Let's get one thing straight, I am not a long distance runner. I have run great distances in the past because coaches, instructors and superiors have told me to. I run to make weight, I run to pursue and of course, I run when chased. I have never run in a foot race of any kind after the 7th grade until today. 30 years later, my instinct to never back down from a challenge and to always say YES may have flipped my sorry ass from the frying pan into the fryer.
Enter the RAGNAR RELAY. A 175 mile race that was started in 1980 by a guy named Steve Hill who is obviously a sadist at heart and probably not to be trusted. The race is named in honor of Ragnar, a Norse King who is known for pirating and pillaging as only good Vikings do. I don't know what the connection to the race is other than Ragnar was crazy and the maniacs who run this thing are even crazier.
The Ragnar Relay is a 175 mile race over a 24 hour period. The 175 miles are split up between 12 team members. Some teams have 6 but those groups should be ashamed of themselves for being able to run that far and that fast without dying.
Each team members is responsible for 3 legs of the race for a total of 16 miles. The legs are rated from MODERATE, HARSH to VERY HARSH (notice there's no "EASY" if there is, I wasn't assigned one). We're running in the May 15th relay from Woodstock, NY to Bronx, NY. We start at 8:00am and will probably finish up around 9:00am the next morning. So that means running in the middle of the night and at all hours, depending when you're scheduled to run.
12 people in 2 vans, sweating, smelling and eating a lot of prepackaged, complex carb supplements that taste like cardboard and old socks. I can smell the body order NOW! Just like training camp, another memory I would rather leave in the far reaches of my mind with other memories like losing my 4th grade girl friend to Gary Fransiconi.
I started training in February. 3, miles, 4 miles, 5 miles, 8 miles, 10 miles, I've been cruising and thought I was doing great, until our first team practice last Sunday.
Our team of 12 consists of 3 old guys (one of which I am) and 9 young bucks: 20 somethings who have not yet felt the effects of the harsh life, endless hours of torture that can only be attributed to violent hobbies, dangerous job obligations and plain old lack of judgment.
Last Sunday we all met for the first time at our team leader, Joe's house. Incidentally, Joe is the one who asked me to run the race within 5 minutes of our meting for the first time...I should have known better.
We started to get to know each other (read feel each other out). In addition to Joe, two of the guys Joe's son Tom and his friend Nick, seemed to be the ones with the running experience. Of course Nick was the guy who hasn't worked out in a while. NOTE: when someone tells you this, be prepared to be sandbagged. People ho train a lot will tell you they haven't been training while people who don't train, tell you they train all of the time.
At this point I know I'm not the fastest in the room. But I'm thinking, I've been training since February, how bad can it be?
We start our 6 mile work out. Tom takes off like a shot, he's so far ahead he can only be tracked by satellite. The two old men of the group me and Joe started side by side (Joe has about 10 years on me but to be honest, the way I ran, you wouldn't know the difference). After a few hundred yards I decide to make the novice mistake of going faster, a decision I will live to regret.
At 2 miles we've spread out a bit. I'm in second and I'm so far in second that I can barely make out Tom's figure on the horizon. Meanwhile I pick up a little red dot in my peripheral vision.
Mile 3, the red dot can now be identified him as Nick "the guy who hasn't run in two months." By mile 3.5 Nick is knocking at my back door and I'm maintaining my pace. At mile 3.75 he passes me and I have a startling revelation...
I don't know how to run!
This kid cruises by me like he's walking, I means as he pulls away he looks like he's literally gliding. I on the other hand am feeling every bump in the damn road.
Ignorance exposed. I realize that I have no long distance running technique whatsoever. 42 years of walking, sprinting, climbing, repelling, fighting and all of the other F words, I can't run.
At this point I come to my second revelation...
I have 2 miles to go and I've been trying to keep up with the marathon man.
As Nick fades in the distance I bare down for the final 1/3 of training.
The last mile sucked, it was all up hill. What pissed me of about this hill is that it wasn't a steep, kick your ass and make you throw up hill. It's a subtle incline that makes you feel like its not really a hill at all. It's just a steady stream of gravity weighing your body down. Like a millstone, pulverizing your body and your will to run.
I'm thinking I should maybe walk.
Just as I'm going to submit, Joe comes out of nowhere and is at my side. So much for stopping. The former Ranger was exactly what I needed to kick it into high gear and finished the Godforsaken workout.
So how fast was I running? Try 8 minute and 59 seconds per mile for 6 miles. That's my est time for 6 miles. Too bad that time paled in comparison to the young bucks 7 minute mile times.
Like I said, I'm not a runner but hell, it's never too late to start new things and meet new challenges. Accepting new challenges is the secret to youth. Learning is the key to being young. Getting out of your comfort zone is humbling but it allows you to understand what it's like to be a beginner, to learn and look awkward doing it. As an instructor, mentor, teacher or supervisor It's important that you do things that take you completely out of your element.
Now I'm off to do another 8 miles...more to come.
To learn more about the Ragnar Relay go HERE
Damian Ross is CEO if The Self Defense Company and founder of The Self Defense Training System.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Almost Self Defense
Tactics always come first, techniques are secondary. While each individual technique has its advantages, whether it’s a punch, a heel of hand, an edge of hand or an elbow, it’s not nearly as critical as the protocol by which you attack.
The vast majority of martial arts and self defense experts don’t consider tactics. In fact, they do the opposite and focus on specific technique. They do this because it is easier to quantify skill. The more techniques you know, the more skill you have. Techniques also make it easier to communicate and compare styles and systems. Individual techniques allow us to evaluate performance of an individual through proficiency. Hey, there is no doubt that the better you perform a technique, the harder and faster you attack, the more successful you will be, but with the wrong tactics, you’ll never have a chance to unleash hell on your target.
Techniques are like rounds in a firearm. They have a single purpose, to destroy your target. Like a soldier going into battle you have tactics to tell you when and how to fire your weapon. The techniques are the means by which you enforce your tactics. They are mindless, just like the bullets in your gun.
The following is a video I pulled from youtube. I only use this because it is an excellent example of a well meaning martial artist with some good ideas and even better intentions. She is an excellent example of what’s out there today. She says some good things but they are combined with some serious tactical flaws. Like most martial artists, she is only half right. She says some of the right things and to the untrained observer, it sounds reasonable. Unfortunately in the world of self defense there is no room for half right. Like my Dad used to say, “YOU CAN’T BE HALF PREGNANT”. It’s an all or nothing proposition, you’re either all right or all wrong.
The video starts off great. She is right on point and has some excellent ideas. When I first started watching it I was excited to see something pretty good for a change. At 1:10 in the video, she’s really cooking, great use of verbal skills, setting boundaries. The whole initial presentation is right on the money especially for women and youth citizens.
