Many people who write me asking how one should get started in the bail enforcement industry often include their martial arts backgrounds as a lead in to the question at hand. I often chuckle at that but one rent email did pose the question, “Who will my martial arts background apply to bounty hunting?”

Bounty Hunters, I prefer Bail Enforcement Agents or Bail Investigators, by definition deal with dangerous situations every day they go to work. We are often sticking our heads into the proverbial lion’s mouth every time we attempt to take a bail-secured defendant into custody by serving a civil bond forfeiture warrant attached to a criminal failure to appear capias. It’s easy to forget that what we do on a daily basis, oftentimes alone and poorly armed, is a MAJOR EVENT requiring highly trained SWAT teams within most law enforcement departments!

In my experience, which is longer and more varied than most in the bail bond recovery business, 1 out of every 100 people I have taken to jail for a bail bondsman will react violently to the apprehension- but the violence ranges widely between simple resistance to someone trying to shoot me with a firearm of some sort. Luckily, 97% of these violent encounters do not require any use of force beyond the simple application of some “pain compliance” methods. Thankfully, I have only had to use an Air-Taser once and point my firearm at a defendant or a co-actor once.

What happens in these violent situations is that we must immediate apply the use of force continuum, which plainly states that bail enforcers shall use only that force which is reasonable and lawful, given the facts and circumstances known at the time of the event to effectively bring an incident under control. "Reasonableness" of the use of force must be judged from the perspective of a reasonable investigator on the scene at the time of the incident. A bail enforcement agent, who is authorized by the surety on a bail piece, who makes or attempts to make an arrest need not retreat or desist from his efforts by reason of resistance or threatened resistance of the person being arrested; nor shall such investigator be deemed an aggressor or lose his right to self-defense by the use of reasonable force to affect the arrest or to prevent escape or to overcome resistance.

Reasonably, I cannot shoot a defendant for resisting the application of handcuffs if he does not pose an imminent threat to my own life. This is where the pain compliance techniques that can be learned via many martial art styles or a system known as CDT® (Compliance, Direction and Take-down) are most appropriately applied. Simply put these techniques consist of low level stunning, activation points, escorts and compliance techniques that can be used to control another person without causing permanent damage; hostility management, anger diffusion and escape should also be applied when applicable.

“Standing Ju Jitsu,” Aikido and Judo are all outstanding martial arts in their real-world application in the typical scenarios one might encounter in most bail enforcement actions. They are my choice of techniques to use but it can take a lifetime to master each art’s own nuances and complexities; this may not be practical for the new or aspiring fugitive recovery investigator. Perhaps the next best choice for most should be CDT®, which is a personal protection system and not a martial art. Its creators claim that it can be learned quickly and effectively no matter what your gender or size. Most importantly, CDT® techniques can be learned and mastered through a properly structured training course in a limited amount of time and are proven to work effectively against any gender and body size. I hear good thing about it from my friends in law enforcement however, when the creators make dubious claims such as “the most effective non-deadly force system in the world” I have to stop and give pause.

Either way, when a bail agent needs to utilize less-than-deadly force by means of empty handed tactics, that person must be able to do so quickly, skillfully, and with reduced risk and liability to all concerned. The longer the investigator has to be engaged with a defendant or those who mean to prevent his arrest, the greater risk of sustaining injury or even death. Furthermore, depending upon a defendant’s actions or the situation, the BEA may have to increase or decrease the amount of force employed. The techniques discussed allow for the escalation and de-escalation of lawful force without causing serious or deadly injury and that’s a big plus in my book when it comes to reducing the liability often involved with going “hands on” with anyone.

This is the nexus between the martial arts, their real world application as combative arts and the modern day bounty hunter.

