Self Defense
"Get In The Car"
By Christopher Caile
You can be very vulnerable when approaching your parked vehicle or waiting in your stopped vehicle. Here are 10 basic rules of car self-defense everyone should know.
A Simple, But Powerful Tool Most Attackers Won’t Expect
By Christopher Caile
It’s not flashy and it is often almost awkward in execution. It is also too often just ignored in practice. But the simple rear kick should be an important tool in anyone’s self-defense inventory.
Defeating the Football Tackle
By Prof. Gene Roos
While this attack can completely overwhelm a defender, it can also be easily countered.
Defeating The Headlock - Part 1 - At The Moment Of Initiation
By Christopher Caile
Using this technique you can thwart an attacker's attempt to put you in a headlock so effectively that you will just seem to disappear
Defeating The Headlock - Part 2 - Against A Headlock Already In Place
By Christopher Caile
How to get out of even the most determined headlock, but also how to escape without hurting those who are also just playing around with the hold.
Defeating The Headlock - Part 2 - Against A Headlock Already In Place (Continued)
By Christopher Caile
Defense Against A Rear Bear Hug Attack - Part 2: A Static Upper Arm Grab From The Rear
By Christopher Caile
If you respond quickly you can slip out of an attacker’s initial rear grab.
Defense Against A Rear Bear Hug Attack - Part 3: A Low Grab Around The Elbows
By Christopher Caile
This type of bear hug attack is more difficult to defend against, but if you vigorously counter-attack you can often take control of the situation.
Defense Against The Shove
By Stan Hart
Any defense is bolstered by a triad of old methods once central to old Okinawan karate.
Defense Through Awareness
By Meghan Gardner
Simple changes of action can protect you from dangerous situations that can leave you vulnerable.
Defense To A Bag Over The Head Attack From The Rear
By Prof. Gene Roos
Most people have no idea how to defend themselves against this type of surprise attack.
Do Basics Work For Self-Defense?
By Christopher Caile
Basics in karate, taekwondo and kung fu help perfect basic skills, but if you think they are useful for self-defense, think again.
Escaping The Wrist Grab: Part 1 - From The Same Side
By Christopher Caile
There are many methods of escaping from a same side wrist grab, but some are better than others.
Escaping The Wrist Grab: Part 2 - From The Opposite Side
By Christopher Caile
Here are some simple and effective self-defense techniques that anyone can use to escape a cross arm wrist grab.
Escaping The Wrist Grab: Part 3, The Two Arm Wrist Grab
By Christopher Caile
While the two arm wrist grab can be scary for the defender, in fact it is easy to escape from this attack because it is fatally flawed.
Escaping The Wrist Grab: Part 3, The Two Arm Wrist Grab (Continued)
By Christopher Caile
Fighting Back At 40,000 Feet: Part 1- Responding To Airborne Terrorists
By Christopher Caile
It’s highly improbable, but if you should find yourself face-to-face with armed terrorist onboard an airplane here are some thoughts on what you could do.
Fighting Back At 40,000 Feet: Part 2 - Group Principles, Individual Strategies
By Christopher Caile
Here are some strategies, tactics and methods you might employ if you are ever confronted by airborne terrorists.
Fighting Back At 40,000 Feet: Part 3 - Weapons, Shields and Artillery
By Christopher Caile
Improvised shields and weapons will not guarantee your success, but better armed than naked against fanatical armed assailants.
Hard Reality: How One Barroom Encounter Changed One Cop's Views On Fighting
By Robin Martin
How one real life incident changed my concept of what was effective in the martial arts.
Opinion - Being Too Careful
By Christopher Caile
When we are beginners in the martial arts, it's important when practicing with a partner to be careful with our techniques so we don't cause injury, but above a certain level being too careful can have the opposite effect.
Opinion - The Disservice Of Bad Technique
By Christopher Caile
I have seen it taught for years -- self-defense technique that just won't work.
Ouch! Stop Pulling My Hair
By Christopher Caile
Getting caught in a hair pull can be dangerous and painful, but if you are prepared you can easily escape.
Ouch! The Mighty Little Pinch For Self-defense
By Christopher Caile
A pinch won't permanently damage anyone, but wow, does it hurt.
