Unarmed Self Defense Tactics

The human foot is made up of 26 bones that are tied together by strong ligaments. Of these there are seven tarsal bones that form the area directly below the ankle joint and make up the instep of the foot. Five metatarsal bones that make up the ball of the foot then follow these seven and of course you have fourteen phalanges that form the toes. For those wondering how five toes divide into fourteen bones it is simple, there are only two bones in the big toe and three in the others.

By now you are probably also wondering what basic foot anatomy has to do with an assailant. Actually the knowledge of how the foot and hand (which we will cover shortly) is made up will enable you to better understand how to use them against an assailant.

The heel of the foot is the toughest bone of the foot and it is unlikely you will be able to do damage to it. The ankle bones can be hurt but are supported by the heel so more effort would have to be expended. The tiny bones that make up the instep and the toes on the other hand are very vulnerable and easy to break.

When a male or female assailant grabs you, there is an excellent chance that they have your hands, wrists or arms pinned and out of commission. By pinning you in this way, your assailant has affectively removed two of your most powerful weapons, both hands and elbows.

At the same time, it is important to remember they are not the only weapons you have in your arsenal. Your most powerful weapon is of course your head and by using it while staying calm, you are already in a stronger defensive position. Another strong set of weapons is your legs and feet.

It is possible to break the small bones of the feet regardless of which way your assailant has you facing in regards to him. The important part to remember is to use your own strong heel to make the strike, not the ball of your foot or instep.

To get the desired effect you will need to bring your knee up as far as possible and then slamming it downward with your ankle flexed upward so your heel hits first. For any of the following instructions to work, you must be within striking range of your assailant. YOUR striking range, not his.

If your back is to your assailant, you can bring your knee up without impediment and think for a moment of how a mule kicks with his rear legs. He will bring his leg up with the hoof close to his underside and then kick straight back. In some styles of martial arts, bringing your knee and foot up and also kicking straight back just happens to be termed a “mule kick.”

Ideally, as you slam your heel backwards, you will hit the assailant’s knee, a very unstable, vulnerable joint. Regardless if you hit the knee or the shin, the rest of the technique requires you to allow your heel to slide down the assailant’s leg and onto the bones of the instep or toes.

For those that wear high heels or boots, you will have an added advantage although the technique will still work well in tennis shoes or bare feet. You just have to remember to put as much force behind the strike as possible.

If you have been lucky enough to hit the knee or break the bones of the foot, don’t stop there. Use your head as a battering ram against your assailant’s nose and mouth, if your arms are pinned but your hands are free, attempt to step backwards as close to your assailant as possible, use your strongest hand to reach back and grab a handful of testicles or pinch as hard as you can on the inside of the thigh as close to the groin as possible. To get the idea of how light a pinch can cause pain, reach down and pinch the inside of your own thigh.

As to the human hand, there are twenty-seven bones that comprise the fingers, palm and wrist. The wrist itself has eight strong cube shaped bones that attaches the actual hand to the end of the arm. The palm is made up of five long metacarpal bones. From the palm, fourteen phalangeal bones become the fingers with the same breakdown in individual digits as listed in the toes. Three bones are in each finger, two in the thumb.

The hand itself with all the fingers grasping your wrist, shoulder or arm is strong but one finger by itself is weak. For the sake of simplicity, lets assume your assailant has a big meaty hand wrapped around your left wrist or lower arm. Regardless as to who this person is, he or she has no right to touch you without your permission and if permission has been given, the point of this article would be mute.

Keeping calm, look down at the offending hand, reach over with you right hand and instead of grabbing their wrist or entire hand, simply grab one little finger. The weakest fingers in an average person’s hand are the pinkie and the ring finger. Use this knowledge to your advantage. Wrap your hand as best as possible around the pinkie and with a sharp motion down and back, make the back of the finger smash into the back of your assailant’s hand. You must do this quickly, forcefully and be committed to the act.

By hesitating, the assailant is given time to be aware of what you are doing and take appropriate actions and if you feel squeamish about breaking someone’s bones, you won’t use the force needed to do the most good.

If your assailant is holding your hand in such a way you can’t get a good grip on the pinkie or ring finger, don’t give up. The index finger or the thumb will be as affective; they just require a greater deal of force.

To give yourself an added advantage, precede the breaking of the finger with the foot strike and stomping of toes to get your assailant distracted first. If you are facing him, you can see exactly where the knee and foot for the best quality strike.

These suggestions are just a couple of the possible self-defense escape methods that can be used. As with any technique, no single one works 100% of the time in all given situations and against any or all opponents. They can be affective though by themselves or as follow-ups to other types of defensive moves.

