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We have just launched our brand new "Primal Fighter" TACT Self Defense t-shirts. To view and order your t-shirt just go to www.tactselfdefense.com/tshirt.php
LEG WRAP TAKE-DOWN
One Legged Take-Down Self Defense Tactic
PRACTICING SELF DEFENSE PRINCIPLES WHEREVER YOU ARE
Violence and crime can happen anytime wherever we go. A situation such as going out for dinner with family and friends may seem like there is no threat to that situation but it can be in a blink of an eye. An incident a while back occurred at a high end restaurant near where I live. Where two men enter the restaurant and execute a hit on a local gang member who was having dinner there. Now this is not the bad side of town this is a high end area and this type of crime occurred here so people thinking that they have nothing to worry about because they don't live around drug dealers and such are giving themselves a false since of security because violence can happen anywhere.
Now I don't want people reading this and thinking that wherever they go they have to be paranoid that is not the objective of this post. The objective is being prepared so if shit does hit the fan your odds of survival will double because you know what to do. Now what would you do in this situation? How would you deal with a shoot out in a restaurant that you were eating in? What would be the best area to be seated in? What should be the first thing you do when you hear a gun go off?
Well here are a few things that will help you out. First try seating with you back towards a wall so you don't have to worry about someone being behind you. Try being seated next to an exit areas to have an escape route. Also at the first sound of gun fire drop to the ground and take cover using a table or chairs. Make it a habit in your everyday life whenever entering a room or establishment to follow these rules, back to wall, near exists, find an object that will cover you so your odds of survival increase.
Violence and crime can happen anytime wherever we go. A situation such as going out for dinner with family and friends may seem like there is no threat to that situation but it can be in a blink of an eye. An incident a while back occurred at a high end restaurant near where I live. Where two men enter the restaurant and execute a hit on a local gang member who was having dinner there. Now this is not the bad side of town this is a high end area and this type of crime occurred here so people thinking that they have nothing to worry about because they don't live around drug dealers and such are giving themselves a false since of security because violence can happen anywhere.
Now I don't want people reading this and thinking that wherever they go they have to be paranoid that is not the objective of this post. The objective is being prepared so if shit does hit the fan your odds of survival will double because you know what to do. Now what would you do in this situation? How would you deal with a shoot out in a restaurant that you were eating in? What would be the best area to be seated in? What should be the first thing you do when you hear a gun go off?
Well here are a few things that will help you out. First try seating with you back towards a wall so you don't have to worry about someone being behind you. Try being seated next to an exit areas to have an escape route. Also at the first sound of gun fire drop to the ground and take cover using a table or chairs. Make it a habit in your everyday life whenever entering a room or establishment to follow these rules, back to wall, near exists, find an object that will cover you so your odds of survival increase.
KNIFE DISARMING TACTICS USING CHAIRS
KNEE STRIKE CONDITIONING EXERCISES FOR SELF DEFENSE PURPOSES
If you want to build more explosive power and speed into your knee tactics here is an exercise that you can practice to give you that. Squat done and have a partner hold a striking pad at his hip level. Now begin jumping up and hit the pad with your knee. Alternate striking with each knee upon each rep. This will not only give you explosive knee techniques but will also strengthen your quads.
USING KEYS IN SELF DEFENSE SITUATIONS
One question I ask people who walk into my training centre is "Do you carry a self defense weapon or product?" Many people give me the response that they hold there keys in there hand in event that a situation may arise they are ready to defend themselves.
When I ask people to show me how they hold there keys most of them hold them in the wrong manner. There is a big myth that you place your key or keys in between your fingers, but if you were to strike someone holding the keys that way the keys will turn into your hand when you make impact. Instead place the key in between your thumb and finger so that the key is secure.
BLOCKING WITH YOUR ELBOWS IN SELF DEFENSE SITUATIONS
There is a tactic that we use in the TACT Self Defense System that we call "defanging the snake" where in theory you are taking away the snakes teeth by hitting it's mouth. Well this theory is done also by using your elbows to block a punch or punches coming at you by blocking with your elbows. The end result is that your attacker hurts his hands as he punches your elbows which in turn slows him down because his hand is hurt taking his weapons away from him and giving you the ability to counter.
There is a tactic that we use in the TACT Self Defense System that we call "defanging the snake" where in theory you are taking away the snakes teeth by hitting it's mouth. Well this theory is done also by using your elbows to block a punch or punches coming at you by blocking with your elbows. The end result is that your attacker hurts his hands as he punches your elbows which in turn slows him down because his hand is hurt taking his weapons away from him and giving you the ability to counter.