Releasing The Arms To Counter A Front Bear Hug
By Prof. Gene Roos
Real life is often different from practice, and when students try to use what they have been taught in an actual attack, it often fails them at the moment they need it most.
Self-Defense Weapons: A Comparative Look
By Meghan Gardner
There are a lot of simple weapons that you can use for self-defense, but sometimes they can also be used against you.
Signs of a Potential Victim: Defying the Hunt
By Meghan Gardner
It catches you by surprise when you lose your awarness, such as when you put down your briefcase only long enough to dig out a boarding pass and then reach down to retrieve it, but your fingers grasp at air.
Some Personal Observations On Dealing With Dog Attacks: Part 1- Prevention
By George Donahue
A dog attack can be dangerous and terrifying, but if you know what to do it can often be avoided before it begins.
Some Personal Observations On Dealing With Dog Attacks: Part 2- If Attacked
By George Donahue
When attacked I have defended myself when I needed to and at times I had no choice but to harm the dog, but, I've never caused them more harm than was necessary.
Surviving A Multi-Opponent Attack Part 1: Interfering With And Avoiding An Impending Attack
By Christopher Caile
An attack by multiple assailants can be your worst nightmare but there are both physical and psychological tools you can use to interrupt or stop it before it fully develops.
Surviving A Multi-Opponent Attack Part 2: Principles And Tactics
By Christopher Caile
To survive a multiple assailant attack you have to be mentally prepared and know how to take control, interrupt the attack, move and counter and create a whirlwind of pain and confusion.
Surviving A Multi-Opponent Attack Part 3: Maneuvering For Advantage: Basics
By Christopher Caile
The basic movement strategy against an attack from multiple assailants starts with the basics of standing, moving and turning.
Surviving A Multi-Opponent Attack Part 4: Maneuvering For Advantage: Putting It Together
By Christopher Caile
The strategy of how and where to move when facing multiple opponents is a critical element, one that can help even the odds and help you survive.
Surviving A Multi-Opponent Attack Part 5: Maneuvering For Advantage: More Scenarios
By Christopher Caile
Here are more multiple attacher scenarios and the movement strategy of how and where to move to help you even the odds and maybe survive.
The Combat Roll
By Prof. Gene Roos
The combat roll is not pretty like those in judo or aikido, but it just may end up saving you from serious injury.
The Double Lapel Grab
By Christopher Caile
As an attack it may be scary, but in reality it does little more than ruffle your jacket while you as a defender have lots of options.
The Rear-Fall Throw In Self Defense
By Prof. Gene Roos
Most assailants are unprepared for this type self-defense technique and it takes them totally by surprise.
The Straight Arm Double Lapel Grab, Part 1
By Christopher Caile
This technique taken from the karate kata Pinan four is a simple, easy to execute self-defense for this type attack.
The Straight Arm Double Lapel Grab, Part 2
By Christopher Caile
Although many self-defense techniques that are taught to be used against this attack just don’t work, this technique taken from a karate kata is very effective.
The Weakness Of Strength -How An Aggressive Attacker Can Set Himself Up For Defeat
By Christopher Caile
When an aggressor is looking for a fight, don’t get caught up in the emotion. But if he still attacks, self defense is often simplified by his actions.
Travel Safety: In Your Auto
By Meghan Gardner
Some simple rules on how to avoid becoming an easy target when in your automobile
Up Against The Wall
By Christopher Caile
Pushing someone from behind into a wall or object to hit or steal from them is a common technique, but it is easy to counter with a little knowledge.
Up Against The Wall - 2
By Prof. Gene Roos
If an attacker pushes you up against a wall from behind with one hand it is likely that he may try to hit you with his other hand. In this case it is critical to pivot to the outside, away from the potential strike.
What Are You Going To Do, Shoot Me? BANG
By Christopher Caile
When confronted on an urban street by a gang of muggers with one member holding a gun it is probably not a good idea to challenge the gun holder to shoot you.
When All Else Fails
By Christopher Caile
Are there any karate techniques that you can absolutely depend upon if all else fails – techniques that can work against bigger, stronger attackers or against those seemingly impervious to pain or who exhibit almost superhuman strength as a result of being high on drugs?
Your $5 Ma'am: An Approach By A Serial Killer
By Christopher Caile
A recent incident highlights just how creative potential attackers can be in their tactics to get you to let your guard down.
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