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Guest Post: Martial Arts For Survivalists
Submitted by Brandon Smith of Alt-Market blog,
Physical strength, endurance, flexibility, adaptability, and mental discipline are all attributes of a true survivor. Unfortunately, they are also attributes that are often neglected by the average survivalist. The popular assumption is that if you have sizable food storage and can shoot straight, you are ready to rock-and-roll. Reality has some harsh lessons for those with this mindset. The first and most important weapon in any prepper’s arsenal is his own body; strong, healthy, and well taken care of. If a person’s body is left to decay, no amount of gear is going to save them in the middle of a crisis situation…
Hand-to-hand combat training is sometimes treated with cynicism amongst preppers who have spent all their lives enraptured in the world of firearms. The common retort is “Why use my hands when I have my Glock…?” Indeed. Why should we? Perhaps because one day we may not have a weapon in our possession during a dangerous circumstance. Should a survivalist simply give up because he loses his gun or he runs out of ammunition? I think not.
The concept of survival in the midst of collapse and calamity is not necessarily dependent on having all the right tools at all the right times. Sometimes, you have to improvise, and the only tools you can always count on are your hands, and your (hopefully well oiled and attuned) brain. Martial Arts training hones and refines these assets to perfection, and also teaches the mind to deal with the stresses and fears associated with combat. In fact, 95% of success in martial arts revolves around learning to accept the idea of someone trying to kill you, so that you can move past the terror of the scenario and deal with it calmly and logically. Adrenaline, tunnel vision, and unchecked emotion are the true enemies in any fight. We defeat ourselves long before our assailants ever touch us.
Another concept within martial arts that I find fascinating is the philosophy of Bushido, which is often mistaken as a brand of Eastern religion. Instead, it is a kind of warrior’s code; a way of dealing with adversity in one’s life. Struggling with obstacles whether self created, or created by others, requires balance and the ability to take control of the problem and apply one’s own terms instead of the terms other people try to set for you. It is about leading the battle, instead of being led, while staying true to your conscience. In the end, we should feel no need to prove anything to anyone but ourselves. Traditional martial arts still contain elements of Bushido within their methodology, and I believe such practitioners are some of the few people left in the world who operate on a legitimate warrior’s code; something we desperately need in our culture today.
I have studied multiple forms of martial arts for over 26 years, and have found many methods that would work well for the worst survival situations, and plenty that would be utterly useless. When I started my training classes for Liberty Movement individuals and families in Northwest Montana, my idea was to combine all the strategies that I felt were intuitive, easy to learn, and quick to utilize. My goal was to help students to become physically capable of self defense within a very short period of time, without running slapdash over important factors like mental strength and intelligent application. I feel that the program has done very well so far. The following is a list of styles that I use in my curriculum...
Shotokan Karate: Shotokan is a Japanese martial art using movements derived from defense methods common in Okinawa and streamlined for easier application. At first glance, Shotokan seems stiff and impractical, but this is not the case. Shotokan training is extremely intense, and the sparring matches can be brutal. Deep stances and sharp strikes train the body to hold ground even against a larger opponent. Shotokan practitioners can take physical damage unlike any other style I have seen beyond perhaps Thai Kickboxing. As the student advances, the stiffness disappears, and their strikes become coldly logical and precise, almost like a killer robot…….no….seriously. Shotokan is a perfect foundation art for beginners in self defense. If they can handle this style, they can handle anything…
Thai Kickboxing: Thai is world famous for its fast devastating steamroller type strikes and the ability of its practitioners to take a hit and keep on going. For a crisis situation, it is imperative that the survivalist be capable of absorbing and moving past the pain of a fight. In the street, it may be a matter of life and death, or it may be a drunken adolescent brawl. In a SHTF scenario, it will ALWAYS be a matter of life and death. There is no such thing as a hand to hand fighter who can avoid every attack and come out unscathed. Plan on getting hit. With the heavy arm to leg blocks of Thai Kickboxing that act as a kind of self made brick wall, along with devastating leg sweeps and knee breaks, this artform is perfect for the dangerous possibilities of collapse.
Western Boxing: It’s not an Eastern martial art, but Western boxing teaches incredible punching power. Eastern martial arts focus on speed in order to inflict damage, but the bottom line is that Western boxers hit harder because they assert more body weight behind their punches; I have seen it, I have felt it, and I have dealt it. Of course, it is more important to learn speed and timing before learning to hit hard. The most powerful punches in the world are useless if all they do is sweep the air. Western boxing is an incomplete fighting system, but a fantastic addition to the survival martial artist’s repertoire.
Jiu Jitsu: Jiu Jitsu is a grappling martial art from Japan, though you wouldn’t know it by the way the Brazilians have commercialized and franchised it. Jiu Jitsu is indeed the flavor of the decade for self defense, and though I feel it has been way overhyped, it is an incredibly effective style for ground situations. That said, let’s be clear; Jiu Jitsu is actually a very limited fighting style, especially when you’re not in a cage and you are confronted with more than one attacker. Survivalists should learn grappling techniques so that they know how to defend against takedowns and return to their feet. In a real combat situation, you NEVER try to go to the ground on purpose. Multiple opponents will decimate you within seconds while you are trying to put a choke hold on the guy in front of you. Add a knife into the picture, and purposely jumping into close quarters with the intent to “grapple” will be a death sentence. Successful fighters will always combine Jiu Jitsu with other artforms in order to round out their abilities.
