Module 1
Targeting and Striking
Opening
Introduction
Chapter 1: General
Chapter 2: Let's Get Started
Chapter 3: Stances
Chapter 4: Targeting
Chapter 5: Striking
Chapter 5b: Maximize Effect
Chapter 6: Practice
Chapter 7: Conclusion
Chapter 8: Review
Chapter 9: Other Products
Disclaimer
By: Malcolm bale
Fightwize Self Defense
Copyright © 2007 by Fightwize Self Defense All Rights Reserved. www.fightwize.com
Introduction
Section 1 - Preface
Section 2 - Introduction
Section 1 - Preface
I have been involved in combative arts since the early 80’s. I was first involved in
competitive Boxing and Karate, but in 2001 I became involved with a style of JiuJitsu that deals specifically with Self Defense.
It took a slight mental adjustment and time to realize there is a significant
difference between Martial Arts and Self Defense. I often wandered what would
be the best Martial Art for Self Defense but came to the conclusion that Self
Defense itself was the best art to learn for Self Defense. Many Martial Arts do
give you an excellent foundation but there is a real need to simulate realistic
conditions and establish a new mindset.
In training, we cover aspects that are simply not covered in most Martial Arts, a
realistic approach to attacks and countering with very simple techniques and
strategies, virtually all people are physically capable of carrying out. If you do
some research, you will find a specialized course or find a club that will dedicate
some of their time specifically to learn Self Defense.
I have had the fortune or misfortune (depending on how you choose to look at it)
of experiencing some very brutal attacks. I know the feelings that run through
your body and mind, your life flashing before you. I know the feeling when
complex motor techniques become useless, legs turn to jelly, loss of peripheral
vision and so on. I have avoided, escaped and fought my way to safety. Most of
all, I have always learned a new lesson from my own experiences and the
experiences of others.
Training in competitive combat sports is great and teaching competitive fighters
is fantastic, but teaching practical techniques and strategies to people with no
previous skills or belief in oneself, is far more fulfilling. To watch a person
develop and realize that they can make a difference is where the real satisfaction
lies for me.
This course of E-Books has taken the most important, easy to learn concepts
and strategies to give you a good foundation in Self Defense. Targeting and
Striking is a fundamental aspect that you can use in any physical confrontation.
I have kept the language and terminology as simple as possible as I see no point
in trying to make simple concepts appear to be complicated.
Copyright © 2007 by Fightwize Self Defense All Rights Reserved. www.fightwize.com
I cannot complete this section without mentioning my Mother; she is the very
reason that I practice Jiu-Jitsu and Self Defense today. Having endured some
very tough times, she decided to learn Jiu-Jitsu as a form of Self Defense and to
cut a long story short, put those tough times to rest.
My Mother died several years ago, but through teaching today, I feel that it’s a
good way of keeping my association alive. I know that she would be very proud
today, to know that we are still helping men, women and children through the
teachings Jiu-Jitsu and Self Defense.
I have a Second Degree Black belt in Jiu-Jitsu but all too many people get caught
up in the color of a belt. It is a belt that I am very proud to wear and has great
meaning to others who practice the same art. However, a belt on its own is not a
true representation of an instructor, especially in self Defense. It is through first
hand experience and experiences gained through training in very high stress
conditions that give a very practical understanding of what we teach.
I know that anyone who walks into our training hall with or without any formal
training still has something to teach us. If someone has been in a situation where
the rest of us have not then they have an experience that we do not. If they are
willing to share that experience with us then we certainly have a lesson to learn.
High levels of physical fitness are not a requirement for you to start training but
personally I do like to apply some regular effort to my health and fitness. I believe
that it gives us an edge for life in general. I like to maintain a good level of fitness
year round and occasionally take it a step further. I have had some very serious
injuries over the years and I do believe that keeping a healthy body has helped in
my recovery each and every time. I have included some of the training
techniques we use in “Fightwize Fitness”.
I encourage you to practice on your own, practice with friends or family, practice
safely and have fun with it too. If you can get yourself to a course, even better, as
training with some like minded individuals with experienced instructors at hand
will help your confidence to soar.
Finally, I want to thank everyone who has made it possible to produce this
information. My family, friends, teachers, Instructors and students.
Copyright © 2007 by Fightwize Self Defense All Rights Reserved. www.fightwize.com
Section 2 - Introduction
Self Defense is not just about learning a few techniques, however, learning how
and where to strike is an essential aspect that you should become skilled at.
We all have instincts for survival passed on from our ancestors and we are all
very capable of fighting to survive.
You must have belief in yourself, even if you do not realize it yet, you are more
than capable of defending yourself against an attacker. The human body is very
fragile in places, it is not difficult to debilitate another person if required to do so
in Self Defense.
Self Defense must be simple to be effective. Under the extreme pressure of
an attack, most people are simply not capable of carrying out complex or fine
motor skills. All of your actions must consist of gross motor skills or very simple
movements that everyone is capable of.
The techniques we teach are very simple, they have to be simple to be effective
under pressure, techniques will differ slightly from person to person due to
personal interpretation but basically everyone, young or old is capable of
performing our techniques.
A First lesson to learn in Self-Defense – You are important! The most valuable
possession you will ever have is you. No-one has the right to hurt, intimidate or
harass you. You have a right to protect yourself and you are well worth fighting for.
How far will you go to protect yourself? Will you really do whatever it takes, even
if it means jamming your fingers deep into someone’s eye sockets to save
yourself? Most people would do whatever it takes to save their children; you must
find that same emotion and use it to save yourself.
The Second most important lesson in Self Defense – Understand that your mind
is your most valuable tool so keep it sharpened. In Self-Defense we use our
mind to control panic and fear, use our brain to assess a situation and to judge
the most appropriate action to take. We use our brain to make choices and
making choices is a big part of Self-Defense.
Learn to trust your gut feelings; they’re usually based on facts filed away just
below your conscious level. If something does not seem right, then it probably
isn't. Don't just trust your gut feeling but act on it.
What is it that will make you get home today? Is it to see your Child, Mother,
Father, Brother, Boyfriend, Girlfriend or even a pet? If faced by an attacker, tell
yourself that this person standing in front of you is not going to deny you the right
of seeing them again and you WILL do whatever it takes to get home to them.
Copyright © 2007 by Fightwize Self Defense All Rights Reserved. www.fightwize.com
If running or walking away is not an option, escape is your next option. Not all
situations require a physical response but you must assess your situation quickly.
If the situation does involve a physical retaliation, then you should look to make
this encounter as brief as possible. The longer it goes on then the odds may be
swinging against you or the attacker may even have accomplices local to the
scene.
General body language is important, staring at the ground, hunched shoulders,
hiding your hands in your pockets and making yourself small, carries the
message- “I’m weak and vulnerable”. Women get targeted as easy prey so
having strong body language decreases the risk of being a target. Make eye
contact with people in a way that lets them know you’ve seen them (would-be
criminals are far less likely to do anything if they think they could be identified).