At 4:40 she starts focusing on techniques and target areas. This is what most martial artists are good at. Identifying vulnerable areas and giving you suggestions on how to attack them. This is usually the primary focus of the self defense instruction, but you are going to see, it’s not the most critical. Then, she falls apart.
TACTICAL MISTAKE 1: at 6:05. Action is faster than reaction.
Here she is grabbed on the arm and advises to yell and pull away if you can. This wastes critical and valuable time. The grab is only the beginning and it PREEMPTS the real attack. You don’t know if it is going to be a punch or a stab. You must assume the worst. You ca not make a spilt second, life or death decision based on what your attacker is going to do. You must attack immediately and ruthlessly in order to maximize your survivability. You must assume the worst case scenario. If an unknown assailant assaults you (physical contact) you have the right to defend yourself.
You will never be able to react fast enough. You have already screwed up by letting him get close to you. You do not have time to try verbal skills or anything else that will give your attacker the opportunity to inflict more damage. You need to begin immediately inflicting damages on your target to maximum your chance of escape or victory. You must attack with harsh intent in order to ensure your survival. Anything less, leaves you dead. Never put your fate in your attacker’s hands. EVER!
TACTICAL MISTAKE 2: at 6:41. Always attack the man.
Like we mentioned before, the grab preempts the real strike. In this case the guy could hold onto her wrist from now until eternity and she would never suffer any damages. The real pain is yet to follow. When you focus on the specific technique, in this case the wrist grab, you ignore the most dangerous part of the scenario…the rest of the attacker!!! While you’re messing around with his grab he will be beating you to death. Now, if it’s your drunk brother in law, OK, you know the guy- he’s not going to kill you (you hope), but if this is some scumbag off the street, you have no choice but to obliterate him as fast as possible. In real world self defense, you don’t even pay attention to the grab. You focus on destroying the man behind the grab.
TACTICAL MISTAKE 3: at 6:50. Loss of finite motor skills.
When you’re stressed your hormone induced fear will make finite motor skills impossible (Read Lt. Grossman’s ON COMBAT). When under fight or flight stress you will only be able to do a few gross motor movements. Small movement like twisting the wrist for a release not only waste critical time, but are nearly impossible in real world conditions. Imagine getting grabbed in a dark parking lot, do you think you will be able to recall wrist release number 1?!?!?! Instead you need to train in methods that teach you to apply a handful of injury causing, skull cracking techniques to any situation. While you’re twisting your wrist, he’s punching you in the face. I don’t know about you but I’d much rather be the one punching his face while he’s grabbing my wrist.
TACTICAL MISTAKE 3 at 7:22: Plan for the worst, hope for the best.
Here she finally talks about striking him. This is putting the cart before the hoarse. Her presentation would have been so much better if she did this first and didn’t bother with the other crap. Or she presented the verbal skills and wrist release as non-violent alternative to familiar attackers like boyfriends and family members. But she offers it as a last resort. In the real world you must always assume the worst: he’s stronger, bigger, has intent and has friends. Assume he is armed, even if you don’t see a weapon. In the latest uniform police report, over 70% of all violent crime arrests a weapon was present. Not used, but on the assailants person. In order to survive and win you must act with these assumptions.
TACTICAL MISTAKE 4 at 7:37. Note on assailants attack: This type of attack is meant to intimidate it’s victim. The arms will not be extending like Frankenstein’s Monster. You will be jacked up and brought in close: nose to nose, eyeball to eyeball. This type of attack is in efficient means of choking but a great way to set up a head butt or a knee to the groin. You will be jack up, banged and bounced around. You’re head will be slammed off of a wall and you will not be standing still.
At 8:05 she assumes he will not be hitting you. Well she doesn’t live in our neighborhood, like I mentioned, knees, head butts and toe kicks into your shin are soon to follow if this guy is a good street fighter.
TACTICAL MISTAKE 5 at 9:30. Assume the worst (again). A bear hug is a violent attack performed by larger people on smaller people. You must also assume that if your assailant assumes this method of attack they have some comfort level with it. She doesn’t talk bout maintaining balance, and a good foundation that without you won’t be able to do a damn thing. Also keep in mind that if you are trying to maintain your balance you WILL NOT BE ABLE TO KICK. Now if my wife were to come up behind me and embrace me like this, no problem, I’d knock her cold. But when a drunk, Division 1AA linebacker grabs me from behind, I’m lucky to be conscious. Now, at the very end she has some more good ideas, but because of critical tactical mistake you will never even have an opportunity to perform these.
By no means do I mean to embarrass the person on the video, this is just a great example of a well meaning, caring martial artist making typical mistakes that all martial artists do.
The tactics of self defense are the same that apply to combat:
1. Concentration of effort Principle, is a fighting force's edge. Once an aim is identified, earmark enough resources to achieve it and focus them on the task. An old maxim has it that he who defends everything defends nothing; and it is also true that he who attacks everywhere will capture nothing. In self defense, you can’t plan for every specific situation, but you can train to attack the target in one similar manner. This concentrates your effort. For example: training, specific and different defenses for a wrist grab or a collar grab or a choke will dilute your effort, but training to dismantle anyone who puts their hands on you at close range with a few techniques, concentrates your effort.
2. Deception Principle, is the act of allowing an opponent to only react to the wrong circumstances. Diversionary attacks, feints, decoys: There are thousands of tricks that have been successfully used and still have a role in the future. In self defense you may appear to be weak or injured, you may also ask questions or use concealed weapons and tools to distract or injure your target.
3. Destruction of enemy forces Principle states that you will achieve your other war aims (strategic and tactical) most efficiently if you reduce your enemy's forces. Remember that you both have limited resources to deploy in order to achieve your own aims and to prevent the enemy from achieving hers. The destruction of these resources tips the balance against you. In self defense, you MUST always use methods that cause maximum damage to your enemy and minimum damage to you in the shortest amount of time possible.
4. Economy of force Principle, the ability to use all forces effectively. A common principle of war; the attentive commander knows that his troops, equipment and supplies must be husbanded and used carefully, only if there is a good chance of success. Of course, the terrible conundrum is that success only comes when one exposes their forces to risk. Allocate minimum essential combat power to secondary efforts in self defense, anything less than complete commitment to obliterating your enemy will cause you to waste time and energy. A “non-lethal” or “non-violent approach” like a wrist release will divert time, energy and attention away from the real objective: survive and win at all costs.
5. Initiative Principle, or simply "Carpe Diem" translated as "seize the day". This is self explanatory: the failure to act is a failure.
6. Maneuver Principle, consists of the various ways in which troops can be deployed and moved to obtain offensive, mass, and surprise. Place the enemy in a disadvantageous position through the flexible application of combat power. In self defense you must always move forward and take ground. This keeps your enemy off balance and incapable of attacking you. Attack, attack, attack and for good measure…attack again.