Hapkido: Hapkido in my view is the perfect antithesis to Jiu Jitsu and any other grappling art for that matter. It should be at the top of every survivalist’s list of fighting methods. Hapkido focuses on joint locks, joint breaks, using centrifugal force, pressure points, eye gouges, throat attacks, etc. Generally, it is very difficult for someone to grapple with you if you break their fingers, wrists, hyperextend their knee caps, or crush their wind pipe. One twisted wrist could put a dedicated grappler or wrestler completely out of commission, which is why you never see these methods used in the UFC. The fights would be over quickly, and the sport's flavor would be lost. Knowing how to counter grappling using grappling is fine, but knowing how to utterly disable a grappler is better. As a survivalist, it is important to learn both.
Eskrima / Kali: Filipino in origin, Eskrima and Kali revolve around stick and knife training, and some of the deadliest blade wielding martial artists on Earth are known to originate from these styles. The point of practicing the Filipino arts is not only to learn to attack with edged weapons, but also to defend against them. Knowing how armed assailants, trained and untrained, will move to harm you gives you a distinct edge. Understanding the motion of a knife strike allows the defender to create or close distance effectively, while timing arm and wrist locks to reduce cuts and control the knife hand before serious damage to your body is done.
Taekwondo: A Korean style, Taekwondo has received a bad rap over the past few years as an “ineffective” martial art, but usually this criticism comes from people who have never actually practiced it. Like Jiu Jitsu, it is a style limited to a very particular range of attacks and scenarios. Taekwondo focuses on kicks to the extreme. Sport Taekwondo is not a practical measure of the style’s use, and this is where its tainted reputation comes from. The truth is, Taekwondo has the fastest and in many cases the most devastating kicks in the world. The use of kicks depends on the mastery of the fighter. If he is fast, and precise, then his strikes will make his opponents feel like they’ve just been hit by an oversized utility van. If he is slow, and unfocused, he will be tackled to the ground like a rag doll and pummeled in an embarrassing manner. That said, one well placed kick can crush ribs, crack skulls, and knock an opponent into dreamland before he ever knew what hit him.
Jeet Kune Do: Created by the venerable Bruce Lee, Jeet Kune Do’s philosophy is to adopt what works, and set the rest aside. It is essentially a combination of the short range tactics of Wing Chun combined with the long range tactics of Japanese and Korean styles. Jeet Kune Do’s goal is to be a truly complete martial art, and so far, it has proven itself in this regard. If you can only practice one style of self defense, this should be it. Some people attribute the adaptation methodology in self defense to MMA, but really, it was Bruce Lee that pioneered the idea of studying multiple styles and modernizing martial arts. Because of his efforts, the offensive and defensive capabilities of Jeet Kune Do are astounding, and perfect for the survivalist delving into the world of hand-to-hand.
Ninjitsu: When I was a kid back in the 80’s, the ninja was the greatest thing since sliced bread. I think the allure of it was its simple mythology; if you could learn martial arts, and get your hands on a black mask, you could be a superhero. No need for radioactive spiders or genetic mutation. You were a man - in a mask - with badass fists of fury, and that’s it. Of course, the portrayal of ninjitsu has become so cartoonish that people today scarcely believe it is an actual martial art. In fact, it is, and a very deadly one. The brilliance of ninjitsu really dwells in its “think outside the box” mentality. There is a sort of cleverness and unpredictability to it that makes it so dangerous. Ninja’s in feudal Japan were assassins, but they were also the guerilla fighters of their age. The combat methods of ninjitsu revolve around surprise, and misdirection, which are factors that always work in the survivalist’s favor.
There is no way around it. The Martial Arts make a survivalist better at his job, which is to thrive in the very worst possible conditions. It’s not just about fighting; it is also about developing a fighting spirit. Beyond the utility of self defense, as survivalists we must strengthen our inner world as much as our outer shells. It takes time, and patience, and a willingness to struggle. Any person who masters a martial art has not only shown a dedication to his own physical prowess, but he has also proven he has a mental toughness that will carry him through any catastrophe. That kind of toughness is a rare commodity in America today, and when found, should be greatly valued and encouraged, especially by the Liberty Movement.
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Tai Chi was once considered the ultimate fighting art.
Its popularity has it devolved to old person exercise.
Find a good TCC instructor and you can do some real damage.
I do not know why your comments would get junked. Tai Chi is learned and practiced slowly. Done quickly, it's a whole 'nother deal. As Gully suggests, you may have to shop around for a Tai Chi instructor knows how (and likes to) FIGHT! Our instructor does...
In Tai Chi, ANYTHING is legal. Yes, it does take longer to become "Bad" in Tai Chi, but not that long.
In Washington, DC that would be Sifu Chao Chi Liu who also teaches (or taught) Tien Shan Pai.
Alll you need is "dim muk" and your gung fu will be as immovable mountain.
Tai Chi is very effective for fighting off bad karma.
True, + 1
So, if I'm ever attacked in slow motion
permission to steal that line?
"There is no such thing as a hand to hand fighter who can avoid every attack and come out unscathed. Plan on getting hit."
That's a fact.
All that matters is winning, if you have to sacrifice an arm to a knife...do it, so you can get yours into his throat. Its mostly in your head.
i have no idea why you are getting junked for that. the second best advice i ever got was plan on being hit. the best advice was, for that exact reason, make sure you swing first.
One of my favorite quotes - "everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face" - lol.
yeah one of mine too. i remember watching those fights when i was a kid. that was the scariest human being alive. i always thought he was going to beat the other guy to death.
Mike Tyson
lol...I have no idea either...prolly from the "it takes a village" dude up top, who knows...I really don't care.