Scott Harrell is the principal of CompassPoint Investigations and the author of many articles concerning bail enforcement via his website www.BondForfeitures.com. He is an avid martial artist and is part owner of Seikou Martial Arts Academy (http://www.SeikouMartialArts.com)

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There are literally dozens of reasons to study the martial arts. Everyday, countless numbers of children and adults take up the practice and study of such martial arts as karate, judo, aikido, as well as many other mixed or ecclectic forms. And, for the most part, a student will probably find what he or she is looking for in the program that they choose. I say "for the most part" because, the one area of study that cannot be left to chance is that of self-defense.

While just about every form of martial art can help a student to develop personal success traits like…

• Confidence

Not every art, or teacher for that matter, is cut out to teach you what you need to know to survive a life-threatening situation.

Now, before you go off all half-cocked because you think I dishonored your art or school, or because you think I just said that you can’t learn to defend yourself by taking karate, give me a minute to explain where I’m coming from. As a former federal police officer and undercover operative in the areas of drug suppression and black market investigations, as-well-as plenty of street-time as both a uniformed police officer and bodyguard, I can assure you that, there is much more to defending yourself than learning a few punches, blocks, and kicks in a karate class.

So, how do you make sure that what you’re getting out of a martial arts class or so-called self-defense program will work in a real-world situation? How do you make sure that you’re not going to be spending your hard-earned time, money, and effort on something that, when the time comes, will be as worthless as not having trained at all? The answer is…

…you’re going to have to do some work ahead of time.

If you’re going to get what you need to survive a street attack in Today’s world, you’re going to have to do some research in three important areas. They are…

• Knowing What You Need

I go into these areas in great depth in the book, "The Karate-Myth: Why Most Martial Arts and Self-Defense Programs Don’t Work and How to Be Safe in Today’s Violent World." To read more about it and these important topics, just go here.

Let’s take a look at each area to see what’s really needed if you’re serious about getting control over this part of your life.

Knowing What You Need

This area requires that you direct your awareness at your community and the types of attacks that typically occur in your little corner of the world. Remember, you’re probably not going to be attacked by a kung-fu stylist launching a crane fist. However, knowing that 98% of attackers in North America use a hooking or an uppercutting punch will take you a long way towards learning techniques and defenses that will actually work.

Examining Your Life and Lifestyle

As I point out on my knife-defense DVD called "The Cutting-Edge," your attacker will almost always come to your world. That means that you will most likely be attacked in familiar territory - where you live, work, and play. Take a good look around your world. Knowing where danger is likely to come from, and in what form, is a crucial element to being ready if and when it does.

Researching the School, Program, and Teacher

I find it disconcerting to watch people take more time trying on jeans to find just the right fit than is done in selecting a self-defense program. According to statistics, students chose a martial arts or self-defense program based more on comfort and convenience, than for effectiveness. Effectiveness, they assume, is the same regardless of school or program; so the decision most often comes down to location of the school and scheduling.

It’s important to remember that, selecting a school, program, and ultimately a teacher, is not the same as buying a pair of jeans, or a hundred other decisions that you could make. Why?

Because this decision, if not made properly, could cost you more than you’re willing to lose.

What it comes down to is whether or not you want what you need, or you just want to feel like you’ve done something. The choice is yours. The martial arts, in their most original form, were designed to deal with dangerous assailants and for the preservation of life. If an ancient warrior didn’t practice enough, failed to learn an important lesson, or wasn’t prepared for the attack or attacker he was facing - he died. Plain and simple.

In Today’s world, we don’t have to deal with physical danger on a day-to-day basis like our martial ancestors did. And, quite frankly, that’s a good thing. However; it also produces a situation where underskilled, inexperienced, and sometimes unscrupulous intructors can pass off lessons that are more harmful than good. But, that does’t mean that you can’t find good, quality, accurate instruction. What it does mean is…

…you, and no one else, is responsible for your own safety and self-defense education.

