Hi, just wondering what physical techniques people train specifically as part of their self defence.

I drill are jab, cross, lead hook, slaps, elbows, hammerfists, knees and low leg kicks all from various angles including pre emptive strikes from the fence.

I also work on defences from the following - swinging punches, football style kicks, grabs, tackles, headlocks, being in a clinch, being on the floor, dealing with multiple attackers (& defenders) and weapon considerations.

takr care
Steve

Im not the heaviest person in the world and so I think about this alot with my training. By this I mean that if I went to the floor what would happen if the attacker was of superior size and weight?

I had an incident in Leeds a couple of years ago where a friend and I were attacked by a group of lads. It was totally unprovoked I might add.

Anyhow I took the first guy straight out with an elbow strike to the head. He was going straight for my friend so he didnt see it coming at all. However, I was then left with three guys and to be perfectly honest I didnt know what to do.... I didnt experience an adrenlin dump like you would expect.... I remember being really calm, but thinking oh shit whats my next move??? I took a few blows to the head and ended up on the floor with a guy on top of me.... if it wasnt for another group passing by that broke it up I dont know how it would of turned out.


I guess in hindsight im lucky to of got away with it.... All I had was a few lumps on my head and bruised elblow where I hit the first guy!

It was a real learning curve in that events on the street can totally spiral out of control.... I always do my best to shy away from conflict even if I know im not in the wrong..... but its certainly food for thought.

As part of our self defense training we nick quite alot from krav maga as its the most pertinent system. Training such things as striking from a flinch blocking position is important, as is positional awareness as like Pete Described its rare for trouble to include just one assailant!

Pete, did the guys say anything before hand or just jump straight in?

Generaly I think getting up off the floor is one of the first things you should learn as its the last place you want to be! Getting kicked in the head hurts but getting stomped on is worse.

As to training, I study Krav with the IKMF so its all really based on winning. The main thing to remember is to be pure dirt in a fight as there are no rules and there is most probably going to be 2 or more attackers.

Also learning a few things like conflict management can really help as a fight is often won before you start hitting each other. Look into learning the 'fence'.

Sam

It was a typical 'what you looking at situation!' Although neither of us had looked at anyone... just a couple of mates out for a few on a saturday night. Looking back I think they were high on substances...


But this is whole concept of SD isnt it? Sometimes situations just spring out of nowhere.

Hi all

Self defence - I agree a good jab and straight kick are really fundamentals. I also drill footwork as I think being able to in all angles and get a strike out is crucial, and likewise if caught on the back foot knowing how to get out of the way. Also learn to cover distance I was did a drill where it was three against one, that teaches you to keep moving and close ground quickly.

I also think learning to just respond without thought, so letting go of your internal monologue when in situations that spring up on you. That is not easy. Samual what is the fence???<br><br>Post edited by: Ronin1185, at: 2008/02/06 06:47

The &quot;fence&quot; is basically a self defence technique for controlling distance, defending yourself and setting up a pre-emptive strike. Geoff Thompson coined the phrase or at least made it popular.

Thompson's book &quot;Watch My Back&quot; is also a good read. I was initially put off getting the book by the front cover (Thompson with a knuckleduster), but the book shows that real violence is not glamourous.

We teach beginners four things: a stable fence, a knee strike, an elbow strike, and escaping the mount. In our area, this has turned out to be more effective than punches, kicks, eye gouges, etc. (Grappling techniques are a close second with students from the more affluent areas, who most often just get into schoolyard scraps with classmates.) Then we just relentlessly grind these techniques in increasingly realistic scenarios, since as everyone has mentioned above so much of self-defense is in the mind and heart.

As students progress, they learn chokes, locks, throws, and more. But it's interesting that the more serious students always return to the basics -- another example of the circular nature of martial arts training. Though I suppose that's a topic for a different thread.

If I only have to defend myself from one attacker, the routine stays pretty simple...fake jab, shoot for a double, secure the takedown, elbow from inside guard or mount until the attacker is rendered incapable of fighting back (whether it takes no elbows or 5 strikes).

When I train for techniques of self defence I focus on 2 main points.

1. Being quicker on my feet and more flexable then my opponent. You can focus on being quick on your feet easily enough with most cardio training but for flexability I recommend Tai Chi.

2. Knowing where to strike my opponent to take him down either in one shot or quickly enough. My personal favourite is a double punch, within less then a second between them to the gut. If someone can stand up from that without chucking up they deserve to beat the crap out of me.