Most people consider boxing more as a sport than as a self-defense discipline. Thanks to the studied elegance of the sport and the big-name athletes associated with it, boxing is not always viewed as a useful self-defense style. However, this is inaccurate. Boxing can be very effective for self-defense. In fact, some aspects of it were even incorporated by the late Bruce Lee into his martial arts discipline, Jeet Kune Do. It’s only a matter of understanding how the principles of this discipline work and how to use them in case of an attack.

Here are some of the most important technical aspects of boxing:

The punches
There are 3 kinds of punches in boxing that may be used for self-defense. These are:

Straight punch. This is executed usually when the opponent is at arm’s length or a bit further. The straight punch is simply that – a straight blow with a closed fist, with the striking arm a little closer to the body.

If you’re standing head to head with your opponent, the straight punch should hit him on the bridge of the nose or the cheeks. It could also be used to hit an opponent’s chest or stomach.

Uppercut. The uppercut is a strike executed with a closed fist coming from the side of the body and moving up. This will land on the jaw, knocking the opponent backwards.

Hook. The hook is also known as the side winder or the side punch. It is made using a closed fist, with the striking arm coming at the opponent from the waist or slightly above it. It then curves to hit the opponent from the side.

Footwork
If you’ve watched boxers fight on the ring, you’ve probably noticed that they are constantly moving. This is to make them more difficult to attack and to allow them to move more quickly into a defensive or an offensive position.

When using boxing as a self-defense style, it’s important to remember to keep moving forward and backward and side to side. Use your movement not just to confuse your opponent but also to assess their next move. Footwork is also important for evading blows.

Strike points
When using boxing as a self-defense tactic, attacks should be considered based on the most vulnerable parts of the opponent’s body. These include:

- eyes
- jaw
- nose (especially the bridge)
- sternum
- sides of the torso
- groin (illegal in professional boxing but works well for street fights)

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Krav Maga is considered as one of the best and most effective self-defense systems for hand-to-hand combat. It is a Hebrew term that means ‘close combat’. Although it is commonly known as the fighting style of Israeli soldiers, it was actually developed in the 30s in Czechoslovakia and Hungary. Krav Maga was initially used to help teach the Jewish community to defend itself against the Nazis.

Today, Krav Maga is a self-defense style that is increasingly becoming popular. With its emphasis on using calculated responses to attacks and implementing defenses, it has become a favorite among self-defense students.

How it works
Krav Maga is a combination of many martial arts techniques, including karate, jujitsu and judo. It doesn’t actually have set rules of fighting and unlike other self-defense disciplines, it can be used by either men or women. Techniques are used to effectively and efficiently neutralize an attacker while allowing the person to escape.

To use Krav Maga as self-defense technique effectively, the direct threat must first be assessed and then dealt with accordingly. The type of force used on the attacker will depend on how serious the threat is, eliminating the need for unnecessary force and conserving the user’s strength.

Once the immediate threat has been managed, the next step is then to prevent any attacks coming from the opponent. In case the attacker does make any moves, techniques to neutralize them must then be implemented.

Training
Krav Maga is frequently taught by using physical and sensory distractions, including smoke, loud music or noises and flashing lights. This is to train the student to learn to focus on the more important aspects of the combat (i.e., the immediate threat). Often, the student is even trained to the point of exhaustion or blindfolded before an attack is initiated.

Training is also conducted on a variety of surfaces, including flat floors, dirt, mud, rock, concrete, etc.

Krav Maga is best for close contact man-to-man fighting and for situations when the user is disadvantaged, such as when there are multiple attackers, when attackers are armed or when the user is hurt. It is also very effective when trying to parlay attacks while defending another person.

Guiding principles
There are 6 guiding principles used with Krav Maga techniques. These include:

- Avoid getting hurt.
- Neutralize your attacker as fast as possible.
- Quickly switch from defensive to offensive techniques
- Use the body’s natural reflexes
- Use all the vulnerable areas of the body
- Use any objects that may be at hand

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You have already watched countless Martial Arts lessons in CD’s. You have your tools and gadgets handy. But do you really know what to do and how to execute the moves when you need them the most? Do you know when to fight or flight? If your response is “Ummm, not really”, you are in big trouble. Why not go to self defense trainings then? Don’t know where to find groups offering these trainings? Learn how to choose the best self defense lesson for you first.

To be able to make an informed decision in selecting a training course for you, it’s important that you know what you need and want to gain from a lesson. There are those who’d like to master these methods for fitness purposes, not only physically but also psychologically. Some would want to learn to better protect themselves. Some would want to join competitions instead.

In finding self defense lessons to join, schools can be a great help. Schools in the vicinity of your neighbourhood would be good sources of these trainings. Ask for flyers, brochures or simply meet with the instructors to get more information about the offerings. Before saying yes and paying anything, don’t forget to ask for recommendations so you can have more options. Another factor that should help you decide in choosing lessons is whether the school or training offers safety equipment or facilities. You can also scour the web for more information about current self defense courses or trainings available. Here are some of the upcoming self defense trainings that might be near your place:

Self Defense Seminar at Lamy’s Black Belt Academy, 183 Elm St., Milford, Nov. 22, from 1-3 p.m.

Self Defense for Women with Brynda Ivan, second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, brown belt in Kajukenpo karate, Dec. 8, 6:30 to 8 p.m.; at The Summa Wellness Institute

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Too early for ho-ho-ho? Sure, there’s still about two months before Christmas, but how about Halloween? It’s high time to think of unique Halloween gift ideas. If you have self-defense-conscious friends, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a list of Halloween gift ideas that will make your Jujitsu masters or black-belter friends or even that pal of yours who just got his new bachelor’s pad and is looking to keep it secure.