I wrestle around with squire from time to time, showing him what I know...attacker from the back, arm across your windpipe, what do you do? (stomp down with your heel directly on the top of his foot behind you, he will let go or at least loosen, then you have his arm to twist or break)...etc.
You're right...the time to take him/them out is before it gets to you. In a SHTF scenario, anyone not your known friend is your enemy until he proves otherwise.
I am female (as you know). I have trained. I have been clocked. You are right. My reaction freaked me out for a while, took the "fight" out of me. It is culturally expected of me to react this way. I can't imagine why a guy would not have to work his way through it too though.
Right. Just because you have weapons doesn't mean you are armed. Need to get those skills up...training and more training.
The first instinct must be self preservation (especially with females) have a cool head about it and the intent to kill if you have to or you will have already lost.
I never take my eyes off the opponents eyes using peripheral vision (only) for their arms & legs...so far so good at 53...the street punk will generally never strike looking at you...they will attempt to lower your defense/alert by looking away a second or two before they strike...in my experience.
When you know what they're gonna do you have the advantage...and remember, everything around you is a weapon not just your body...there was a Joey-Bad-Ass guy (from the boxing club) in the mens room at Wilson's on 4th St. that can attest to the effectiveness of his face meeting the corner of the sink.
I walked out without a scratch ;-)
Funny thing is you just don't know how you're going to react when confronted real time. My first experience was on the Paris Metro when I was pickpocketed (classic female tourist crime). I felt the guy grab my wallet out of my purse, whirled around and saw him holding it, jumped him before he could get away and started punching him in the face like the scene in Christmas Story. He handed it back to me after a few seconds and I got up and ran away. I realized later I had only 25 francs in my wallet and if he had had a knife I'd probably would have been dead. The realization of that freaked me out and I called my husband in tears. He laughed his head off and said " Hon, you just played out every American's fantasy, go out again and see if you can get another"
Miffed:-)
Its what many of us pro-rights people call "criminals prefer the weak and defense-less".
Your attacker considered you weak, possibly by gender or nationality...(I assume you are American visiting/working in France). Your reaction was pure, valid and normal for someone who doesn't see the under belly that often.
Well done!
My wife had one similiar but not so up close and personal. I bought her a snub nose .38 to carry in her car when she was travelling on business...it was the long sigh...really, _____. And mine was, yes, really.
Well, she found herself alongside a bunch of guys hootin and hollering from a pick up truck going down the highway, grabbing their crotches...you know, making general assholes out of themselves. She remembered it, pulled it out and laid it on the passenger seat next to her. They saw it...her in a lower profile car than their truck...and left her alone.
She didn't point it at them or make a big deal out of it...but she was genuinely scared. Sometimes with braggarts and hooligans its all it takes...and the will to us it if needed.
I like your ole mans attitude...lol.
Ha ha! Yes that occurred 20 years ago while accompanying my husband on one of his business trips. Yes I was obviously profiled and probably got away unscathed because of my unusual reaction. I remember how shocked in the heat of the moment I didn't use any of the 5 years of martial arts training I had done. This is why I'm a little skeptical about such training in real world scenarios, not that I'm any expert. At this point,being 51, it's unlikely I'm going to make it out alive if confronted in a street fight scenario. I'm counting on my wits, instinct to keep me out of trouble and if that fails, my wonderful XD-40 is there for back up. I've been in a car with a friend when a similar situation as what happened to your wife. I was a little shocked when he placed his 357 on the dash for them to see but they did disperse. I think most don't want things escalated to that point. Nice to talk to you again nmewn since you were my initial fight @ ZH!
Miffed:-)
hah, just try that shit in illinois.
the state has went to great lengths to protect the murderers and thugs that inhibit this land.
this message was paid for by the Fuck Illinois Foundation.
Wow, and I thought living in Cali was bad. Maybe I should quit my grumbling. Having the military in San Diego helps, gun ownership in the county at least is fairly common.
Miffed:-)
I think I remember now...lol...it was the whole sugar diabetes thing if I recall...it was a good fight.
You take care and watch out around those subway corners ;-)
Whoa.. You remembered? I'm honored. Well, the way I looked at it if you're going to be taken down at least get taken down by the best!
Miffed:-)
I'm blessd with a long memory for interesting people ;-)
Its late in Fla...Seeya.
good thoughts. I have dealt with this issue so many times from the "legal" perspective and from both sides of the aisle. It always cracks me up when prosecutors, defense and the bench all try to apply the abstract concepts of "self defense" - proportionality, first strike, no alternative option, reasonable perception, prior knowledge - all without ever standing in the experience. As defense, in voir dire, I always hope to hell that I have one prospective juror who can retell their experience. No jury instruction can match that education.
The particulars of it were...interesting, from a law point of view.
Sometimes things are not always as they seem and those doing the questioning in the pursuit of justice may have an "antiseptic" view of, shall we say, common occurrence...how do I contact you out of public view, if you're interested?
a bic pen is a very effective weapon, up close.
You are so right. When I worked trauma I saw a few pen stabs to the throat that were incredibly bad. One guy died with a butter knife embedded in his esophagus. I can't imagine what force it took to do that but it was lethal. People need to spend some time in the ER especially during graveyard shift in a major city. Nothing like real world education.
Miffed:-)
the most dangerous venue for a fight in public is not in a bar--but in a 24 hour restaurant. Drunks, and plenty of weapons masked as utensils.
...ronda rousey...
judo queen
title holder
super hot battle-babe
People who are not prepared to die in a fight should not be fighting anyway. It ain't a fucking talent show.