7. Mass principle, is the concentration of superior force at a critical point. Concentrate combat power at the decisive place and time. In self defense you put your strongest weapons to their weakest targets.
8. Objectives Principle. Tactics should be directed to achieving a particular outcome such as a successful disengagement from an advancing enemy, or merely causing a greater proportional loss to the enemy than to your own force (attrition). Once an aim is identified, time, resources and effort are expended to achieve it; therefore, these are wasted if the aim is frequently changed. In self defense, it is self preservation with NO regard towards your enemy. When you start to act with your enemy’s safety in mind, it confuses the objective. Your objective is to survive and win at all costs, anything less is gross miscalculation.
9. Offensive Principle. Seize, retain, and exploit the initiative. Direct every military operation towards a clearly defined, decisive, and attainable objective. In self defense, you can not hold back until the threat is gone.
10. Relentless pursuit of foes Principle, is the idea of breaking the enemies morale by relentlessly attacking a foe, not giving them the chance to recover, which brings you that much closer to breaking the enemies will to resist. In self defense you must attack ruthlessly and violently. The more brutal your attack the higher the rate of success.
11. Simplicity Principle Prepare clear, uncomplicated plans and clear, concise orders to ensure thorough understanding. In self defense you need only one objective combined with clear and specific actions that can be applied and adapted to any situation. More complicated techniques and ideas leads to confusion. Confusion leads to hesitation and that wastes resources like time and effort. Keep it simple.
12. Surprise Principle, is the act of using stealth and deception in your attacks vs. the enemy. Strike the enemy at a time, at a place, or in a manner for which he is unprepared. In self defense the one who strikes first, usually wins. By using distance and methods of deception you can expose your target’s intentions and create an opportunity for you to attack first.
13. Unity of command Principle, or cooperation, is essential to the pursuit of objectives. For every objective, ensure unity of effort under one responsible commander. Self defense has one goal: survive.
Tactics always come first. It doesn’t matter if it’s on the battlefield or the back ally, the octagon or the parking lot. These are the laws of conflict and can never be ignored.
Damian Ross
The Self Defense Company
The Self Defense Training System
Martial Arts
Self Defense
Martial Arts Training
Self Defense Training
Self Defense Tactics
The vast majority of martial arts and self defense experts don’t consider tactics. In fact, they do the opposite and focus on specific technique. They do this because it is easier to quantify skill. The more techniques you know, the more skill you have. Techniques also make it easier to communicate and compare styles and systems. Individual techniques allow us to evaluate performance of an individual through proficiency. Hey, there is no doubt that the better you perform a technique, the harder and faster you attack, the more successful you will be, but with the wrong tactics, you’ll never have a chance to unleash hell on your target.
Techniques are like rounds in a firearm. They have a single purpose, to destroy your target. Like a soldier going into battle you have tactics to tell you when and how to fire your weapon. The techniques are the means by which you enforce your tactics. They are mindless, just like the bullets in your gun.
The following is a video I pulled from youtube. I only use this because it is an excellent example of a well meaning martial artist with some good ideas and even better intentions. She is an excellent example of what’s out there today. She says some good things but they are combined with some serious tactical flaws. Like most martial artists, she is only half right. She says some of the right things and to the untrained observer, it sounds reasonable. Unfortunately in the world of self defense there is no room for half right. Like my Dad used to say, “YOU CAN’T BE HALF PREGNANT”. It’s an all or nothing proposition, you’re either all right or all wrong.
The video starts off great. She is right on point and has some excellent ideas. When I first started watching it I was excited to see something pretty good for a change. At 1:10 in the video, she’s really cooking, great use of verbal skills, setting boundaries. The whole initial presentation is right on the money especially for women and youth citizens.
At 4:40 she starts focusing on techniques and target areas. This is what most martial artists are good at. Identifying vulnerable areas and giving you suggestions on how to attack them. This is usually the primary focus of the self defense instruction, but you are going to see, it’s not the most critical. Then, she falls apart.
TACTICAL MISTAKE 1: at 6:05. Action is faster than reaction.
Here she is grabbed on the arm and advises to yell and pull away if you can. This wastes critical and valuable time. The grab is only the beginning and it PREEMPTS the real attack. You don’t know if it is going to be a punch or a stab. You must assume the worst. You ca not make a spilt second, life or death decision based on what your attacker is going to do. You must attack immediately and ruthlessly in order to maximize your survivability. You must assume the worst case scenario. If an unknown assailant assaults you (physical contact) you have the right to defend yourself.
You will never be able to react fast enough. You have already screwed up by letting him get close to you. You do not have time to try verbal skills or anything else that will give your attacker the opportunity to inflict more damage. You need to begin immediately inflicting damages on your target to maximum your chance of escape or victory. You must attack with harsh intent in order to ensure your survival. Anything less, leaves you dead. Never put your fate in your attacker’s hands. EVER!
TACTICAL MISTAKE 2: at 6:41. Always attack the man.
Like we mentioned before, the grab preempts the real strike. In this case the guy could hold onto her wrist from now until eternity and she would never suffer any damages. The real pain is yet to follow. When you focus on the specific technique, in this case the wrist grab, you ignore the most dangerous part of the scenario…the rest of the attacker!!! While you’re messing around with his grab he will be beating you to death. Now, if it’s your drunk brother in law, OK, you know the guy- he’s not going to kill you (you hope), but if this is some scumbag off the street, you have no choice but to obliterate him as fast as possible. In real world self defense, you don’t even pay attention to the grab. You focus on destroying the man behind the grab.
TACTICAL MISTAKE 3: at 6:50. Loss of finite motor skills.
When you’re stressed your hormone induced fear will make finite motor skills impossible (Read Lt. Grossman’s ON COMBAT). When under fight or flight stress you will only be able to do a few gross motor movements. Small movement like twisting the wrist for a release not only waste critical time, but are nearly impossible in real world conditions. Imagine getting grabbed in a dark parking lot, do you think you will be able to recall wrist release number 1?!?!?! Instead you need to train in methods that teach you to apply a handful of injury causing, skull cracking techniques to any situation. While you’re twisting your wrist, he’s punching you in the face. I don’t know about you but I’d much rather be the one punching his face while he’s grabbing my wrist.
TACTICAL MISTAKE 3 at 7:22: Plan for the worst, hope for the best.
Here she finally talks about striking him. This is putting the cart before the hoarse. Her presentation would have been so much better if she did this first and didn’t bother with the other crap. Or she presented the verbal skills and wrist release as non-violent alternative to familiar attackers like boyfriends and family members. But she offers it as a last resort. In the real world you must always assume the worst: he’s stronger, bigger, has intent and has friends. Assume he is armed, even if you don’t see a weapon. In the latest uniform police report, over 70% of all violent crime arrests a weapon was present. Not used, but on the assailants person. In order to survive and win you must act with these assumptions.
