{"id":5456,"date":"2018-03-07T06:00:51","date_gmt":"2018-03-07T06:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/?p=5456"},"modified":"2021-03-31T15:32:12","modified_gmt":"2021-03-31T15:32:12","slug":"self-defense-systems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/07\/self-defense-systems\/","title":{"rendered":"Self-Defense Systems by Derek Smith"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"blog\">\n<h4 id=\"top-header\">Picking The System For You<\/h4>\nAs a former federal agent, retired military counterintelligence and investigations agent, and 35-year martial artist with several black belts I know a little about what really works for self-defense and what does not. With that being said, I want to share with you what I think are the best martial arts for real urban survival and why. I currently study each of these arts because I truly believe they are the best for saving your life.<!--more-->\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-10 medium-centered large-6 large-centered columns\">\n\t[dfads params='groups=290&amp;limit=1&amp;orderby=random']<\/div>\n<h2>Standup Fighting<\/h2>\n<h4>Krav Maga<\/h4>\nAs you know, most fights start with both opponents standing. I have been in many altercations and I have tried various martial arts in these situations. I have tried using my Japanese and Korean martial arts training in <strong>Shotokan<\/strong> and <strong>Shorin Ryu<\/strong>, and my Korean Tae Kwon Do training in standup situations. I have found them lacking in many situations because people just don\u2019t punch and kick in a real fight the way we punch in Karate class.\n\n<strong>Krav Maga<\/strong>, on the other hand, is an Israeli Close Combat Self Defense system actually utilized by the Israeli Defense Forces on a regular basis in real life fighting situations. As a Defensive Tactics Instructor at the Air Force Special Investigations Academy, we taught, and they now teach Krav Maga to new special agents and I was a top instructor there.\n\nWhat I like about <strong>Krav Maga<\/strong> is that it uses instinctive movements that are easier to recall during the stress of an attack. That\u2019s important because in a stressful situation you are going to forget all the fancy moves and resort to the basics. <strong>Krav Maga<\/strong> is used internationally by law enforcement and military members, and it teaches you how to naturally react against an armed or unarmed attacker.\n\nIn literally every altercation I have been in, and seen, the basics were the most effective. Whenever I tried something fancy, it did not work. <strong>Krav Maga<\/strong> was started in the 1930s in Germany by Jews who were training to defend themselves against the Nazis. The System was soon adapted by the Israeli Defense Force because it is rather easy to learn (another thing I love) but has extremely effective techniques. It is known for being one of the most effective self-defense systems today.\n\n[dfads params='groups=292&amp;limit=1&amp;orderby=random']\n<h4>Origins and Applications<\/h4>\n<strong>Krav Maga<\/strong> is known for its focus on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fightfast.com\/nbcv\/RWRLD\/ntbt-k.php?utm_campaign=RWRLD&amp;utm_medium=post&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_content=DerekSystems_3-7-18&amp;utm_term=existing-list\">real-world situations<\/a> and its extreme efficiency. The original concept of <strong>Krav Maga<\/strong> was to take the most simple and practical techniques of other fighting styles (originally European boxing, wrestling and street fighting) and make them rapidly teachable to military soldiers.\n\nCharacteristics of <strong>Krav Maga<\/strong> include:\n<ul class=\"blog-lists\">\n \t<li><em>Developing physical aggression<\/em> with the idea that physical aggression is the most important component in a fight.<\/li>\n \t<li><em>Continuing to strike<\/em> the opponent until they are completely incapacitated.<\/li>\n \t<li><em>Attacking preemptively or counterattacking<\/em> as soon as possible<\/li>\n \t<li><em>Using any objects<\/em> at hand that could be used to hit an opponent<\/li>\n \t<li><em>Targeting attacks to the body's most vulnerable points<\/em>, such as: the eyes, neck or throat, face, solar plexus, groin, ribs,\nknee, foot, fingers, liver, etc.<\/li>\n \t<li><em>Using simple and easily repeatable strikes<\/em><\/li>\n \t<li><em>Maintaining awareness<\/em> of surroundings while dealing with the threat in order to look for escape routes, further attackers,\nobjects that could be used to strike an opponent.<\/li>\n \t<li>Recognizing the importance of and expanding on instinctive <em>response under stress.