Hmmm, plan on getting hit. Nah, I think I'll pass on that. Fight smart, fight dirty, but run first if there's a good probability of escape. It's about survival and your brain is your best weapon. Thinking on your feet and critically can make all the difference. Now I'm not knocking Brandon's premise that one should be somewhat physically fit and perhaps some discipline gleaned from martial arts would definitely tip the scales towards escaping and surviving.
I think the first order of business is situational awareness, as I'd much prefer to avoid trouble than to accidentally walk into it. Learning to recognize a potentially bad situation is key. Get out while the gettin's good, and have a freakin' plan. With family, friends, neighbors and whomever else you can really trust.
Without a doubt, the best advice. Any sort of violence has to be last resort. The concern however is being able to avoid it if things really get funny.
that is one of the only honest and rational posts so far on this thread.
people who are proud to boast about the many guns they have and their willingness to use them make me laugh. they've obviously watched WAY too many Stallone movies.
Just to be clear about guns and the willingness to use them...
I was largely anti-gun in my youth and generally trusting that the TPTB would save the day should I ever need help.
Several years back, three people were shot and killed in a home invasion a few blocks from where I lived. Because it was so close to my house, I followed the story with great interest - turned out that the cops responded to the 911 call of shots fired in about eight minutes. Now, eight minutes isn't ideal, but it's not a crazy unreasonable response time - but it started to work on my mind.
In the same situation, how would I protect my family and myself - just wait and hope the cops show up and it all works out? A hell of a lot can happen a few seconds, let alone five or ten minutes. Yes, I bought a gun and learned to use and maintain it. Guns are just simple tools and effective when used responsibly.
I am not Rambo. I have no special skills or a blood lust (I even scoop up spiders and put them outside, live and let live) - nor do I have Hollywood illusions that in a high stress, life or death situation that I would be able to hit anything reliably with my 9mm (bullets are a little larger than a pencil eraser), which is why for me, a shotgun is the choice for home defense. Even a indirect hit can stop or even kill an intruder.
It would tear me up inside to take the life - let alone of some punk kid who was just doing something profoundly stupid, but if he had a weapon in his hand and my family was in the house - then he would have made my decision for me.
agreed.... but if you have to fight, try to stab them in the back.
nmewn
Someone who gets it.
The other thing is a fight will take the wind out of you if it is drawn out.
There was a Korean film had a fight in a parking ramp. Guys were huffing and puffing after a few minutes.
Most realistic fight I have ever seen.
A real fight should last no longer than ten or fifteen seconds.
You either take him out fast or it devolves into a wrestling match.
Set your timer for two minutes. Got at your bag with everything you have got. That alone will inform you how huffy and puffy you can get. Crossfit is a program that will get you in the kind of shape you need to be in to do this, but it is damn hard.
i pulled a hamstring just thinking about that
Hapkido sounds pretty effective.
I did hapkido for about 3 years and the guys who are good at it (not me) are deadly in so many ways -like, holy crap, how did that happen. Falls and locks are hard on the joints though.
Takes too much time to come up to speed with so many arts - and some are more for sport now than real combat. I guarantee the first time someone who is less than a serious badass lifts his leg off the ground for anything but a quick straight kick is going to jacked.
Western boxing is a good pick on this list.
My opinion, focus on finding a good Wing Chun instructor for CQC. Some here would argue Tai Chi - but I think it is harder to find solid training in this for real combat purposes. JDK is not bad, but really is rooted in Wing Chun anyhow. Note that Wing Chun was partly inspired by Western boxing. Internal arts often work better for people of smaller stature against larger opponents as well (hint: there is always someone larger).
centerline
The closer an art is to it's combat roots the more effective it will be.
Park Bok Nam's teacher fought hand to hand in China during WW2.
I learned Kuntao one step removed from an WW2 Indonesian freedom fighter. From his student.
Cool opportunity GF. I also liked your Aikido recommendation. I knew a guy that dual trained, that being one of the arts. Every once and awhile he would switch up and use a nasty grip. Amazing how effective simple stuff can be (and painful - lol). My personal take is arts better suited for real world are ones that get right in close and fast and break the opponents stance (root). Most sparring where I trained for awhile lasted a matter of seconds, not minutes. Anything lasting more than 15 seocnds would be considered either wrong or epic.
Stay with boxing you can spare at full speed unlike how you practice martial arts
Yes, but you bitchez will be fighting each other to death while the old and fat are tended to in comfy retirement homes and the bankers sit thousands of miles away.
Same as it ever was.
The old and fat will be tended to for a week or two until the minimum wage staff can't or won't get to work to feed them and empty their Depends. Most will be dead within 60 days....
Thanks, but I have sick bow staff skills.
I plan to wait for the police to come and protect me.....................
They will bring a role of yellow tape.
And white chalk.
And fill out some paperwork while consoling the widow
Snore...
Mountain climbing boots and the ability to use them are far more practical.
The survivors will be the ones who know not to be where the fighting is.
in the old kung fu movies, chinese boxing was always superior to japanese karate, damn ! china again !!
yeah but in real life...it don't quite work that well.
for example:
Kiai Master vs MMA Fighter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEDaCIDvj6I
Great fight....all 30 seconds of it.
lol...good one...reality is good.
It's a perfect example of the Mike Tyson quote somebody posted: "Everybody's got a plan...til they get punched in the face".
So true, its the ringing in the ears and "heat flash" I guess that kinda blows the plan apart...lol.
A better plan is not to get punched in the face in the first place but we know how that goes ;-)
What the hell was that guy doing? I think the little dragons ( kids) that train with us could have beat him.
