=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Self defence becomes more important every year. Yet the traditional Martial Arts demand a physical fitness and understanding of complex techniques which are beyond most of us. HERE IS A NEW AND PRACTICAL SYSTEM WHICH RECOGNISES OUR LIMITATIONS. It is quick and easy to learn because it is based on adopting one move to a variety of defensive situations. The system assumes that the defence will be against a more powerful attacker. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- =-=-= = = = PART I : THE BASICS = = = =-=-=-=-=-=-=- =-=-=-=-= INTRODUCTION : -- ------------ This file has been written for those of us who do not want to take up the martial arts as a sport, but who would like to be able to defend ourselves in a potentially dangerous situation. This course is intended to teach you to cope with practical situations, i.e. cir tances in which you may actually find yourself. You may not aspire to a black belt, but you will learn how to defend yourself effectively in a emergency. You don't have to be particularly fit or well co-ordinated to use these techniques, which have also been designated for the not- so-strong. They are simple and easy to learn. They are also highly effective. PRACTICE : ---------- Practice makes perfect they say, and this is true. Practise what you would do in a serious situation, so that you are sure of your moves. Try to do this with a partner, to help you practise the timing of these moves. Try to choose moves which you find easier and which come more naturally to you. It is advisable to practise in your everyday clothes, as these are what you are most likely to be wearing in the event of an attack. Practise punching, kicking and jabbing as described in the PART II firstly and very slowly. When you have mastered the moves slowly, build up your speed and power, but without a partner. Finally, practise your self defence techniques with a partner, so that you can put what you have learned into practice and get used to body contact. SOME GENERAL GROUND RULES : ---------------- ----------- There are some important rules on how to react if attacked. If you bear these in mind, you already have the advantage over your attacker. If at all possible, avoid a confrontation. Try to engage your assailant in a conversation. This way you gain time to calm yourself down and work out an effective strategy to fight off your attacker. If you cannot avoid a fight : 1. Breathe slowly and deeply to calm your nerves. 2. ALWAYS look your attacker in the eyes. 3. Turn sideways to make it harder for your attacker to grab you. 4. Only use techniques you have really mastered. DON'T hesitate. 5. Be careful not to let yourself be cornered, and don't allow yourself to be backed up into a doorway or against a wall. THE LAW AND SELF DEFENCE : -------------------------- Section 3(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1967 states : .... a person may use reasonable force in the prevention of crime .... Obviously prevention of crime covers a wide range, but this may include 1. Defence of yourself 2. Defence of another 3. Defence of property What is considered reasonable depends on the cir tances and is, ultimately, a matter for a jury to decide. That is, if you have been slapped, it would be unreasonable to defend yourself with a knife. If you use more force than is reasonable in the cir tances, you could be prosecuted. SHOCK TACTICS. THE ELEMENT OF SURPRISE : -------------------------------------- -- Surprise is an important factor in self defence. If used properly it throws your assailant off balance and may give you valuable time. There are many types of shock tactics but I shall restrict myself to a few simple ones which will distract or confuse your attacker. 1. Sudden, loud screaming 2. Spitting in the attacker's face 3. Smiling while looking behind of the attacker THE MOST VULNERABLE AREAS OF THE HUMAN BODY : ------------------ --------------------------- The eyes and groin are your MAIN TARGETS. A hard kick or punch in the groin will quickly put men out of action, and can even render them unconscious. This is a very sensitive part of the body and very vulnerable to injury, no matter how big and strong a man can be. You can achieve similar results by jabbing your assailant in the eyes with your fingers, which is one of the best methods of self defence. Your attacker will be helpless if he cannot see. Of course, the human body can be attacked in other areas like nose, chin, knee, shin and bridge of the foot. These are your SECONDARY TARGETS. DIRECT YOUR PUNCHES AND KICKS, AS DESCRIBED, ONLY AT THE MARKED POINTS OF THE BODY, AS OTHERWISE THEY MAY NOT AFFECT YOUR ATTACKER. THE RIGHT STANCE : ------------------ Correct stance is essential as