DO SELF DEFENSE GUN DISARMING TECHNIQUES WORK?
There are tons of gun disarming techniques out there but how many of them would actually work for you in a self defense situation? Well a good way to finding this out is to test them out yourself while doing it under circumstances as close as possible to real life situations where adrenaline and your attackers responses are in true form.
Now when you have that all taken care of try executing some of these weapons disarming tactics that you have seen and see if they will work for you. Remember people holding guns at someone will either keep there distance from you and or there grip will be strong while holding the gun. Many people find that when adding these variables to the situation there techniques do not work.
There are many videos out there where someone will "twist" a gun from an attacker's hand while braking his finger in the process because his finger gets jammed in the trigger guard while the technique is being executed. Now the reality is no one holds a gun that loose so that disarming technique is not as easily accomplished as people think it can be. Remember test the tactics including real life variables then you won't get any surprises when you need to use them for real.
There are tons of gun disarming techniques out there but how many of them would actually work for you in a self defense situation? Well a good way to finding this out is to test them out yourself while doing it under circumstances as close as possible to real life situations where adrenaline and your attackers responses are in true form.
Now when you have that all taken care of try executing some of these weapons disarming tactics that you have seen and see if they will work for you. Remember people holding guns at someone will either keep there distance from you and or there grip will be strong while holding the gun. Many people find that when adding these variables to the situation there techniques do not work.
There are many videos out there where someone will "twist" a gun from an attacker's hand while braking his finger in the process because his finger gets jammed in the trigger guard while the technique is being executed. Now the reality is no one holds a gun that loose so that disarming technique is not as easily accomplished as people think it can be. Remember test the tactics including real life variables then you won't get any surprises when you need to use them for real.
IN SELF DEFENSE IT'S ABOUT HOW FAST YOU CAN ELEVATE VIOLENCE
What is the difference between an elite military fighter and you when it comes to dealing and being successful with violence? The answer is that an elite military fighter knows how to elevate the level of violence within a split second and most civilians do not. When it comes to being successful with dealing with violence you have to be able to elevate the violence level much quicker than your attacker this in turn will make you successful in surviving an attack.
Thats why when most people are asked who do they fear most when it comes protecting themselves against the answer is a crazed psycho. Why? Because a psycho knows how to elevate the violence level and can keep it elevated for longer periods of time than most people. So remember practice getting into the "killer instinct mode" or "psycho Mode" before executing your self defense tactics for combat is 90% mental and only 10% physical.
What is the difference between an elite military fighter and you when it comes to dealing and being successful with violence? The answer is that an elite military fighter knows how to elevate the level of violence within a split second and most civilians do not. When it comes to being successful with dealing with violence you have to be able to elevate the violence level much quicker than your attacker this in turn will make you successful in surviving an attack.
Thats why when most people are asked who do they fear most when it comes protecting themselves against the answer is a crazed psycho. Why? Because a psycho knows how to elevate the violence level and can keep it elevated for longer periods of time than most people. So remember practice getting into the "killer instinct mode" or "psycho Mode" before executing your self defense tactics for combat is 90% mental and only 10% physical.
SELF DEFENSE CONDITIONING EXERCISE TO BUILD SPEED IN YOUR STRIKES
A lot of people ask me how do they get more speed when executing a self defense technique such as a palm thrust or kick? Well a simple exercise to do is to either grip onto a 5 lb dumbbells or to place wrist/ankle weights on and to begin throwing your kicks or palm thrusts out. Now the major mistake most people make is that they focus on how fast they can hit the target from the start position. Instead focus on how fast your retraction is instead. This will make your kicks and punches much quicker. Do 30 reps per each hand/foot, take a 1 minute rest in between sets perform 4 sets.
A lot of people ask me how do they get more speed when executing a self defense technique such as a palm thrust or kick? Well a simple exercise to do is to either grip onto a 5 lb dumbbells or to place wrist/ankle weights on and to begin throwing your kicks or palm thrusts out. Now the major mistake most people make is that they focus on how fast they can hit the target from the start position. Instead focus on how fast your retraction is instead. This will make your kicks and punches much quicker. Do 30 reps per each hand/foot, take a 1 minute rest in between sets perform 4 sets.
