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Best Martial Arts For Self Defense

Martial Arts Clubs

Best Martial Arts For Self DefenseBy Rob Wumout

When people ask me which is the greatest martial arts for self defense, I often wonder if they do understand the difference between winning a fight and a self defense situation? I think to get the right answer to the original question; the question should be rephrased into which self defense strategies would be right for me?

There are plenty of thoughts and opinions on the issue of the 'greatest martial arts', be it for self defense, or otherwise. Some believe that when it comes to self defense, there should not be any pre-set strategy. However, you can consider putting to use some of the greatest karate moves, known as kata. A successful self-defense strategy is aimed not at winning any competition. More often than not, strategic thinking is more important than moves.

If you are structured in your thinking, you may prefer to know which of the martial arts techniques to use and when to use. Firstly, there are essentially two lines of approach in martial arts when it deals with self defense. They are the karate or kata approach and the free response approach.

While the kata approach involves learning a host of pre-determined karate moves called 'kata' or 'forms' , the free response approach involves learning how to get the 'feel' of the attacker and the combative situation through the effective use of intuition. Here you are allowed to develop your own and unique 'style' to handle any self defense situation.

Strategic thinking in martial art techniques for self defense involves getting more 'result oriented' rather than concentrating purely on the perfection of techniques used. There is no competitive edge by using trickery or force. When you are dealing with intuitive tactics, the strategy involves knowing the exact way a fight or attack progresses; from start, escalation, progression and so on till it comes to a defeat of the attacker.

These are not based on any one's imagination however the observation of a real attack situation and gauging the strategies which should be put in place for effective self defense. The truth about self defense is that one has to respond to what the attacker is going to do, and then control the assailant's options and perceptions to prevent any harm to self.

The 5 phases of any self defense strategy using martial arts involve the following:

1. Observation

This involves watching carefully whether your opponent is setting up for grabbing or striking. If the assailant has already struck, then you have to discern where he is taking you with regard to balance, direction and control.

2. Avoiding

This involves you trying to evade his forthcoming strikes and take control of your balance and dilute or neutralize his moves. This stage is not about hurting him in return. Simple dodge and let his moves get lost.

3. Putting him off balance

After we have regained balance and control it is time to get into the combative mode. It is not time to attack the opponent however simply unnerve him making it difficult to continue with his strategy. Putting him off balance can be done emotionally, physically or mentally or use a combination of all the three.

4. Bring him down

When we have taken control of the balance of the attacker, usually he would find it difficult to remain erect. It is at this stage the attacker can not leave you nor get at you. You are left with two choices: to make him leave or put him on the ground. Karate techniques can be used depending on your preference and the situation.

5. Wait and watch

Now that you have effectively dealt with the attacker, it is time to wait and watch his next move. Our next course of action would depend on whether he decides to run away or willing to give it another shot.

While these are not 'steps' or 'action plan', they are simple control phrases which allows us to manipulate the attacker's intentions, energies and techniques to drive him away from us- all within martial arts guide lines.

Read on to find out how you can ignite your fighting skills with some of the greatest martial arts around. I will reveal all the martial arts secrets that you want to know. Go to http://www.martialartsmagic.com right now before we wise up and decide to no longer reveal our secrets!

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Martial Arts - 5 Phases of an Effective Self-Defense Strategy

Martial Arts Clubs

Martial Arts - 5 Phases of an Effective Self-Defense StrategyBy Jeffrey Miller

How do you make sense out of the chaos that is a fight or self-defence (the means of defending oneself from physical attack; the right to protect oneself against violence by using reasonable force, especially when used as justification in a murder charge) situation? Some would have you believe that all you have to do is to memorize some karate moves known as kata. Others would have you believe that you can just make it up as you go with no preset strategy or goal in mind except to win. This article outlines a formula for successful self-defence (the means of defending oneself from physical attack; the right to protect oneself against violence by using reasonable force, especially when used as justification in a murder charge) that takes the middle path and focuses, not on technique, however on the strategic-thinking used by master commanders.

Have you ever wondered how you know which technique to use when an attacker is coming at you with murderous rage? Have you ever read the newspaper or a magazine story and seen that a police officer, security professional, or other person trained in self-defense, was injured or killed by an untrained attacker?

Of course you have. And so have I.

Within the world of martial arts (Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat) and self-defense, there are two vastly different schools of thought for dealing with a violent confrontation. They are what we might call...

  • 1. The Kata Approach - which involves the student learning a series of preset - predetermined set of movements that have been passed down from teacher-to-student. The student is to master these technique-strings called kata or "forms", through solo training, practice drills, and sparring sessions, until they can execute them at full-speed against an attacker. And...

  • 2. The Free-Response Approach - which involves the student being thrown into the pool, so-to-speak, and then being coached into different ways to attack or counter the attacker by "feel" and intuitive response. The student continues and, in essence, develops his or her own style or "way" to handle situations.

While both of these systems have merit and I use elements of both to train my own students, each system leaves much to be desired in-an-of-itself. Where the kata student has a structure from which to work and can duplicate sets of moves to easily isolate and correct errors, he or she is left to their own devices when it comes to intuitively "figuring out" what comes next.

And, where the "free-response" adherent is left to develop his or her own sense of what's suitable and what fits, they are generally guided without the benefit of "success-models" developed by generations of past masters who have used what they passed on successfully, time and again.

Self-Defense Strategy

There is a level of proficiency beyond technique that both the kata practitioner and the free-response students will naturally progress to. It is the level of strategic application, or being "results oriented," rather than focusing only on technique or "gaining the upper hand" through trickery or force.