TACTICAL MISTAKE 4 at 7:37. Note on assailants attack: This type of attack is meant to intimidate it’s victim. The arms will not be extending like Frankenstein’s Monster. You will be jacked up and brought in close: nose to nose, eyeball to eyeball. This type of attack is in efficient means of choking but a great way to set up a head butt or a knee to the groin. You will be jack up, banged and bounced around. You’re head will be slammed off of a wall and you will not be standing still.
At 8:05 she assumes he will not be hitting you. Well she doesn’t live in our neighborhood, like I mentioned, knees, head butts and toe kicks into your shin are soon to follow if this guy is a good street fighter.
TACTICAL MISTAKE 5 at 9:30. Assume the worst (again). A bear hug is a violent attack performed by larger people on smaller people. You must also assume that if your assailant assumes this method of attack they have some comfort level with it. She doesn’t talk bout maintaining balance, and a good foundation that without you won’t be able to do a damn thing. Also keep in mind that if you are trying to maintain your balance you WILL NOT BE ABLE TO KICK. Now if my wife were to come up behind me and embrace me like this, no problem, I’d knock her cold. But when a drunk, Division 1AA linebacker grabs me from behind, I’m lucky to be conscious. Now, at the very end she has some more good ideas, but because of critical tactical mistake you will never even have an opportunity to perform these.
By no means do I mean to embarrass the person on the video, this is just a great example of a well meaning, caring martial artist making typical mistakes that all martial artists do.
The tactics of self defense are the same that apply to combat:
1. Concentration of effort Principle, is a fighting force's edge. Once an aim is identified, earmark enough resources to achieve it and focus them on the task. An old maxim has it that he who defends everything defends nothing; and it is also true that he who attacks everywhere will capture nothing. In self defense, you can’t plan for every specific situation, but you can train to attack the target in one similar manner. This concentrates your effort. For example: training, specific and different defenses for a wrist grab or a collar grab or a choke will dilute your effort, but training to dismantle anyone who puts their hands on you at close range with a few techniques, concentrates your effort.
2. Deception Principle, is the act of allowing an opponent to only react to the wrong circumstances. Diversionary attacks, feints, decoys: There are thousands of tricks that have been successfully used and still have a role in the future. In self defense you may appear to be weak or injured, you may also ask questions or use concealed weapons and tools to distract or injure your target.
3. Destruction of enemy forces Principle states that you will achieve your other war aims (strategic and tactical) most efficiently if you reduce your enemy's forces. Remember that you both have limited resources to deploy in order to achieve your own aims and to prevent the enemy from achieving hers. The destruction of these resources tips the balance against you. In self defense, you MUST always use methods that cause maximum damage to your enemy and minimum damage to you in the shortest amount of time possible.
4. Economy of force Principle, the ability to use all forces effectively. A common principle of war; the attentive commander knows that his troops, equipment and supplies must be husbanded and used carefully, only if there is a good chance of success. Of course, the terrible conundrum is that success only comes when one exposes their forces to risk. Allocate minimum essential combat power to secondary efforts in self defense, anything less than complete commitment to obliterating your enemy will cause you to waste time and energy. A “non-lethal” or “non-violent approach” like a wrist release will divert time, energy and attention away from the real objective: survive and win at all costs.
5. Initiative Principle, or simply "Carpe Diem" translated as "seize the day". This is self explanatory: the failure to act is a failure.
6. Maneuver Principle, consists of the various ways in which troops can be deployed and moved to obtain offensive, mass, and surprise. Place the enemy in a disadvantageous position through the flexible application of combat power. In self defense you must always move forward and take ground. This keeps your enemy off balance and incapable of attacking you. Attack, attack, attack and for good measure…attack again.
7. Mass principle, is the concentration of superior force at a critical point. Concentrate combat power at the decisive place and time. In self defense you put your strongest weapons to their weakest targets.
8. Objectives Principle. Tactics should be directed to achieving a particular outcome such as a successful disengagement from an advancing enemy, or merely causing a greater proportional loss to the enemy than to your own force (attrition). Once an aim is identified, time, resources and effort are expended to achieve it; therefore, these are wasted if the aim is frequently changed. In self defense, it is self preservation with NO regard towards your enemy. When you start to act with your enemy’s safety in mind, it confuses the objective. Your objective is to survive and win at all costs, anything less is gross miscalculation.
9. Offensive Principle. Seize, retain, and exploit the initiative. Direct every military operation towards a clearly defined, decisive, and attainable objective. In self defense, you can not hold back until the threat is gone.
10. Relentless pursuit of foes Principle, is the idea of breaking the enemies morale by relentlessly attacking a foe, not giving them the chance to recover, which brings you that much closer to breaking the enemies will to resist. In self defense you must attack ruthlessly and violently. The more brutal your attack the higher the rate of success.
11. Simplicity Principle Prepare clear, uncomplicated plans and clear, concise orders to ensure thorough understanding. In self defense you need only one objective combined with clear and specific actions that can be applied and adapted to any situation. More complicated techniques and ideas leads to confusion. Confusion leads to hesitation and that wastes resources like time and effort. Keep it simple.
12. Surprise Principle, is the act of using stealth and deception in your attacks vs. the enemy. Strike the enemy at a time, at a place, or in a manner for which he is unprepared. In self defense the one who strikes first, usually wins. By using distance and methods of deception you can expose your target’s intentions and create an opportunity for you to attack first.
13. Unity of command Principle, or cooperation, is essential to the pursuit of objectives. For every objective, ensure unity of effort under one responsible commander. Self defense has one goal: survive.
Tactics always come first. It doesn’t matter if it’s on the battlefield or the back ally, the octagon or the parking lot. These are the laws of conflict and can never be ignored.
Damian Ross
The Self Defense Company
The Self Defense Training System
Martial Arts
Self Defense
Martial Arts Training
Self Defense Training
Self Defense Tactics
Monday, March 22, 2010
Some (Bad) Guys Have all the Luck!!!!!!
When it comes to violent encounters, we (The Police) start at a disadvantage. That’s right…We are the “underdog”, the “short stack at the table”, the “Cinderella.” The bad guy always has the jump on us….Why??
First, a guy who assaults a cop is wired entirely different than you or me. He most likely spent the majority of his life getting over on people and has no concept or concern about consequences. He feels neither guilt nor pity and is completely void of sympathy. The only thing that matters in his life is himself and “feeling good.” On the other hand, the least of our concerns are ourselves. We focus on our families and colleagues. We are professionals that have a lot vested in our career. The odds always favor the guy with nothing to lose. We have everything to lose!!! And unfortunately that can severely affect our mindset.
