Choosing a Self-Defense Program

Ask the question, "who do you recommend for self-defense classes?" You'll get a huge assortment of answers; "Brazilian Jujitsu is the best!" "I've done Kickboxing for years!" "This school is the best out there!" "You don't need self-defense, carry a gun instead!"

In reality, all Martial Arts classes can be used for self-defense. Even it it's just so you get in better shape so you're able to run away if need be. What you really need to do is find the program, class, and most importantly, the instructor that fits YOU. 

However, if you're reading this, you want the lowdown on what is Good self-defense vs Bad self-defense. So with that, we go into types of martial arts. They fall into a couple of categories:

1. Sport ... if there are rules involved then it is a sport. You are matched up against someone with the same size and skill in a controlled environment. Jiu-jitsu, Boxing, Kickboxing, and Judo all fit this description.

2. Traditional ... wearing a uniform that looks like pajamas. With a lot of focus on bowing, prearranged techniques, and oriental weapons. Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Kung Fu, and Kenpo are all traditional martial arts.

3. Reality based ... focus is on street specific techniques; grabs, pushes, strikes, modern weapons, with the goal of getting away. It is designed to be simple and effective. The goal of these programs should be to give you the skills to defend yourself if necessary, but more importantly, de-escalate the situation.

There are good and bad in all of the above and as stated before, most of them can be used for self-defense. As you are researching and trying out programs look for the following.

**Focus on Physical, Mental, Verbal, and Legal Self-defense. Don't settle for just one. The program you choose needs to cover all of the above.

**Not going to the ground. The ground is NOT a good place because of environment, weapons, and multiple attackers.

**Realistic training. This is not a sparring or grappling match. Your training needs to have the element of surprise built into it, with the recognition that there are no rules.

**Dealing with violence. A self-defense situation will be violent and the program you choose needs to prepare you for that reality.

The biggest advice I can give you is to talk to friends, visit schools, and try out a few classes. If you feel it's not for you, go somewhere else.

Eric LaLone is Chief Instructor of Empower Training Center in Colorado Springs. He is also the Operation Director for FearNOBully.org; specializing in teaching kids that NOBODY has the right to hurt them! 

Grappling is NOT Self Defense!

"95% of all fights end up on the ground!" This is one of the greatest marketing campaigns ever, brought to you by Gracie Jiu-jitsu. And it worked for them. Just look at the popularity of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. 

Is it true?  NO!  Could it possibly go to the ground, YES! There is one thing that is 100% true; all fights start standing up. "So, I shouldn't train on the ground at all?" NO, what I'm saying is that in the realm of self-defense you need to make sure that the ground is the last place you should go. If you do end up there your first goal should be to GET UP!

Three reasons to NOT be on the ground in a self-defense situation.

1.  Environment!  Most dojo training is done on a nice padded mat with cooperating team-mates, this is not true in the street.  Asphalt, curbs, broken glass, rocks, cars, and trash are just a few things that you have to watch out for while you're rolling around. The ground is hard and unforgiving, don't ever forget that.

2. Multiple Attackers! Street fights never happen one on one. There is always someone else. On the ground you run a greater risk of getting punched or stomped on by "the friend" you didn't even know was there. Or it comes from a complete stranger that just wants to take a free shot at you. It's strange to think about, but believe me they're out there.

3. Weapons! They come at you when you least expect them. Knives, guns, rocks, sticks, or dirt are all easily deployed and can cause a lot of damage. Hell, you're so close you won't even see it being plunged into your back or smacking you behind the ear. On the ground your mobility is limited and you need that mobility to survive against weapons.

I'll be the first to admit, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is fun, MMA is fun, Judo is fun, but they are definitely a game of sport.  Use them to enhance your skills but know, they are not for a real world street encounter.  If you do try to use it in the street you will most likely get severely injured.  STAY OFF THE GROUND!!!!

Eric LaLone is the Chief Instructor at the Empower Training Center, the Head of TrainWarriors.com, and the operations officer for FearNOBully.org.  He has been training over the past 5 decades and holds Black Belts in a variety of martial arts.  

The Reality of Self-Defense Programs

Ask the question, "who do you recommend for self-defense classes?" You'll get a huge assortment of answers; "Brazilian Jujitsu is the best!" "I've done Kickboxing for years!" "This school is the best out there!" "You don't need self-defense, carry a gun instead!"

In reality, all Martial Arts classes can be used for self-defense. Even it it's just so you get in better shape so you're able to run away if need be. What you really need to do is find the program, class, and most importantly, the instructor that fits YOU. 

However, if you're reading this, you want the lowdown on what is Good self-defense vs Bad self-defense. So with that, we go into types of martial arts. They fall into a couple of categories:

1. Sport ... if there are rules involved then it is a sport. You are matched up against someone with the same size and skill in a controlled environment. Jiu-jitsu, Boxing, Kickboxing, Judo

2. Traditional ... wearing a uniform that looks like pajamas. With a lot of focus on bowing, prearranged techniques, and oriental weapons. Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Kung Fu, Kenpo,

3. Reality based ... focus is on street specific techniques; grabs, pushes, strikes, modern weapons, with the goal of getting away. It is designed to be simple and effective. The goal of these programs should be to give you the skills to defend yourself if necessary, but more importantly, de-escalate the situation.

There are good and bad in all of the above and as stated before, most of them can be used for self-defense. As you are researching and trying out programs look for the following.