Your only chance of survival in these situations is to have lots of friends. Especially friends with guns and butter.
The first rule of Zombieland: CARDIO.
alien-IQ
Now that is bullshit.
All that running tires you out.
By the time you hit the next wave of Zombies you are too worn out and can't fight your way out.
Plus running blingly will lead to dead ends where you get trapped.
And what happens when you pull a muscle?
Zombieland Rule 18: Limber up.
do not underestimate the mentally therapeutic benefits of a punching bag.
it's one of the best forms of stress relief you can find and a damn nice workout as well as being a very useful skill to posses..
Kicking and punching. I agree. Get the tops of those shins in shape too for what may come.
TD you are the Shaolin Temple master! Awesome post.
Enter the Dragon says it all. No wonder Bruce Lee got snuffed. Terrible.
Mao that bastard killed almost all the Shaolin Monks through communism.
Bruce Lee "I Do Not Hit" Full Complete Scene
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhvBTy28VJM&feature=related
History of the Shaolin Monks
http://asianhistory.about.com/od/warsinasia/p/ShaolinMonksPro.htm
Hand to hand combat is essential. but i study street reality combat, knife disarms, nerve center attacks, break bones, incapacitate attacks. Krav Maga lays downs some great techniques, Guided Chaos has some great ideas to, or update Thai Kick-boxing to modern military style disarm and attack techniques.
As for guns, yes, tactical weapon training ala quick draw 9mm when the rife double jams and how to clear a jam quickly, reload when injured, how to fight with a gun that has run out of ammo etc etc etc
Not into the spiritual side of combat, just the reality: how to win and survive.
Run Jitsu can be quite effective in many situations as well...........
KRAV KRAV KRAV!
I personally think you are wasting a lot of your time with all this macho bullshit.
Remember,keep one round for yourself.Good night.
actually, it is the individual's mind, don't cha' know. Then Attitude, then all the rest.
but no complaint with the discussion. Just the priorities, cuz kids and old folk can prep and succeed.
- Ned
damn u starting with a quote..
+1
Agreed. While I may be "older", age will often outdo the naivety of youth. Brain is top-notch. I do need to get the body in order, however. In the meantime, we'll stocking up on more ammo.
It is the mind first...the rest follows.
It is the mind first...the rest follows.
********
Unless you got-em by the balls first--then the mind follows-
I've got a good one about that...maybe some other time...it was personal & painful but not debilitating.
Damn, I just realized, I've been in way too many fights ;-)
Having to be in the mind first is making it to be a problem for many of the peoples who are coming to this website. I am having weariness from the infantile speaking of so many peoples who are using bad words and expressing silly ideas. Their minds are being a bad thing to have to be depending on because the minds they are having are very weak minds.
I agree the mind must be prepared first, but I think what is missing from a lot of the posts here (you have alluded to it several times nmewn) is that you must know the mind of your foe also. Most "normal" people just don't understand the mind of average criminal let alone the violent psychopath. If you find yourself in a violent situation you must assume that your foe(s) do not think like you think. They don't react to fear, they don't react to threats, and they may not even respond to pain (drugs) the way most "normal" people do. And they definitely will not be logical or rational. If you find yourself in a violent situation assuming your foe is thinking clearly or rationally will get you killed.
Situation Awareness, realistic training, and layered defenses (social support networks, safe areas, communication plans, guns, hand-to-hand skills, mental toughness--you will get hit harder than anything you have ever imagined) must ALL be employed to give anyone the best odds of living to fight another day.
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face."
Gotta hand it to Tyson - no truer words than those. I love that quote.
I thought that was a stupid quote until I sparred for the first time. Iron Mike gets a lot more props from me now.......
It's not like Tyson made it up himself--Sun Tzu said something similar centuries ago.
Or, if you prefer, a more recent example:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmuth_von_Moltke_the_Elder
+1 Aerojet. Only on ZH will you find martial arts, guns, street fighting and military history in the same place. von Moltke the Elder Bitchez!
Martial arts, better termed combative sports are great. I've practiced for years. Thing is...all "martial arts" are geard to specific defensive techniches for specific offensive attacks. This will not be the reality in a real attack.
Two points:
1) Almost every "real" fight ends up in ground grappling very quickly unless you are lucky enough to eliminate the threat immediately. Learn Aikido. Love them joint locks.
2) The ultimate offense/defense that I have ever learned in Systema. I have practiced and learned this for about 15 years. It is devastating. Look it up. Find a class (they are everywhere.) It's not really all that "hard," and unlike traditional martial arts has no forms (katas) to repeat by rote memory. The training is practicum. Learn something new every time, and it's teach the teacher learning.
Oh, just a thought, It's not a real fight unless someone ends up dead.
Hope that's not you.
And yeah, I'd rather drop them at 300 yards...
All you AR-15 haters don't keep your weapons well tuned and lubed.
No weapon system is perfect, keep it CLEAN.
lube is very important, especially on older, guns..
That's called Palmaid, and the SEC gets..ummm..bulk pricing.
I saw that.
Voyeur much? :)
It is my understanding that it is the older holster that often needs the lube. A flintlock or an Enfield 404 can still fire an effective round.
Which is why I don't use the AR platform. I put my Minis through hell and they still fire and in the case of the 14, everything I have put through it from Lake City to Russia. An ugly weapon that fires beats a pretty one that won't.
JohnG
I've been researching Systema.
Hard to find in my area.
But a drive to Toronto puts me in the main hub.
Definitely worth the drive.
Stop bolding all your text, people who read the comments will see it.