Jeffrey M. Miller is the founder and master instructor of Warrior Concepts International. A senior teacher in the Japanese warrior art of Ninjutsu, he specializes in teaching the ancient ways of self-protection and personal development lessons in a way that is easily understood and put to use by modern Western students and corporate clients. Through their martial arts training, his students and clients learn proven, time-tested lessons designed to help them create the life they’ve always dreamed of living, and the skills necessary for protecting that life from anything that might threaten it. To learn more about sponsoring a seminar and other related subjects, visit his website. While you’re there, go ahead and subscribe to his newsletter at http://www.warrior-concepts-online.html

The most important self-defense skill is awareness. Use the same Color Codes of awareness that most military and police organizations do to increase your awareness constantly.

Awareness, according to experts, makes up 90% of self-defense, the remaining 10% being physical techniques. With awareness, you can identify and avoid potentially dangerous situations. Without it, you become an easy target for a criminal.

Colonel Jeff Cooper, a combat pistol instructor, developed the Color Code system, used by most military and police organizations, to differentiate different levels of awareness.

These color codes help recognize, evaluate, and avoid potential threats. They are used to measure rising threat and make most situations avoidable. The following are the colors in ascending order of awareness of danger: white, yellow, orange, and red.

Code White

• You are secure.
• Awareness is switched off.
• You are unaware of your environment, its inhabitants, and their rituals of attack.
• All attackers look for victims in this state.

Code Yellow

• You are cautious.
• Awareness is switched on.
• State of threat awareness and relaxed alertness.
• You have a 360-degree peripheral awareness of such environmental danger spots as secluded doorways, entries, and alleys, as well as such psychological triggers as adrenal dump and attacker ruses. Be aware of people, vehicles, behind large objects, dark areas, etc.

Code Orange

• You are in danger.
• State of threat evaluation.
• Specific alert. A possible target has been identified. A particular situation that has drawn your attention and could present a major problem. Someone may be giving oral indicators such as direct threats or using suspicious language. Focus on the potential attacker.
• Check to see if there is an avenue of escape, potential weapons available, and if others around you are friend or foe.
• Decision is made to take action.

Code Red

• You are in conflict.
• State of threat avoidance.
• Fight or flight. Flee, defend, or attack. You have evaluated the situation, and if there is a threat, you prepare to fight or run.
• Never stand or fight if there is a possibility of fleeing.
• Carry out decision to act made in Code Orange.
• If use of physical self-defense techniques is necessary, use the level of force appropriate to the threat. E.g., don’t treat someone who pushes you because he is rude like someone who is trying to stab you with a knife.

How to Use the Color Codes of Awareness

The color codes of awareness are a continuum of your awareness and readiness to defend. The objective is to constantly flow from one color to the next above or below, depending on the situation.

Never be in white. Spend most your time in yellow, even in places where you feel safe, such as at home.

Constantly be aware and alert, and shift from yellow and orange often as you notice potential threats and dangers. When in orange, notice what you can do to flee, defend, or attack if it become necessary, and make the decision to take a specific action if the situation escalates to red.

When in orange, notice what you can do to flee, defend, or attack if it becomes necessary, and make the decision to take a specific action if the situation escalates to red.

The Color Codes in Practice

Here’s an example of how the Color Codes of awareness could be used. A 100-pound woman is walking to her car, carrying grocery bags. Being aware and alert in Code Yellow, she sees two suspicious men near her car.

She switches from Yellow to Orange. She decides on her self-defense options. They walk toward her and reach for her. She switches to Red, and executes her decisions: she throws the bags at them and runs back into the store.

Conclusion

Starting right now, be in Code Yellow. Throughout your day, identify potential areas of danger and switch to Code Orange as necessary. Switch back to Code Yellow if no threat exists. Do this exercise again tomorrow. And the next day. And so on. Eventually, awareness becomes a habit. Make the most important self-defense skill, awareness, a habit.

Lyman Yip’s website SelfDefenseResource.com provides self-defense articles and a directory of resources. To learn more and claim the FREE REPORT "10 Secrets to Effective Self-Defense," visit our self-defense website.