a basis for all defence movements. In order to achieve maximum mobility, balance your weight equally on both legs, keeping your knees slightly bent. Do not tense up; relax and be prepared to react quickly on all sides. Your shoulders should be diagonal to your assailant, so that you present the least surface area for your attacker to grab. Protect your chest and your chin by keeping your arms up at an angle. Clench your fists to minimise any damage to your fingers when defending or blocking. This is NOT a static position, quite the opposite, and you should be constantly moving, like a boxer in the ring. Do not keep your arms still, but remember to keep up your guard. This behaviour will confuse your attacker, leaving him no time to recognise the defensive action you may be taking. Try to stay out of reach of your attacker, but remember to maintain eye contact. =-=-=- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= = = = PART II : BEST TECHNIQUES = = = =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- =-=-=-=-= USING YOUR HANDS : ------------------ In this part of the course you will learn techniques in which you can use your hands, arms, elbows or fingers as weapons with which to disable your attacker. The difference between a punch and a slap is the way in which the arm or hand movement is carried out. When pushing or punching, the arm movement is always straight ahead, towards the attacker, whereas, when slapping, the arm movement is circular or semi-circular (a swing or a hook). In self defence it's very important to learn how to use your hands as weapons. A well-targeted punch, using the heel of your hand or elbow, is easily carried out and highly effective if your FULL body weight is behind it. It is NOT necessary to harden the skin on your hands or elbows on order to make 'em less sensitive to pain; they have been designated by nature to resist knocks and punches. Making a fist in the correct way is very important to prevent any finger injuries when punching your assailant or using blocking techniques. When your fist is clenched correctly, the thumb should lie in front of your index and middle finger, and NOT be covered by them. Move 1 : JABBING WITH THE HEEL OF THE HAND Bend the fingers up, hold your palm upright and bend it back as far back as you can. Take up the correct stance and push your hand forward with as much force as possible. The palm will connect with the target area. Remember to swivel your hips and follow through in the same direction. The best effects can be achieved if you hit your attacker just under the nose Move 1 : DEMONSTRATION 1. Your opponent is about to aim a punch at your head. 2. Take evasive action by moving one step diagonally forward from the normal position. 3. Block the punch and, at the same time, jab the heel of your hand under your attacker's nose. Move 2 : THE FINGER JAB This techniques is highly effective but may also cause severe eye injury. For this reason, the finger jab should only be used in life- threatening attacks. Bend your index and middle fingers slightly. Stand in the correct basic stance and move forwards to carry out the finger jab. Move 2 : DEMONSTRATION 1. Your assailant is trying to strangle you with both hands. 2. Hunch your shoulders and pull your chin in to protect your neck. 3. Now jab your assailant in the eyes with your fingers, taking a step backwards at the same time. Move 3 : ELBOW PUNCH The most important thing to remember here is to bend your arm very sharply. You can elbow forwards or backwards. Your assailant is then hit by the hard little bone of elbow. If you elbow forwards, your arm moves in a semi-circle, hitting the side of your attacker's face or his chin. If you elbow backwards, stretch your arm out forwards, with the back of your clenched fist facing downwards, and then bring your arm backwards sharply and with as much force as you can muster. In both cases, your fists should stay clenched and you should follow through with your shoulders. Move 3 : DEMONSTRATION 1. Your attacker grabs your arm. 2. You step forward, bringing your arm up in a semi-circle. 