A true mountain man never lets you know he was there. Kung Fu that Bitchez
A few points of point of clarification... the Jiujitsu that you are speaking of is Brazilian ground fighting... which is very limited in a real life situation. It is not traditional Jiujitsu that was reconstituted by Jigro Kano.
Jiujitsu was developed in feudal Japan as a fighting style used by the Samurai. The Samurai were horse mounted fighters with training in bow, and a number of weapons including swords. Jiujitsu was developed so that when one was dismounted from their horse... or were injured of maimed, they would be able to fight their enemy in close contact using their hands or short form weapons. Ground fighting was the "last resort".
Around 1880, when the Japanese disbanded the Samurai, Jiujitsu was outlawed because of its lethality and the government did not want this lethal knowledge to be taught to the population. As a result, what was not lost, emerged in the forms of Karate, Akihito and Judo. Note that these 3 arts come from Jiujitsu. After WW2, it was still outlawed but was reconstructed by Jigro Kano. It was Bruce Lee who took Jiujitsu and combined it with Kung Fu to create Jeet Kune Do.
Through my years of training in Jiujitsu, we've done extensive work with kicking, punching, throws, joint locks, neck restraints (aka choking), extensive nerve point attacking, blade edge weapons, multiple attackers, compliance techniques, police batons along with lethal techniques focused on the head along with ground fighting. Ground fighting is a part of it, because you need to be able to fight in any situation that is presented to you.
Also, Ninjitsu (ninjas) was Samuri that defected from their code of honor... which means their training was Jiujitsu...but also took their knowledge to a different level in terms of understanding how to manipulate their environment and employ assassination.
One of the codes of all true martial artists is not to denegrate other arts. My only comment is that Jiujitsu as I've described it and practiced it is all-rounded for any eventuality.
Great article.
Float Like a Butterfly Sting like a Bee.
Well, since this is fight club, maybe it's a good thing to learn how to fight well... This isn't about survival. This is about living. Get a punching bag and smash the shit out of it. Strength and confidence from bare bones fighting will make you a better survivalist, even if you never get in a real fight. It aids in release of tension and anxiety, making your thoughts and decisions clearer. Pretty helpful in bitter SHTF situations.
A decent drop point knife or assisted open blade is good for if someone tackles or tries to choke the shit out of you. Which is what most actual street fighting devolves into.You won't see any fucking bushido code during the fall of a large bannana republic/ currency collapse. I'm guessing full on military/ police state; curfews and checkpoints at all bridges and interstate intersections.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X9JkSudCX4
Stash your guns and metals.
Just not concerned about checkpoints on every street corner. Not the manpower for this. The cops mostly have their own families to protect, and will soon melt away like New Orleans after Katrina. If the rest of the country is in some level of chaos, there won't be outside resources to come into an area and restore order. Everyone will be on their own. No one will be there to answer 911.
I just started taking Krav Maga classes. The purpose is basically to finish the fight as soon as possible and not mess around. My second purpose if fitness and mental discipline. However, there is no need to put all one's time and effort into martial arts. There is a wide range of training to different hazardous situations and how to get out of harms way as fast as possible. Martial arts teach you how to face your opponent and not how to escape or avoid the situation all-together.
Martial arts is a good start but should be placed in a comprehensive strategy. Know what is your objectives. And keep in mind that although the skills you would be learning most probably be needed not in a cataclysmic back-to-stone-age scenario, but to a local accident/crisis (terrorist attack, accidents, earthquake aftermath, chase, being hunted, hostage situation ...) which are far more likely.
Good luck with your revolution, count me out. As far as shit hitting the fan, where have you been for the last 11 years? Corporations have been carpet bombing you the whole time.
What revolution? No one that I've read spoke of revolution. As far as a real life SHTF scenario, read Selco's account of his and his family's survival in Bosnia while their city was under seige for a year without power, water, food and constantly under attack by the force's surrounding the city as well as the gangs. It's guaranteed to reorient your priorities in what to prep for.
http://www.tacticalintelligence.net/blog/shtf-survival-qa-a-first-hand-a...
fucking awsome. i mean it sucked, but the story is great!
Oh, I'm sorry. Are you the author? I wasn't responding to comments but to the hit piece du Jour.
God made men, but Sam Colt made them equal.
Just sayin'
Just sayin'... but if you are in a country where weapons have been outlawed due to martial law... Sam Colt means shit. It's bravado at best to say what you've said. The element of surprise is critical in a situation where Sammy may not be available. By the way, I like Sam Colt too.
Martialarts is fine and i fully endorse keeping in godd shape
Growing up in Chicago i will take street fighting over all the disciplines listed because when the shit hits the fan you better be able to do whatever it takes to win
Someof thefunniestfightsi ever saw were when a martialarts guy faught a street fighter with boxing skills. Usually the fight ended quickly because by the time the martial arts guy adjusted to thespeed of the action he was lying on his back wondering what happened.
Also all these disciplines dont work very well itight quarters
just my two cents
Too true! Krav is based on american boxing, with effective quick responses, so it works well in these types of fights.
I used to work out with a friend of mine who was an undefeated golden gloves boxer. We'd stand 2 feet apart and he'd say tag me. You couldn't tag him, not no way, not no how...just soooo fast. Tremendous respect for (real) boxers.
That's very true. I've been training for years and I've seen that happen an awful lot. The martial artist is so accustomed to sparring and looking for the right place to strike, but when faced with a brawler there are no rules. For me martial arts is just a discipline to keep my mind and body in shape. My objective is to never be in a situation where I have to fight, but if I have too it's either going to be with a knife or the kill spots.
