program diet sehat Defense for defeated opponent

Sunday, November 9, 2008

The Dragster, The Stock Car and Your Grandma's Oldsmobile

What do cars have to do with self defense, martial arts and your average person?

This is one of the best analogies to describe the difference and the purpose between martial arts, self defense and your average joe (or josephine).

The stock car represents martial arts and combat sports, the dragster is self defense and your grandmother's Oldsmobile is your average person. All are cars, with engines, wheels and basic qualities that make them cars. You can steer them, they have brakes, motors and all function in the same way but that's where the similarities end.

The drag strip is a street fight.
The dragster, like self defense, needs to be fast, powerful and to the point. It happens in the blink of an eye. Once you decide to go, you go. The way you drive a dragster is VERY similar to how you approach self defense. Get off the line first, move forward, take ground and steer very little. Speed and power are king, focus and intent on beating your opponent as fast a possible is a must. Any attempt to deviate from your initial launch and you're done like dinner.

NASCAR is the combat sport arena
Stock car racing is much like martial arts or combat sports. The goal is the same- you still want to beat the guys your racing. The difference is it's over a longer time period in a much more controlled environment. It takes more skill and training. It's more complicated, there are passing and drafting strategies and a lot more rules to follow. The stock car in the NASCAR environment is king.

Now let's look at Grandma's olds. This represents you average person. Little or no training, with average fitness. Around your block you may win some or lose some, but if you go to the drag strip or the NASCAR circuit you would get crushed. Sure, you may get lucky and your competitor makes a mistake, a missed shift or a mechanical failure. But make no mistake: that is the ONLY way grandma's sunday driver can win. Even if the average person met the MMA expert at the drag strip: it's still bad for the Oldsmobile.

What if we took the dragster to the NASCAR circuit? We put that self defense expert in the Octagon. He would get crushed. This is why self defense NEVER works in the sport arena. It is completely out of context. The intent and design have no place in this venue. Yes, he may get a lucky shot, but that's all it would be.

How about the stock car at the drag strip? The stock car would get hammered 99.99% of the time. While in the street, the MMA fighter would wait for an opening, the self defense expert would be doing what ever it took to end the fight by what ever means needed.

Even though things look similar, they are not. Intent and purpose are everything. You need the right tool for the right job.
Oh, and grandma's olds kick your butt? Maybe your riding a bicycle, you better get to training.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Traditional Martial Arts, Where Did We Go Wrong?

I just got an comment on the SDC blog an SDTS member who is a long time Shotokan Karate student and instructor. He noticed how his own martial art had left out the tactics and strategies of self defense and close combat...but he is perceptive enough to realize that THEY WERE IN THERE!!!!! Rather than stop training and teaching, he simply incorporated the SDTS attitude to his style. He understands the EXTREMELY important concept of Primary and Secondary Techniques.

Front kick, reverse punch, or edge of hand, chin jab. These are secondary techniques and tools in your kit. Most of us, if not all of us focus on these types of techniques in martial arts and self defense. Secondary techniques are the actual strikes, holds, throws, gouges...the things you see. While they are important, they are no what matters most.

EVERYONE focues on secondary techniques. But they are taken out of context. It is like finding a random part of a car lying on the ground- no purpose or function, it's just a hunk of metal or plasitc. Its only when it's placed in the context of the car that you can see its purpse. This is what happened to martial arts.

Primary techniques are the principles and strategies... the purpose and intent and they are the most over looked and forgotten. The intention of the martial arts has changed, and this has made it ineffective in combat.

Martial arts have been "taken out of context". Ever scince one fighter wanted to test his skills against another. Rules we made for the safety of the competitiors (this is a good thing). But once you change the intetntion from back alley to the ring the methods must change. The rules and the event and who you are fighting dictate training and purpose.

If you were fighting a boxer, you trained specifically for that, a wrestler, you trained for that. You always train for the venue and mixed martial arts is the same thing. If you weren't allowed to clinch, knee, strike the neck, punch- you had to adjust your training. The event always dictates the method.

Traditional methods of fighting have become sports. Since its more likely that you will fight in in a contest than fight for your life, you foucus on the contest. Traditional martial arts simply adapted to the times. Traditional martial arts like Shotokan were originally front kick, reverse punch, take ground and run over your target....sound familiar?

When I started training with the methods in The Self Defense Training System, it took a little time, but it actually added a new dimenstion to what I was already doing. It didn't belittle my training...it clarified it. I could see the original intention of what I was studying. I was able to adapt the primary techniques of the SDTS to what I already knew. I was able to put my training into the close combat context!

Like all things, once you understand the principle concepts (if a primary technique even exists) you can apply it to anything you do.

Larry, thank you for your comments and I look forward to seeing you at the Training Center in May.