The First lesson to learn in Self-Defense is that you are important. The most valuable possession you will ever have is you. No-one has the right to hurt, intimidate or harass you. You have the right to protect yourself and you are well worth fighting for. The second most important lesson is to learn to understand that your mind is your most valuable weapon, in self-Defense we use our mind to control panic and fear, use our brain to assess a situation and to judge the most appropriate action to take. We use our Brain to make choices and making choices is a big part of Self-Defense.

Self Defense is not just about learning a few techniques; it’s about all the things we do on a daily basis to make our lives safer. Much of it is common sense and the rest of it just makes sense. Some things you just do without thinking about whether it’s wearing a seatbelt, crossing the road or using a knife safely. At one time people had to be forced to wear seatbelts in the car, nowadays people sit in a car and reach across without a thought.

It shows that when you do something often enough, it becomes a habit, after that it becomes instinctive.

Body Language - Staring at the ground, hunched shoulders, hiding your hands in your pockets and making yourself small, carries the message- “I’m weak and vulnerable”. Women get targeted as easy prey so having strong body language decreases the risk of being a target. Make eye contact with people in a way that lets them know you’ve seen them (Would-be Criminals are far less likely to do anything if they think they could be identified). Swing your arms when walking, take up space. Strong Body Language not only affects how others see you but it increases your own confidence. Compare Predators on the streets to Predators in the wild, they are not looking for the biggest, boldest, strongest animal to bring down but the weak, injured or isolated. Try not to put yourself in a position where it increases your vulnerability. Predators are not looking for a fight but an easy kill and when the target fights back ferociously the Predator will often abort.

Verbal Strategies

Asserting yourself is an important part of taking control of your life. If someone’s behavior is making you feel bad, uncomfortable or scared then confront the person. Tell them – Name the behavior, Criticize it, tell them what you want them to do: - “You’re constantly touching me, I don’t like it, stop it” – Repeat if necessary. This is a direct, non-engaging way of establishing what you want, avoid saying please when you are asserting yourself. If someone is bothering you in a Public Place, make a scene, it will be much more embarrassing for that person than for you. Your voice is a weapon too. Yelling will alert other people around and can startle an attacker. It can also help channel your fear into aggression - Shout “NO” loudly and deeply from your stomach. Trust your instincts, if something does not seem right, then it probably isn’t. Say someone unpleasant is following you – Trust your instinct and do something whether it’s confronting them, getting to safety, calling someone or getting a weapon ready.

Get a cell phone, it’s not expensive if it’s for Emergency only, not only can you summon up help from anywhere but you can also use it as a weapon (if you learn how).

We encourage people to use their voice once a physical confrontation has begun. Shouting loudly as you strike serves many purposes. Firstly, you may startle the attacker with a sudden loud shout, you are also attracting attention to yourself so someone may come to your aid, you may be creating witnesses which may come in handy if you caused physical harm to your attacker in Self Defense as it may well come to a situation where it’s just your word against theirs, however, if it just so happened that a passer-by heard you shouting “Let go, let go” then that suddenly becomes evidence. Shouting also tenses up your abdominal region so if you happened to receive a hit at that same time then you are much less likely to be winded by it.

Malcolm Bale 2nd Degree Blackbelt in Jiu-Jitsu http://www.fightwize.com

Download our FREE Self Defence Book - http://www.fightwize.com/self-defense-book.htm

© 2005, fightwize.com

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Mickey N. Fisher founded Shin-Toshi more than 25 years ago, in 1963. This precedes Bruce Lee’s development of Jeet Kun Do by six months. Mr. Fisher began his training in karate with the Korean Art of Tae Kwon Do. He received his first degree black belt from Jhoon Rhee. Mr. Rhee awarded Mr. Fisher his black belt despite the fact that his immediate instructor objected because he personally witnessed Mr. Fisher’s skill.

Mr. Fisher was America’s first teenage black belt. He first attained a first-degree black belt from Jhoon Rhee in 1962. Mr. Fisher continued his training in martial-arts with advanced degrees in Moo Duk Kwon, Kenpo and some other styles. Mr. Fisher’s highest degree, a 9th Degree Black Belt, is in Shin-Toshi Karate and Chung Do Kwan Take Kwon Do.