I am having many laughings. Most of the survivalists I am seeing are what Americans are calling "fat asses". The most important survival lesson they should be having is to be doing push ups. Push up from the seat they are sitting and put down the fork they are holding.
I sort of resemble that remark right now. The first step towards change is admitting there is a problem.
I typically only do "downs" lately, not "ups" (sit down, lay down, etc.). This has to change ASAP.
In the final analysis, some people are just natural born bad asses and some are not. No amount of training or push-ups or Nike gear will change that.
A natural street fighter is the most dangerous person you could ever encounter in a hand to hand situation.
And consequently...very few of them go to Yale or Harvard.
"And consequently...very few of them go to Yale or Harvard."
Bad assumption. Some are as physically ruthless as they are relentless in their pursuit of "success". They might take the Citation to their personal redoubt, but then it's a rucksack and a bow and arrow and two weeks in the bush. Not all, of course, but a lot more than people here think. They have played the game of survival in the best of times and won handily, and the same qualities that enabled this win will have them succeed if TSHTF. That's a tough reality to accept for those who think "they'll get what's coming to them" when or if this all falls apart. The harsh truth is that many are the epitome of "the fittest", while those who have a beef about this world just fantasize that they will do better next time. They won't. What kept them on the lower end this time will keep them on the lower end every time. Doubt this? How many on this site talk about boiled ropes and guillotines? How many of the banksta class actually have been taken out? Since the crash they've only gotten stronger and more bold. Now they are better armed, too, and they can afford good help, as in Xe.
I learned one thing while doing static security at an Embassy, and did supplimental security for a POTUS and SECSTATE visit overseas. If somebody wants you dead, and they are committed and intelligent....you are going to die. No amount of security can overcome every eventuality. And, these banksters have never really had anybody really come after them anyway. They are firmly ensconced in their own little version of reality, as are the rest of us. Until their peers die, or they have an attempt on their life, they won't act like hunted creatures. I can gurantee you that the lot of them are simple creatures of habit.
And none of them are at all successful in life. All the tough guys have legal problems and checkered backgrounds that make them unemployable at best, and total thug criminals at worst. Should have studied more instead of needing to always prove what a badass they are.
Show me a "natural street fighter" and I'll show you a guy whose life totally blows and who is dead before age 45.
Chuck Norris will kick all your asses ... at once!
yes but only if we stand still.
Martial art is very usefull to fight with couple gangs,untill 1-st bullet hit you.I know the last trick in every sophisticated branches of martial art-RUN for your life.
The only defense you need is the ability to understand the angry aggressor's point of view. He probably only hates you because of your freedom, or your prisons. Try giving him a hug. Everyone like hugs. Tell him you understand their unbridled hatred for you and offer them your wallet, car keys, check book, wife, and other worldly possessions. It's just stuff after all. Beg for mercy and forgiveness. Convert to the religion of their choosing. Make it very clear that you only wish to get along by complying with their every demand. If you are severely wounded do not forget to turn the other cheek as well, in order to further clarify your peaceful intentions.
Is this the democratic national committee policy you are plagarizing
You forgot group hugs and singing Kumbaya
This is probably the dumbest shit I have ever heard.
If you are unarmed and facing multiple opponents, or unarmed, facing a knife-weilding opponent YOU FUCKING RUN. No amount of martial training is going to prepare you for fighting 6 guys all at once, and when your opponent has a weapon, just one slip up and you are dead.
Fucking retarded morons who watch too much TV. Rule number one in zombieland is cardio. Krav maga and jujitsu don't even make the list.
True. You can always run. Cars are weapons too though....
Also stay off the ground! All that grappling, MMA, Brazilian jujitsu doesn't work if the opponent feels at a disadvantage and is desperate, he then sticks a knife in your side, bites your neck rips your veins open. Or other attackers around you decide to join in
Imagine tackling some nut on bath salts/meth and the crazy f*cker tries to bite my face off.
Stand up fight, put him down and out
If you're out in the streets and use a Judo throw on someone who doesn't know how to counter it, the fight might be over as soon as the guy hits the ground. Concrete is a pretty hard material.
"Outside the box..." is where survival is at.
Actually, 'The Box' is redefined as the 'OODA Loop'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OODA_loop
Whatever. You gotta be willing to get your hands dirty outta the gate, ahead of the other guy. Head butts, eye gouges, throat punches, etc. . . the quick and the dead. Not dissing martial arts - they are old, reliable forms of discipline, strength, endurance and all sorts of things that are good for everybody. IMHO it's the Discipline of the training that is essential. So is dancing for that matter - a lot of strength and endurance. I have a 14" steel rod and fusion in my back but before that, I was in top physical condition and still am compared to a lot of people, especially my age. It'll hurt me to throw that hard head butt however, I'll be the first to throw it, and with feeling. The media tells you it's dirty fighting when it's actually #winning.
I can swing a racquet pretty damn forcefully -- took out a kneecap once (I'm ok now)
pepper spray works good in the suburbs
I first read that as "prepper spray."
just xD
my real weapon is a briefcase dirty bomb -- always carry that into detroit with me just in case
Lots of tough guys out tonight.
Real Ju-Jitsu, that trains live, no kata bullshit, no traditional crap. Brazilian Ju-Jitsu is the only real deal out there today for submission grappling. And Muai Thai and boxing are the only striking arts worth a shit. We choke out resisting opponents. If you aren't training with real resisting opponents, not fake bullshit resistance, but real resistance, i.e. they want to choke and tap you out just as bad, then you aren't really training. Fuck the Bullshido. The critics say it is "sport martial arts" because it is used in MMA/UFC etc. Bullshit. After 1-2 years of training in BJJ you can choke out a resisting opponent whos bigger than you and kill him without leaving a mark. Just don't stop when he taps out :-)
Die Sheeple. Die.
