Dont call me Sir

I was involved with 100's of fights as I was a Door Supervisor (Bouncer) for a number of years. Not all of the fights were life threatening, though I have had quite a few very near misses. DCMS.

Here's something worth thinking about........ Why fight? In a street fight there are no rules; that’s been said a million times before and we all know that to be true. With that in mind, chances can’t be taken in a physical confrontation, there must only be one winner, you! The winning mindset is vitally important. Also, we must always assume two things; that the aggressor is armed and not alone. If a situation can’t be de-escalated using verbal de-escalation and dis-suasion skills, and you are sure the aggressor is intent on causing you harm, then the aggressor must be dealt with quickly and effectively – your life is on the line, right? But what about ‘challenge’ matches, ‘square goes’, etc, where your life is not on the line and where you are fighting over a girl or a ‘rep’? These types of fights require a different mindset to that of a ‘real’ street fight, after all, you don’t want to accidentally kill the guy, just because he’s now dating your girlfriend, right? You’ve got to be able to inflict enough damage to the other guy for him to submit, so we’re now talking about un-written rules, right? And then, when you’ve won the fight, you walk away with your ‘rep’ in tact, right? Personally I find this particular mindset to be crazy. I mean, what is the point, really? What will winning, or losing, that type of fight really achieve? There are only two reasons why anyone would want to fight when they could easily walk away from the situation; Ego and Peer Pressure. Surely, if you have your ego in check and you don’t care what people think about you, then why fight? Who cares what other people think anyway? Why is having a ‘rep’ so important, is it a male ‘thing’? Should we, as Martial Artists who are learning our trade, making that ‘journey’, serving our apprentiship, etc, employ our fighting skills in fights that are only Ego driven or done so through Peer Pressure? Shouldn’t we be passive and only use our MA skills when our lives are on the line, and then, and only then, use techniques that will maim, or even kill, as a bid to save our own lives? I’ve been involved with 100’s of fights and yet I’ve walked away from many, many more, simply because they weren’t worth it. I can honestly say, I would not entertain a fight that was Ego of Peer Pressure driven, never have done, can you say the same? Take it easy, DCMS.

We call that a Spinning Reverse Turning Kick. DCMS.

In a real street fight situation you won't have the time to think about what stance you're in, and even if you did, why would you want to drop into any particular stance anyway? Another thing to consider is that action will always be faster than re-action. If you could block a striking technique, from an aggressive opponent, in a real street fight, all you will be doing is allowing the aggressor to have another opportunity to strike you again. There are two types of street fight: The 'Interview'; where there will be some kind of 'look' and/or an exchange of words and posturing (puffing of the chest (balooning), arms splayed with fingers beckoning, frowning, mono-syllabic speech, etc). All these are a pre-cursor to a physical confrontation. The 'Ambush'; where you are taken completely be suprise with, say, a sucker punch or walking round a corner and meeting a fist or baseball bat. Cover/parry, then committed counter attack (Go feotal = Go fatal). In an Interview situation it's beneficial to control distance by using a passive stance, such as the 'Fence' (Geoff Thompson). Use verbal disuasion/de-escalation skills to prevent a physical confrontation. However, as soon as it becomes apparent that the aggressor is going to harm you, regardless of your best efforts to prevent a fight, then you will have to act pre-emptively. Hit first, hit hard. In an Ambush situation blocking isn't going to work, and never will, I can pretty much guarantee that. The only thing that will work is covering and parrying with fast foot work and a committed forward drive. The forward drive should then transition into a full on, fully committed attack. I have been in 100's of physical confrontations, and I've seen even more, and I have yet to see a formal block performed in a formal stance, that worked. You've only got to watch two students sparring and you won't see a single formal stance or block, and yet sparring is a million miles away from a real fight. I teach my students to cover and parry, using Rodney 'Chico' King's "Crazy Monkey" cover. I then teach my students to drive forward and transition into an aggressive attack. DCMS.

That's an awesome sparring technique, especially if you keep the knee chambered and the only movement is from the knee onwards. The Hooking kick causes a startle/flinch response and just as they lower their guard to counter the Turning Kick hits home. DCMS.

Here in the UK the general consencus is: Min 3 years - 1st Dan Min 2 years - 2nd Dan Min 3 years - 3rd Dan Min 3 years - 4th Dan onwards. DCMS.

The bottom line is; it depends on the style, organisation, Instructor and the student. Personally I think the grading criteria for a BB should be done with a watch rather than a calender. In terms of ITF TKD it should be around 200 hours of formal tuition and no more. Of course everyone is different and it's up to the Instructor to decide whether the student is ready of not for a BB grading. It took me 3 1/2 years to get my ITF TKD BB, and during those 3 1/2 years of formal tuition I was down the gym 3 times a week and running, pad/bag and sparring work with my training partner at least 4 times a week. A year of my training is a lot different to year of many others, so use a watch, not a calender, is my opinion. And like all things, it's not what you do, it's the mindset and intensity in which you do it that matters. DCMS.

