Choosing the Right Non-Lethal Self-Defense Devices
Just like any consumer product in the market, each merchandise belongs to a particular brand and has its own size, configuration, and function. This is no different in the world of non-lethal self-defense hardware. I will only mention 3 categories of such weaponry plus the folding pocket knife since this specific tool can be applied in non-lethal ways.
The Kubotan, or mini-baton, comes in different shapes, sizes, colors, and perceived functions. The most prominent among these is the Kubotan keychain which measures about 5.5 inches in length and 0.75 inch in diameter. It has a keyring at one end and a tip at the other. It is composed of metal and is available in about 4 colors: black, blue, silver, and pink. What is practical about this tool is that it is readily available in your pocket; “don’t leave home without it” without your set of keys. Additionally, it is legal to carry in most, if not all, states. The best keychain Kubotan to carry is the one that is painted black so it would appear almost invisible in your hand. Moreover, pick the one that has a pointed tip instead of a flat tip. The Kubotan is considered an impact weapon. Therefore, striking bone or tissue with a pointed tip generates more pressure with a given amount of force applied as compared to hitting with a flat tip.
Other Kubotans are disguised as writing instruments such as the “Sharkie” from Cold Steel. It writes just like a Sharpie but it is a longer and denser version made of high-impact polycarbonate. There are no metal parts in the Sharkie; so, there should be no hassle passing through a metal detector even if you carry it inside your front shirt pocket.
Sharkie Kubotan
Pepper sprays, or the more accurate term, “defensive sprays,” are readily available in all shapes, sizes, compositions, and types of release. They range in sizes from pocket, personal, to police models, from 3 to 5 inches in length, since we are limiting our parameters to personal carry. Of course, the smaller they are, the easier they are to conceal; although, the police model which has a length of 5 inches should not be hard to hide either. The best type of spray to consider is what most law enforcement personnel carry, the one with a flip-top cap. This design minimizes accidental discharges and is one of the easiest to operate. The bigger the content, the longer the spray time; consider this when you happen to spray at varying effective distances. It is crucial for you to spray directly into the eyes, nostrils, and mouth of the attacker where the mucus membranes are located, never just in the “facial area.”
Generally, sprays squirt their material in spray or stream form. Pick the one that excretes a stream of liquid since this is less likely to disperse quicker in an enclosed space, thereby affecting you also, and less likely to bounce back in a headwind. Newer versions of pepper sprays emit foam or gel, hence the terms, pepper foam and pepper gel. Foam has the advantage of creeping between the eyeglasses and eyes of a perpetrator. Gel, on the other hand, has a tendency to stick more on the skin; so, the “perp” would have a harder time “shaking off” the gel on his or her face.
Pepper Spray
Defensive sprays are composed of a pepper solution, OC, with varying concentrations or a mixture of OC, tear gas, and UV (ultraviolet) dye. OC is a natural irritant that irritates and swells the mucus membranes while tear gas affects the respiratory system. The reaction to OC is faster than tear gas; that is why pepper sprays gained in popularity. Some people are almost immune to the effects of OC due to their high tolerance to peppers. So, pick the spray that has both OC and tear gas.
Stun guns too come in a plethora of sizes, shapes, and voltage potentials. As tiny as a pen or as massive as a magnum sized device; in the form of a pen, pager, cell phone, flashlight, baton, and expandable baton; ranging from 10,000 volts to almost 1 million volts. Carrying the stun gun concealed is the best method to surprise an attacker since it has to make contact for it to be effective. Concealment means size consideration; so, a pager size stun gun that emits close to a million volts would be most effective. Remember that the bigger the voltage, the more spectacular and louder the spark. This is advantageous as a deterrent against aggressive dogs. Their hearing is more sensitive to a broader band of sound frequencies; therefore, they are more in tune and fearful of the crackling sound of a discharging stun gun.
Even though a stun gun can discharge as much as 1 million volts, the wattage is not large enough to kill since it only has a few milliamperes of current, much like static electricity. A stun device can, however, numb muscle groups after being zapped from at least 3 to 5 seconds. Therefore, have your stun gun make contact with the “perp’s” major muscle groups such as the neck, shoulder, back, groin, and thigh areas.
Tasers and Stun Guns are effective.