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-10 medium-centered large-6 large-centered columns\">\n\t[dfads params='groups=290&amp;limit=1&amp;orderby=random']<\/div>\n<h4>Additional Benefits<\/h4>\nOther benefits of training in Krav Maga is that it will help you to develop situational awareness, an understanding of your surroundings, the psychology of a street confrontation, and how to identify potential threats before an attack occurs.\n\nYou also develop mental toughness, using controlled scenarios to strengthen your mental fortitude.\nKrav Maga is an eclectic system that takes what is useful from available systems, for example:\n<ul class=\"blog-lists\">\n \t<li><em>Strikes <\/em>- form karate, and boxing<\/li>\n \t<li><em>Take-downs and throws<\/em> - from judo, aikido, and wrestling<\/li>\n \t<li><em>Ground work<\/em> - from judo and wrestling<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nBeyond this, <strong>Krav Maga<\/strong> has developed several supplementary techniques, as necessary, combining effectiveness with simplicity, so every technique is a natural reaction from your body.\n\n[dfads params='groups=292&amp;limit=1&amp;orderby=random']\n<h2>Ground Fighting<\/h2>\n<h4>Judo or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu<\/h4>\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-6 large-4 columns right align-to-p img\">\n  <img src=\"https:\/\/www.fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/self-defense_derek2-e1518731619505.jpg\" width=\"100%\"><\/div>\nDuring my career I have unfortunately found myself down on the ground in fighting situations. I thought I knew what to do. I would use my techniques I learned in <strong>Hapkido<\/strong> or Japanese <strong>Jiujitsu<\/strong> and learn at the most inopportune time that they did not work again a determined attacker.\n\nAt 54 years old I currently study judo and <strong>Brazilian Jiujitsu<\/strong>.\n\nIn some situations, my grappling training has definitely helped me, like the time a guy grabbed my collar and I quickly dislocated his finger, but in true ground grappling situations my techniques fell short. So that is why I have incorporated judo and BJJ into my arsenal and recommend it to you.\n<h4>Helps You Stay On Your Feet<\/h4>\nFor self-defense, first let me tell you that studying judo will actually help you to stay on your feet. Staying on your feet is important as going to the ground on purpose is a HUGE mistake since the reality of weapons, multiple attackers or dealing with much <strong>LARGER<\/strong> and <strong>STRONGER<\/strong> fighters will eliminate most BJJ techniques.\n\n<strong>Judo<\/strong> teaches you to stay on your feet and how to keep your balance against a much larger and stronger attacker. Maintaining your balance in a fight in critical to enable you to keep mobile and keep <strong>STRIKING<\/strong> (or stabbing, or bludgeoning...and EVEN <strong>DRAWING YOUR FIREARM<\/strong>, which I had to do from the ground as an agent).\n\n[dfads params='groups=292&amp;limit=1&amp;orderby=random']\n<h4>Helps You Pin Your Attacker<\/h4>\nOn the ground Judo will allow you to fight for a position of dominance, fighting to PIN or SUBMIT your attacker as soon as possible. Judo also trains you to act with a sense of urgency. One false move, one misstep will end the match. This trains your mind to move with purpose. This is the EXACT way you need to approach self-defense. For self-defense purposes, you DON\u2019T need to be great at Judo \u2013 all you need is to build up a good defense which can happen in months, not years.\n\nBJJ concentrates more on ground work and is not as urgent as judo. It focuses on being patient, waiting for the attacker to make a mistake. This is both good and bad for self-defense. But the problem with BJJ is that it <strong>ENCOURAGES<\/strong> you to go to the ground.\n\nForget what \u201cmoves\u201d or take downs you practice, the end result of many BJJ fighters is to use takedowns to enter into ground fighting and remember I said that going to the ground on purpose is a HUGE mistake. But if you do end up there, and you likely will, then knowing how to stay calm and effectively handle the situation is essential to your survival. Therefore, I highly recommend learning one of these arts.\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-10 medium-centered large-6 large-centered columns\">\n\t[dfads params='groups=290&amp;limit=1&amp;orderby=random']<\/div>\n<h2>Weapons-Based Self-Defense<\/h2>\n<h4>Arnis, Escrima, Kali<\/h4>\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-6 large-4 columns right align-to-p img\">\n  <img src=\"https:\/\/www.fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/selfdefense_derek1-e1518731570338.png\" width=\"100%\"><\/div>\nIf you want to learn to use and defend against weapons, it's hard to beat the Filipino martial arts (commonly known as arnis, kali and escrima). The particular form I train in is called <strong>Pekiti Tirsia<\/strong> <strong>Kali<\/strong>. Pekiti-Tirsia Kali is a style specific to <strong>Filipino Martial Arts (FMA)<\/strong>.