Second, the bad guy has more experience. A quick question; Who has been in more real fights? A) A Police Officer who grew up in a great home, in suburbia, and whose prior experiences with violence was limited to the frat house push matches and Steven Seagal movies (this is me) or B) A career criminal (I hear they fight sometimes in prison). These guys are more comfortable and better at violence than we are.
Last, is “intent.” The bad guy has in his mind a plan of action. This plan often includes an assault option that he has already approved in his mind. Therefore, his starting point is combat mode. In contrast, we spend the majority of our time serving the community and dealing with good people who need our help (this is especially true in small town departments). So, we need to throw that switch from our starting point of community service to true enforcement. This can result in costly hesitation.
So, how do we level the playing field??
Mental rehearsal is one option. Going through scenarios helps your mind prepare for the fight, thus limiting reaction lag time.
Have a commanding presence. In these situations, being a “nice guy” is way overrated. Be “no-nonsense” when dealing with individuals who make you the least bit uncomfortable. You can always go up the kindness ladder if necessary. Set parameters for their behavior in your mind. If they break them, act decisively, act first, and act aggressively.
Control the environment. Dictate their actions small and large. Their inability to comply with the simplest order may tip you off to future noncompliance. And again, always have the bigger team. Keep the ratio at least 2-1 in favor of the Blue Team. If you are the least bit uncomfortable, 3-1 is better.
Good Luck.
Det. Ed Kane
Ed Kane is an Upper Saddle River, NJ Detective, Defensive Tactics instructor and a Self Defense Company Guardian Instructor
Guardian Defensive Tactics
Police Tactical Training
The Self Defense Company
Police Combatives
Use of force
Damian Ross
First, a guy who assaults a cop is wired entirely different than you or me. He most likely spent the majority of his life getting over on people and has no concept or concern about consequences. He feels neither guilt nor pity and is completely void of sympathy. The only thing that matters in his life is himself and “feeling good.” On the other hand, the least of our concerns are ourselves. We focus on our families and colleagues. We are professionals that have a lot vested in our career. The odds always favor the guy with nothing to lose. We have everything to lose!!! And unfortunately that can severely affect our mindset.
Second, the bad guy has more experience. A quick question; Who has been in more real fights? A) A Police Officer who grew up in a great home, in suburbia, and whose prior experiences with violence was limited to the frat house push matches and Steven Seagal movies (this is me) or B) A career criminal (I hear they fight sometimes in prison). These guys are more comfortable and better at violence than we are.
Last, is “intent.” The bad guy has in his mind a plan of action. This plan often includes an assault option that he has already approved in his mind. Therefore, his starting point is combat mode. In contrast, we spend the majority of our time serving the community and dealing with good people who need our help (this is especially true in small town departments). So, we need to throw that switch from our starting point of community service to true enforcement. This can result in costly hesitation.
So, how do we level the playing field??
Mental rehearsal is one option. Going through scenarios helps your mind prepare for the fight, thus limiting reaction lag time.
Have a commanding presence. In these situations, being a “nice guy” is way overrated. Be “no-nonsense” when dealing with individuals who make you the least bit uncomfortable. You can always go up the kindness ladder if necessary. Set parameters for their behavior in your mind. If they break them, act decisively, act first, and act aggressively.
Control the environment. Dictate their actions small and large. Their inability to comply with the simplest order may tip you off to future noncompliance. And again, always have the bigger team. Keep the ratio at least 2-1 in favor of the Blue Team. If you are the least bit uncomfortable, 3-1 is better.
Good Luck.
Det. Ed Kane
Ed Kane is an Upper Saddle River, NJ Detective, Defensive Tactics instructor and a Self Defense Company Guardian Instructor
Guardian Defensive Tactics
Police Tactical Training
The Self Defense Company
Police Combatives
Use of force
Damian Ross
When you exhaust all other options, then what?
The following was inspired and borrowed liberally from the Gun Rights Roundup
by Buckeye Firearms Association
In Toledo Ohio, a thug has gone on an ugly and violent crime spree.
His technique is to prowl parking lots looking for an unlocked car he knows to be owned by a woman. He hides in the car then pounces when the woman gets in, robbing or threatening to rape the victim at gunpoint.
The advice from police? Lock your car doors.
That's sensible advice, but it doesn't address the central issue. What happens if the thug jumps you in the parking lot? Or what if he pulls out a gun while you're in a fast food store? This particular thug has done both.
The real message from Toledo police is that they can't protect you or prevent a crime. Your personal security is up to you.
Security experts will tell you to be aware of your surroundings and listen to your gut. If you see someone who appears out of place or threatening, you should take evasive action. That's fine as far as it goes, but if you're serious about security, you have to ask yourself an important question: "Then what?"
If you're aware of your surroundings, see a threat, and do everything you can to avoid a confrontation but can't, then what? If you lock your doors and turn on your security system and a bad guy breaks in anyway, then what? If you dial 911 and the operator tells you police will arrive within 10 minutes, but a criminal is threatening you now, then what?
Even if you own or carry a firearm, you must still get to your weapon. And if it's not in your hand, then what?
The don't ask, don't care mentality.
Police, government and corporations will NEVER advise you to use force to defend yourself. READ: NEVER. The last thing these organizations want is the liability of advising citizens to use force of any kind. Because of one simple reason: they don't want to get sued. Even if they're right, they will spend $495 per hour on lawyers to defend even the mere suggestion of taking a self defense course. In the end your safety is compromised because of their potential exposure for a law suit.
You are left on your own to sift through the confusing world of martial arts and self defense an industry more concerned with enrollment and sport than defensive tactics.
This is one reason that the Self Defense Training System (SDTS) is such a vital piece of the security puzzle. Once you accept the fact that your security is up to you, not the police, and after you take ordinary precautions to lower your risk, you must ask yourself, "Then what?"
This is also why we decided to let you try the program FREE for 30 days!No matter where you are, in your home or a deserted parking lot and encounter a violent criminal, the Self Defense Training System (SDTS) offers you an immediate and effective answer to the question "Then what?" And it doesn't take years to master and it will allow you to channel your will to survive.
The powers that be want to prevent you from having a good answer to "THEN WHAT?" question. They assume we're trying to turn people into violent killers. That couldn't be farther from the truth. We just want to make sure you have all available options by giving you simple and effective answers to tough situations. Whether you choose to use them is up to you.
It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Let the decision to become a victim be your choice and not the person pointing a gun in your face at 3 a.m.