Tasers, on the other hand, are a different breed of beasts than stun guns. The civilian versions have disposable cartridges that fire 2 probes up to 15 feet. However, the ideal distance between victim and perpetrator should be between 5 to 7 feet apart when discharged. Thus, the shooter is able to subdue the attacker remotely, a certain advantage especially when the bad guy is armed with a knife and/or a gun. Additionally, Tasers emit “T-waves” that overwhelms the human body’s nervous system, rendering the whole body incapable of voluntary movement which lasts several minutes.
Current models in the market are the C2 and M18. The former resembles a slim TV remote control while the latter looks like an oversized Glock 17 semiautomatic pistol. In my opinion, most successful deployments of Tasers are when they are initially concealed from attackers, when they are surprised and unable to defend themselves. Undoubtedly, the obvious choice for carry is the C2 for its diminutive size.
Surprisingly, a folding pocket knife can be considered a non-lethal weapon as long as it can applied with skill in the hands of a martial artist trained in Escrima, Arnis, Kali, and Penkjat Silat. Limbs can be rendered totally useless by cutting, slashing, and puncturing into nerves, tendons, and muscles. Of course, arteries and internal organs must be avoided. A less bloody and messy way of controlling a “perp” would be to keep the knife folded and use it as an impact weapon, similar to a Kubotan. I carry a Cold Steel Voyager Tanto folding blade with a 5-inch plain edge off duty. Cold Steel is known for manufacturing knives that are sharp, durable, and reasonably priced. Also, I find the Voyager series folding knives lighter and more balanced between the handles and blades compared with another model folders called Recon 1 which have far heavier handles. One drawback, however, with Cold Steel’s serrated edge is that it tends to snag, unlike Cutco kitchen knives that have functional serrations.
If you are going to purchase a folding knife for your own, I recommend choosing one with a Tanto designed tip, similar to the tip of a Samurai or Ninja sword, since they are the most durable. More so, test the edge whether it is plain or serrated, to determine how effectively the knife cuts. The more skilled you are in mastering your weapons, the more you control their lethality.
Never forget though that the most lethal weapon of all is your mind!
The Shamanic Origins of Tai Chi
“Only the multi-disciplined warrior, the techno-shaman, can scale the walls of ignorance and shed light over the prevailing darkness. The warrior spirit must guide this process.”
The Warrior’s Edge, Alexander, Groller, Morriss
Under the moonlight, in a village somewhere in the Golden Triangle, the Ka-ren Shaman moved slowly and methodically. He was showing us the movements taught him by his Shaman, which had been passed down through the tribe for generations. The Shaman moved strikingly similar to a Tai Chi master.
The Golden Triangle is a roughly drawn geographic area that overlaps the borders of three countries: Myanmar in the west, Laos in the east, and Thailand in the south. This area gets its soubrette from its most profitable export, the golden excretions of the poppy - opium. The terrain of small brown mountains and narrow forested valleys is ideally suited to guerilla tactics. In the past this incomprehensible landscape acted as a barrier against the encroachments of the Burmese, Chinese, and Cambodian empires, allowing the area’s idigeonous hill tribes to maintain their own autonomy. More recently, the triangle’s remoteness continues to keep much of civilization at bay. Both Buddhist and Christian missionaries have failed to convert but a small number of the people away from their ancient animist beliefs. The Shaman or medicine man still plays an important role in the life of the isolated villages. In 1987 the author visited with the Ka-ren in one of the more remote areas of the Triangle. There he was fortunate enough to spend an evening with a Shaman and witness his Spirit Dance. It was there that the connection between this tradition and that of the Chinese martial arts seemed to meld.
Tai Chi has often been described and written about as form of meditation, a moving meditation. The purpose of meditation is to alter one’s consciousness in order to achieve a variety of goals from relaxation and healing, to extending one’s lifespan and many believe, developing supernatural abilities. The picture that most often comes to mind when we consider meditation is that of the Yogi, the Buddhist, and the Taoist, sitting cross-legged in a temple. The key ingredients are silence, stillness, and solitude. Contrast this image with one of continually flowing, and sometimes explosive movements of Tai Chi, and it would appear to be the antithesis of the conditions needed for meditation. From where then did this unique concept, the linking of physical movement with an altered state of consciousness, originate?