\n\nIt is strictly a combat-oriented system, as opposed to a sport-focused, style. It is a fighting system that focuses on edged, impact and improvised weapons. PTK, as it is also known, has been adopted as the preferred combative training program by elite military and law enforcement units around the world.\n\nUnlike most styles, nearly all Filipino arts put weapon training first. While different FMAs specialize in different weapons, many of them include training with blunt and sharp weapons of various lengths, from palm sticks and knives to sticks and swords.\n\nThe reason I chose this art as one of my choices for you is that a stick, knife, pole, etc., are readily available today, and the skill you learn in these arts transfers very well to everyday objects, and the empty hand applications can be very effective too.\n\n[dfads params='groups=292&amp;limit=1&amp;orderby=random']\n<h4>Weapons Create Uncommon Opportunities<\/h4>\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-6 large-4 columns right align-to-p img\">\n  <img src=\"https:\/\/www.fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/selfdefense_derek-e1518731507610.png\" width=\"100%\"><\/div>\nWeapons create the opportunity for angles and methods of attack that are uncommon in unarmed fighting. But uncommon does not equal ineffective. The unarmed techniques in many FMAs come directly from armed techniques, leading to unexpected and functional applications. Training the unique footwork and weapon techniques of the FMAs will add another dimension to your urban survival skills.\n\nTechniques and training methods are different depending on the weapon being used or defended against. However, most have training methods in the following area:\n<ul class=\"blog-lists\">\n \t<li><strong><em>Stick<\/em><\/strong> <em>(stick, double stick, cane, bat, hammer, crow bar)<\/em><\/li>\n \t<li><strong><em>Palm<\/em> <\/strong><em><strong>Stick<\/strong> (wrench, pen, flashlight)<\/em><\/li>\n \t<li><strong>Knife<\/strong> <em>(knife, broken bottle, scissors)<\/em><\/li>\n \t<li><em><strong>Sword<\/strong> (machete, sword)<\/em><\/li>\n \t<li><em><strong>Projectile<\/strong> (gun, pepper spray, rocks)<\/em><\/li>\n \t<li><em><strong>Linked<\/strong> (chain, pet leash)<\/em><\/li>\n \t<li><em><strong>Empty Hands<\/strong> (unarmed applications of kali)<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nI hope this list shows you the effectiveness of Kali type training for your urban survival needs.\n<div class=\"small-12 medium-10 medium-centered large-6 large-centered columns\">\n\t[dfads params='groups=290&amp;limit=1&amp;orderby=random']<\/div>\n<h2>Wrapping Up<\/h2>\n<h4>Final Thoughts<\/h4>\nSo that\u2019s it folks. Based on my 37 years in security, law enforcement and the military and having been involved in many altercations, I truly believe that these arts will make you a complete and effective fighter and will get you out of almost any hand to hand combat situation. Try them out and see how effective they are for you.\n<p id=\"read-more-link\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fightfast.com\/ar\/KSA-k.php?utm_campaign=SACKL&amp;utm_medium=post&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_content=DerekSystems_3-7-18&amp;utm_term=existing-list\">Click here for more training by Derek Smith!<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Picking The System For You As a former federal agent, retired military counterintelligence and investigations agent, and 35-year martial artist with several black belts I know a little about what really works for self-defense and what does not. With that being said, I want to share with you what I think are the best martial<a class=\"button alert expand\" id=\"followUp\" href=\"https:\/\/fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/07\/self-defense-systems\/\"> Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5564,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22,2,4,10,19],"tags":[208,209],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5456"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5456"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5456\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12802,"href":"https:\/\/fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5456\/revisions\/12802"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/wp-json\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5456"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5456"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fightfastvideos.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5456"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}