Our system is made up of a few simple concepts. It is far easier to learn a few
concepts than to learn a different technique to counter each different type of
attack. Following a few simple rules, you can grasp these basic concepts. You
will gain a good feel for some of the basics of Self-Defense.
Knowing how and where to strike will make your actions far more effective.
Pre-fight strategy is a very important yet very underestimated and overlooked
stage of a conflict. Good pre-fight strategies will help you diffuse or de-escalate
situations but failing that, body language and verbal strategy is crucial in setting
up your own attack.
Generally, we are far too nice as people, if someone has crossed the line and
attacked or attempted to rape you, they have lost all rights to be treated like a
human being. You must do whatever it takes to defend yourself!
Visualize! Go through many possible scenarios in your mind. Analyze many
different situations in your day where an attack could possibly take place. Devise
a plan as to how you would react. This would help you to be proactive rather than
reactive, thus avoiding panic, if you did find yourself in such a situation. You may
not have experience in a situation but you have at least been there in your mind.
There are very few items of equipment that you actually require to train at home
or with a club. One item in particular that I would recommend you to consider a
Striking Shield; you can practice a wide variety of strikes at full speed and
power with a partner and lessen the risk of injury to each other.
You need to practice techniques slowly at first. You must also practice striking at
full power!
Targeting and Striking is part of a system. You need to have a general
understanding of many other aspects of Self Defense. For this reason, we have
also covered Ground Fighting, Escapes, Take Downs, Hold Downs and the
Weapon of Opportunity through similar informational books. You could say that
Self defense is a system of systems and each one compliments the next.
Copyright © 2007 by Fightwize Self Defense All Rights Reserved. www.fightwize.com
General Information
Overview
Section 1 - Keep it Simple
Section 2 - Awareness
Section 3 - Martial Arts vs Self Defense
Section 4 - Fear
Section 1 - Keep it Simple
“Keep it simple Self Defense” I’m sure you must have heard this statement a
number of times but there is actually so much more important reasons as to why
Self Defense must be simple. Many people will assume that this is just to make
techniques simple to remember.
The more complex a technique is and then more steps involved, will make it
much harder to carry out under stress.
Most people simply cannot process complex motor skills when they are placed in
a high stress situation, therefore, your techniques MUST be simple to be
effective under pressure.
What is the kind of simplicity we’re talking about here to justify a techniques
being classed as a gross motor skill? Let’s look at a few examples.
Okay, if you can reach over your shoulder and touch the middle of your back with
your hand, then you have all the skills and mechanics required to perform a rising
elbow strike to the jaw or nose. Now how simple is that? Let’s look at a few
everyday, gross motor actions that can be compared to simple strikes.
If you can take your right hand and reach over your left shoulder, just like the
action of grabbing your seat belt when you first get into a car, then you have all
the motor skills necessary to perform a front elbow strike.
The fact that you can perform these typical everyday actions; shows that you
have the motor skills required for some simple yet devastating strikes.
Copyright © 2007 by Fightwize Self Defense All Rights Reserved. www.fightwize.com
Every day, we open the kitchen cupboards and reach in for a cup, glass, can or
something similar. This reaching action is the exact same mechanics required to
perform an open hand strike.
Anyone who wears lace-up shoes will lift their knee and place it on step to tie
their shoe laces, this raising of the knee is the very same mechanics required to
perform a knee strike, or a stamping kick to the instep. If you can kick a ball, then
you are more than capable of performing a very effective shin kick
These comparisons may well sound too simple and that is exactly the point. Take
a few simple, everyday actions, add a few little pointers here and there and you
have some very simple effective strikes that you are already more than capable
of performing.
Section 2 - Awareness
Bad things sometimes happen to good people. Don’t think that it couldn’t happen
to you because it could. We hear of things happening all the time and by just
being aware that you are a potential target is a big step.
As Towns and Cities continue to grow, so do their problems. This gives us all a
far greater need to learn Self Defense.
Survivors of Violent Attacks have one thing in common; they knew something
was wrong before it happened. Trust your instincts, if something appears
wrong then it probably is. Don’t just hear your Gut Feeling but act on it too by
taking evasive action if necessary.
Have a Plan! Avoidance should be your first goal but if for some reason this has
failed you then your next option should be escape. Avoidance is very much
controlled by your awareness which can be enhanced by increasing your Self
Defense knowledge through reading and research. Fighting should be a last
resort but once you have made that decision, there is no holding back.
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Compare predators on the streets to Predators in the wild, they are not looking
for the biggest, boldest, strongest animal to bring down but one that looks weak,
injured or isolated.
Right now you may well live in an area where you feel safe and consider it
unnecessary for this type of course but will it always be like that? Is the area
expanding with new people bringing different ideas and values with them? Will
you leave that area to travel for work or even fun? It could be very valuable just
to learn some new ideas. Open your mind and look at the situation from a
broader point of view, there’s no harm in being prepared for the unexpected.
You will require different level of awareness depending on where you are but
generally when you are out and about, stay switched on, be aware of anything
that is a little out of the ordinary. Try not to get trapped in your own little bubble
and be aware that there are people outside of your world.
When you visit new areas, be aware of possible exits or even objects around that
could be used in your defense. Keep your eyes and ears open to anything that
seems a little unusual.
Recognize who the enemy is; learn to recognize their movements, even rituals
that are common amongst certain types of attacker. Women are likely to
encounter a different type of attacker than those that men are likely to face.
Generally women are much more likely to take-on men such as muggers or
rapists as opposed to other women. If we know the potential enemy, then we
have a far greater chance of overcoming them.
Whether we like it or not, there are people out there whose intentions are not
always good. Maybe you’ll never come across people like that but then again
maybe you will or maybe you already have. It could be in the workplace, in the
home, on the street, in a bar or even on the road, it really could be anywhere.
Don’t switch off, that’s just the type of people that predators look for.
Often times, you do not even have to look beyond your own family members. We
hear reports of domestic violence on a daily basis.
Not all situations require an immediate physical response. However, you must
quickly assess the situation, gain verbal control without being aggressive if
possible.
Be aware of your body language during a confrontation. If you have been
selected by an attacker it means that your avoidance or awareness slipped. Now
you are face to face, be passive, even look and sound weak, as it will heighten
your attacker’s ego and confidence. In your mind you are actually preparing to rip
him to shreds but your body language and words are saying the opposite. As you
look submissive and weak, your unexpected strikes will have far more effect.
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Take up space! Look confident and swing your arms when walking, look like you
know where you are going even if you don’t. Strong Body Language not only
affects how others see you but it increases your own confidence. Looking
confident will make you less likely to be selected as someone’s next victim.
An attacker does not want to be identified or hurt in an attack. Predator type
attackers are not looking for a fight but an easy kill and when the intended victim
fights back ferociously, the Predator will often abort.
There is a great deal of deception that accompanies criminal minded people;
generally the greater the crime, the greater the deception. Not all attackers will fit
that stereotype associated with “The Bad Guy”.