The five elements and their associated heraldic animals represent an ancient knowledge of how heavenly forces could be manipulated to affect earthly destinies. The central ritual of Taoist magic consists in the ability to call up the forces of these Spirit-Generals and indicates that the heraldic Animals are indeed the essence of supernatural powers.
The Chinese PauKua, Ong Hean-Tatt,
In the older martial arts traditions of China, Burma, the Philippines, and Malaysia, there are systems of self-defense that are based upon the combat movements of either real or mythical animals. The better known styles originated in China and include; Tiger, Leopard, Lion, Crane, Eagle, Phoenix, Snake, Dragon, White Ape, Monkey, and Praying Mantis to name a few. Most of the movements of these styles are more complex and vigorous than their passive cousin Tai Chi, and are thus even further removed from the traditional requirements of silence and stillness. Yet it is in the grand ballet of the animal styles that the connection is closest to the ancient origin of moving meditation. That connection can be seen in the oral traditions.
Every style has its own folklore regarding its origins. Often they are like parables that teach moral and philosophical lessons as well as the style’s origins. But there is also a pattern to many of the tales. The following story is typical of these and contains classic story elements that point to an even older origin
In 15th century China, Wang Lang was a young bully who had studied martial arts from a young age. He would strut and intimidate the locals with displays of Kung Fu, but the older men in the village were unimpressed. “Pah! Who do you think you are?” They would mutter, “Your skills are nothing compared to even a Shaolin novice.” Stinging from such rebukes, Wang vowed to find this Shaolin Temple, and defeat its master. After an arduous journey, Wang reached the Temple and challenged the monks to a duel. Initially the monks ignored him, but day after day Wang issued his challenge and finally the monks accepted. Expecting to duel with the master, Wang was chagrined to find himself faced with the lowest ranking monk. Even more humiliating was his quick defeat at the novice’s hands. Wang sulked off to the nearby mountains where he trained for months. After his confidence was restored, Wang returned to Shaolin and defeated the novice monk that had beaten him earlier. But his next opponent was a senior monk who flounced him effortlessly.
Wang again retreated to the mountains to contemplate his failure. Then one day, while sitting in meditation, Wang was distracted by sounds coming from some bushes nearby. Investigating the source of the commotion he discovered a struggle between a praying mantis and a cicada. As he watched, Wang was fascinated by the mantis’s martial techniques. He captured the mantis and kept it in a cage built from sticks. He used a straw to poke and attack the insect in order to study its fighting strategy. Wang incorporated the strategies of the mantis into his martial arts and returned to the Temple. He defeated every one of the monks sent against him. The Abbott finally ordered a stop to the contest conceding victory to Wang. The Abbot was curious about his unique style of fighting and asked Wang how he came about it. Wang told the story of his encounter with the Mantis. Having also learned humility from the insect, Wang Lang became a Shaolin monk and his Praying Mantis style became famous throughout China.
As a parable this tale illustrates three of the most important strategies of warfare; deception, speed, and surprise. There are also the moral lessons: persevering in the face of failure, learning humility, and the benefits of learning to be in harmony with nature.
But from the perspective of cultural anthropology such folktales may contain an ancient memory of an even older tradition, that of the “Vision Quest”. Common to Shamanism, the Vision Quest is a ritual whereby a young warrior first undergoes a period of training after which he sets off alone into the wilderness. He must bear the hardships of isolation while fasting and meditating until he has a vision. The vision usually takes the form of an animal that reveals certain secrets. This animal then becomes the warrior’s kindred or guardian spirit and will share his powers with the warrior. For example, if the visionary animal was a fox, the warrior would take on the qualities of cunning, an eagle would bestow far sight, a bear - strength, and so on. Compare the elements of the Vision Quest to the story of Wang Lang: his training and initial defeat, his departure into the wilderness to contemplate his failure, the encounter with the Mantis who reveals secrets of strategy and tactics, and finally, Wang’s triumphant return possessed with the powers of the Mantis, as well as a newfound humility.
The conditions that induce these (altered) States include such common experiences as isolation, fatigue, hunger, and rhythmic sound and thus are likely to be re-discovered by different generations and cultures. Since these states may be pleasurable, meaningful, and healing, they are likely to be actively sought and methods of inducing them remembered and transmitted across generations.
