(Approx 1 minute 35 second read) A reminder that the real fight is often won in the mind. . For those of us interested in self-defense, awareness is key – being aware of yourself, your surroundings, and your environment. . But what does that really mean? . It’s about spotting pre-incident indicators, practicing good positioning,…
Category: Self-Protection
The Boxer’s Lesson, The Master’s Secret: Kata’s Practical Legacy.
(Approx 2 minute 50 second read) Take a single technique from a boxer’s shadow boxing routine. What do you have? For example – a left jab aimed at the head or body. . Take a single movement from kata. What do you have? For example – a left gyaku zuki (reverse punch). It too could…
Maai: Mastering the Space Between – Control the Distance, Control the Fight.
(Approx 1 minute 40 second read) The one who controls the distance in an encounter controls the situation – whether that’s to escape or, if you have no choice, to fight. . Those of us who practice a more practical type of karate often dismiss the endless step-kumite drills common in modern dojo. Many defend…
Beyond De-escalation: When Avoidance Fails, Decisive Action – The Core of Kata’s Self-Defense.
(Approx 1 minute 50 second read) Most followers of this Page understand that self-defense should always prioritize non-physical approaches first. There have to be alternatives, right? . However, I have always taught my students that if avoidance fails, they must quickly take control – or at least try to. I obviously hope they never have…
Protect Yourself – But Think First: The Art of Avoiding Trouble.
(Approx 2 minute 10 second read) It seems that self-defense is a topic people just can’t get their heads around, if my recent articles are anything to go by. . Instructors in particular often seem convinced that you have to fight first. Yet, many tell me they understand the importance of avoiding the fight, but…
Self-Defense Isn’t a Game: Time to Get Real.
(2 minute 5 second read) Self-defense isn’t just about you – it could be about protecting those who rely on you. . My last article sparked another round of debate – no surprise there. It was apparently shared to another page without my knowing and the comments went wild there too. That happens. What doesn’t…
If You Think Fighting Is Self-Defense, Think Again: Can You Protect Someone Without Fighting?
(Approx 2 minute 45 second read) This is a follow-up to my recent article about fighting and self-defense – mainly because, based on the comments, it’s clear many people misunderstood the point. So let’s clear a few things up. . The fear of an attack can make many people want to fight back immediately. But…
Calling It Self-Defense Doesn’t Make It True: Most Dojos Teach Fighting.
(Approx 2 minute 5 second read) I once taught at a dojo where, for the most part, they were good people, strong spirit – but their idea of self-defense was almost entirely built around fighting and fitness. . That mindset wasn’t unique to them either. I’ve seen it many times. . In the same dojo,…
More Than a Fist, More Than a Palm: It’s Not About the Hand Shape – It’s About the Purpose.
(Approx 2 minute 5 second read) Why do some kata use closed hands and others open hands? Is it simply stylistic differences? . It’s a question that often arises, and it points to a common misunderstanding in modern karate training: the assumption that a fist or an open palm is simply a singular ‘technique’ for…
It’s Not the Name – It’s What It Does: Techniques Must Remain Adaptable.
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) Lately, I’ve had a lot of comments about how a particular technique is done in this or that style, with this or that detail. Some of these comments are thoughtful… but many miss the point. . If everything goes wrong and you have to fight, you don’t have the…
Don’t Just Prove It – Disprove It: The Value of Getting It Wrong.
(Approx 1 minute 40 second read) When you are in the dojo watching your instructor demonstrate a technique, is that technique always successful? . It usually is, isn’t it? But why could that be a problem? . Because if you ever have to use those techniques in the real world, they will often fail –…
The Movement Inside the Technique: Oi-Zuki – More Than Just a Punch.
(Approx 2 minute 20 second read) Someone recently said they enjoy kata, but can’t see how movements like oi-zuki connect to kumite – it all feels too different. . My response was this: if kata and kumite feel completely disconnected, that’s often down to how they’re being taught. Kata should reflect principles that hold up…