People often mention that height difference would cause a problem but when
stop you think about it for a second, people who are trying to be intimidating and
aggressive will usually bring their face right down to your level (exactly where you
want them to be) so height should not be a factor. All the other targets in the mid
body and leg areas are still available for you to strike too.
Criminals do not want to be identified, hurt or caught. If you show early on
that you are willing to fight back then predator types of attackers will most likely
abort their task.
Never be taken to a second location! The reason that an attacker would try and
take you elsewhere would be because they cannot carry out their intended
actions where you are now. Do everything you can to avoid being taken
elsewhere.
Section 3 - Martial Arts versus Self Defense
I would never disrespect one fighting art over another. However, I do recommend
that you look into the various types of Fighting Arts available to you and ensure
the one that you choose satisfies your criteria. Decide whether you want to focus
on a traditional art, a competitive sport, keep fit, a family recreation or purely for
self defense.
If it’s Self Defense that you want to learn, then be sure to choose a system that at
least dedicates some time specifically to Self Defense. Go and watch a few
sessions and see what you think for yourself, then talk to the instructor.
Just because someone is considered an expert in the Dojo, in a particular style; it
does not necessarily mean that they are an expert in Self Defense. In some
cases they may well be but the two do not go hand in hand
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Traditional Martial Arts often dedicate a great deal of time to Patterns of
movements called Kata which are sequences of techniques, simulating a person
taking-on one or more opponents. Often they involve speed, power, great poise
and flexibility. These can be a good training aid but offer little assistance when it
comes to practical modern Self Defense. The very fact that some Martial Arts
have the word traditional in their title, indicate they have not evolved.
There are many styles of Martial Arts specializing in different aspects. Some
styles specialize in kicking, others in punching or throwing or even joint
manipulations. Many arts do not prepare you for when an attacker comes in
close contact or takes you to the ground as these may not be techniques that are
allowed under the rules of a particular style. In a street attack, anything goes, an
attacker does not follow any rules.
Self Defense must be fully functional, which means it must be useable by
anyone. We must be able to teach techniques and strategies to a complete range
of people ranging from my Brother, to my Mother and Grandmother. Many Martial
Arts curriculums will certainly not allow for this.
For a moment, picture two competitive Martial Artists in a tournament facing each
other. They have prepared for weeks or even months, physically they are in great
shape.
Let’s take away the referee together with the rules that he was there to enforce,
now anything goes, they’re not restricted to the same variety of moves that their
art or style is restricted to.
Take away the protective gear such as gloves, the foot pads, padded head gear,
groin protector and mouth guard. Take away the matting and replace it with
concrete, let’s add some brick walls and remove the lighting. Take away the
crowd and anyone else who may have been ready to jump in and break them
apart.
Change the sporting arena to a back alley, a back lane, maybe a kitchen, a
bedroom or even a lounge and let’s make available all the weapons in each of
these environments: glass, steel bars, screw drivers, knives and other items that
you may not even recognize as a weapon. There is a different type of mind set
required for a street encounter that is not necessarily covered by the average
Martial Arts class.
In many cases it may not even be such an organized stand off but more likely it
will be initiated with a blind sided attack, a mugging or even an attempted rape.
Change the odds and replace one of the fighters with another who is fifty pounds
lighter so it’s no longer a match fight, change the attacker to two men or more. In
Self Defense, there is no luxury of a match fight where you have paired two
fighters of similar size and experience.
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Many competitive Martial Artists may well be in great physical shape but are they
prepared mentally for such a street encounter? In most cases, the answer is no.
Many experienced martial artists have gone to pieces in a street fight mainly
because of the mind set required and also, what works in the training hall may
not be practical on the street, especially if space is restricted.
Martial Artists know when they are going to be fighting in a competition, therefore
they can physically and mentally prepare. An attack on the street can happen in
an instant. It is this surprise that causes people to panic if they are not always
prepared.
There is no preparation time given for a street attack. It may happen when
you least expect it, when you least need it or when you least want it. For this
reason we have to train under difficult conditions such as having one arm tied
behind your back to simulate an injured arm, put marbles in your shoe to
simulate an injured foot, have multiple attackers and so on. If you have reached
high levels of stress situations in training, it will help you handle the stress of an
attack.
Violent situations are often glamorized by Hollywood with a hero using an array
of fancy techniques against numerous attackers with an assortment of weapons
but the reality is anything but, it’s bloody, gruesome, dirty and often ends in
death. Those lucky enough to survive, may end up with broken bones, smashed
in faces, or any number of serious injuries, in many cases causing physical and
mental scars that may never heal.
In conclusion, I would say, if you are looking to learn Self Defense, then take a
Self Defense Course or find a combative art that trains specifically for Self
Defense.
Section 4 - Fear
Consider for a moment what it is that makes us feel afraid. The fact that you may
get seriously hurt, disfigured or even killed by this person standing in front of you
can cause you to feel terrified. You have loved ones; Children, Husbands, Wives,
Brothers and Sisters or others waiting for you at home that you may never see
again. These thoughts are rushing through your head causing confusion and
panic.
Now tell yourself that this goon standing in front of you is not going to deny you
the right to get home to your loved ones, the people you need and who need you.
Everyone has a driving force, something that they will fight for. If your children or
other loved ones were attacked in front of you, then you’d certainly throw yourself
in the path of danger for them. If you don’t do something now to save yourself,
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then your kids, other family or friends may well be growing up without you
anyway.
YOU ARE GOING HOME AND YOU WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES!
If it requires you sticking your fingers deep into someone’s eyes, tearing the ears,
smashing a nose with your forehead, cracking ribs with your elbows or even
grabbing someone’s wind pipe, then so be it. Start thinking more along the lines
of what you will do to them rather than what they might do to you.
During a confrontation it is normal to experience an injection of adrenalin; this
can often be mistaken for fear. The body shivering, the legs feel weak, losing
bowel control, the mind going blank and a general feeling of numbness is all
associated with adrenalin as your body prepares itself for fight or flight. Adrenalin
can give you added speed and strength so although you may not think so at the
time, it really is there to help.
Remember, you are worth it! If you were ever attacked, don’t just worry about
what they may do to you, let’s get prepared, do some training and then you can
worry more about what you might do to them!
When you have actually made that decision to fight, there’s no holding back, it’s
you or them. Escaping or surviving this situation is not about any fancy
techniques but your hunger and instinct for survival.
You know that you would do whatever it takes to save your children or another
loved one, find that same emotion within and use it to protect yourself
You may be fighting for your life so give it everything you’ve got!
Fear is an Emotion, therefore it can be controlled. People such as servicemen
are working in the face of danger every day. People jump off cliffs, out of planes,
swim in the ocean depths, handle poisonous and dangerous animals, etc. Often
times they must learn to control the paralyzing effects of fear. The very fact that
they can learn to do that, it shows it’s possible to control fear.