The Spirit of Shamanism, Roger Walsh
The folktales surrounding the origins of other martial arts styles also follow the same plot. A Tibetan monk by the name of Ordator was wandering alone in the mountains when he encountered a battle between a crane and an ape. Thinking that the spindly and fragile Crane would soon succumb to the superior brawn and strength of the ape he was surprised when the crane defeated the ape. He studied the movements of the crane and learned that evasion, distraction, and attacking the enemy’s weak points was the strategy a smaller person could use to overcome a larger opponent. The crane’s graceful hoping and turning movements became the basis for the White Crane style, now famous throughout China.
The folklore surrounding Tai Chi’s origins also reflect the same pattern. The legendary founder of Tai Chi is said to have been a mountain hermit by the name of Chang San Feng who lived during the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368). He wandered throughout the mountains and learned secret Taoist breathing techniques that made him nearly immortal (legend has him living well past 200) In addition, he learned Shaolin Temple fighting from other wandering monks.
One day while living on Wu Tang Mountain, Chang heard a hawk[1] screeching and went to see what was happening. What he discovered was a hawk attacking and doing battle with a snake. Although the hawk was stronger, faster, and had superior weapons in the form of a beak and talons, the snake was successful in driving off the hawk’s attacks. The snake’s soft and circular movements evaded the hawk’s attacks. Chang realized that by adopting the gentle and yielding aspects of the snake’s defense, the soft could neutralize the hard, the weak defeat the strong, and slow overcome the fast, and thus Tai Chi was born.
These folk tales share a common plot theme with the Vision Quest. Each includes a challenge or test, followed by isolation and hardship, then a revelation in the form of a vision of a wild animal that acts as a catalyst for the transformation of body and mind, finally, each takes on the attributes of the visionary animal.
In the fifth century BC there is described the ritual whereby the “inspector of the Region’ would dress in a bear’s skin and accompanied by twelve other attendants each dressed as a different animal, they would perform the “Bear Dance” which was meant to drive away evil spirits.
Bird Deities in China, Waterbury, F.
According to his book, Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy, Eliade recounts that a Shaman must from time to time perform a ritual known as The Spirit Dance. Well known among Native Americans, accounts of this practice also date back 4,000 years in Chinese records. During the Spirit Dance, the Shaman moves in imitation of his animal spirit to call on its powers. It is said that the animal spirit actually takes possession of the Shaman’s body and imbues the Shaman with superhuman strength. This is principle is also mirrored in the martial arts. Performing the movements of Tai Chi is said to generate a spiritual energy – Chi. Like the shaman’s infusion from his animal spirit, Chi also bestows superhuman strength. Could it be that performing the stylized movements of a Tai Chi form, is based on the ancient Shaman’s practice of dancing the spirit?
The Ka-ren belong to the Thai linguistic group whose origins lie in southwest China, possibly Yunnan or Szechwan. In the twelfth century the Mongols drove whole populations in China southwards. The social upheaval this caused helped to bring to an end fabled empires of Pagan and Angkor. The Thai tribes that had been displaced southwards initially settled in the wilderness hill country that bounded these two empires, but when Mongol incursions and civil wars finally destroyed the kingdoms, the Thai came down from the hills and established their own kingdom on the ruins. But not all the tribes came down from the hills. While their cousins went on to found the Thai kingdom, others chose instead to remain in the uplands living a lifestyle little changed over time. Could the practices of the Ka-ren Shaman be a time capsule of an archaic Chinese martial arts system as it existed a thousand years ago? If so would this mean that the connection between martial arts and Shamanism was closer and much older than we thought?
While there are several similarities between the origins of martial arts systems and the Shamanic tradition of the Vision Quest it does not imply that practicing Tai Chi is a form of spirit possession. What it does is suggest is that some of China’s most ancient traditions may be the source, inspiration, or template from which the more refined disciplines such as Tai Chi evolved.
So the next time you go out and practice your Snake Creeps Down, and Crane Opens Wings, in the moonlight, know that not only are you continuing a millennia old tradition of martial arts, but a tradition that quite possibly goes back through the mists of prehistory to the dawn of mankind itself.
The importance of recovery in a boxing workout
Recovery is very under used by many boxing trainers. Recovery methods are sometimes thought of as a novelty or even a way babying a fighter.