For effectiveness on the street = Straight Palm (or preferably a 'Power Slap', though it's not strictly a TKD technique) For show/demo's = Jumping front kick (board break at 8ft). DCMS.

In the ITF TKD pattern Choong-Jang, move 12 is a turning-kick performed from the floor. That doesn't mean a thing, really, but just though it'd be of interest. Personally I'd be on my feet and ready to run or fight, but hey! DCMS.

Is that with you on the ground and your oponent standing, or both of you going to ground? If you're on the ground and your aggressor is still standing then your priority, without a doubt, is to get up off the ground as quickly as possible. Fighting from the ground isn't easy and I would only recommend fighting from the ground to an experienced MMA fighter who doesn't have a choice. Always assume 2 things: 1. Your opponent is armed. 2. Your opponent is not alone. I beg to differ. Of the 300+ pressure points that are on the body, only 5 are usable on a fully clothed aggressor, who is under the influence of drink/drugs, determined to cause you harm and is moving. And then, all the 5 PP's are, is a big bunch of nerve endings, that if you hit hard enough will have the desired effect anyway. DCMS.

Thank you for your kind words. I'm no longer under an Instructor (I have my own Academy) and my understanding on Adrenaline Management, Self-Defence/Self-Protection, NLP, etc, have all come from experience (mainly), our own training, attending courses and seminars and my own continued research/study (a lot of reading!). I can honestly say that I've learnt more about these subjects over the last 5 years, than in all the 24 years that I've been in martial arts. Nearly all of our training is conducted with 'Aliveness' and all techniques that I teach to my students are 'Pressure Tested' on a monthly basis. I also consider myself to be very fortunate (honoured) to have trained with arguably the best Reality Based Self-Defence and Combative Instructors in the world. Here is just a selection of good RBSD/Combative material: Geoff Thompson - Dead or Alive - ISBN: 1840242795 Gavin De Becker - The Gift of Fear - ISBN: 0440226198 W E Fairbairn - Get Tough - ISBN: 0873640020 George Thompson & Jerry Jenkins - Verbal Judo - ISBN: 0688137865 Jim Grover - Street Smarts, Firearms & Personal Security - ISBN: 1581600674 Richard Dimitri - Senshido - Any book or DVD Peter Consterdine - British Combat Association - Any DVD Dennis Martin - CQB - Any DVD Lee Morrison - Urban Combatives - Any book or DVD Rodney 'Chico' King - SBG - Any DVD Matt Thornton - SBG - Any DVD In my view, everyone should learn and understand Adrenaline Management and Awareness before they've even been taught how to punch. It easy to learn and put into practice. Geoff Thompson's book 'Dead or Alive' covers just about everything. DCMS.

One of the first physical effects of adrenaline is 'tunnel vision', could someone explain to me how you would use 'peripheral vision' when under the influence of adrenaline? DCMS.

Superman859, have you decided which style of TKD that you are interested in, ie, WTF (Olympic Style) or ITF style? DCMS.

I disagree, that pre/during fight mindset could cost you your life should your commitment level be less than what is required to 'do-the-job'. So, given the choice between imminent death (the attacker is armed with a knife) and the chance of HIV, which would you opt for in the spur of the moment? As for biting; Biting should be a bite (a painful 'pinch' produced by the teeth) to achieve a startle/flinch response, nothing more. Bite, don't eat. DCMS.

Ravenzoom, mate, I applaud your honesty, but you are capable of the fighter mentality, you've just got to train it, after all, you fight like you train. My suggestion would be to look into Canada's best Reality Based Self-Defence Instructor (though he doesn't like to be called that) Richard Dimitri (https://www.senshido.com). In my opinion he is the best in the world at what he does and his books/DVD's are worth their weight in gold. I was lucky enough to train under him when he visited the UK early last year. If I lived in Canada I would definatley train with him as often as I could, the guy is a legend. Good luck, mate. DCMS.

Watch a 2 year old child doing a jigsaw puzzle. When he/she has trouble with a tricky piece, rather than remove it the child forces the peice in using his/her fist. But look closer and you'll find a primal fist where the child uses the underside (Hammer Fist) rather than the knuckles. It's actually un-natural for us to use our knuckles, or 'fists' as some people refer the technique to. Boys are brought up and taught to use knuckles by our/their peers, or by watching cartoons, watching films, etc, whereas girls tend to keep to either Hammer Fist or open hand pulling/gouging right up to, and through, adulthood. Women are better natural fighters, in terms of technique, than men because men need to be de-programmed from the 'fist' mentality first. On the street there are no Queensbury rules, in fact there are no rules - period! (as has already been said). What makes a punch with the knuckles (the most widely accepted 'gentlemans' technique) a more generally acceptable strike over say a kick to the groin, or an eye gouge, or a bite, which are deemd, by some, as cowardly and ungentlemanly? The answer is honour and shivalry, like that of knights in shining armour, etc. These social graces no longer exist in this dog-eat-dog world, where it's every man/woman for himself/herself. If you can't talk and walk, then you have to act and act with full agression using whatever techniques are available to take out your opponent. Any less than a mindset of 110% and you are asking for a whooping. Incidentally, there are only 2 reasons why you would want to fight, given the choice to walk away or fight, and it's got f-all to do with honour, they are ego and peer-pressure. So, putting your ego and peer-pressure to one side, if you can't walk, then go all out and don't stop 'til they drop. Saying "that was a bit unfair!" after your aggressor has plunged as knife through your heart ain't gonna bring you back. Treat everyone the same; armed and with accomplaces. Go in with 110% or have you a$$ handed to you..........if you survive! There are no prizes for second place! DCMS.

