Choosing a Self Defense / Martial Arts School: A Parents Guide

"Daddy, I want to take Karate!""Mommy, Jimmy on the bus hit me again today"There are many reasons why parents want to sign their children up for Self Defense or Martial Arts classes. Once you have made the decision, now you are faced with many different options and questions. What style?... Read More

Basic Drills

We all have a good foundation in the basic blows and combinations.Think about adding the following drills to your basic syllabus.These can be trained as "stand alone" combinations OR worked into existing "Defendu" combinations either "before" or "after".1. HARD left lead to chin (mental foramen) HARD overhand right to chin... Read More

A Beginning History of Old School Jujutsu - Part 1

Over the next couple of day's I will writing an article of the history of Pre-WWII Japanese Jujitsu/Judo. I wasn't sure where to start, but here I am so let's get started.I'm going to start with H. Irving Hancock, who in the early 1900's wrote several books on the history... Read More

A Great Question!

It's a question that we went back and forth with for awhile ourselves many moons ago. The "how" and "why" of our conclusions may be of some interest. Whether or not anyone agrees with them, well at the least you'll fully understand the basis for them.The question is this:Why does... Read More

The Acronym That Saved My Life

Frequently, I get asked about certifications, systems or methods. We made a decision a long time ago of purposely staying away from things like this.Obviously, it's a no-brainer, money maker and it's not that I don't want to make money; but our purpose was to give you real training on... Read More

Are You Still Standing Toe to Toe?

How many times do you practice techniques with your training partner and you stay in the same spot? Next time you are training, see how much you and your partner move. You will find you move very little or not at all. You see, when you are training, or doing... Read More

Are You Frustrated Yet?

I was talking to a parent recently and they told me that their son was not going to compete in wrestling because they were afraid they would get frustrated when he lost. The parent felt the child was far too sensitive to handle the frustration of failure and may get... Read More

By-Rote Combinations

Do not believe that practicing "by rote" 1-2-3,etc. type "responses" to street attacks is a viable or particularly useful training exercise. Example: He does this, I do that. For attack A I use Defense A.Realize that in a street fight there are far too many variables, too many contingencies. Uncle... Read More

Catholic Self Defense

Note: I wrote this essay regarding the development of Tekkenryu jujutsu. However, I think it is applicable for all methods of self defense. It may also explain why martial arts are the way they are.Catholic, by definition, means universal or "broad minded".I could pull out STACKS of manuals, syllabuses, films,... Read More

Bogu Training

About four years ago Carl recommended we start using the Bogu during our kumite (sparring practice). This method was developed in Okinawa and then found its way into mainland Japan and eventually to the U.S. where only a few clubs still do this. And even in those clubs, only a... Read More

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Fairbairn on the Fairbairn Method

Something for our shooting "enthusiasts" -PRELIMINARY STATEMENTBackground:"Prior to my association... Read More

By-Rote Combinations

Do not believe that practicing "by rote" 1-2-3,etc. type "responses"... Read More

The Plight of Industrialized Man

Living in the Pacific Northwest is a challenge for any... Read More

So You Think You Train Hard

"Tokio Hirano (1922-1993) 8th Dan The Man Who Revolutionized Judo"... Read More

How to Become A Modern-Day Ninja Master

The ninja were a military order in Japan. Most people... Read More

Are You Frustrated Yet?

I was talking to a parent recently and they told... Read More

Martial Arts Strength Training

According to various sources on the internet, a 1996 article... Read More

I Know Karate and Kung Fu and Lots of Other Foreign Words!

Martial arts have become incredibly popular in the US. Drive... Read More

Samurai - The Honourable & The Treacherous

The Japanese Samurai were warriors. Highly trained, skilled and efficient... Read More

A Samurais Power Is In His Little Finger, Not His Samurai Sword

In the 12th Century the Shogunate was formed. The head... Read More

Safety Awareness & Self Defense: Circle of Safety

Safety Awareness & Self Defense is the responsibility of each... Read More

A Great Question!

It's a question that we went back and forth with... Read More

Im Soooo Confused...

I was going to write about the BASICS of "practical... Read More

Benefits of Martial Arts Training For Kids

Admit it. When the going gets tough at home, we've... Read More

Historical References to W.E. Fairbairn, E.A. Sykes AND Dermot Pat ONeill

FROM THE BOOK: "PIERCING THE REICH" AUTHOR: JOSEPH E. PERSICOThey... Read More

How to Select Your Martial Arts and Self Defense Equipment

The most common place to buy martial arts or self... Read More

Aikido Philosophy: An Oriental Concept of Energy, Self, and Mind

PrefaceThere are many different ways to understand Aikido philosophy and... Read More

Its Not a Matter of Who is Right

"People here may belittle sports arts...."Who?Almost EVERY "combatives" man of... Read More

COMBATIVES A Rose by Any Other Name?....Part 2

The advent of World War One (the war to END... Read More

Grown Man Quits After 3 Mat Pulls!

A matt pull is the simple act of lying on... Read More

Who Created Tai Chi Chuan (Tai Chi Boxing)?

I have read a number of books, articles, and novels,... Read More

What To Expect When You Least Expect It

The time you will be attacked you will most likely... Read More

Samurai Sword Facts

The first samurai swords we're actually straight bladed, single edged... Read More

Content, Are We?

I asked a simple question at the last seminar:"How much... Read More

Expect the Unexpected Grass Hopper

The Myth perpetuated by Self Defense Oriented Martial ArtsI just... Read More