Typically a fighters training camp will run 4-6 weeks of brutally intense training. If a fighter shows up
Sometimes the best thing in a hard workout is relaxing.
in camp in pretty bad shape the training means to get him in great shape can often leave him over trained just barely surviving the training camp. This is do to the high and hard amount of training he will partake in to get his weight down to get in shape. So the fighter starves, runs all these miles and works the bag for many rounds yet no recovery is usually planned. The next line of action is check weight if the fighter is still heavy. Even if a fighter isn’t that bad out of shape, they are still being told that the other fighter is training even harder so they burn themselves even more by picking it back up.
The best solution is to monitor the fighters readiness before training intensely. If the fighter comes to training wore out, why beat a tired horse even more. It’s not weakness the fighter is showing, it’s the fighters body telling the trainer something. The trainer needs to pay close attention to his boxer and at the same time implement recovery modalities after the training to ensure proper training readiness/freshness. The fighter will then show up to the next training session rejuvanated and ready to train hard. You are then building the fighter up and not breaking them down.
Again, Why beat a tired horse? I’ll repeat this again too, naive boxing trainers look at over training as not training hard enough. This has got to stop. We know what happens with this scenario. If the team would monitor training readiness and use recovery techniques such as massage and proper post workout nutrition, they would obviously be building the fighting beast they seek to have ready at fight night. In training we are only as good as we recover. If we don’t recover we don’t progress. It is ridiculous for fighters to show up to the fight fatigued by barely surviving their training camp. Implementing recovery methods will ensure this won’t happen.
Here are some recovery methods that can be successfully applied to the fighters training: foam roller, massage stick, goose bump ball, deep tissue massage, steam room, hot tub, and post workout nutrition. Mineral and epson salt baths work well too. Nutrition on a whole determines how well a fighter can train and recover. If the fighter is bloody starving himself to make weight, that’s the fight itself and it’ll cost the fighter the fight.
By gaging the training intensity of the fighter you allow the fighter to recover better and not peak to early for the fight. It is far better to rest for a day or two and decrease the intensity of the training then to peak before the fight! The fighters who have to take off all the pounds and come to camp out of shape can peak 3 weeks before a fight! This is the reason they can look so flat during the fight. Look deeper and the truth comes out.
I hope this article has shed some light on why applying recovery techniques and modalities in boxing training can determine the success or apparent early downfall of the fighter. The new motto of enlightened, experienced trainers is “Less Is More”. Based on their fighters performances who follow this new slogan, who can disagree?
Mixed Martial Arts Stand-Up Style
Stand-up Fighting is important in MMA
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a full, contact sport which includes techniques such as striking and grappling. This sport can serve as a workout that helps improve many different areas of your body. There are different styles in mixed martial arts and the stand-up style helps improve your punching, kicking, elbowing, kneeing and footwork techniques.
Striking
A strike is an attack with a part of your body or with an object such as a weapon. Punches, kicks and headbutts are all forms of strikes. Although, headbutts are prohibited in many MMA organizations because of the amount of harm it can cause a person. Your back, hips, forearms, shoulders, wrists and fingertips can also be used for striking in some martial arts. Judo and wrestling are sports that do not employ striking.
Grappling
Grappling is controlling an opponent without the use of striking. You would use gripping and handling in order to control your opponent. There are various hold attempts such as grappling holds and choke holds.
There are various nicknames for the different styles of mixed martial arts. The sprawl-and-brawl is a stand-up fighting method that focuses on striking and avoids ground fighting. Ground fighting is when both combatants are on the ground in hand-to-hand combat. In a sprawl-and-brawl, combatants use sprawls to defend against takedowns. The sprawl is executed by scooting your legs backwards in order to land on the upper back of your opponent undertaking the takedown. A takedown is a term used in combat sports and martial arts for a technique that off-balances your opponent and brings him or her to the ground. In a takedown, you should be the one that lands on top.
Sprawl-and-brawlers are usually boxers, kickboxers, Thai boxers and full-contact karate fighters. They are trained in wrestling and try to avoid takedowns and keep the fight standing. This style is very different from regular kickboxing styles. The sprawl-and-brawler must adjust his or her techniques to incorporate ground fighting and takedown defense.
Stand-Up Grappling (Clinching)
In stand-up grappling, two combatants start fighting from a stand-up position. The aim and purpose of this style varies depending on the combat sport or martial art you want to do. Stand-up grappling can be offensive such as it is in wrestling or Judo, but it can also be defensive as it is in Aikido.