"THE RIPPER" SELF DEFENSE CONDITIONING EXERCISE
I have just finished up shooting my new dvd called "Guerrilla Combatives Conditioning". A dvd that teaches viewers the best conditioning and strength exercises for street fighting. This dvd should be out in the next couple of weeks and I will have it posted on my website at www.tactselfdefense.com. The exercise that I would like to talk about today is from that dvd it is called "the ripper".
A conditioning exercises that teaches people how to properly bite a body part off someone. To perform this exercise grab a piece of thick cooked ham or piece of cooked meat, cooked ham is the cheapest. Now bite into it and tear the meat off, do this as fast as you can, tear, spit, tear, spit. This exercise will give you a better biting and tearing tactic while teaching you how much force is needed to actually take a chunk of meat out of someone.
I have just finished up shooting my new dvd called "Guerrilla Combatives Conditioning". A dvd that teaches viewers the best conditioning and strength exercises for street fighting. This dvd should be out in the next couple of weeks and I will have it posted on my website at www.tactselfdefense.com. The exercise that I would like to talk about today is from that dvd it is called "the ripper".
A conditioning exercises that teaches people how to properly bite a body part off someone. To perform this exercise grab a piece of thick cooked ham or piece of cooked meat, cooked ham is the cheapest. Now bite into it and tear the meat off, do this as fast as you can, tear, spit, tear, spit. This exercise will give you a better biting and tearing tactic while teaching you how much force is needed to actually take a chunk of meat out of someone.
CANE SELF DEFENSE
The other day I was doing an interview for a newspaper regarding the use of canes in self defense situations and thought this would be a good topic to cover today. The first thing I would like to say is keep it simple do not get into doing wrist locks etc with the cane it becomes to complicated do to you have to use fine motor skills which we know does work in self defense situations. Instead use the cane as a baton to hit your attacker with and immediately follow up by using your taser or pepper spray.
In reality if you are using a cane for actual support then this will be hard for you to do because your legs are weak and you can easily fall down, these cane self defense tactics should only be used by people who use a cane as a walking stick. On a final note do not get a solid wooden cane instead get a folding steel cane these are much harder and if your attacker grabs your cane the cane can be twisted and bent and still used on your attacker, where with solid wooden canes if your attacker grabs a hold of it he can easily push you down with the momentum.
The other day I was doing an interview for a newspaper regarding the use of canes in self defense situations and thought this would be a good topic to cover today. The first thing I would like to say is keep it simple do not get into doing wrist locks etc with the cane it becomes to complicated do to you have to use fine motor skills which we know does work in self defense situations. Instead use the cane as a baton to hit your attacker with and immediately follow up by using your taser or pepper spray.
In reality if you are using a cane for actual support then this will be hard for you to do because your legs are weak and you can easily fall down, these cane self defense tactics should only be used by people who use a cane as a walking stick. On a final note do not get a solid wooden cane instead get a folding steel cane these are much harder and if your attacker grabs your cane the cane can be twisted and bent and still used on your attacker, where with solid wooden canes if your attacker grabs a hold of it he can easily push you down with the momentum.
GUN DISARMING SELF DEFENSE TRAINING
When I train people to disarm someone with a gun when this is your last resort I tell them to slowly bring up there hands and as they do once there hands are at the gun level they hit and grab the hand holding the gun as they twist they torso so they are out of the line of fire. Know this technique is simple if you are alone but what happens when you are with someone? You have to now think about if your friend is going to be in the line of fire once you hit and redirect the direction of the mussel for the gun will most likely go off as you hit your attackers hand.
So a great exercise to do is to have a training partner point a fake gun at you and as he does he is going to either say "left" or "right" at the last minute. This means your friend is on the side that your train partner said. Now you have to think about hitting the mussel in the opposite direction from where your friend is. This is a great tactical thinking exercise and remember to make this as spontaneous as possible so you get the most realism out of it.
When I train people to disarm someone with a gun when this is your last resort I tell them to slowly bring up there hands and as they do once there hands are at the gun level they hit and grab the hand holding the gun as they twist they torso so they are out of the line of fire. Know this technique is simple if you are alone but what happens when you are with someone? You have to now think about if your friend is going to be in the line of fire once you hit and redirect the direction of the mussel for the gun will most likely go off as you hit your attackers hand.
So a great exercise to do is to have a training partner point a fake gun at you and as he does he is going to either say "left" or "right" at the last minute. This means your friend is on the side that your train partner said. Now you have to think about hitting the mussel in the opposite direction from where your friend is. This is a great tactical thinking exercise and remember to make this as spontaneous as possible so you get the most realism out of it.