Damian Ross
The Self Defense Training System
SDTS
The Self Defense Company
Martial Arts
Self Defense
Close Combat
Defensive Tactics
by Buckeye Firearms Association
In Toledo Ohio, a thug has gone on an ugly and violent crime spree.
His technique is to prowl parking lots looking for an unlocked car he knows to be owned by a woman. He hides in the car then pounces when the woman gets in, robbing or threatening to rape the victim at gunpoint.
The advice from police? Lock your car doors.
That's sensible advice, but it doesn't address the central issue. What happens if the thug jumps you in the parking lot? Or what if he pulls out a gun while you're in a fast food store? This particular thug has done both.
The real message from Toledo police is that they can't protect you or prevent a crime. Your personal security is up to you.
Security experts will tell you to be aware of your surroundings and listen to your gut. If you see someone who appears out of place or threatening, you should take evasive action. That's fine as far as it goes, but if you're serious about security, you have to ask yourself an important question: "Then what?"
If you're aware of your surroundings, see a threat, and do everything you can to avoid a confrontation but can't, then what? If you lock your doors and turn on your security system and a bad guy breaks in anyway, then what? If you dial 911 and the operator tells you police will arrive within 10 minutes, but a criminal is threatening you now, then what?
Even if you own or carry a firearm, you must still get to your weapon. And if it's not in your hand, then what?
The don't ask, don't care mentality.
Police, government and corporations will NEVER advise you to use force to defend yourself. READ: NEVER. The last thing these organizations want is the liability of advising citizens to use force of any kind. Because of one simple reason: they don't want to get sued. Even if they're right, they will spend $495 per hour on lawyers to defend even the mere suggestion of taking a self defense course. In the end your safety is compromised because of their potential exposure for a law suit.
You are left on your own to sift through the confusing world of martial arts and self defense an industry more concerned with enrollment and sport than defensive tactics.
This is one reason that the Self Defense Training System (SDTS) is such a vital piece of the security puzzle. Once you accept the fact that your security is up to you, not the police, and after you take ordinary precautions to lower your risk, you must ask yourself, "Then what?"
This is also why we decided to let you try the program FREE for 30 days!No matter where you are, in your home or a deserted parking lot and encounter a violent criminal, the Self Defense Training System (SDTS) offers you an immediate and effective answer to the question "Then what?" And it doesn't take years to master and it will allow you to channel your will to survive.
The powers that be want to prevent you from having a good answer to "THEN WHAT?" question. They assume we're trying to turn people into violent killers. That couldn't be farther from the truth. We just want to make sure you have all available options by giving you simple and effective answers to tough situations. Whether you choose to use them is up to you.
It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Let the decision to become a victim be your choice and not the person pointing a gun in your face at 3 a.m.
Damian Ross
The Self Defense Training System
SDTS
The Self Defense Company
Martial Arts
Self Defense
Close Combat
Defensive Tactics
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The Japanse Inspection and The Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling
St. Patrick's Day 2010 marked my debut as a Co-Host on the Radio Show Rear Naked Choke with long time veteran Joe Rizzo. The show featured two fighters on the opposite ends of the fight spectrum.
The first was Jay Herion a 19 and 4 Strike Force Fighter who is entering a pivotal point in his career. At age 33 he has proved himself to be a top notch fighter and waits patiently to get his big break. The other is female upstart Zoila Frausto an undefeated (5-0) Strike Force fighter on the verge of making a name for herself in the growing sport of woman's MMA.
Jay is at a crossroads. He's in a position he's worked all of his life for: peaking at the right age with 19 wins and only 4 losses to big name UFC fighters in the heavily contested middle weight division, he's reached the elite level. Unfortunately he's forced to do something he's not trained to do, wait. Currently he is in contract negotiations with Strike Force. If an agreement can't be reached in the next 30 days, he will be released from his contract. One would assume he would pursue a more lucrative contract with the the BIG SHOW known s the UFC.
In the meantime he's training, living clean (hell he wasn't even going out for St. Pat's- oh the humanity!) and biding his time for his shot at the title.
As a fighter, you're main concern is well, fighting. Staying in shape, improving your skill set and winning bouts. But that's only part of the big picture. You still have to get booked for fights. Fighters like Jay who have been around the block know the deal and put their faith in management to get them the best deal possible.
The problem he faces, like all fighters, is time. The longer he's kept waiting, the lower his stock goes. It's like the fabled "Japanese Inspection" made famous in the 1990's film Days of Thunder.
"You see when you see, when the Japs get in a load of lettuce they're not sure they wanna let in the country, why they'll just let it sit there on the dock 'til they get good and ready to look at. But then of course, it's all gone rotten... ain't nothing left to inspect."
Lettuce is a perishable item, like fighters. The longer things drag out, the more a fighter is forgotten. He loses his cache and then eventually his skill. By not fighting reputable opponents, he doesn't get challenged and nothing can replace good ring experience. Add to that the cold hard fact that he's simply aging he may never get his shot. His career may end, never reaching it's full potential.
What amazed me the most about Jay were his wrestling accomplishments. He only began wrestling in 9th grade. In high school he became a 2 time county champ and state place winner in New York which is no small task. Across the country there are only a handful of states that consistently produce great wrestlers: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Oklahoma, Ohio and California to name a few.
In college he was a Junior College National Champion. While it might not sound like much, Junior College (Juco) is much harder than Division 2 and Division 3. The athletes in the Juco's are primarily there for academic reasons. Great wrestlers who fail to meet the college academic standards continue their careers in the Juco's until they get picked up by a Division 1 school. Being a Juco National Champ is no joke.
At the end of the day, you would hope that the best fighters get to fight, but that's not always the case. I hope Jay gets his much deserved shot at glory.
Zoila Frausto is jumping up a weight to fight Miesha Tate at the March 26th Strike Force event. There's a lot of "trash talking" around this fight and it's shaping up to be the most watched under card event.
Zoila was extremely easy to talk to and almost gave us the goods on her "Girls Night Out" in Vegas, Entourage Style. I asked my co-host Joe if we could get a remote camera on that, of course I volunteered to cover the shoot...the things we do for you people.
One of the issues surrounding woman's MMA is the beauty and the beast controversy. It seems promoters are opting for Beauty over Brawn when it comes to pairing fights. The obvious angle is the GLOW (Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling) model where attractive women beat themselves up in the ring. The question is do MMA fans want to see quality fights or good looking fighters? In the end it will be the fans who decide when the powers that be tally the receipts at the box office. Of course Zoila, wasn't concerned with any of that shit, she just wants to fight anyone she can get her gloves on!
In the end she was a good sport. Joe put her up to calling me "Fresh Meat" since it was my first time behind the mic. But hell, I didn't see it that way. Anytime a 26 year old woman calls a 42 year man "Fresh Meat" its a compliment.
To check out the full interview visit the link below.