Stand-up grappling revolves around throws and takedowns. A throw is another martial arts term for grappling where you cause your opponent to be off-balance or you lift your opponent up and toss him or her to the ground. In some sports, the fight is over once the combatant has fallen down.
For MMA, some fighters train in multiple styles with multiple coaches or train in teams. Some important parts of an MMA fighter’s training include flexibility, speed drills, strength training and energy system training.
How to Keep in Shape and Gain More Confidence With Martial Arts
There are many various forms of exercise that people use to keep in shape. One way to keep in shape and gain more confidence is by doing martial arts. You will find many different types of martial arts are available to those who are interested in this discipline. To help you out with the learning process of martial arts there are academies and dojos where you will have a chance of learning different styles and forms of martial arts.
Is Martial Arts a good fitness activity?
In the academies you will get to learn different techniques and weapons use of the many forms of martial arts. While you can learn more about this ancient form of fighting it is best to experience this learning with a qualified and trained instructor.
With the help of these individuals you can make sure that your training progress at a rate that your body will be able to work with. You will also be shown the right movements so that you don’t cause yourself any serious injurious. Now most of these academies can be geared towards teaching one type of training.
For this reason it is best if you see which martial arts form you would like to learn. Once you have made a decision about the unarmed fighting that you want to learn you can think about where you will get this training. You will find that some forms of martial arts are considered as being more popular than others.
You can look at the enrollment form of different classes in a martial arts academy to see which ones have more people in them. At the present karate is considered as being quite a good martial arts discipline to learn about. Even in this form of fighting you will find sub disciplines. Some of these martial arts are ones that we have heard about.
For instance you will find that Tae Kwon Do is one such martial arts that people take part in. Judo, Ninjitsu, Tai Chi are just a few of the other well known forms of unarmed fighting. You will find that many of these martial arts are inspired by legends who keep the flames of these art forms alive just by their names. For instance we have all heard of Bruce Lee.
the power of evasion.
frappy-skit-by-elesometimes when your being attacked with a super long combo you gotta get outta there and evade!
some techniques include the sidestep and the backstep!!
The Costs of Choosing the Wrong Martial Arts Style
A lot of people nowadays are getting into the martial arts and choosing a school without even knowing which style of martial arts the school teaches. Some schools are not totally clear on what their style is as many are practicing and teaching a hybrid mix of multiple arts. Is this a problem? Should you know which style you practice? Are clearly lineated styles even important? The easy answer to all of these questions is yes and no. Unfortunately there are hidden costs involved in choosing the wrong style of martial arts.
Here’s why:
· Choosing a style based on popularity rather than something that fits your personal strengths
Just because a style is the most popular thing going doesn’t mean that it is right for you. Taekwondo has held the interest of many a young person due to its dynamic and spectacular kicks. If you are athletic and flexible then this might be the art for you but if you have bad knees and worse hamstrings, then think twice.
Not too long ago, Tae Bo was the big thing. At first glance some people thought this was a martial art, especially as the founder Billy Blanks was a former karate champion. However, some of them were disappointed to find out that Tae Bo was a new style aerobic workout using martial arts techniques that has little to no self-defense value.
More recently Mixed Martial Arts has become hugely popular and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is attracting record numbers on its Pay-Per-View events. Consequently, many young people are hoping to ride the next wave of popular martial arts. However if you want to keep your good looks, straight nose and nicely-shaped ears you might want to reconsider.
The bottom line is that you should try to find a martial art that matches your strengths and not your weaknesses.
· Picking a martial art that has conflicting values with your core beliefs
The majority of martial arts have a certain amount of traditional “baggage” that comes with them. This “baggage” can sometimes include some rather esoteric practices and mystical thinking that you may or may not be comfortable with. Most people are able to accept these practices at face value and in many cases the various martial arts schools water down some of the stranger customs and forms of etiquette in the interest of blending in with our popular culture.
Some people however feel that their own personal religious preferences and ideals are being compromised and therefore can feel more than a little uncomfortable. If this description fits you then you might want to check out your chosen style’s practices and customs before you make your final decision. This factor is usually not an issue but it doesn’t hurt to check out this aspect of your martial art before making a commitment.
· Enrolling in a martial arts school based on price rather than quality
This factor can work for you and against you. There is no regulation in the martial arts industry that defines what standards a good school should uphold. Also there are a wide range of martial artists who are full-time commercial school owners and some who are part-time hobbyists.