Writerladyo4, the nervousness that you experience, usually leading to impaired performance, is perfectly natural and happens to everyone at some point on their 'journey'. The nervousness, or fear, is down to the effects of adrenaline being pumped around your body, which again, is perfectly natural. Under the influence of adrenaline, either a slow release or an actual adrenaline dump, your mind and body are effected. The secretion of adrenaline in your body will raise your heart rate in the blink of an eye. Over 115bpm (which is nothing in a fearful situation) your brain will not be capable of processing fine/complex motor skills (effecting hand/eye co-ordination), as the blood that feeds the part of the brain responsible for cognitive thought processes is send to other areas of your body in preparation of, or as part of, the 'Fight or Flight'. In a fearful situation the human body is designed for two things, running or freezing, not breaking boards, sparring, street fighting, etc, etc, that's why we (need to) train. The 'butterflies' in your stomach and the draining sensation down your thighs is caused by the blood rushing to the major muscles, ie legs, in preparation for running. Other effects of adrenaline are tunnel vision (to help focus on the particular threat), impaired memory, time distortion, monosylabic speech, impaired hearing, etc, etc. As has been suggested, use NLP techniques to help you to visualise breaking through the boards. Visualise yourself being calm and in control. Before, or when, you begin to feel the effects of adrenaline, slow your heart rate down through Tactical Breathing (deep - 5 secs in, 5 secs out). By reducing your heart rate you will lessen the effects of adrenaline. Practice, practice, practice under the effects of adrenaline by breaking in front of people with the help of your instructor, etc. Understand adrenaline, learn to channel and harness it. Understand what is happening to your body under the influence of adrenaline and use it to your benefit, not hinderance. Listen to your body. With this understanding, and tactical breathing, you will become more relaxed and the things that you've done so many times in a training environment (within your comfort zone) can, and will, be achieved in a high pressure environment (outside your comfort zone). This can be said for everything you do, in every walk of life - Fear is your friend, not your enemy. Good luck writerlady04, I wish you all the best, DCMS.

The difference between martial arts and Combatives is; "Martial Arts is what you do with someone, whereas Combatives is what you do to someone." - Kelly MacCann

I've just pee'd myself laughing! I think you're being wound up, mate. When you go for a pee, you empty your bladder, so how can you pee yourself to death, unless you drown in your urine?!!

Hi Jay, If you can, then 'not being there' is the best option, but if you've got nowhere to run, then you need to do something. Unfortunately kicking knives out of hands doesn't work because most knife fighters use the 'knife back' position, with their lead (open) hand out in front. In the 'knife back' position (knife on hip) it is is virtually impossible to kick the knife out of the aggressors hand. Get a friend to hold a rubber knife in the'knife back' position (positive/standard grip) and try disarming him with kicks, whilst on the move - it ain't going to happen. Take care, Garth.

Hi all, Like the old adage suggests, "It's not the dog in the fight, it's the fight in the dog!". I know people who could have a Black Belt in several martial arts and still couldn't defend themselves in a physical confrontation, yet I know some good street fighters who have never had any formal training, yet win fight after fight. TDK techniques can be used on the street providing the user is proficient in using them. In my experience (12 years TKD & 2 years as a Doorman) it would be far more prudent to stick to the few tried and tested street techniques that are generally found in most arts, including TKD. Forget the flashy jumping/spinning kicks to the head, because when the brown stuff hits the fan your chances of pulling off one of these techniques on a moving figure, in the dark, in cramped surroundings, is very slim indeed. Stick to Low kicks, Palm strikes ('Tiger Claw' & 'Chin Jab'), Knife Hand strikes ('Axe Hand' - long & short), Knees, Elbows, Gouges and Slaps. All of these, with the exception of Slaps, can be found in TKD, it's just a matter of training them for street use and keeping all the flashy stuff for the dojang. As far as knife attacks/defences go, there are a few good defences out there such as Darren Luar's "Pat, Wrap & Attack", Karl Tanswell's "S.T.A.B." and also the "G.U.N." knife defence. Statistics show that in successful knife defences you will get cut, the average being 7 knife wounds per successful defence. In my opinion in an edged weapon confrontation is don't be there! I've had a few edged weapon confrontations in my time and none of them ended pretty. Take care, "Don't call me Sir!"