Friday, November 7, 2008

November and December Events at The Self Defense Training Center in Pompton Lakes, NJ

The Self Defense Company Training Center
Pompton Lakes
Upcoming Events for November/December 2008

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West Point Judo Tournament
Saturday, November 15th
7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Call us at the center for information.

Judo Technical
Wednesday November 26th
7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Call us at the center for information

Instructor Meeting
Wednesday November 26th
8:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Be there!!! =)

THANKSGIVING BREAK!!!
Thursday November 27-30
ENJOY YOUR TURKEY!!!

New Jersey Judo Meeting
Saturday December 6th
6:00 to 7:00 PM
Instructors Only

Camal’s Winter Tournament
West Paterson
Sunday December 7th
7:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Call the center for more information.

SELF DEFENSE SATURDAY!!!
Saturday December 13th
Family Safe- Parents and Kids
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (for kids 6 and up)
Static Weapons Defenses
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM (adults)
It's FREE, Call 973-831-0315 to register

Adult Promotion
Saturday December 20th
12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Contact the center for more information

Open Judo Workout
Monday December 22nd
7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

HOLIDAY BREAK!!!!
Wednesday December 24th to Saturday January 3
ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!

Lethal Vs. Nonlethal Force

No sane person wants to hurt another human being. We learn to repsect life, not destroy it. Because of my work, people have the perception of me as a violent person. Well anyone who knows me understands this not to be true. The same can be said for most martial artists, professional fighters, cops and soldiers. It's a hobby or a job -it's something we do. Personally, I enjoy helping people empower themselves, do their jobs better and live happier, safer lives.

One of the comments I hear about the SDTS is that it's too brutal.
Now, I'll try to write the next portion at the risk of sounding like an alarmist. The Self Defense Training System prepares you for WORST CASE scenarios. Your worst nightmare attacks you with 100% intent on killing or raping you on your worst day under the worst possible conditions. Logic dictates that you plan for the worst and hope for the best.

Common sense will also tll you that if you do anything less than 100% you leave little room for failure. We all must agree as soon as you roll off the throttle you create room for failure.

That being said, this doesn't mean you "kill" everyone who looks at you the wrong way. Your instincts go a long way but remember, even if some one just pushes you and you trip, fall and crack your skull on the sidewalk- you're still just a dead as if they shot you.

In self defense there are no gurantees only high percentage methods- maximun effect in the shortest amount of time. That is what the SDTS provides.

Non-lethal force...yes, it's in there too. You can back off if you have it under control BUT BE WARNED!!!! If you're a civilian and you are going to walk away from some one who you just embarassed, be prepared for retaliation. He may have a weapon, call his friends, and try again with the knowledge that you can kick the snot out of him. Even if it seems resloved, you must leave the scene immediately even if he leaves.

In law enforcement, there are really only a few holds you need to secure some one (unless they are an emotionally disturbed person then its full on). Most people will give up once they realize there's no use in fighting.

The bottome line is all force can be regulated. A blow to the side of the neck can be used to stun as well as kill, the cohice is yours.

People talk about escalating force. In law enforcement this is artially true, bt not like most people think. For civilians escalating force in NOT PRACTICAL. As soon as some one assualts you, you protect yourself and stop when that person or persons are no longer a threat to you.

I'm not talking about your drunk brother-in-law, in those cases a sharp word and a firm push puts them in their place.

Nonlethal force can be regulated, but you're making a grave mistake if you engage with the intent of just pushing someone around. This is why physical force is ALWAYS the last resort.

Realistically Defending Against A Weapon

The idea of the lone martial artist standing there facing a knife weilding attacker with nothing between you and him and the air you breathe.

Nonsense. No one just stands there (unless your frozen with fear- a completely normal reaction). One thing people do is move away and use the environment to cause the attacker to trip up. A kitchen table, a chair, a car or a telephone pole will do the trick.

When you practice, place some obects around your training area (or simply practice in your home or outside). All you ned to to is get used to moving about. Practicing this, evn just a little wil train you to do it if you're in this situation.

Other options:
Using pepper pray
Using a chair, stool or garbage can
Running
Attacking

All of these methods are detailed in Module 8 of the SDTS along with easy ways to practice them. Believe me, when your faced with this situation you WILL not remain calm. You've got bout 30 to 60 seconds of adrenaline to get the job done.

Self Defense is not a moral issue, it's a tactical issue. We hope you seek peacful solutions, but sometimes whether it's your job or you just don't have a choice, you need to take action.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Which Martial Art is the Best for Law Enforcement?

Up until 30 years ago, JUDO was the martial art. Then with the introduction of the more mysterious martial arts with more of a "killing" edge to them this coupled with the focus of the USJF/USJI (the leading Judo organizations in the US and the world) focus on Olympic competition and the simple fact that training in judo is painful and to this day, very difficult to get a black belt rank in it, especially if you are in a competitive area. I could probably write another 5 pages on this, but I will stay on point.