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Targeting and Striking Introduction
Overview
Section 1 - Avoid or Escape
Section 2 - Action vs Reaction
Section 3 - Maximize Your Effect
Section 4 - Practice, Practice, Practice
Section 5 - Conclusion
Targeting and Striking is a great starting point for physical technique. Stick to the
basics and keep practicing until you become very confident at them. Discovering
how and where to strike is a fundamental aspect of Self Defense.
You will seriously increase the effectiveness of your strikes by applying some of
the simple strategies laid out throughout this book. Read it through from cover to
cover before even trying any of the techniques and strategies.
Avoid or Escape!
Would you choose to hang around to see how you faired in a situation where the
odds are stacked against you? If there’s a front door take it, if there’s not then
take the back door and if there are no doors then make one. Any opportunity to
avoid or escape a situation should be taken if the situation allows.
You do not want to be the guy remembered for taking on 6 guys and didn’t make
it. Avoid, Escape and Attack should be your options, in that order. Your increased
awareness will help you to avoid many situations; if you do find yourself in a
situation then escaping is your first option. If escape is not an option and deescalating is not working then you fight with everything you have.
Take your training to another level. Build on your foundation by learning some
Ground Defense, Escapes, Take downs, Hold downs and more but first let’s
learn how and where to strike. You never know what situation may arise so
training has to vary to cover many possibilities.
Setting up your strike is an important skill to develop. A passive stance is an
important part of the set up as it does not telegraph your intention to strike;
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catching the assailant off guard will also make your strike more effective. A
passive stance also indicates to any bystanders that you are the non-aggressor.
You can create an opening to strike verbally too, for example, asking a question
that will engage the brain of your assailant momentarily can be very effective.
Fight fire with water not fire! Being passive in your reaction to a verbal assault
can help to diffuse or de-escalate a situation. On the outside you want to look
and sound passive, calm or even submissive, but inside you are planning the
demise of your attacker, should the situation become physical.
Techniques are simple to learn but will take a little longer to perfect. It is through
repetition and teaching to others that makes you ask yourself the necessary
questions to help you really understand the techniques. When you are learning,
don’t be in too much of a hurry to rush on and cover the next techniques. Take
your time and allow the concepts to be absorbed.
Your passive look will make the attacker over confident and unsuspecting of a
physical retaliation from you. Unexpected strikes have a far greater effect.
Action vs Reaction
The attacker can have the upper hand from an action – reaction point of view, he
knows that he is going to attack but your brain will have to process what it is he’s
doing and then decide what it is you’re going to do as a reaction and then send
out the signals to the muscles to make them move as required.
This is the very reason we recommend the interview stance, defensive stance, to
keep at a safe distance or even to be pre-emptive.
Distance and Time – It makes sense that the closer you are to your attacker then
the less time you have to respond to their movements. Then obviously, the
greater the distance, the more time you have to react. Keep at a safe distance, a
distance that you are comfortable with and will give you time to react.
There are two basic types of strike; the first type is a distraction, using your
closest tool to the closest target. Distractions are speed strikes intended to create
an opening for your next move. The other main type of strike is a power strike,
using your body by rotating hips and shoulders to maximize the effect of striking.
Maximize your Effect
A single strike is not effective for most people. Practice multiple strikes in
different combinations as it is generally your second and third strikes that start
getting through to your intended targets.
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Repeated double strikes can be totally devastating. An example of a double
strike is an open hand strike followed immediately by an eye gouge in the same
movement or an open hand strike followed by tearing at the ear. Multiple double
strikes will cause a total sensory overload. It is the use of these types of strike
that help level the playing field. It’s a simple strategy but must be practiced, there
is no set routine as every situation is different. These strikes can be made
effective by anyone.
The level of force you use in a real Self Defense situation must parallel the level
of danger. Serious situations require serious measures.
Avoid being lured into a standard fight situation at normal punching and kicking
ranges. You want to set yourself up by looking passive or submissive and then
explode into short fast strikes to initiate your own assault.
Shout loudly as you strike, this serves many purposes, firstly you may startle the
attacker, you may also attract attention to yourself so someone may come to
your aid. You may be creating witnesses who may come in handy if you have
caused physical harm to your attacker in Self Defense.
Shouting also tenses up your abdominal region, so if you happened to be struck
by the attacker at that same time then you are much less likely to be winded by it.
Be Pre-Emptive, you do not need to wait to be hit in order to defend yourself. If
you feel that the threat is serious then you can defend yourself appropriately.
Waiting to be hit first could be a fatal mistake.
Practice, Practice and more Practice!
It is important to train and practice in a way that you would like to react if you
ever did face a real situation. If you are always pulling your punches two inches
away from hitting the target in training then the chances are that your natural
reaction under pressure may well be the same. In training get your attacker
padded up so you can react with some real full on blows.
Practice delivering your strikes from the passive stance. The stance disguises
your intention to fight back. Your unexpected strikes will have more effect on the
attacker.
Practice striking from different positions in relation to the attacker. For example,
you may want to practice with the attacker starting at your front, side, rear, on
your knees or on the ground.
Make it part of a regular workout to get together with others and practice
techniques. Team up with a few other like minded friends and have some fun
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with it. There is also a great deal that you can practice on your own, if you do not
have others available
When training with a partner, don’t let your training partners always be compliant,
ensure that they give resistance and make it difficult, you must do the necessary
work to make the techniques work. Use a striking shield to practice striking from
different positions.
Techniques must be simple enough to be performed under pressure. Practice
these techniques with friends and family. The more you practice the more natural
they will feel. Also practice your newly learned skills in different places, the
kitchen, bathroom, living room, or garage etc. If you spend much of your time in
small rooms or spaces then don’t limit your practice to the large open space of a
gym. You must practice in environments that are applicable to your everyday life.
In conclusion, you will find all the striking techniques to be very simple. Follow
the simple guidelines and with some regular practice, your striking will become
very effective. A physical response is not always necessary, assess your
situation very quickly and decide the best action to take. If you can avoid or
escape a potential situation then do so, if a physical reaction is your only option
the give it everything you have. Your life may depend on it!
Stances
Overview
Section 1 - Defensive Stance
Section 2 - Interview Stance
Section 3 - Defensive Actions
Section 1 - Defensive Stance (Passive Stance)
If someone has confronted you, your hands should come up straight away. Step
back a small step with your dominant side, same shoulder and leg back. (i.e.
your right side is back if you’re right handed), this allows you to generate more
Power with your dominant hand or foot as you strike.
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Tuck your chin to protect your throat and chin. Keep your hands high, creating an
obstacle to help protect the face and body. This stance will feel uncomfortable to
start with, but the more you practice it; the more comfortable you will feel with it.
Your legs should be staggered to give added stability, widening your base, your
knees very slightly bent to further help stability and balance. This Defensive
Stance gives good position for self protection and position to strike. It allows you
to move quickly into positions to strike or defend.
