FightProof™ Applied Martial Arts

The inclement weather of the last couple weeks is a good reminder that you may have to defend yourself in less than preferable conditions. If it's the ice and snow of the East Coast or the unrelenting rain of the West you must compensate for weather and terrain in your training. It is difficult to deliver the same power in a punch or kick when the ability to keep your footing is taken away. Also keep in mind that in a grappling situation that goes to the ground the use of your guard changes as your back and feet are sliding on the ice. Some of the ways to train for these conditions are: - Use walls, cars, doors and other objects as a place to post your back while you defend. Also practice pinning the attacker to the same objects. - With a partner push each other back and forth while maintaining control standing on a rug or towel on a slick surface. This practice helps you keep your footing or gain it back if you lose it. -Practice pushing and ground grappling in dress...

The mythology of the Wild West suggests the person who draws first in a gunfight is usually the first to get shot, and new findings now hint at a reason why this might happen. Read more via  livescience.com

Don't attack the weapon, attack the unit. I will use knife in this setting but just to clarify the knife is interchangeable with any bludgeoning weapon. The gun is in a category of it's own. Over the years I have noticed that some of the most successful knife defense strategies don't involve the knife in the equation. What do I mean be this? What I don't mean is ignore the knife and hope it goes away, because it won't. What I do mean is full concentration of your intent on the knife seems to be worse than ignoring it. When I teach experienced martial artist how to elevate what they already know to work in street reality situations the first order of business to put their intent in the right place. In order to defend yourself successfully in the street your intent has to be everywhere and nowhere all at once. When I train my military clients I explain it like this. Don't attack the soldiers, attack the commander. If you continuously engage the soldiers th...