During these years EVERY major metropolitan Police Department had a Judo club. Even countries like Thailand taught Judo to their police force, NOT Muay Thai. I personally train a number of law enforcement officers and I have seen the results first hand. So why is Judo the martial art for law enforcement?

The primary purpose of non-lethal force with law enforcement is to get your target to comply. What is the most realistic way of getting someone to do something you don't want to with out seriously damaging them? How can you get someone from their feet to the ground as quickly as possible? How do you know what its going to be like for real? The answer is JUDO.

First off, when most people "resist" arrest, it's an ego thing. They are looking to be restrain, or they don't want to look like a punk and go quietly. The advantage the cop has is that the suspect knows that the officer is not trying to kill him or her. I realize this is a disadvantage in some situations, but that's what the stuff @ www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com is for.

First, the object of judo is to throw the opponent from his feet to his back. Think about the majority of the altercations policemen get in, most of the time the skel is just kind of testing the officer. Once the suspect feels that the officer is going to be a tough customer, he'll comply. Nothing drives this point home better than taking someone from their feet to their ass with one shot. Usually, when the guy is on the ground, he'll take his medicine, since he knows the cop really isn't going to kill him, a lot of time, that's all it takes. Plus, to witnesses, it just looks like you pushed or pulled him over; mean while, they hit the deck HARD. Just ask my friend who threw guys one night with sasae tsuri komi ashi (lifting, pulling, ankle throw). These guys were fighting each other, and the guys on the scene had to get them to stop. So, he got in the fray and tossed 'em all. Well, I guess they felt that getting up and fighting again wasn't that much of a priority.

A popular argument is that most fights go to the ground. This may be true, but most people don't know what they are doing. Most people don't study judo.

One of the primary components of judo is being able to stay on your feet. You develop this skill as a by-product of the training. Just gaining the ability to stay on your feet is worth the price of admission. Especially when you are in a 'scrum' maintaining your balance is a primary concern.

The fact is, there is not better way to practice imposing your will on someone who is non compliant. Nothing gives you greater confidence than throwing a man that has 100 pounds on you. Nothing. Especially when that guy doesn't want to be thrown.

Another important component is the pinning and submissions of judo. To secure a full point in judo you need to hold him on his back for 25 seconds. Being able to hold a man down until the cavalry arrives will save your life. Plus, while this guy struggles, you are just squeezing the life out of him. Trust me, when it comes time for you to put the cuffs on him, he'll be as compliant as a wet noodle.

Strangles and arm-bars, yep, Judo has them too. If you have to put someone "out of commission" and you really want to know how to strangle someone who doesn't want to be strangled, you've come to the right place. When they wake up, you will have them cuffed and ready to go. (Uh-oh, the choke hold alarm! Hey, I am not talking about liability; I am just trying to save your life).

Lastly the overall toughening and body conditioning is second to none. If you can "randori" for 30 minutes, non- stop - you're in really good shape. So why aren't some many people, knocking down the doors of every Judo club. Because it's hard work and it hurts. There's no junior black belt, student of the month. Your gi is white and the work is hard. No secrets, just hard work.

The irony and the tragedy: the guys who train with me are only a few. Most of the guys interested in this type of training are SWAT or tactical guys. Unfortunately, these guys are the least likely to get in a roll around. That's the irony. The tragedy is the guys who are most likely to need good hand to hand fighting skills are the patrolmen doing car stops, domestic violence; and all of the first response details. By the time the SWAT shows up, the situation is intense and the reality of a hand to hand confrontation is highly unlikely if not damned near impossible.

MartialArts | Martial arts instruction | Self Defense

Monday, November 3, 2008

Promotions at The Self Defense Training Center in Pompton Lakes, NJ

This past Saturday saw outstanding performances at The Center in Pompton Lakes.
Special thanks to Sensei Jones and Sempai Becher for helping out as usual.

In the kids promotion tournament, everyone showed great spirit and technique. In the adults, Heath was our only candidate and passed with flying colors.

Promotions and certificates will be handed out this Thursday before class begins.

Below are the most recent promotions:

Spencer Lander Nanakyu
Gabriella Gronda Nanakyu
Breann Stackhouse Nankyu
Jana Pozarycki Nanakyu
Nick Gronda Shichikyu
Olivia Ross Shichikyu
Chad Pozarycki Hachikyu
Jay Bode Hachikyu
Jonathan Ribarro Hachikyu
Jacob Codilla Yonkyu

There is a $20.00 promtion fee (includes belt and certificate)

Next Junior Promotion Tournament
Saturday March 14th, 11:00am

Heath James SDTS Level 3/Hachikyu Judo

Next Adult Promotion Saturday Decemeber 20th 12:00pm

Congratulations to Jeff Lenc who competed in the APA invitational judo tournament and walked away wth a second winning 2 out of 3 matches. Jeff was a little rusty in his first match, but shook it off to come in second. Congratualtions Jeff.