Stand in a comfortable position in readiness before any physical attack has
begun, feet shoulder width apart, hands open at about chest level and elbows
tucked in.
Keep an eye on your Assailant, looking approximately at chest level where you
can see movement from both their hands and feet.
You are now in a safer position, aware and ready to protect yourself. Your
elbows are tucked in, protecting your body and your hands are close to your
head should you need to move them to quickly protect your face. This stance
does not advertise that you have any kind of training so you can still use the
element of surprise to your advantage. Unexpected strikes have much greater
effect.
The Defensive Stance
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Interview Stance
The interview stance can be used when you are in conversation with another
person. Maybe you are just a little unsure about this person so you stand in such
a way that you are more protected and ready to defend yourself quickly should
the need arise.
You should keep your hands at about chest level and use them in making
gestures as you talk. You can adopt such a stance even if you are holding small
objects such as a pen, brush, book, bag etc (These objects could also become a
weapon of opportunity).
This stance is very discreet, disguising your aroused level of awareness. Even
when you are talking to friends, it is good practice to adopt this stance, even
recognize in your mind all the various targets on a person that would be available
and the types of strike that you could use to access them.
This stance not only arouses your level of awareness but compare it to say,
standing with your hands in your pockets as many people do, where you could
be struck without managing to even raise your hands to protect yourself.
As with the passive stance, keep an eye on your potential assailant, looking
approximately at chest level where you can see movement from hands and feet.
You are now in a far safer position, aware and ready to protect yourself. This
stance does not advertise the fact that you have any kind of training, so you can
still use the element of surprise. Unexpected strikes have more effect.
The Interview Stance
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Defensive Actions
Just like any Self Defense techniques, blocking must be simple too.
We encourage you to be pre-emptive and strike out before you have been hit.
The threat or of an attack is enough to justify you defending yourself. Don’t wait
to be hit and then retaliate, it could be too late.
If the situation does not allow for you to be pre-emptive then you may have to
block or defend against the attacker’s strikes. We have a natural instinct to flinch
in order to protect ourselves; this is a simple reaction that we can build on in
training.
In Training, study your attacker’s motion; see what movements telegraph their
strike or their intention to strike. The more you do this, the better you become
and you begin to identify attacks very early. Practice at varying speeds and
ensure that your training partner simulates his natural striking motion.
If a physical attack has already begun, don’t try to stay at that normal punching
and kicking range but flinch and step in. Do not step in and do nothing, this is
when you have to explode with a barrage of your own strikes.
The alternative to not getting in close to strike is to get way from the situation
altogether.
If you are already in a passive stance, your hands are close to your head area.
When you flinch, you can raise your hands a little higher and drop your chin
towards your chest.
In Martial Arts, you will see a whole variety of strikes used for different types of
attack; rising blocks, inside forearm blocks, outside forearm blocks, downward
inside blocks, downward outside blocks, defections, parries and more.
It’s hard enough to remember all the blocks, let alone deciding which one will suit
which attacker and reacting with it in a split second. Reacting with a flinch cuts
out all that time, being pre-emptive or striking as soon as you see the attacker
make a move, cuts out any reaction time.
How about if the attacker attempts to kick? One way to foil kicks is to lift your
front knee, once again a very simple tactic but can be very effective. Do not just
lift the leg then do nothing but be explosive and step in with a barrage of those
close strikes.
Avoid getting into a standard fighting situation, exchanging blows at a normal
punching and kicking distance. You do not want to get into this conventional type
of fight situation but instead when you make your move, go ballistic striking out
with a series of short strikes, palm strikes, elbows, knees etc at close quarters.
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Flinching
A flinch is something we do naturally so encourage and develop it. Practice these
movements on your own or with a partner.
An effective reaction to an attempted kick is simply to lift your knee.
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Targeting
Overview
Section 1 - Tools and Targeting
Section 2 - Primary and Secondary Targets
Section 3 - Effects on Targets
Section 1 - Tools and Targeting
Your body is equipped with several tools:
Head, Elbows, Forearms, Knees, Fists, Hands, Fingers, Shins, Feet, Butt, Hips
Anything goes! Strikes can be used in various ways, practice using different tools
to access the different Primary and Secondary Targets:
Eyes, Throat, Nose, Face, Ears, Groin, Solar Plexus, Ribs, Knees, Shins, Instep
Everyone, regardless of size, has these weak points.
For practice, look for possible targets on people as you are talking to them or
even if you’re just sat watching someone. Consider the various strikes that you
could use to each of the targets that you have in mind.
The best strategy for striking is use whatever you’ve got, it does matter if the type
or style of strike is out of some text book or not, if it works for you then use it.
Your closest tool to the closest target is a good way to initiate a combination of
strikes. It gives the perception of speed. For power strikes rotate hips and
shoulder into the strike.
Practice your strikes by using combinations! Getting close to your assailant and
continuously striking targets with different double strikes as those targets appear
is very effective. However, every situation can be different, so standard
combination of strikes may be effective for one situation but not for another.
People’s reactions differ slightly when struck, so the targets that open up each
time will differ too.
Imagine giving an open hand strike to your assailant’s nose, as a reaction his
head will probably lean back suddenly and his hands raise to protect the area.
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His face may be protected now but other targets open up. If you were to now
punch to the exposed solar plexus for example, the hands would move to that
area and the assailant would now lean forward to protect the mid reason, as a
result, certain targets become protected and others become exposed.
Give some thought yourself to the effect that certain strikes would have and the
resulting reaction from your assailant, what strikes you would have available to
follow up with.
Take note of the advice given throughout this chapter to discover which are the
simplest targets to access and the effects of striking them.
Section 2 - Primary and Secondary Targets
The eyes and throat are the two primary targets that, when struck can be totally
debilitating. Without his eyes, the attacker cannot see and therefore cannot fight.
Without his throat, the attacker cannot breathe and therefore cannot fight. These
are very fragile areas, it does not take much force to cause serious damage. A
serious or life threatening situation requires the use of drastic measures. All other
targets shown are secondary.
12 Simple and Effective Targets
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The Eyes, Nose, Throat, Solar Plexus, Groin, Instep and Shins serve as a great
starting point to targeting; they are all very simple, effective targets that are easily
accessed with various types of strike. These targets do not require pin-point
accuracy as the area is sensitive
Although the eyes and groin areas may be very effective in close quarter fights,
do not concentrate solely on them as targets unless you are in a very close
quarter position such as being held. We have an instinct to react at lightning
speed to protect against strikes aimed at these targets.
Practice various strikes to each target, and find which ones you are most
comfortable with. Use protective gear in training or practice using very light
contact.
Light contact is still enough for you to feel some of the effect without causing any
lasting damage. During practice, add padding and a visor to the acting attacker
so that you can up the amount of force that you use. If possible practice your strikes on
a punch bag, the more you practice the more natural the movements will feel.