Shotokan is not for the weak. It can be demoralizing. I am always injured I hurt 24-7. If I had half a brain I would have switched to the run like hell strategy long ago. 4 1/2 years and a brown belt have given me some powerful skills and confidence. I really hope I do not need to use them down the road, but if I do, I will laugh on the battle field. Time well spent.
Marksmanship and CrossFit training. Both functional exercises...
I spent many years on martial arts and I know for sure that any idiot can kill me in a second if I do not expect the attack. Since I cannot be on alert all my life I am a very easy target. The only practical martial art is running, fast running. Usain Bolt wins.
the few times, that I have been beaten up seriously, were precipitated by poor decisions on my part.
Sorry, but none of this will matter, when a drone takes both you and your opponent out, for staying out past cerfew. This is what is coming.
good advice for oners. im boss hog bitch, gotta go thru my goons who r willin to die for the staples ve done stored
The main problem citizens will face is that FEMA Team 6 is also trained in martial arts, small arms, heavy weapons, etc...
The main problem citizens will face is that FEMA Team 6 is also trained in martial arts, small arms, heavy weapons, etc...
______________________________
Wont be the worst problem.
'Americans' have pushed like nobody else before in human history for specialization.
This gives birth to many scams, all resting at the core on the idea that it takes being taught by a specialist a few hours by week to turn into a specialist. Ranges all sectors.
So you've got a specialist dedicating 40 hours training per week. Sometimes, this specialist do not put his speciality to use. So how does he gather resources to support himself? By selling the scam.
He teaches a few hours by week to a couple of dozens students, draining resources from them, with the fantasy that the students can turn as good by allocating only a few hours by week while he dedicates 40 hours.
'Americans' have wanted specialization and it has come at a cost.
One should not be gullible here: what 'americans' are talking about here is taking advantage of the opportunities to run their own farming of the poor, extortion of the weak schemes if the wished societal collapse happens.
By pattern, they wont be able to go against those they have funded in their specialization. They will only be able to go against those who are harmless.
Issue with the 'american' state apparatus: it has grown so efficient in running extortion of the weak, farming of the poor schemes, 'americans' are excluded from running their own. The competition is over. The 'american' state apparatus won. And 'americans' feel frustrated they cant develop their own patterns as the uber gang known as the State would crush them if ever.
The scam about specialization is running deep in 'american' societies: painters selling two hours course by week to turn like them, singers, sportspeople, traders...
The last ones have sold the whole idea of the 'american' free market, with sunday leagues traders supposed to be able to compete with guys working 80 per week, commanding massive means.
Yeah but there are only a few of them, and at some point they will melt away like police officers in New Orleans the day after Katrina. A few will be unlucky to have to deal with a FEMA team 6, but that will be low on the likely issues list.
I don't know Ka-rate, but I know Ka-razy!
Give 'em a break, it's a valid summary. Know this, post apocalypse, not every interaction, and there will be LOTS of social interaction, will be resolvable with hiding or brandishing guns. Things should revert to the 1870's fairly quickly. Having some balance and physical skill is a good thing. More important will be social skills, neighbor.
More like 1570s.......
Some would prefer to take us back to the 770s.
I need to get some of those Wolverine claws, man!
My wife and I recently started Krav Maga training. She has MS and I'm a couch potato, so we're starting from point zero.
I wanted something for all those circumstances where I'm not walking around with a pistol at low ready - that would be 100% of the time. The "Best Defense Survival" show on cable demonstrated how having a gun in close quarters could be a disadvantage without proper hand to hand skills. Distance and time are required to draw a weapon from concealment and engage the perp. Krav seems to draw from all of the arts and uses that which is practical and useful. There is no such thing as a Krav Maga tournament - because it is street fighting - dirty, unfair, "asymmetrical", just like Sun Tsu would recommend. I've been the punching bag of a little girl and was amazed at what she could do with only 6 months training. 99% of us either can't or won't commit to the level of training you black belts and similar have already done. I commend you experts for what you have accomplished, but many or most of us cannot or will not. We'll never get to where you are. Again, drawing from that genius, Mikhail Kalashnikov, "the best is the enemy of the good".
Don't 'dis Krav because it is dirty fighting. It works. It can be learned relatively quickly. It integrates into using whatever weapons are at hand, including but not limited to firearms. And it fills in the gap from 1 foot to 21 feet before you have drawn your sidearm from concealment which averages 1.5 to 2.5 seconds for the vast majority of us mortals. Best of all, it teaches situational awareness and weaves in all sorts of fundamentals from the other martial arts.
We went and saw a MMA match at the Palms here in Las Vegas and can now better understand and appreciate what's going on. But much of what we're learning isn't allowed in the cage/ring. That should say something right there. The best technique is the one that works. The best gun is the one you have when you need it. The best fight is the one you manage to avoid or end in only a few "dirty" blows.
In closing, one of my sparing partners was wicked good with full strikes. Turns out he is an accomplished amateur boxer. No wonder he could knock the wind out of me even with the tombstone pads! Any skills you already have make you that much better if you integrate it with Krav. And, this is the training style picked by the IDF. We'll never see full on competitions in Krav Maga like the other disciplines, but that's just fine. And nothing says you cannot become an expert in multiple areas. It makes you just that much more effective if the SHTF.
Kinda like guns and caliber. Everyone has their favorite, but all are acceptable and encouraged.