Most people’s perception is that the more expensive the school the better the martial art. Sometimes this is true but sometimes the local community center has a great martial artist offering a great service. Expensive schools usually offer excellent training facilities and great customer service together with well-structured programs.
Cheaper schools or classes generally offer lesser facilities and sometimes inferior instruction, but very often there are some hidden gems to be discovered. Don’t overlook these people just because of price. Conversely don’t overlook the big schools because they are “too expensive”. Make your decision based on quality and not price.
· Opening the Yellow Pages and choosing a karate school just because the ad looked good
Looks can be deceiving and just because an ad in the Yellow Pages looks good doesn’t mean that the karate school is the right one for you. It just means that they are better at marketing and design than some of the other schools listed in the same pages. Check into a few of the schools by calling them and visiting them and then make your decision. It might end up that you still go to the school with the cool ad and that’s fine, but at least you looked around a little first.
So what is the moral of the story? Do your research first, before you begin your martial arts practice! A little extra time spent up front will more than likely pay dividends later. The martial arts often turns into a lifetime endeavor. You probably won’t be too happy if you spend some significant time practicing a certain style of martial arts only to find out that there is nowhere else to go unless you change your style.
The Most Common Reasons Why People Quit Karate
“Hey. Wait a minute! I only just started Karate and now you’re talking to me about quitting already. What do you think I am - an undisciplined, unmotivated loser or what?”
OK, maybe you’re right, maybe I shouldn’t talk to you about quitting yet but I think there are some valuable lessons to be learned from the beginning about the different reasons why people quit karate. By knowing this you will know which pitfalls to avoid.
There are some common reasons for quitting karate that are often beyond our control such as lack of money, moving out of the area, illness or injury, change in family circumstances, the death of a loved one, and other unfortunate circumstances. Although all of these are valid reasons I will list in this short article the reasons that are within our control.
Here are some of the most common reasons in no particular order.
· Loss of interest
· Failure on a promotion test
· Disagreements with fellow members and/or instructor
· The curriculum is too hard or too easy
· Feeling like you’re not getting it
· Feeling intimidated and overwhelmed
· Not getting out of it what you want
· Conflict of values
· Karate is not what you thought it would be
· Negatively comparing yourself to others
· Worried about injury
· Lack of control shown by fellow members when sparring
As always there are many more reasons why people quit karate and the list could go on but above are some of the more common reasons. I would venture to say that many of these reasons are self-made and are fear-based. If you are looking to get started in the martial arts then you might want to take a moment for some honest introspection and ask yourself if you are likely to quit for any of the above reasons.
If you are, then it will be even more important that you do your research beforehand and find a school that matches your goals and your values. When you do this, you increase your commitment by the intensity of your preparation, and you help write an insurance policy on your success.
Remember, success comes from preparation, and this is certainly an important element in that preparation that sends a loud clear signal to your subconscious mind that you are out to do your very best in this endeavor.
My own instructor once told me, “Never be afraid of failure if you try your best”. If you follow this advice then quitting the martial arts probably won’t be a viable option, and as the old saying states so clearly, “Quitters never win, and winners never quit.”
When is your child ready for Karate and Martial Arts training?
When is your child ready for Karate?
Beginner level Karate Kids seem to be getting younger and younger nowadays. What is the right age to start the martial arts? Is your little one ready to become a karate kid?
Back when I started practicing martial arts in the early 1980s in England the youngest child my local karate school would take was 8 years old. Consequently I started karate at the age of 8. I was then thrown in with the older kids and the adults and was given the option to “sink or swim”.
As karate has become more popular over the years, kids of a younger age are getting started in the martial arts. There has of course been a strong influence from the Ninja Turtles and the Power Rangers but also with the ever expanding commercial karate schools, specialized programs for the little kids are becoming more and more popular. Programs with names such as Tiny Tigers, Little Ninjas or Little Dragons abound in most martial arts schools. So at what age are kids being accepted into these programs?
It seems that the age of 3 ½ to 4 years old is the youngest age for kids to be accepted into a martial arts program. This basically coincides with the age that a child can begin pre-school and this is no coincidence. So if your child is around 4 years old then he or she will probably be accepted into your local martial arts school. However there are other factors that you should be aware of.