Section 3 - Effect on Targets
Eyes – Fingers to the eyes can cause permanent damage or blindness. Even
light strikes to the eyes will cause a lasting damage. If your situation is serious
and you really feel that your life is in danger you have to do whatever it takes to
save yourself.
Throat – The throat is the other primary target after the eyes. Strikes to the
throat can collapse the trachea resulting in death if immediate medical attention
is not at hand. Again, light strikes to the throat can also be debilitating. I repeat
the statement, if your situation is serious and you really feel that your life is in
danger you have to do whatever it takes to save yourself.
Nose (Infra Orbital Nerve) – Strikes to the nose can cause a loss of
consciousness due to trauma to the cranial nerve and a loss of sensory and
motor functions. Lesser strikes can cause the eyes to tear, blurring the vision of
your assailant.
Jaw – Strikes to the point if the jaw can cause the head to turn suddenly resulting
in a “brain shake” that will render a person unconscious. On top of a possible
dislocation to the lower jaw, strikes can also break teeth by the lower jaw
crashing into the upper jaw.
Side of Neck (Brachial Plexus Origin) – Strikes to the Brachial Plexus can cause
a loss of consciousness from a trauma to the main arteries and nerves, also
leading to loss of sensory and nerve control.
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Mid Chest (Solar Plexus) – Strikes to the Solar Plexus can cause a loss of
consciousness due to a trauma to the stomach and liver, in turn affecting the
nerves in the region, results in loss of function of the internal organs of that area.
Ribs – Strikes to the ribs can traumatize the many nerves in the area resulting in
unconsciousness, there is also the possibility of breaking the ribs themselves.
Groin – Strikes to the groin will traumatize the nerves in the area, giving great
pain and leading to unconsciousness.
Outer Thigh (Lateral Femoral) – Strikes to the lateral femoral can also lead to a
loss of consciousness from cramping of the muscle in the thigh and a loss of
function in the leg.
Inner Thigh (Anterior Femoral) – Similar effect as outer thigh.
Shins – Kicks to the shins cause a great deal of pain in the area, a great
distracting tactic.
Instep – Stamping to the instep can cause some of the tiny bones to dislocate or
break, resulting in great pain or even unconsciousness.
The above are all very effective targets that can be struck with many types of
gross motor strikes.
Striking Tools and Techniques
Overview
Section 1 - Fingers to Face and Eyes
Section 2 - Open Hand Strikes
Section 3 - Fingers to Throat
Section 4 - Head Butt
Section 5 - More Fingers
Section 1 - Striking Techniques
The following will give you some ideas as to some of the many simple strikes that
you can use.
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Fingers
Tear at the face and eyes.
Open Hand
Open hand strikes to the chin or nose are fast and effective from a good stance.
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Fingers to Throat
Your fingers can be used by grabbing or striking to the throat.
Head Butt
Target the nose or cheek bones or even the collar bone.
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More Fingers!
Tear at the ears, eyes and hair.
Overview
Section 1 - Biting
Section 2 - Knee Strikes
Section 3 - Foot Stomp
Section 4 - Simple Kicks
Section 5 - Simple Kicks
Section 6 - Elbows to Front
Section 7 - Elbows to Rear and Side
Section 8 - Forearm Strikes
Section 9 - Forearm Strikes
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Biting
Can be used as an effective distraction to set up other strikes or to break free
from a hold. There are possible consequences of transmitting infection from the
attacker if the skin is broken. If it’s your only option – you decide.
Knee Strikes
Can be used with great effect to groin or thigh.
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Foot Stomp
These are very simple and very effective. Scraping down the shins on the way to
the foot is a slight variation.
Simple Kicks
Target the thighs, knees or the groin.
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Simple Kicks
Such as a front kick is executed by lifting the knee and extending the foot. Target
the knees, thighs or groin.
Elbows to Front
The ribs offer an ideal target for elbow strikes.
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Elbows from Side & Rear
Elbow strikes can be effective from many positions in relation the attacker.
Forearm Strikes
Swinging the forearm against the side of the neck is a super effective strike and
very simple to perform. Your arm should be kept very slight bent to avoid a hyper
extension.
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Forearm Strikes
Can also be performed by pushing your forearm away from you.
Punching is a striking technique that is very overused and over-rated. Some
people are phenomenal punchers but most people are not, they risk hurting
themselves more than they would the attacker. If your hands are already open in
a passive stance, it is much faster to initiate strikes with the open hand or fingers.
Many people also try to punch too hard with the first punch and this advertises
the intention, making it easy to block or evade.
Look to carry out continuous combinations of short strikes; overload the
sensory system in the head and face area.
Overview
Section 1 - Hit and Run
Section 2 - Increase The Effect of Your Strikes
Section 1 - Hit and Run
Be Pre-Emptive! Remember that you do not have to wait to be attacked in order
to defend yourself, provocation is enough. If you really feel threatened enough by
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someone then you have the right to defend yourself. If you wait to be attacked, it
could well be too late. Action is quicker than reaction!
Hit and Run is the simplest method of physically defending yourself. Maybe the
pressure, confusion or adrenalin has affected you to a point so you cannot recall
even simple techniques. You have to remember here that you must strike back to
weak or sensitive areas with everything you have. No physical attack on you
goes unanswered; respond with combinations or a barrage of strikes.
The Hit and Run, Stun and Run, Flash Bang strategy or whatever terminology
you wish to use, it’s all the same. Flash Bang is a concept used by Military and
Police Forces. It is a device that may be used to clear a room for example. It’s
thrown into the area required and makes a very sudden bright flash, followed by
a very loud bang and lots of smoke. It’s used with great effect to startle and
create confusion before sending personnel to take care of a situation. We can
use a similar concept to deal with an attacker.
Think of yourself as a small grenade, so when your pin is pulled you explode with
everything you have. Strike in combinations as one strike from you will be
blocked, two strikes might well be, but three strikes and beyond become almost
impossible for the average person to stop, especially if they are well aimed
strikes delivered with ferocity.
Switch your strikes between various targets. Always aim for those weak and
sensitive areas where you will get maximum results. The eyes, throat, nose,
ears, solar plexus, groin, femoral nerves, shin, instep and so on. Palm to head,
palm to nose, and elbows to mid section mixed in with kicks and knee strikes are
very effective. Striking with the closest tool to the closest target gives the
perception of speed, rotate your hips and shoulders into strikes to maximize
power and effect. Shout as you strike startling the attacker, attracting attention
and creating witnesses to the assault.
If it’s a predator type of attack then this may well be all that’s required for them to
abort as they were not looking for a fight but just an easy meal, a quick kill or frill.
Whatever type of attacker it is, react quickly, get the confrontation finished with
as quickly as possible and get to safety.
When you practice, ensure to experiment with different combinations. See which
combinations you feel most comfortable with and which ones you think are most
effective for you. If you practice striking regularly enough, your methods of
striking can become instinctive.
