Choosing a Self Defense / Martial Arts School: A Parents Guide

"Daddy, I want to take Karate!""Mommy, Jimmy on the bus hit me again today"There are many reasons why parents want to sign their children up for Self Defense or Martial Arts classes. Once you have made the decision, now you are faced with many different options and questions. What style?... Read More

Basic Drills

We all have a good foundation in the basic blows and combinations.Think about adding the following drills to your basic syllabus.These can be trained as "stand alone" combinations OR worked into existing "Defendu" combinations either "before" or "after".1. HARD left lead to chin (mental foramen) HARD overhand right to chin... Read More

A Beginning History of Old School Jujutsu - Part 1

Over the next couple of day's I will writing an article of the history of Pre-WWII Japanese Jujitsu/Judo. I wasn't sure where to start, but here I am so let's get started.I'm going to start with H. Irving Hancock, who in the early 1900's wrote several books on the history... Read More

A Great Question!

It's a question that we went back and forth with for awhile ourselves many moons ago. The "how" and "why" of our conclusions may be of some interest. Whether or not anyone agrees with them, well at the least you'll fully understand the basis for them.The question is this:Why does... Read More

The Acronym That Saved My Life

Frequently, I get asked about certifications, systems or methods. We made a decision a long time ago of purposely staying away from things like this.Obviously, it's a no-brainer, money maker and it's not that I don't want to make money; but our purpose was to give you real training on... Read More

Are You Still Standing Toe to Toe?

How many times do you practice techniques with your training partner and you stay in the same spot? Next time you are training, see how much you and your partner move. You will find you move very little or not at all. You see, when you are training, or doing... Read More

Are You Frustrated Yet?

I was talking to a parent recently and they told me that their son was not going to compete in wrestling because they were afraid they would get frustrated when he lost. The parent felt the child was far too sensitive to handle the frustration of failure and may get... Read More

By-Rote Combinations

Do not believe that practicing "by rote" 1-2-3,etc. type "responses" to street attacks is a viable or particularly useful training exercise. Example: He does this, I do that. For attack A I use Defense A.Realize that in a street fight there are far too many variables, too many contingencies. Uncle... Read More

Catholic Self Defense

Note: I wrote this essay regarding the development of Tekkenryu jujutsu. However, I think it is applicable for all methods of self defense. It may also explain why martial arts are the way they are.Catholic, by definition, means universal or "broad minded".I could pull out STACKS of manuals, syllabuses, films,... Read More

Bogu Training

About four years ago Carl recommended we start using the Bogu during our kumite (sparring practice). This method was developed in Okinawa and then found its way into mainland Japan and eventually to the U.S. where only a few clubs still do this. And even in those clubs, only a... Read More

Im Soooo Confused...

I was going to write about the BASICS of "practical unarmed combat". Things like a solid and productive core of strength training, development of real speed and power. Body conditioning and toughening, Stamina. A "never say die" iron will. You know "esoteric" stuff like that.But here are something's you SHOULD... Read More

Content, Are We?

I asked a simple question at the last seminar:"How much has everyone improved in the year since we last got together?"I've practiced the same basics everyday for decades.Everyday Rain or shine. Summer, winter, spring and fall. Over and over and over.............................................And I'm never satisfied. I'm not fast enough, I don't... Read More

Does It Hurt When I Do This?

Let me tell you something. I don't bruise too easily. You guys know after years of Wrestling, Football, Karate, Jujutsu and Judo- you develop resistance to those types of things. Well at least I That's what I thought? Every time I work out with Carl Cestari, I am left with... Read More

The Dojo

Just as an aside. For those who would "box" us in to specific "category".........We don't just write articles. There is a place we actually train in these methods every day. This is where people of various backgrounds come together and have one thing in common, TRAINING.At the "Dojo"(which it is),... Read More

Elements of Unarmed Combat

Custom build your own personal "system":Useful areas of training and study to find, train and develop the various "parts" -To develop STRIKING: Western BOXING Savate Muay Thai (Burmese Boxing) Jiu Jitsu ATEMI Old style KEMPOTo develop GRAPPLING: Catch/Freestyle Wrestling Greco-Roman Wrestling JUDO Sambo (Real SAMBO/SOMBO) Brazilian JujutsuA comprehensive study of... Read More