TURNING AN UMBRELLA INTO A SELF DEFENSE WEAPON
Umbrella's are something that we use commonly in our lives that we don't realize can make an ideal self defense weapon. If you use the shorter type model these can make ideal batons especially if you hit with the handle part of the umbrella. They also make good shields when open if you are ever in a situation where someone is thrusting a knife at you. The longer style type of umbrellas make great stabbing tools with there pointing tips. Make it a habit to see what you can use in your daily lives as weapons to protect yourself with. You will be surprised on how many weapons you actually have around you.
Umbrella's are something that we use commonly in our lives that we don't realize can make an ideal self defense weapon. If you use the shorter type model these can make ideal batons especially if you hit with the handle part of the umbrella. They also make good shields when open if you are ever in a situation where someone is thrusting a knife at you. The longer style type of umbrellas make great stabbing tools with there pointing tips. Make it a habit to see what you can use in your daily lives as weapons to protect yourself with. You will be surprised on how many weapons you actually have around you.
FOLLOWING NATURAL INSTINCTIVE RESPONSES IN SELF DEFENSE SITUATIONS
The other day I was watching a clip of an actual store robbery gone bad. The store clerk was standing behind the counter as a robber comes in. The robber jumps over the counter wielding a knife, demands money then proceeds to stab the cashier for no reason. Watching the clerks natural response was interesting all do to the fact that he did what I tell my students to do in a stabbing situation. The store clerk curled his body forward while shielding his torso/chest with his forearms from the knife thrusts.
Now the clerk never trained in my system but like I say you have to have thoughtless natural responses to life threatening situations or you just forgot everything and your a goner. The store clerk survived with only superficial cuts to his forearms. So keep it natural, simple and remember when dealing with knife situations you are most likely going to get cut, anyone telling you otherwise is full of it.
The other day I was watching a clip of an actual store robbery gone bad. The store clerk was standing behind the counter as a robber comes in. The robber jumps over the counter wielding a knife, demands money then proceeds to stab the cashier for no reason. Watching the clerks natural response was interesting all do to the fact that he did what I tell my students to do in a stabbing situation. The store clerk curled his body forward while shielding his torso/chest with his forearms from the knife thrusts.
Now the clerk never trained in my system but like I say you have to have thoughtless natural responses to life threatening situations or you just forgot everything and your a goner. The store clerk survived with only superficial cuts to his forearms. So keep it natural, simple and remember when dealing with knife situations you are most likely going to get cut, anyone telling you otherwise is full of it.
SELF DEFENSE QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"There are some things you don't have to know how it works – only that it works. While some people are studying the roots, others are picking the fruit. It just depends on which end of this you want to get in on." -- Jim Rohn
"There are some things you don't have to know how it works – only that it works. While some people are studying the roots, others are picking the fruit. It just depends on which end of this you want to get in on." -- Jim Rohn
SELF DEFENSE FROM SUFFOCATION & STRANGULATION
The first thing people do when they find themselves being suffocated or strangulated is panic and all simple logic goes out the window so it is vital to train using these two types of attacks. The first is having someone strangle you with a rope or belt. The best self defense tactic you can execute is to tuck in your chin to prevent the rope or belt from getting around your neck, if it goes around your chin it will be ok because you can still breathe.
If the rope or belt does get completely around your neck place one or two of your fingers in between the rope or belt and your neck. This will prevent you from getting choked unconscious. If you have a plastic bag put over your face simple poke a hole into the bag and this will prevent you from being suffocated. You may feel freaked out but in reality you are safe. Remember to practice this on a regular basis so you get used to the uncomfortable feelings that goes along with this.
The first thing people do when they find themselves being suffocated or strangulated is panic and all simple logic goes out the window so it is vital to train using these two types of attacks. The first is having someone strangle you with a rope or belt. The best self defense tactic you can execute is to tuck in your chin to prevent the rope or belt from getting around your neck, if it goes around your chin it will be ok because you can still breathe.
If the rope or belt does get completely around your neck place one or two of your fingers in between the rope or belt and your neck. This will prevent you from getting choked unconscious. If you have a plastic bag put over your face simple poke a hole into the bag and this will prevent you from being suffocated. You may feel freaked out but in reality you are safe. Remember to practice this on a regular basis so you get used to the uncomfortable feelings that goes along with this.