Practice shouting out loud phrases like “Let go” or “Leave me alone”. Shout
anything that is going to attract attention and let other people know that you are
the one being attacked. Shouting out may attract help or may become vital
evidence if you end up being the one who causes serious harm to the attacker.
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Section 3 - Increase the Effect of your Strikes
There are many simple strategies we employ to increase the effect of striking;
•
Look to use a distraction by striking to a sensitive area such as the shins,
this takes away from the attackers mind whilst it is occupied with pain. A
distraction creates a window of opportunity for further strikes to other
areas.
•
Utilize larger muscle groups and learn to use your body mechanics
effectively. Rotate your upper body at the hips and shoulders, utilizing
some of the larger muscles in your waist, back and shoulders when
striking.
•
Target weak and sensitive areas. Everyone, regardless of size has weak
and sensitive areas on the body. You are capable of inflicting more serious
damage to another person than you could probably imagine.
•
Brace the Target – This can be done when the attacker is against a wall or
floor, or you can brace the target yourself by holding the person or limb in place
whilst striking. This prevents them from evading your strike.
•
Pulling the target toward your strike, causes a collision effect, creating more
power at the point of impact.
•
Strike through the Target! Don’t aim just at the Target but about 6 inches past
it.
•
Time on Target! Don’t pull your strikes back too quickly. Your strike is kept in
contact for a count this helps create a maximum transfer of Energy. Striking with
a larger surface also gives a better transfer of energy.
•
Strike several times to the same target. Targeting a motor nerve can cause
such a sensory overload that it will shut down the limb it supplies.
•
Shouting helps you focus your energy into your strike. Shout as you strike as
this not only startles an attacker, it alerts any people around you and also helps
channel you fear into aggression. Shouting out may attract the attention of
people in the area that may come to your aid or create witnesses to the attack.
Shouting tenses up your abdominal region, reducing the risk of being winded by
a strike. It also helps to focus your energy into your strike.
•
Use the element of surprise, acting suddenly and giving a loud shout
while striking (eg – “Let Go”) right in the face of the attacker has good
effect. The shout not only startles the attacker, it also signals to people in
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the area that you are in trouble; it also tenses up your abdominal muscles
which is useful if you were to be struck at the same time and finally it helps
you to focus on your strike. You’ll learn how to execute techniques
correctly as they often aim at weaknesses in the attacker.
It is by utilizing some of the strategies mentioned previous, that makes it possible
to overcome larger, stronger people. Here is some more general information
regarding striking.
Avoid punching to the head if possible. It’s very easy to damage your own
knuckles and fingers as the head is so hard. There is also the risk of someone
transmitting nasty infections, even HIV or hepatitis via puncture wounds from the
attacker’s teeth to the knuckles. You can strike just as hard with the open palm of
your hand with much less risk of injury to yourself.
When working with sensitive areas, pressure points or motor nerve points, full on
strikes would cause lasting damage and even light strikes can have an effect on
people, sometimes there is even a delay before the reaction. Be careful in
training as striking these areas can have serious consequences.
Be warned that strikes to the throat could cause permanent damage to the throat
and even result in death so this must be treated very cautiously in training and
only used in a true Self Defense situation. The same caution is necessary with
strikes to the eyes, you must treat this with total caution in training and only use
firm strikes in a real Self Defense situation.
Concentrate on your offensive techniques rather than on being reactive to
whatever the attacker might throw at you.
Use distractions, if a distracting strike does not get you free from the assailant, it
will at least loosen their grip on you, giving you a window of opportunity to strike
or escape.
Rotating the body in pulling or striking, makes use of some of your body’s larger
muscles in the back, waist and shoulders.
Be pre-emptive whenever possible, you do not have to wait for an attacker to
strike or grab and then respond. Know what strikes and targets you are going to
use before the encounter begins.
Be explosive, let rip with all you have. Initiate combinations with fast strikes using
your nearest tool to the nearest target. Keep striking in quick succession as
openings appear.
The picture here shows how to increase the effect of a knee to the thigh by
pulling the attacker onto your strike.
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Tearing at the face, eyes and ears, the attacker will become more concerned as
whether he will see or breathe again than about whatever he intended to do to
you.
Practice
Overview
Section 1 - Using a Striking Shield
Section 2 - Using Headgear
Section 3 - Training Alone
Section 1 - Striking Shield
Use a padded training aid such as a striking shield to practice your strikes on a
regular basis. You really can practice many of the techniques shown throughout
this book. The shield is lightweight and small enough to allow your attacker to
move around as you practice. Round kicks, Front Kicks, Shin Kicks, Stamping
Kicks, Knee Strikes, Elbow strikes, forearm strikes, punches, finger strikes and
head strikes.
Practice applying all of the the strategies to maximize the effect of your strikes
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Knee to thigh
Shin kick
Knee to groin
Kick to Thigh
Kick to Thigh
Front kick -Knee, Thigh or Groin
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Section 2 - Practice using Headgear
Use headgear, complete with a visor to practice those fast strikes to the face and
head. Note that hard strikes can still render your acting-attacker unconscious,
even with the use of headgear, so use this with care. You can also practice those
close quarter strikes to the head, finger scraping, elbows, thumb strikes, head
butting and open hand strikes.
Open Hand to Jaw
Grab and Fingers to eyes
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Tearing at the Ears
Forearm to side of Neck
Open Hand to Nose
Elbow to Jaw
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Elbow to Head, Neck, Back
Forearm Strikes
Knee to Head
Keep away from that standard fight positioning and get in close where you can
strike with good effect using fingers, elbows, head etc.
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Be aware of your closest tool to the closest target on the attacker to initiate your
combinations of strikes.
Anything goes! Your strikes do not have to be fancy or look pretty. Elbows,
forearms, knees, fingers and open hand strikes are all effective at close quarters.
Practice combinations of strikes, practice doubling up the strikes, such as that
open hand strike becoming fingers across the face or fingers to the eyes.
As your attacker is protected with the headgear, they will not feel the effect of
your blows, therefore, they sometimes need to simulate a realistic reaction after
being struck.
Section 2 - Training Alone
Mirror
When you train alone, use a mirror to check your technique. Look at your stance,
watch yourself practice the stances and techniques. Look for flaws in your
technique and do your best to fix them. Are you maintaining a good stance whilst
striking? Are you targeting primary or secondary targets? Are you rotating at the
hips and shoulders to gain greater effect?
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Visualize
Another good exercise you can practice, is to visualize yourself in different
situations. Consider what your options are and see yourself carry them out. This
helps you to become pro-active rather than reactive if you ever find yourself in
such a situation because you’ve been there in your mind.
Visualization is very powerful, so ensure you do it both regularly and consistently.
Imagine yourself in different situations and consider how you get yourself away to
safety. Imagine the techniques that you would use. You can also change the
levels of intensity of each situation in your mind.
Always ensure that you are successfully controlling the situation and achieving
your goal as you run through each scenario in your mind. You are not looking for
perfection every time but progression.
Visualization will really help you to become very confident in carrying out the
techniques.