As with any and all techniques, they do little good if they have not been practiced and require a period of thought on you part to remember. With any attack, you will have a very small window of opportunity to get your strikes in and get away. After all, that is your main objective, to get away. Once you are free, run, don’t walk to the closest safe place you can find and call for law enforcement authorities to handle the matter from there.

Tags: martial art, martial arts, self defense, Techniques

Facts about Karate

Contrary to popular opinion, the martial art Karate was not invented in China. Rather, it has its origins in the island of Okinawa in Japan. The word “Karate” means the “empty hand” or the “Chinese hand”, and it has been given this name because it involves a rapid use of hands and legs in an extreme close combat.

It was sometime in the sixteenth century that Chinese Kung Fu fighters experimented around with their styles and formulated the “te” technique (”Te” means hand). The art grew in China and evolved from a very rough and simple fighting style into a hard, close-combat style.

Around the late nineteenth century, Gichin Funakoshi, a famous martial arts practitioner from Japan, blended new moves into the “Te” style and displayed his art to the Japanese martial arts masters in early twentieth century. This was the beginning of Karate, as we know it.

Karate kicked off with the original Okinawa style; later on, the Japanese patented their own styles, which are now appropriately called Japanese styles of Karate. With time, many karate schools all cross the world began naming their Karate after their school’s or master’s name, giving birth to many sub-styles.

The original style - known as the Okinawa style - is a very hard and external style. It employs circular means of defense while its attack is linear in nature. The physical condition is extremely rigorous, as compared to the Japanese style of Karate. The Japanese style of Karate is more stylistic and its movements are linear in both defense and offense.

Some of the important Karate sub-styles are: (i) Wado-Ryu style, which combines JiuJitsu movements with Okinawa karate techniques, and (ii) Uechi-Ryu style, which blends Okinawa Karate with Chinese martial arts tactics. The Uechi-Ryu style appears more Chinese than Japanese though it is a blend of both the cultures.

As you know, Karate is a fast-paced martial art that involves electric movements of the hands and legs. So, you need to ensure that you are attired in a comfortable Karate uniform.

As Karate involves close combat and can be lethal, you will also need to protect your head and groin by strapping on a head guard and groin protector, respectively. Arm, chest and leg guards are available too, and so are karate mitts and shin protectors. And, of course, mouth guards can be considered too, just in case.

To train for Karate, you will need jump ropes, breakable boards, a Karate training board and a Karate training system. To perform Karate exercises, you will need leg and body stretchers, mats, water training bags, punching bags and pull-up and push-up bars.

And, finally, before you go out there to practice Karate, do not forget to plug in a first aid kit in your bag.

Karate not only keeps your body fit, it also strengthens your mind and enhances your concentration. Only thing, you must learn to respect it and practice it seriously as an art.

Tags: chinese martial arts, Karate, karate training, martial arts

Getting in fighting shape, post-workout meals are important.

How Important Is Nutrition Post Workout?

If you were told that you could increase protein synthesis by as much as 110%, would you believe it? What if you were also told that you could store glycogen twice as effectively? What if you were told you could increase insulin sensitivity, growth hormone levels, and naturally increase recovery time? We bet you would have trouble believing that too, wouldn’t you?

Well, it is possible and we are here to tell you that these things are DEFINITELY true.  The choice is yours on whether you choose to believe it or not.

A common misconception that a lot of body builders have is that it is ok to work your ass off, and then as soon as you have finished your vigorous workout, it is time to go someplace that is comfy and stretch out to relax.  Well, we hate to be the ones to burst your bubble, but this type of thinking will not get you the results you are working so hard to achieve!

The post workout meal should ALWAYS be an important part of your regime!
When and How much?

Ok, now that we have that determined, and you know how important the post workout meal is, do you know what you should eat, when, and how much you should eat?

After you have just finished putting every ounce of energy you have into a vigorous workout, your muscles become torn down, glycogen is shot to hell, and you can even enter into catabolism.  Don’t just ignore it, take care of the problem by giving them the important nutrients they are craving.

Carbs that are stored as glycogen is done 125% more efficiently right after a strenuous workout, and this has been proven by various studies.  Not only that, but the building of new muscles (called protein synthesis) is elevated a great deal as well.  Why would you not want to benefit from this, and give your muscles exactly what they need to repair, and to grow?

Just How Important Is Water?

Imagine losing 20% of your strength.  Without re-hydrating after you work out, this is exactly what can happen.  Not only is water extremely important for replenishing what your body lost during your workout, but it also takes 4ml. of water, for your body to store every gram of carbohydrates as glycogen.  80% of our bodies are made up of water, it is what is used to help maintain your internal body temperature, and it is also used for the forming of and burning ATP.

Which Carbs Are Best?