· Is this the first time your child has been involved in a group activity? If so be prepared for some initial nervousness and unwillingness to get out on the floor without you.
· Have you already taken your child to your local martial arts school to watch a class? If not, then do so as this is a great opportunity to pre-frame your child so he or she knows what is expected and what a karate school and karate class looks like.
· Do you have realistic expectations for your child? Karate for a 4-year old should be about coordination, focus and fun. It is not about self-defense or hard core discipline at this age. These aspects will be gradually introduced over time as they get older.
· Can your child stay focused for about a half-hour at a time? Most young kids have very short attention spans and consequently when teaching karate to a 4-year old an instructor needs to use a series of short but focused drills that flow from one to the other. Be sure to find an instructor who uses this type of method so that your child will maintain interest for the whole duration of the class.
·Can your child follow one or two-step instructions? Your child needs to be able to follow basic directions in order to function in the karate class.
If your child does not do this at home then it may be a sign that he or she will also struggle at first in the karate class. On the other hand a karate class may be the ideal place to help your child learn the value of structure and basic discipline.
All of the above points are just some ideas that you should ask yourself when thinking about enrolling your young child in a martial arts class. The bottom line is you probably won’t know all of the answers unless you give it a go but at the very least you should have some ideas of what to expect and how you can help your child make a successful transition into a fun and very valuable activity.
Sprawl and Brawl, How to Stay Standing in a Fight
Sprawl and Brawl is the hottest thing in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) right now. Just ask fighters like former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell.
A kickboxer who prefers to stand and pick his opponents apart with strikes rather than grapple either standing or on the floor, the ‘Iceman’ is one of the best no holds barred fighters in the world, and you can bet it’s because he knows how to stop the takedown.
Sprawling is an integral part of MMA fighting
Liddell may be known as a kickboxer, but not many people know that before he started training as a striker he competed for many years in both high school and college as a freestyle wrestler. Not all of us have the luxury to be able to spend that long learning the intricacies of the grappling arts.
If you’re a boxer or kickboxer who trains in mixed martial arts, you’ll know how difficult it is to stop a determined grappler from putting you on your back. Once a submission artist has you on the canvas, it can feel like you’re drowning in quicksand, with a choke or joint lock only seconds away.
For a striker, getting drawn into a grappling match is the last thing you want. Even if you’re on top of your opponent, a skilled jiu-jitsu exponent can still submit you from his guard, ending the fight and taking away the victory you wanted.
Learning how to wrestle is one answer, but it is only one answer to the anti-grappling conundrum; ‘Keep it Standing’ is another.
‘Keep it Standing’ is a revolutionary sprawl and brawl strategy, a cutting edge style of fighting that has found it’s way into cages and rings across the world. Everyone from aspiring fighters to seasoned professionals are now using this highly effective and easy-to-learn system.
The keys to staying on your feet and off the mat are simple: good footwork, clean and controlled punches and a knowledge of how grapplers think. Even though it sounds simple, learning how to resist and combat a grappler’s game plan is a subtle and complicated endeavour.
You’ll need to learn that distance is the key to preventing the takedown, and that footwork is what controls distance. Punching from a solid and stable, yet mobile base is paramount. One of the biggest errors made by strikers is over-commital, putting everything into shots that miss and allow a grappler the opportunity to take them down. If you fight with flat feet, you’re asking to be taken down.
If a grappler does get in range, then the last thing you want to do is grapple with him. Even sprawling on your opponent gives him what he wants - you’ve entered his world now, a place where your strengths are negated and his will prevail. By entering into the grappling phase you’re deviating from your strategy, and taking away your ability to knock him out.
Resisting the temptation to clinch with your opponent is another mistake made by strikers. Even if you remain on your feet, clinching with a grappler allows them the opportunity to not only take you down but to tie you up on the fence or ropes and work for position. You can’t punch somebody in the face with knockout power when you’re chest to chest.
Simply put, if you want to defend the takedown then you need to learn how to Keep it Standing. Leading mixed martial arts coach and trainer of champions Karl Tanswell understands exactly what you need to do to keep it on the feet, and his DVD breaks down exactly what you need to know.
Keeping it on the feet is what all strikers want to do. If you’re a boxer or a kickboxer who fights in mixed martial arts, or even a martial artist concerned with realistic self defence applications, then you’ll want to discover the secrets to keeping it standing.
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