RNC Radio live: Zoila Frausto and Jay Hieron
Posted using ShareThis
The Self Defense Company
Damian Ross
The Self Defense Training System
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Lament for the REAL MAN?
What the Hell Happened to Real Men?
When I was young it was stand up for the girl, stand up for what is right, don't back down from bullies and never hit a guy with glasses. Real men always did the right thing. They took care of their families and put food on the table.
We had role models like Mike Brady of the Brady Bunch, James Evans of Goodtimes, Steve Douglas of My Three Sons and good old Ward Cleaver of Leave it to Beaver. On the big screen there was Stallone, Eastwood, Lee Marvin, Robert Mitchum, and of course the Duke "John Wayne". They represented the man of the time:
they worked, they fought, they were faithful and honorable. They took responsibility and had accountability.
The dads I knew went to work and loved mom. He dispensed kindness and discipline with the wisdom of Solomon. He showed you how to take responsibility, treat a woman with respect, showed compassion and kindness and was willing to fight for his beliefs.
Unfortunately, somewhere along the line those ideals became outdated and antiquated to caveman proportions. Men have been force fed their feminine side. Ideals have have been replaced with "reality". "Reality" is code for shifting focus from the good to the bad. Let's face it, you watch reality shows for the train wrecks, not the triumphs.
"Reality" has become the new truth and it's perverted. Our effort to show this new "truth" men has destroyed the image of REAL MEN. We are taught that real men are narrow-minded Neanderthals incapable of being humane. They are 2 dimension throwbacks that objectify women and are prone to violence.
Real men have been taught that all violence is bad. That violence doesn't solve anything. Well, it may not solve anything, but it sure stops a lot of shit. Violence is a SOLUTION, not an ANSWER.
Real men have been forced into social sensitivity training. We have been told it's OK to cry. Listen, real men only cry at funerals, Old Yeller and when they retire from professional sports. They can shed an occasional tear, but no more than two.
In the media men are unfaithful, cheat are deadbeat and nonexistent. They have been portrayed as buffoons an inept providers. Cliff Huckstable has been replaced by Homer Simpson and Peter Griffin. The new series Modern Family portrays the DADS like this: One is like an impetuous child, another is an antiquated tough guy with the proverbial wife who is 25 years younger and finally the homosexual couple who have my gay friends saying "they're a little over the top." Hell, even Spider-man and Superman developed "issues".
If left to use the mass media example of a what a real man is, my son will have 3 kids with 3 different mothers, no job and be living in my basement for the next 30 years eating nothing but peanut butter and crackers, smoking pot and playing Gears of War 15.
My daughter will learn to accept any substandard behavior because her expectations will be lowered to the point of ZERO. She will be mistreated and abused while moving from one failed relationship to another. Doesn't it bother anybody that the rate of divorce is 50%.
We have been told that marriage is unnatural and outdated. That animals are not monogamous, so how can you expect humans to be? Really, have we put our intellect on the level of the rest of the animal kingdom? People cheat and there's a high rate of divorce because the men you created are little whining maggots too concerned with their fulfillment. You have made them so sensitive that they question EVERY ASPECT OF THEIR LIVES. They are insecure, congratulations on your new inner child!
Listen, there are some people who shouldn't be together. But growing apart is....BULLSHIT!!! How can you grow apart when you live together. What happens is you get too distracted by your own world and FORGOT what you promised each other....how the hell did I wind up here?
Back on track.
The media will not help you. Time to turn off the TV and teach our kids to hold themselves to a higher standard. To be accountable and assume responsibility.
So far I have created a list of rules I am going to instill in my kids. The list is a work in progress but here goes.
For starters my son will:
1. Hold the door open for a woman
2. Pick up the check
3. Know how to protect himself
4. Stand up for what he thinks is right
5. Know that NO means NO.
6. To treat women with respect and kindness
7. To own his mistakes
8. To never kiss on the first date
9. To help the little guy in trouble
10.To play hard and by the rules
11. To know that steroids are not an acceptable performance enhancer
12. To be honest and loyal to his friends and family until given sufficient reason otherwise.
13. Never send a digital image of any body part, whatsoever.
14. Always be polite
My daughter will:
1. Never wait for a boy
2. Never do anything just because it's time or for the sake of doing it
3. Know how to protect herself
4. Know how she should be treated
5. To never pick up a check
6. To be honest and loyal to friends and family until given sufficient reason otherwise
Stand up for what he thinks is right
7. Know that NO means NO.
8. To treat men with respect and honesty
9. To own his mistakes
10. To never kiss on the first date
11. To help the little guy in trouble
12.To play hard and by the rules
13. Never send a digital image of any body part, whatsoever
14. Always be polite
The bar for behavior has been set so low that I don't think it even exists. Other than murder and rape, most everything is fair game. Like LtCol Slade in Scent of a Woman said "Grow up! [Today]It's fuck your buddy, cheat on your wife, call your mother on Mother's Day!"
Well not on my watch. I will not accept the "anything is good enough standard" that is set. I will not let myself or my family settle. We will strive to be a better son, daughter, friend, sister, brother and coworker. They will expect more of themselves and not at the expense of losing themselves. They will understand the virtues of a REAL MAN.
Damian Ross
The Self Defense Company
Family Safe Program
The Self Defense Training System
When I was young it was stand up for the girl, stand up for what is right, don't back down from bullies and never hit a guy with glasses. Real men always did the right thing. They took care of their families and put food on the table.
We had role models like Mike Brady of the Brady Bunch, James Evans of Goodtimes, Steve Douglas of My Three Sons and good old Ward Cleaver of Leave it to Beaver. On the big screen there was Stallone, Eastwood, Lee Marvin, Robert Mitchum, and of course the Duke "John Wayne". They represented the man of the time:
they worked, they fought, they were faithful and honorable. They took responsibility and had accountability.
The dads I knew went to work and loved mom. He dispensed kindness and discipline with the wisdom of Solomon. He showed you how to take responsibility, treat a woman with respect, showed compassion and kindness and was willing to fight for his beliefs.
Unfortunately, somewhere along the line those ideals became outdated and antiquated to caveman proportions. Men have been force fed their feminine side. Ideals have have been replaced with "reality". "Reality" is code for shifting focus from the good to the bad. Let's face it, you watch reality shows for the train wrecks, not the triumphs.
"Reality" has become the new truth and it's perverted. Our effort to show this new "truth" men has destroyed the image of REAL MEN. We are taught that real men are narrow-minded Neanderthals incapable of being humane. They are 2 dimension throwbacks that objectify women and are prone to violence.
Real men have been taught that all violence is bad. That violence doesn't solve anything. Well, it may not solve anything, but it sure stops a lot of shit. Violence is a SOLUTION, not an ANSWER.