When you think of your post workout meal, you want to think of carbs that are the fastest acting, and preferably the ones in liquid form.  Assuming you had a vigorous workout, you will want to take in approximately 1 to 1 ½ grams of carbs per kilogram of your total bodyweight.  This means if you weigh 200lbs., you will need to take in 100-150 grams of carbs.

Fruits can be good for after workout meals, as long as they are fruits that are higher in glucose than they are in fructose.  It is best to eat fruits on the high glycemic index, such as that in banana’s or grapes.

Protein – Protein –  and More Protein!

Everyone should know by now that protein is our muscles’ building block.  Are you aware that after you have work out, you are able to absorb and use just about 50% more protein, than you can while eating other regular meals? The protein synthesis in your body is at high levels during this time, and this is why it is so important to put protein back in.  Give your muscles what they need! Depending on your size and metabolism, between 30 and 70 grams should be sufficient.

What’s A Post Workout Meal Without Vitamins!

We can’t forget about vitamins and minerals.  After a vigorous workout, your cells are oxidized because of the free radicals.  So, the nutrients from vitamins are needed to help your muscles repair, as well as to help bond to the radicals.  It is very important that you take a multi-vitamin that is high in vitamin C, and vitamin E, along with chromium and alpha-lipoic acid or ALA.  These help to ensure your muscles are more insulin sensitive, and the cells of your muscles will be able to absorb the nutrients they need much more effectively and efficiently.

If you REALLY want great results, you can’t ignore any portion of your daily workout regime, and this includes the post workout meal! Check out the sample ones below, geared towards a 200 pound male. Remember to adjust their calories accordingly:

Tags: nutrition, recovery time, workout

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!

Tags: kubotan keychain, kubotans, martial art, Ninja, pepper sprays, pocket knife, self defense, sharkie

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?

Tags: boxer, Boxing, Techniques, training, workout

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.

Sprawl-and-Brawl

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.

Tags: Boxing, brawl, footwork, grappling holds, headbutts, Judo, Karate, Kickboxing, martial art, mixed martial arts, MMA, punches, sprawl, takedown, Techniques, training, workout, Wrestling

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.

Tags: Karate, ko, mixed martial arts, Taekwondo, Techniques, training, UFC, ultimate fighting championship

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.”

Tags: Karate, martial art, martial arts, sparring

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.

Tags: class, Karate, martial art, martial arts, Ninja, training

Avoiding Street Fighting

You will find many street fighting tips on the best manner preferred in circumstances where the feeling tells you that you could avoid the combat. Now consider how frequently you practice your street fighting training with a view on the possibility of stay away from the actual conflict. Most probably, your efforts in this direction focus on what is preferable to say in such situations.

It is truly essential to “access” a routine out of expressing in words your objective and caution. You may have already heard in street combat simulations or real-life situations people that yell rapidly things like “help me” or “just don’t harm me”. If you have ever witnessed a street fighting scene, can you remember what you saw? In all probability, you will first call to your memory what you heard, and not what you saw, because people DO talk in street combat situations.

Well, “talk” may be a big word to describe the situation. However, they do articulate words. Generally, the phrases used are brief - their objective is to be to the point. No one engaged in a street combat could hold a speech in front of his or her attackers. However, you should take for serious those street fighting tips that concern short phrases to say to the aggressors.

Such phrases will additionally emphasize that your intention was merely to protect yourself - I mean, phrases like “don’t hurt me” or “help”. While you are during your street fighting practice, try to imagine a situation in which the replies exchanged are threats and justifications in defense. Of course, the best street fighting tips will also let you know what you can say that should work as a threat. However, in those street fighting circumstances in which you sense that a word or two, said at the right moment, with the right tone, could work miracles, you should pick those street fighting tips that concern precisely such phrases.

Verbal threats are powerful. They serve as tools to stimulate emotional reactions. Later on, emotional reactions translate in the physical conflict; but if you can find those replies that can hit the button of aggressor retreat, you can avoid street combat and be better off - unless you are the one who has triggered the entire situation, of course. Regularly, verbal exchanges that could prevent street fighting relate to things such as “look, I’m not looking for trouble”, “I don’t want trouble”, “sorry, guys, I really gotta go”, “leave me alone”, or “keep your distance.”

Street fight can also be prevented with the intimidation of the aggressor(s) by means of quick commands that leave room for no doubt as to your intent. Such commands are “back off” or “stop” or “stop it.” Accompanied by the right fight stance, such phrases will reinforce your position. If you have started with “I’m sorry, I am looking for no trouble” and then you see that the attacker has no intent whatsoever of leaving you alone, you can try intensifying your attitude by including some form of insult in your commands. For instance, a phrase like “would you back the **** off?” may work with certain attackers. The entire point is to avoid physical harm - and then, if you see that words have no effect, you can set your street fight skills in motion and retaliate correspondingly.

Tags: tips, training