**Focus on Physical, Mental, Verbal, and Legal Self-defense. Don't settle for just one. The program you choose needs to cover all of the above.

**Not going to the ground. The ground is NOT a good place because of environment, weapons, and multiple attackers.

**Realistic training. This is not a sparring or grappling match. Your training needs to have the element of surprise built into it, with the recognition that there are no rules.

**Dealing with violence. A self-defense situation will be violent and the program you choose needs to prepare you for that reality.

The biggest advice I can give you is to talk to friends, visit schools, and try out a few classes. If you feel it's not for you, go somewhere else.

Eric LaLone is head of TrainWarriors.com, the director of FearNOBully.org, and Chief Instructor of the Sei Shin Jitsu Headquarters; Empower Training Center. 2021 marks 25 years of teaching in Southern Colorado. LaLone has developed Stick-jitsu for realistic defense and Freestyle jujitsu for combat sport. 

Choosing a Kid's Martial Arts Program

"My son and daughter want to take karate, who is the best and where should I go?" 

Parents are always looking for the "best" for their kids. But what does that mean? With all the movies and TV shows that feature martial arts, plus all the schools in any particular town, it's hard to know what is good and what is not so good. 

Let's start by saying that Martial Arts are great for kids. The correct program will teach your child to be a leader, help them with conflict resolution, as well as training them to punch and kick. Now it's just a matter of figuring out what you want for your child and what your child is interested in learning. Are you looking for an after-school activity, something to help them with self-defense, or a sport to harness their competitive spirit? It could also be a combination of these things.

When looking for a school there are a couple of things to watch for:

1. The Instructor ... Are they knowledgeable? Are they too strict? Do the kids like them or are the kids scared? While experience matters, the instructor doesn't have to be a 10th degree Black Belt. The most important thing is that there is a good connection with the kids.

2. An Age-Specific Program ... Are all students lumped into the same class or are they separated by age? A 4-year-old shouldn't be working out with a teenager, just as a 9-year-old shouldn't be training with an adult. Kids learn differently at varying ages. You also don't want someone getting hurt because of the difference in physical maturity.

3. Trial Class ... Is your child allowed to try a class or two before making a decision to join the school? This way they can interact with the instructor and the other students to make sure it's a good fit for them on all levels. This way you can also make sure the instructor is teaching what it is that you are looking for, whether it's self-defense, sport, or an activity.

4. Long Term Contracts ... Do you have to sign up for a year? 6 months? Is there a cancellation fee? Kids jump from activity to activity. That's why there are seasons in sports. Not so in the martial arts. You don't want to sign up for a long-term contract only to have your child decide they no longer enjoy the training. Also watch out for the hidden "processing fees," large "equipment and uniform fees," and hefty "belt testing fees."  

5. Make sure the class is FUN ... While learning and knowledge are great for your child, you want to make sure they are having fun. If it's not fun, and they don't have a smile on their face, they won't want to continue with their training.

As a professional martial arts instructor, the biggest advice I can give you is to talk to friends, visit schools, and try out a few classes. If you feel it's not for you, go somewhere else.

Eric LaLone is head of TrainWarriors.com, the director of FearNOBully.org, and Chief Instructor of Empower Training Center; the headquarters of Sei Shin Jitsu. We have been in operation in Southern Colorado for over 25 years. LaLone is also an International Coach traveling with USA Kickboxing for both the World Championships and Pan Amercian Championships. You can reach him at 719.368.6434.

Never Happening = The Choke Attack

Martial arts systems are known for spectacular looking techniques that have absolutely NO BASIS in reality. Not the techniques themselves, but the execution of the technique against an UNREALISTIC attack that is a major problem. 

Choking and grabbing with straight arms. You see this attack in self-defense and anti-rape seminars all the time. The attacker comes up, puts their hands around your throat and squeezes with their thumbs. 

Krav Maga people are famous for this attack. They use it so their signature technique, The Pluck (as seen in the video), will work for everyone. These students perform it from the front, the back, and the side, usually with a front kick following directly behind it.

Jujitsu instructors love this attack so they can reach across, grab the hand, and do their wrist locks and arm bars. Or they like to show how simple it is to escape. They hold up their index finger and drive it into the hollow of the throat, making the person release. 

Pretty much all styles of Karate train against this to. Their go-to technique; raising both arms up into the air, elbowing the arms down, and then running away.  

Problem with all of these - None of the defenses listed above are going to work, because nobody is going to choke you this way. The attacker can't get any leverage on a choke with their arms straight. Joint locks, plucking, and grabbing are all good in theory. Here's the reality of the situation. Choking like this is not done nonchalantly. The person choking you is angry, hyped up, and wants to "Choke the living S**T out of you." They want to look into your eyes and watch the life leave your body. If they weren't in this state of mind then this is NOT how they would be engaging with you. 

How are they going to do it then? They are going to pull you in tight, arms bent, put all their body weight into it, shake you, and show you that they are in control. You can't do that with your arms straight.  IT'S NEVER HAPPENING! 

Eric LaLone is the Chief Instructor at the Empower Training Center, and the Head of Sei Shin Jitsu.  He has over 30 years of experience in the martial arts and holds Black Belts in Bushido Sei Shin Jitsu, Jujitsu, Karate, Kickboxing, and Vee Arnis Jitsu.