Real men have been forced into social sensitivity training. We have been told it's OK to cry. Listen, real men only cry at funerals, Old Yeller and when they retire from professional sports. They can shed an occasional tear, but no more than two.
In the media men are unfaithful, cheat are deadbeat and nonexistent. They have been portrayed as buffoons an inept providers. Cliff Huckstable has been replaced by Homer Simpson and Peter Griffin. The new series Modern Family portrays the DADS like this: One is like an impetuous child, another is an antiquated tough guy with the proverbial wife who is 25 years younger and finally the homosexual couple who have my gay friends saying "they're a little over the top." Hell, even Spider-man and Superman developed "issues".
If left to use the mass media example of a what a real man is, my son will have 3 kids with 3 different mothers, no job and be living in my basement for the next 30 years eating nothing but peanut butter and crackers, smoking pot and playing Gears of War 15.
My daughter will learn to accept any substandard behavior because her expectations will be lowered to the point of ZERO. She will be mistreated and abused while moving from one failed relationship to another. Doesn't it bother anybody that the rate of divorce is 50%.
We have been told that marriage is unnatural and outdated. That animals are not monogamous, so how can you expect humans to be? Really, have we put our intellect on the level of the rest of the animal kingdom? People cheat and there's a high rate of divorce because the men you created are little whining maggots too concerned with their fulfillment. You have made them so sensitive that they question EVERY ASPECT OF THEIR LIVES. They are insecure, congratulations on your new inner child!
Listen, there are some people who shouldn't be together. But growing apart is....BULLSHIT!!! How can you grow apart when you live together. What happens is you get too distracted by your own world and FORGOT what you promised each other....how the hell did I wind up here?
Back on track.
The media will not help you. Time to turn off the TV and teach our kids to hold themselves to a higher standard. To be accountable and assume responsibility.
So far I have created a list of rules I am going to instill in my kids. The list is a work in progress but here goes.
For starters my son will:
1. Hold the door open for a woman
2. Pick up the check
3. Know how to protect himself
4. Stand up for what he thinks is right
5. Know that NO means NO.
6. To treat women with respect and kindness
7. To own his mistakes
8. To never kiss on the first date
9. To help the little guy in trouble
10.To play hard and by the rules
11. To know that steroids are not an acceptable performance enhancer
12. To be honest and loyal to his friends and family until given sufficient reason otherwise.
13. Never send a digital image of any body part, whatsoever.
14. Always be polite
My daughter will:
1. Never wait for a boy
2. Never do anything just because it's time or for the sake of doing it
3. Know how to protect herself
4. Know how she should be treated
5. To never pick up a check
6. To be honest and loyal to friends and family until given sufficient reason otherwise
Stand up for what he thinks is right
7. Know that NO means NO.
8. To treat men with respect and honesty
9. To own his mistakes
10. To never kiss on the first date
11. To help the little guy in trouble
12.To play hard and by the rules
13. Never send a digital image of any body part, whatsoever
14. Always be polite
The bar for behavior has been set so low that I don't think it even exists. Other than murder and rape, most everything is fair game. Like LtCol Slade in Scent of a Woman said "Grow up! [Today]It's fuck your buddy, cheat on your wife, call your mother on Mother's Day!"
Well not on my watch. I will not accept the "anything is good enough standard" that is set. I will not let myself or my family settle. We will strive to be a better son, daughter, friend, sister, brother and coworker. They will expect more of themselves and not at the expense of losing themselves. They will understand the virtues of a REAL MAN.
Damian Ross
The Self Defense Company
Family Safe Program
The Self Defense Training System
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Self defense is not Spiritual
Self defense is not spiritual, it's tactical. It's not a style, it's a purpose. From self preservation and survival, to complete devastation of your enemy, it's whatever works. A closed fist or a firearm, it is the method that is most expedient and most convenient.
The question is not why you defend yourself but how. How to defeat the enemy as quickly as possible. How to use any means necessary. How to survive an assault or a rape. How to channel your will to survive in the most efficient and effective means possible. How to inflict as much damage and injury while sustaining as little as possible. How to survive in any possible environment and situation. How to perform correctly when conscious thought and the power to speak is gone. How to react effectively when you're incapable of reason. How to survive when you're only able to perform a single action.
The question is never why. Why is this person doing this to me? Why can't I just live my life in peace? Why would I ever want to harm another human being? These are questions of morality and reason. These are the questions to ask before and after, but never during.
Self defense knows no morality. It knows no right from wrong, only the living and the dead. It does not reason, it just acts swiftly and ruthlessly. Self defense is a cold hard tool to be used with extreme discretion, but when deployed must be done so with 100% conviction until the threat is stopped. Anything less is a gross miscalculation.
You live your life with ethics, morals and laws. You let your heart and your conscious guide your decisions. But when it's time to act, the samurai used to say "only think of the cut" and the commando's used to say "do your worst, fast and first". Once the switch is flipped morality takes a back seat and you must be prepared to do what ever it takes.
If you live your live correctly. If you are a moral and a good person, your actions, no matter how brutal, will be justified. Do not think twice about why, just focus on the how because when you are actually put in a position to defend yourself when properly prepared, you will not ask WHY.
The Self Defense Training System
The Self Defense Company
Martial Arts
Self Defense
Damian Ross
The question is not why you defend yourself but how. How to defeat the enemy as quickly as possible. How to use any means necessary. How to survive an assault or a rape. How to channel your will to survive in the most efficient and effective means possible. How to inflict as much damage and injury while sustaining as little as possible. How to survive in any possible environment and situation. How to perform correctly when conscious thought and the power to speak is gone. How to react effectively when you're incapable of reason. How to survive when you're only able to perform a single action.
The question is never why. Why is this person doing this to me? Why can't I just live my life in peace? Why would I ever want to harm another human being? These are questions of morality and reason. These are the questions to ask before and after, but never during.
Self defense knows no morality. It knows no right from wrong, only the living and the dead. It does not reason, it just acts swiftly and ruthlessly. Self defense is a cold hard tool to be used with extreme discretion, but when deployed must be done so with 100% conviction until the threat is stopped. Anything less is a gross miscalculation.
You live your life with ethics, morals and laws. You let your heart and your conscious guide your decisions. But when it's time to act, the samurai used to say "only think of the cut" and the commando's used to say "do your worst, fast and first". Once the switch is flipped morality takes a back seat and you must be prepared to do what ever it takes.
If you live your live correctly. If you are a moral and a good person, your actions, no matter how brutal, will be justified. Do not think twice about why, just focus on the how because when you are actually put in a position to defend yourself when properly prepared, you will not ask WHY.
The Self Defense Training System
The Self Defense Company
Martial Arts
Self Defense
Damian Ross
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