. Don't stare or smile at anyone as it could be interpreted as a sign of aggression. Don't stare at anyone's cell as inmates could think you are plotting to steal. Stand up for yourself and defend your own race. Failure to do so could result in other inmates beating you since those are dishonorable acts. Do your time quietly and don't reveal anything about yourself to anyone as it could be used against you. By learning how prisoners work, you can avoid many potentially dangerous situations.

* Be aware at all times and adapt - Unlike the streets where you can anticipate attackers, prison inmates are very smart and that's what makes them deadly. They use various strategies to attack such as ganging up on you, ambushes, distractions, etc. They may often start riots just so they can attempt to hurt or kill you. Learn the warning signs of a potential threat and never get close to strangers. Keep as many inmates in your vision as possible. Look for warning signs of a potential attack. Be aware of cameras and prison guards. Keep your guard up at all times.

* Learn how to fight in confined areas - Use walls and confined spaces to your advantage. You could slam or push inmates into walls, bars, fences, tables, concrete, etc. Walls can also be used for protection and a better position to defend against attacks from behind. If you know a martial art or combat system specializing in close quarters fighting such as Wing Chun then you'd be in an ideal environment to use it. Learn how to control space and trap your opponents. If you close the distance and use the walls to prevent your attackers from using kicks or punches, that works well in your favor.

* Train hard - When your locked inside a cell, be productive. Do lots of push ups, solo sparring, hand conditioning by striking hard surfaces, crunches, sit ups, pull ups, martial arts or boxing training, and more exercises. You'll want your reflexes and body to perform at it's uttermost potential.

* Learn how to use weapons and defend against them - Prisoners are extremely skilled in using and making improvised weapons such as shanks, blunt weapons, even guns. In some cases, use of weapons is necessary for survival. You should also know how to defend against them. If you for example come across a prisoner trying to stab you with a shank, disarm him/her (see http://everythingselfdefense.blogspot.com/2016/11/self-defense-against-knife.html to learn how.) Be cautious of the leveraging arm. Inmates may try to grab your shirt with one hand and use the other to stab you. A more dangerous position to be in is pushed up against the wall as inmates stab you. If an inmate is using both hands against you, learn how to control the one closest to you and get to a better position to break the arm or trip him/her.

* Learn how to work around prison rules - Sometimes, you must adapt to the prison rules for your survival. How dangerous of a situation are you in against other inmates after you? If it's too threatening, do something that will get you put in solitary confinement for example such as seriously injuring another inmate bent on killing you. Once in solitary confinement, you are in worse conditions but at least your temporarily safe from other inmates.

These are the basics of self defense in prison. Here are some additional tips to help you.

* Don't join any prison gangs - Resist the urge to turn to prison gangs for protection. Once your initiated, your in for life. Any attempt to desert or disobey orders could result in your death or the deaths of your loved ones.

* Build a reputation for yourself - In order to survive, you must send a powerful message to other inmates be it to inspire fear or respect. Ensure that your actions and verbal or nonverbal communication are consistent at all times. How people perceive you will determine the chances you have of survival.

Practice fighting in confined spaces with a partner and use of weapons in sparring.

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 fight against a faster opponent

Many people talk about fighting a stronger opponent but sometimes, a faster opponent is more dangerous. Here's a few tips on how to defeat an opponent who relies on speed in self defense.

* Look for weaknesses - Just because your attacker is fast, doesn't mean he/she knows how to use speed in a street fight. Speed must be developed but there might be some areas where the attacker has not trained sufficiently. In what ways is the attacker slower? Kicking? Footwork? Controlling distance? Striking? Look for specific weak spots and once you find them, take advantage of them by striking there.

* Keep at a close distance - If you move too far back, you create space for your attacker to strike quickly. If you stay too close, you will get hit. Therefore the best position to be in is close enough to where you can quickly move in. Forget about blocking or dodging because you will get hit since your attacker's faster. It only takes a few inches for you to escape the attacker's striking range so distance is key. All you have to do is move out of the direction of the attacker's fast strikes and into your own range as you launch a counter-attack.

* Control the elbows - One of the best strategies to counter a fast striker is grappling. Wrestling, BJJ, Judo, or any other grappling art would be useful in these types of situations. As soon as the faster attacker finished his/her attacks, move in quickly and grab hold of the elbows to neutralize his/her attacks then slam or throw him/her on the ground. There's a good chance that you will get hit but focus on rendering speed useless by bringing the faster person to the ground. Remember to not go to the ground with him/her as it's more dangerous for you. Stay in a standing position as you finish the fight with kicks, stomps, etc.

* Make your escape - Don't think that once your attacker's on the ground you have to necessarily end the fight. Is there an opportunity to escape? Take it. It's not worth risking your life by staying longer in the fight.

Practice these principles with a partner who's faster than you.