3. As you set your foot down, elbow your attacker in the face. This way you have the FULL force of your body weight behind you. USING YOUR FEET : ----------------- Using your legs gives you the advantage of greater reach, coupled with the fact that your legs are considerably stronger than your arms. If you react quickly enough, there is a good chance that you will be able to stop the attack in its initial stages. All the kicks are easy to learn. Good balance and speed are important. A quick, powerful kick to a sensitive part of the body is one of the best methods of self defence. Aim your kicks below the belt and always kick with as much speed and force as possible. Move 1 : FRONT KICK Start with your kicking foot behind you. Then raise your knee until your thigh is almost horizontal and kick sharply upwards with the lower half of your leg. Then bring your leg back quickly to the starting position, with your kicking foot behind you. This kick is carried out in one movement, with the bridge of your foot hitting your attacker's groin. Imagine you are kicking a foot ball with all your might. Move 1 : DEMONSTRATION 1. The attacker grabs you with both arms. 2. You set your kicking foot behind you and spread your arms out. 3. Now lift your leg and shoot your lower leg forwards Move 2 : SIDE KICK When you use the side kick, you hit either your attacker's knee or shin with the outside edge of your foot, or the sole of your foot. Lift your front foot up to knee height and then, using your hip, kick sideways with as much force as you can, keeping your leg extended. By pivoting on your balancing foot, you will be able to use full force of your hips and follow the movement through. If carried out correctly, the heel fo your extended foot will point towards your assailant. Bring your leg back to the starting position immediately. To add power to your technique, lean a plank of wood against a wall and practise the hip movement, by kicking the plank until you can break it. Remember to keep your shoes on when practising this techniques (if you are VERY stupid you can try that with your shoes OFF !!!!!) Move 2 : DEMONSTRATION 1. Your attacker grabs your arm. 2. Lift your front knee up. 3. Keeping your leg extended sideways, kick your attacker in the knee. 4. Then wrench your arm free. Move 3 : HEEL STAMP The heel stamp is used solely to distract your opponent, before you follow it up with another defence technique or action. From your basic position, bring your knee up as high as possible and then stamp down sharply with the heel of your foot. Your heel should hit the bridge of your assailant's foot. Remember to keep your toes pointing upwards, so that your heel is in the correct position. If you are carrying out a heel stamp to the rear, keep your toes pointing downwards, to make sure you connect with your target. You should hit, rather than his thumb, the weakest point, i.e. the little finger. Move 3 : DEMONSTRATION 1. Your assailant grabs your arm. 2. Lift your foot and stamp on your assailant's foot with all your might. 3. Then wrench your arm free. Move 4 : KNEEING YOUR OPPONENT This is a technique used in close combat and therefore ideally suited to self defence. Speed and power are essential for this move to be effective. The top of your knee should connect with your assailant's groin. Move 4 : DEMONSTRATION 1. Your assailant grabs you in a body hold with both arms. Grab your assailant by the hips, push yourself away from him, at the same time stepping back with one leg. 3. Pull your opponent down and bring your knee up sharply into his groin, with as much force as you can. BLOCKING OR DEFENSIVE TACTICS : ----------- -------------------- As you would expect, it is defence and not attack, which is the cornerstone of self defence. The object is to divert or deflect any blows or punches your assailant may be aiming to you, and to protect your own body from severe injury. It is only possible to attack your opponent if you first deflect his attack on you. First, we should distinguish between the upward block, which deflects attacks to the head and shoulders, and the downward block, which prevents attacks on the chest and abdomen. When defending yourself, never carry out only a blocking movement, without following it up with a counter move. Only by doing both, will you be able to prevent any renewed attack, and also protect yourself. Move 1 : UPWARD BLOCK FIGURE.1 =- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- =-=-=-=-=-= = = Block the attacking arm with = / / = the area of the forearm = /**/ ** = shwon in the figure.1 = / / = ( * = BLOCK HERE ) = ___________/ __________/ / = = RIGHT LEFT / = = ___ ARM ARM ___/ = = / = =-=-=-=-=-=-=- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Move your rear leg diagonally forward from the basic stance, bringing your arm up in front of your face. The power of any attack on you can be further diluited by stepping to the side or rear with other leg. Move 1 : DEMONSTRATION 1. You are in the basic defence stance. 2. Your attacker tries to throw a punch to your head. You move diagonally forwards, deflecting the power of the blow. 3. The underside of your forearm immediately blocks your attacker's striking arm. Move 2 : DOWNWARD BLOCK Here, again, you should move diagonally forward from the basic position and bring your arm down to protect the lower part of the body. Move 2 : DEMONSTRATION 1. Your assailant attemps to punch you in the abdomen.