Kubotans

Your father-in-law may not be too old for some action, -  elderly self defense action that is. But it would definitely be one cookie point for you if you give him one light but still effective self defense weapon :  kubotans.

Self Defense Videos

If the recipient has already mastered these 50 tips on how to keep yourself safe from sexual assault, he or she may still be interested in furthering his or her self defense education with these martial arts and fighting videos. Now for the ladies, who would be more confident with their self defense weapons in tow!

Pepper Gels

The more modern version of pepper sprays, pepper gels are in with women who can’t leave home without protection gadgets. It’s just a piece of cake, if you’re wondering how to use pepper gel. For home security obsessed folks, here are some items you might want to wrap for them.

Motion Sensor Phone

It might be leaning on the espionage side, but it can also be used to help protect your home from those who have nothing good to do with their lives or yours. Check out more information about motion sensor phones.

Solar Powered Surveillance Camera

Green is in! And with this solar-powered surveillance camera, you can never go wrong in keeping your home safe while protecting Mother Earth. Got any Holiday gift ideas of your own?

image credits to Jeff Clow

The World Champion Karate Academy, located in Bowling Green, is offering a wide selection of classes, some of which are designed to teach self-defense for families. Similar family-oriented lessons, Shinpu-Ren Okinawan Hard Karate in particular, are also offered at Bradshaw mountain High School and under the direction of Kyoshi Garry Morris. The classes Morris teaches specialize in teaching self-defense for young kids who may be or already are victims of bullying in school. They are also taught about “stranger danger” and the need for avoiding confrontation. Besides self-defense, the lessons also focus on helping students build their self-respect, self-esteem, and their character — lessons which can be of value to adult students as well.

The Kenner Police Department, on the other hand, takes a slightly different approach with a self-defense course designed for women. The classes, offered free of charge, will be held from September 8 to 11, targeting females aged 13 and above. Two certified police officers will take the role of instructors for the self-defense course and their lessons include but aren’t limited to the discussion and demonstration of escaping multiple attackers, abduction, lawful means of self-defense, the various types of sexual assaults, and risk awareness. Interested parties may attend more than one class and will have the opportunity to put their skills to test during classes.

Another self-defense course designed for women, also for free, is offered in the Recreation and Cultural Arts of Asheville Parks. Entitled “Practical Self-Defense for Women”, the workshop will take place at the Stephens-Lee Recreation Center at September 4, 2008.

The introductory class will be under the direction of WNC Center for Self-Defense founder and lead instructor Steve Lunsford. Participants don’t need to have previous experience and are requested to come in loose-fitting attire.

In Wilmington, New Hanover County, free self-defense lessons are also offered, prompted by a recent attack on a 24-year-old woman. The victim had to undergo surgery after suffering from sexual assault and multiple stabbings. The incident made concerned resident Aaron Lawrence, a black belt in karate, volunteer to teach self-defense classes for free.

Many types of self-defense courses are offered today, designed to teach people of all shapes and sizes to defend themselves properly. All you need to do is find one that appeals to you and fits your schedule.

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image credits to meryddian

For Adrian Quintanilla, jiu jitsu is not only a way to get in shape, but it’s also a fun way of learning self-defense.

The literal translation for jiu jitsu is the “way of yielding” or “the art of softness”. It is also a collective term for various styles of Japanese martial arts, many of which are based on striking and grappling techniques. The sport is derived from ancient techniques used by samurai in the old days and against opponents who weren’t just armored but carried weapons as well. Jiu jitsu was also used by samurais when they had no means or were forbidden to use weapons.

Unlike other methods of self-defense, also teaches people how to use their opponent’s energy against them rather than employing techniques which require them to directly confront their opponent.

Although there are different schools of teachings for jiu-jitsu, all of them have certain similarities. Every jiu-jitsu student, for instance, learns the traditional techniques through observation and imitation. Most schools also place special emphasis in joint-locking when they are teaching their students unarmed techniques in combating.

All schools include striking techniques in their “curriculum”, although the actual technique may vary from school to school. Nevertheless, striking techniques often target a vulnerable part of the body.

While techniques used for combating with weapons differ, the actual weapons used remain the same for all jiu-jitsu schools: short one-hook truncheons called jitte, knives (tanto), short and long swords, and three and six-foot staffs called hanbo and roku shaku bo, respectively.

Men and women of all ages can learn jiu jitsu, and The Boxing Gym in Edinburg is indeed open to accepting anyone who wishes to lose weight and learn self-defense through jiu jitsu. At present, Quintanilla tells Monitor.com that their students range from 10-year-old kids to forty-year-old men. The classes take place at night, from Tuesday to Friday, and costs $75 to $95 per month.

The classes offered at The Boxing Gym focus, however, on the Brazilian version of jiu-jitsu. This version originated Esai Maeda Koma, a jiu jitsu master who settled in Brazil in 1916. Quintanilla describes Brazilian jiu-jitsu as the martial art “for the little guy” because it teaches techniques people can use even or most especially when they’re on their backs.

Of course, knowledge and skills in jiu-jitsu should not be abused and Quintanilla advises people to use such techniques only when other and less risky tactics, like simply walking away, prove to be unsuccessful.

image credits to The Adventures of Kristin & Adam