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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My way to Jeet Kune Do

As a Wing Chun practitioner, i sought the way i thought that was ideal for me. I believed that Wing Chun would help me become the ideal warrior that is until i realized it's limitations. Traditional Wing Chun footwork is solid and strong no doubt. Wing Chun sifus teach that as long as your footwork is mobile, you don't need to waste too much time on footwork. Simply step back and close the gap. I soon found that if faced with an attacker who has a more free moving footwork like a wrestler, how can you expect to end the threat quickly in a Wing Chun stance? The traditional Wing Chun fighting footwork would not be able to respond to those types of situations. When i stumbled across Master Wong's Wing Chun teachings on youtube explaining that Wing Chun must evolve in order to face those situations, i soon realized one of the flaws in the way Wing Chun was being taught today. Wing Chun sifus might counter this by saying "when confronted with an opponent seeking to compromise your balance, simply maintain it and close the gap.." but it's hard to do when your opponent moves faster than you and will probably knock you over with their powerful attacks. Wing Chun's systematic weakness is groundfighting so if your on the ground, you would have no way to defend yourself against a BJJ fighter! If the only way to respond effectively to the systematic weaknesses of Wing Chun is being more free in movements, what does that say about traditional Wing Chun?

I soon realized that every style has it's own systematic flaws. Even moreso, many martial arts have strayed from realistic self defense training and more into other uses such as sports or health-related fitness training. It was when i stumbled across Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do that i realized this was what i was seeking. Having no way as way and no limitation as limitation. Bruce Lee's guiding thought was absorbing what was useful and discarding what wasn't. Jeet Kune Do's training was rooted in full contact no holds barred sparring to train for combat realism.

Jeet Kune Do is a fighting philosophy not a style but there exists two distinct schools of Jeet Kune Do. The first which seeks to preserve Bruce Lee's fighting style, Jun Fan Gung Fu as a means of teaching Jeet Kune Do. The second school loosely applies Jeet Kune Do concepts to any martial arts and develops the individual fighter. I learned that the term "Jeet Kune Do" is just a name. Some call Jeet Kune Do the original MMA, modified Wing Chun, modified boxing, etc. but in reality, Jeet Kune Do cannot be clearly defined. Bruce Lee intended it to be a personal journey of self discovery. Only when you embark on this journey that you begin to understand the meaning of Jeet Kune Do.

Bruce Lee saw that each style was confined to one particular fighting range (close range, long range, grappling range, trapping range) but no one style had all the answers to each situation. Thus he believed that the ideal martial artist should be proficient in all ranges and borrow from any simple techniques irrespective of style. Jeet Kune Do is about seeing reality from different perspectives and being fluid. The way of the intercepting fist appealed to me because it served as a defense by being a powerful offense unlike Wing Chun sifus training you to deflect with one hand while using the other to attack. What most appealed to me about Jeet Kune Do aside from freedom of expression is it's philosophy of adapting to every situation and evolving as an individual.

It is my personal conviction that the Jeet Kune Do philosophy will help people reach their full potential especially in the field of self defense. As i walk on the path to finding the true meaning of Jeet Kune Do, i hope to discover the essence of my identity and what lies beyond.

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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Fight strategies vs. techniques

There are many people going into self defense wondering "which techniques can i use to beat bigger and badder opponents...what's the most effective punch to beating someone in a street fight.." They go into martial arts schools trying to learn how to deal with many different types of attacks. They want to learn techniques, techniques, and more techniques.

The problem is that you won't ever be able to excel in self defense if you rely only on techniques. There are many martial arts and self defense schools that teach techniques but neglect the strategies of self defense. Strategies, principles, and concepts of self defense are far more important than techniques. If you always rely on techniques, you will never become a proficient fighter in self defense. That's why you'll rarely see me teaching you any techniques in my blog posts. Techniques are just the tools to help you achieve a certain goal but they are not the foundation of self defense. You can learn techniques on how to deal with a hook punch or a headlock but if you don't learn certain principles such as keeping distance, balance, when to attack, efficiency, etc. then techniques are worthless. Not all techniques can be applied to every situation so it's important to understand strategy. 

If you must learn techniques, which ones should you learn? The simplest ones. People will try to sell you flashy techniques that look good in demonstration but are impractical in a real street fight. You won't be able to recall everything under high levels of stress. Simplicity and efficiency are what determines whether or not a certain techniques are effective. If you perform a set of fancy techniques, someone can intercept with a simple punch and you'll be knocked out cold. The more simple a technique is, the faster you'll be able to recall it and respond. This applies to boxing, Karate, Wing Chun, Sambo, Krav Maga, Jiu Jitsu, or even basic punches and kicks. This video will help explain more in full detail. 

Why are strategies more important than techniques? Because strategies are the plans to accomplish a specific goal. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. If you have no guidance in dealing with specific situations, you won't know how and when to apply techniques. If you don't know when and how to apply techniques, you won't be able to apply them at all. Learn strategies, concepts, and principles of self defense. Only then will you be truly wise and able to see many different violent situations more clearly.

I hope that this post gave you some insights into how to improve your 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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