DEALING WITH MULTIPLE ATTACKERS IN SELF DEFENSE SITUATIONS
When dealing with multiple attackers there are a few rules that seems to help with surviving such a situation the first is to never be in the middle of the group, try maintaining a line with you and the group. Second be offensive hit first and hit the biggest guy or the mouthy one this will cause a physiological effect onto the group that once they see the leader go down they usually back down or are more hesitant to continue attacking.
When dealing with multiple attackers there are a few rules that seems to help with surviving such a situation the first is to never be in the middle of the group, try maintaining a line with you and the group. Second be offensive hit first and hit the biggest guy or the mouthy one this will cause a physiological effect onto the group that once they see the leader go down they usually back down or are more hesitant to continue attacking.
SELF DEFENSE MINDSET TRAINING
SELF DEFENSE QUOTE OF THE DAY
"The ability to simplify means to eliminate the
unnecessary so that the necessary may speak." Hans Hofmann
"The ability to simplify means to eliminate the
unnecessary so that the necessary may speak." Hans Hofmann
IS STRIKING THE GROIN AN EFFECTIVE SELF DEFENSE TECHNIQUE?
Many people who write to me ask if attacking the groin is an effective self defense technique to protect themselves with since most self defense schools teach striking this area of the body. The answer to this question is sometimes since there are many variables that have to be in place to make striking this area effective. You have to remember that every man is taught at a very young age to protect this area because it is one of the first areas to get hit, so a simple squeezing the upper thighs together usually can get the job done when protecting this area.
The other variable that needs to be considered is that when someone is wearing clothing such as jeans it changes the effectiveness of your self defense technique drastically. When training most people wear loose clothing such as track pants or a martial arts uniform but on the street most people wear jeans. Now try grabbing or twisting the groin area of someone now, much harder now since that variable came into the picture isn't it? This does not go to say that it is not an effective area to strike but be prepared that it may not work so well for you and that many variables need to be in place for it to work for you.
Many people who write to me ask if attacking the groin is an effective self defense technique to protect themselves with since most self defense schools teach striking this area of the body. The answer to this question is sometimes since there are many variables that have to be in place to make striking this area effective. You have to remember that every man is taught at a very young age to protect this area because it is one of the first areas to get hit, so a simple squeezing the upper thighs together usually can get the job done when protecting this area.
The other variable that needs to be considered is that when someone is wearing clothing such as jeans it changes the effectiveness of your self defense technique drastically. When training most people wear loose clothing such as track pants or a martial arts uniform but on the street most people wear jeans. Now try grabbing or twisting the groin area of someone now, much harder now since that variable came into the picture isn't it? This does not go to say that it is not an effective area to strike but be prepared that it may not work so well for you and that many variables need to be in place for it to work for you.
SELF DEFENSE TIPS FROM IDENTITY THEFT
The results are in the biggest and most problematic crime for 2007 was identity theft and it's growing at a rapid rate. The reason it's on the rise is due to people's lack of knowledge on what to not give out when it comes to information on themselves.
Social networking sites such as Facebook are a great example. When filling out profiles on this site or on any others avoid giving out your date of birth, address, phone number or full name. By having this information on your profile you give criminals everything they need to steal your identity away from you.
The results are in the biggest and most problematic crime for 2007 was identity theft and it's growing at a rapid rate. The reason it's on the rise is due to people's lack of knowledge on what to not give out when it comes to information on themselves.
Social networking sites such as Facebook are a great example. When filling out profiles on this site or on any others avoid giving out your date of birth, address, phone number or full name. By having this information on your profile you give criminals everything they need to steal your identity away from you.
HOW TO PRACTICE REALISTIC SELF DEFENSE BITING TECHNIQUES
You have heard me say countless times that one of the most powerful self defense techniques out there is biting. No matter what position you are in this self defense tactic can usually be executed and is very successful without having to have much skill at it.
Now the question is how do you practice this self defense technique? Well there is a realistic way and that is by buying meat such as pork because its the cheapest, frying it up and then practicing biting it and tearing the meat off the pork chop. This will give you a realistic feel on how much force you need behind your bite and tear to get the job done correctly.
You have heard me say countless times that one of the most powerful self defense techniques out there is biting. No matter what position you are in this self defense tactic can usually be executed and is very successful without having to have much skill at it.
Now the question is how do you practice this self defense technique? Well there is a realistic way and that is by buying meat such as pork because its the cheapest, frying it up and then practicing biting it and tearing the meat off the pork chop. This will give you a realistic feel on how much force you need behind your bite and tear to get the job done correctly.