Fronting

"Fronting": The dodge to get in close to you. The frontal assault, as opposed to the ambush.Fronting can be either a direct confrontation (intimidation) or it can make use of "artifice", i.e. "got a light?", "got the time?", "how do I get to such and such?" Anything "innocent" to throw... Read More

Fairbairn on the Fairbairn Method

Something for our shooting "enthusiasts" -PRELIMINARY STATEMENTBackground:"Prior to my association with the armed forces of Great Britain and the United States I served as Assistant Commissioner in Command of the Riot Squads of the Shanghai Municipal Police Command from 1925 to 1940. During this period, our force handled over 2000... Read More

So You Think You Train Hard

"Tokio Hirano (1922-1993) 8th Dan The Man Who Revolutionized Judo" By Jim Chen, M.D . and Theodore ChenHirano 7th Dan At Age 42Tokio Hirano (5'5", 75 kg), obtained Godan (5th dan) at age 19, is perhaps the greatest Judo technician of all time. He is probably the best known Japanese... Read More

Historical References to W.E. Fairbairn, E.A. Sykes AND Dermot Pat ONeill

FROM THE BOOK: "PIERCING THE REICH" AUTHOR: JOSEPH E. PERSICOThey learned the art of silent killing, perfected by W.E. Fairbairn, the legendary British Major, sometimes known as "Delicate Dan." Knife strokes taught, should be upward, from the testicles to the chin. The hand in a "tiger claw" position was most... Read More

The Shocking Truth About Stun Guns

If you are outside the world of law enforcement, chances are you haven't had much "hands on" work with stun guns. Stun guns are as popular today as they have ever been and with the newer smaller packages like cell phone/stun guns, their popularity continues to grow. But before you... Read More

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The Best Martial Art

It is a very difficult task to determine which martial... Read More

Why Every Cop Should Study Judo Part 1

Up until 30 years ago, JUDO was the martial art.... Read More

How To Defend Against A Knife - Dont Use The Stuff Taught In The Dojo!

Defences against Knife attacks, Firstly if at all possible get... Read More

Do You Take Yours Trained or Untrained?

If you ain't pissing anyone off, you're not doing anything... Read More

A Few Things Everyone Should Know to Keep Themselves Safe

The following are a few thoughts about how to decrease... Read More

Learning the Modern Dynamics of Judo

You may have the erroneous idea that force is not... Read More

The Test

"Will this work so that I can use it instinctively... Read More

The Fallacy and the Myth

It's always amusing when "know it alls" dismiss certain methods... Read More

Combatives

This is our last installment on "defining" the parameters of... Read More

The Economics of Self Defense

The following is a recent email I received; I thought... Read More

The Rebels Guide to Cultivating Vitality

Many Taoists recluses and Buddhists monks dwelled in mountains and... Read More

Aikido Philosophy: An Oriental Concept of Energy, Self, and Mind

PrefaceThere are many different ways to understand Aikido philosophy and... Read More

How to Relax During a Fight

I received a returned video from a well meaning, but... Read More

The Acronym That Saved My Life

Frequently, I get asked about certifications, systems or methods. We... Read More

Does It Hurt When I Do This?

Let me tell you something. I don't bruise too easily.... Read More

Makiwara Training

Shigeru Kimura Sensei 9th Dan Tani-Ha Shitoryu Shukokai had a... Read More

Things to Know About Learning Tai Chi Chuan (Tai Chi Boxing)

For Easterners, particularly Chinese, this MAY not be an issue.... Read More

Its Not a Matter of Who is Right

"People here may belittle sports arts...."Who?Almost EVERY "combatives" man of... Read More

Martial Arts: Mind, Body and Spirit Presented Online

This Martial Arts website uses body, spirit and mind to... Read More

Martial Arts Sparring and Training Protective Equipment

The benefits of Martial Arts has always appealed its practitioners.... Read More

So You Think You Train Hard

"Tokio Hirano (1922-1993) 8th Dan The Man Who Revolutionized Judo"... Read More

What To Expect When You Least Expect It

The time you will be attacked you will most likely... Read More

How to Become A Modern-Day Ninja Master

The ninja were a military order in Japan. Most people... Read More

Martial Arts and The Bible

As a Christian and a martial arts student, I have... Read More

British Aikido Board National Nepotism Seminar

For many years The British Aikido Board (BAB) have shown... Read More