However, in place of waiting for only those intuitive enough to "figure it out," there is a formula that can be learned that will take a student through the natural flow of a fight. This formula, unlike many theories being passed on in the world of martial arts (Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat) and self-defense, is not based on my "ideas," however rather it develops when one is able to step back and look at how a fight begins, escalates, progresses, and is controlled by true experts.

The truth is that, every real expert at personal self-defence (the means of defending oneself from physical attack; the right to protect oneself against violence by using reasonable force, especially when used as justification in a murder charge) uses this formula, whether he or she knows it or not. They may not call it the same thing or think of it as such, however they have developed a way to make sense of the chaos, respondto what their assailant is attempting to do, and then go on to controlling their attacker's options, perceptions, and ability to get at and do them harm.

The 5 Phases of An Effective Self-Defense Strategy

  • 1. OBSERVE Here we pay attention as our assailant attempts to move in against us. With experience and training, we can see if he appears to be setting up for grabbing or striking. If he's already on us, this stage is about discerning where he is trying to take us with regards to balance, control, and direction.

  • 2. AVOID At this stage, we shouldn't be concerned about hurting him as much as not getting beaten by his first move. Here, we avoid or evade incoming strikes, or maneuver to regain balance and neutralize the effects of what he's doing if he has already grabbed us.

  • 3. UNBALANCE Only after we have avoided his initial attacks and realize that we have a sense of control of the situation, can we actually start to "enter" in against him. We're still not worried about beating him yet - only making it difficult for him to continue with his strategy. At this stage, we work to take and control our opponent's balance. We can do this physically, mentally, emotionally, or a combination of the three. The point here is to make it increasingly difficult for our attacker to get at us. In fact, we direct our intentions and techniques toward boxing him in and locking him up.

  • 4. TAKE DOWN When we have taken our assailant's balance, he will find it very difficult to attack us. In fact, he may even find it very difficult to stay on his feet. Now, and only now, should we take the fight to the attacker. At this point, if we have successfully moved through to phase four, our attacker will not be able to get at us, nor get away from us. Literally, at this stage of the game, we have choice. And choice equals freedom. We choose the techniques or skills that will take the attacker to the ground or knock him away from us, depending on what we need and whether he was grabbing, punching, or both.

  • 5. OBSERVE No, this is not a misprint. We have come full circle after dealing with the initial onslaught of our opponent and dealt him a blow of our own. Now, we return to the observation stage (not that we ever lost it) to see what he will do next. We don't turn our back on him nor begin celebrating our victory. We watch. We watch to see if he is down and out, if he has conceded and is running away, or if he's preparing to try something else.

These 5 phases should not be seen as steps. They are not five things "to do," however rather 5 stages or areas of control, that flow naturally from each other as we enter, engage, and direct our attacker's energies, intentions, and techniques away from us.

Jeffrey M. Miller is the founder of Warrior Concepts International. He is a highly sought-after trainer, consultant, and expert in the areas of self-defense, workplace violence defensive tactics, and personal protection. He is the author of several books, and videos, including: "The Science of Self-Defense," and the dvd, "Danger Prevention Tactics: Protecting Yourself Like a Pro," and is the co-producer of the self-defence (the means of defending oneself from physical attack; the right to protect oneself against violence by using reasonable force, especially when used as justification in a murder charge) & martial arts (Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat) podcast called KUDEN. For more information and details and to download your free

self-defense report entitled, "Fight Smarter - Not Harder" visit his web site at: http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com

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Major Martial Arts Styles You Should Know Of

Martial Arts Clubs

Major Martial Arts Styles You Should Know OfBy Rob Wumout

Thanks to the many kung fu movies made recently, more people are getting to hear about judo and karate as forms of martial arts. However, there are various other styles of martial arts as well.

For this article, we will focus on four major styles of martial arts which are: Japanese, Korean, Asian and Philippines styles. Though all of them shared certain similar features, they are very different.

Let us discuss these four essential styles of martial arts in greater detail:

The Japanese style of martial arts: One such example is Judo where it is often deemed as a cardiovascular workout which helps people to remain fit and healthy. Based essentially on the belief of creating perfect harmony of mind and body, the Japanese style of martial arts would focus on self defense.

It relies on the knowledge of being aware of the attacker's strength and using the same against him. It uses throwing and twisting techniques and even when the opponent is mightier than you, you know how to use his strength to your favour.

Considered to be a mild form of martial arts it is never taught to attack or hurt any opponent, which is the essence of other forms of martial arts. There are various techniques used in this art form where the nervous system is pressurized to do some action during the self defense activity.

The Korean style of martial arts: This art form was initially developed for the soldiers in war field. They perfected the art to the extent that they were at one point in time known as the greatest soldiers in the world. As is evident, this art form is purely combative unlike the Japanese form, which is aimed more at protecting oneself more than attacking an opponent.

Philippine style of martial arts: Also known as FMA or Filipino martial arts, the Philippine style puts in place a system on systems approach to fighting. Martial arts exponents of this style are known for their fighting ability with weapons and bare hands. In this style of martial arts, a wide range of weapons and tactics are used. Weapons range in sizes, materials and methods of use.

The Asian style of martial arts: One of the most well-known Asian style of martial arts is known as Tai Chi which is used both for sports as well as for self defense reasons. Some schools teach this art using a weapon whereas some do not preach the use of weapons. Learning and practicing this art style is considered to bring about a certain amount of mental peace and quietness to the practitioner.

While there are plenty of different types of martial arts to choose from if one wishes to learn the art, it is always advisable to seek out the right martial arts for oneself. Visit http://www.martialartsmagic.com right now to find out how you can ignite your fighting skills with some of the greatest martial arts styles around.