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Conclusion
Avoiding trouble is your first goal by being aware of what is going on around you.
Your next option is to walk away or run if possible. The ability to verbally diffuse
or de-escalate a potential situation is a great skill that requires practice. When
avoiding a physical confrontation fails, you can use the simple counter measures
to escape and use whatever physical force is necessary for you to achieve that.
You have learned the importance of a good stance and how you can use it to
help set up your own attack.
You have discovered the Primary and Secondary Targets, how to strike these
targets and how to increase the effects of your strikes.
You have also learned many general tips that will increase your general Self
Defense knowledge and awareness.
Ensure that you practice at home with family or friends, attend courses or
classes, search for more information and don’t neglect the verbal or
psychological aspects.
Build up the confidence that you have in yourself and be prepared to defend
yourself. Be in control of your own destiny rather than leave it in the hands of
some ruthless thug.
The tactics shown in this course are not to be just read and understood but read,
understood and practiced. Get yourself to a few classes. It does not necessarily
have to be a full commitment but at least find a class where you can drop-in and
practice with other people.
It is not fancy techniques that will save you but your instincts and hunger for
survival. Believe in yourself, knowing that you can be effective in defending
yourself should the need arise. These instincts are already there in all of us, they
have been passed on by our ancestors.
Dig deep and find that driving force, the big incentive that will make you fight with
all you have to get back home.
Practicing your skills in a controlled environment has a significant benefit and will
increase your confidence immensely. Have belief in yourself and your ability to
defend yourself.
You can make a difference, realize that you can be effective and your confidence
will soar.
Train Smart - Fightwize!
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Review
1. What is the first lesson in Self Defense?
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2. What is the second most important lesson in Self Defense?
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3. What are the three main options in a Self Defense situation?
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4. Do you have to wait until you are physically attacked in order to defend
yourself?
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5. What are the names of our basic stances?
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6. What is the relationship between distance and time in Self Defense?
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7. Name nine tools that you body is equipped with, that can be used for striking?
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8. Name six Effective Targets.
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9. Name five ways we use to help overcome larger, stronger people.
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10. Give five examples of strikes.
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11. Fear can have a paralyzing effect, what can we do to help overcome it?
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12. What is another simple concept / strategy that you could use in a Self
Defense situation?
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13. Distractions can be effective, Give 5 examples of distractions.
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Products and E-Books Available
Module 1 – Targeting and Striking
Basic Targeting and Striking is a fundamental aspect of Self Defense. Learn
how to access and strike some of the most effective sensitive areas, Pressure
Points and Motor Nerve Points for maximum effect.
Module 2 - Ground Defense
Your attacker has taken you to ground, the fight is far from over !!
Learn the Essentials of Protecting yourself on the Ground.
Module 3 - Module 3 – Keychain Secrets
A Hairbrush, Pen, Cell phone, Keychain, Newspaper and book just a few
examples of everyday objects that you can use. Know these potential
weapons and how you can use them in your Self Defense as a weapon of
opportunity.
Module 4 – Escape Techniques - Available Soon!
A simple concept to Escape from Common Holds. Discover basic movements
that help overcome size strength.
Copyright © 2007 by Fightwize Self Defense All Rights Reserved. www.fightwize.com
Module 5 - Simple Take downs - Available Soon!
Discover a simple and effective process to take your opponent to the ground.
Effective take downs will give a distinct edge to your Self Defense skills.
Module 6 - Simple Hold Downs - Available Soon!
There may be situations where you need to hold your aggressor down to the
ground. Discover several straightforward methods of restraint.
Fightwize Fitness
Improve stamina, endurance, flexibility and strength with a series of easy to
follow exercises. No fancy equipment required.
Fightwize Training Drills
A series of Training drills, specifically designed to improve your Self Defense
skills.
Disclaimer
Neither Fightwize-Self-Defense, its directors, employees or other representatives
will be liable for damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the use
of the content in this book, including (without limitation) compensatory, direct,
indirect or consequential damages, loss of data, income or profit, loss of or
damage to property claims of third parties.
Fightwize-Self-Defense has no way of evaluating your level of health, fitness or
skill. With any physical activity there is a risk of injury from accidents or over
exertion. We also recommend that you contact your Doctor of Physician before
participating in any form of physical exercise.
You must also realize that the course being taught here is for Self Defense and
the techniques should only be used in Self Defense. You are responsible for your
own actions, Fightwize-Self-Defense or any persons associated will not be held
responsible if you do cause injury to yourself or another person.
Copyright © 2007 by Fightwize Self Defense All Rights Reserved. www.fightwize.com
There is no guarantee that the use of such knowledge or techniques will keep
you from injury or harm; Fight-Wize cannot be responsible for other injuries that
result from your use or misuse of any information found here.
Self defense, and practicing and applying the techniques shown here, is
inherently dangerous; techniques shown here may cause significant and
unintended injuries if applied or practiced incorrectly or in a careless manner;
Personal instruction by a qualified instructor is a preferred and potentially safer
method of learning Self Defense.
Any information in this book should not be construed to be legal advice. You
should be familiar with the laws of your area, Province and country. If you are
not, employ the services of a Lawyer.
While practicing these techniques you must be careful to avoid strong pressure
and damage to sensitive areas, including but not limited to eyes, throat, face,
groin and pressure-point areas.
There can be no guarantee that a self-defense technique will, when applied in an
actual situation, be effective, and we strongly urge that if fleeing is an option you
should flee rather than try to use a self-defense technique. The best defense is to
avoid potentially dangerous situations whenever possible.
Much of the information on this book deals with handling risky, volatile and
violent situations and that there can be no guarantees about the outcomes or
influences of human behavior.
You agree, on behalf of yourself and your heirs, personal representatives,
successors and assigns;
- That you assume all risks, including but not limited to all risks, whether or not
practicing, applying, using and/or trying to use the techniques shown in this book.
- That you waive, release and discharge any and all claims of damages for death,
personal injury or property damage which you may have, or which you may have
in the future, as a result of reading this Book and/or practicing, applying, using
and/or trying to use the techniques shown in this book.
- That you agree to indemnify and hold harmless Fightwize-Self-Defense and
everyone appearing in or associated with Fightwize-Self-Defense and/or this
book, against all claims, losses, damages and expenses, including but not limited
to Lawyers' fees and costs, whether asserted by you or anyone else, resulting
from (i) any breach or repudiation of these Terms and Conditions, Disclaimer and
Release of Liability; and/or (ii) any loss or injury to person or property, arising
from or associated with this Book or your practice, application, use and/or
attempt to use the techniques shown in this book.
Copyright © 2007 by Fightwize Self Defense All Rights Reserved. www.fightwize.com
Related Sites
www.alberta-self-defense.com
www.fightwize.com
www.malcolmbale.com
www.self-defense-help.com
www.jiu-jitsu-calgary.com
Copyright © 2007 by Fightwize Self Defense All Rights Reserved. www.fightwize.com