Mike Burke who was and is a student of Mr. Fisher’s owns and operates the Utah Karate Institute in Northern Utah and is the second highest ranking martial artist in Shin-Toshi. He has attained the rank of 5th degree black belt. Mr. Burke has been teaching Karate for more than 20 years and oversees the International Shin-Toshi federation with Mr. Fisher.

Learn more about the Utah Karate Institute at http://www.karateshin-toshi.com. Mr. Burke is one of the best instructors for both children (approximately 8 yoa and older, ability to know left from right) and adults alike.

Kevin Cundick is a student of Shin-Toshi Karate with Mr. Mike Burke at the Utah Karate Institute. Kevin also operates and maintains the Best Martial Arts Source at http://www.bestmartialartsource.com or Shin Toshi Karate.

Your strikes can be made more effective in many ways:

• Use your body – As an example you could punch by moving just your arm and possibly hit reasonably hard but it makes far more sense to practice better techniques. Practice a stance that will give you a firm base to punch from, the punch starts right down from the foot where a twisting motion is initiated, push your knee, push your hips, rotate at the waist and rotate your shoulders all whilst extending your arm to punch. It is a way to focus more muscle into a punch than just arm speed.

• Brace your Target – This can be done by the person being against a wall or floor or even brace the Target yourself by holding the person or limb in place whilst striking. Basically, you do not want them to move away from the strike so hold the target in place or even pull it towards the strike.

• Strike through the Target - Don’t aim at the Target but aim approximately 6 to 8 inches through it.

• Time on Target – Don’t pull your strikes back too quickly. Your strike is kept in contact for a count this helps create a maximum transfer of Energy. Striking with a larger surface also gives a better transfer of energy.

• Over loading – Strike several times to the same target. If you are targeting a motor nerve for example the repeated strikes in the same area will shut the limb down and stop it from working properly or at all.

• Target Weak or Senstive Areas – Many people know the obvious targets such as eyes, nose, solar plexus, groin, thighs, shins and insteps.

• Shouting - Helps you focus on your energy into your Strike.

Shouting alone serves many purposes:
• Startle the Attacker.
• Attract Attention of passers by.
• Create witnesses to the Attack.
• Tenses your abdominal region which will stop you being winded if you’re hit at the same time.
• Helps you focus energy into your strikes.

As a general striking rule strike with hard to soft and soft to hard – For example:
• Elbows to Ribs
• Knee to Thigh
• Knee to groin
• Head to Nose
• Palms to head
Avoid punching to the head if possible. It’s so easy to break knuckles and fingers as the head is so hard and these days most people’s hands are pretty soft. There is also the risk of someone transmitting nasty infections or even HIV or hepatitis via puncture wounds from the teeth to the knuckles. You can hit just has hard with the palm of your hand with much less risk of injury to yourself.

Further Targeting and Striking
When working with these sensitive areas, pressure points or motor nerve points, full on strikes would cause lasting damage and even 5% strikes can have an effect on people, sometimes there is even a delay before the reaction. Due to this, we are very careful. Striking these areas can have the effect of shutting down that limb and can also cause unconsciousness. Be warned that strikes to the Throat could cause permanent damage to the throat and even result in death so this must be treated very cautiously in Training and only used in a true Self Defense situation. The same caution is necessary with strikes to the eyes, you must treat this with total caution in training and only use firm strikes in a real Self Defense situation.

Train Hard / Fightwize

By Malcolm Bale - 2nd Degree Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu http://www.fightwize.com/Self-Defence-Courses.htm

Alberta Self Defence run classes and courses for Men, Women and Children. Learn Escape Techniques, Targeting and Striking, Ground Defence, Keychain Defence, Take Downs and Hold Downs. See http://www.fightwize.com/Self-Defence-Courses.htm

© 2005, fightwize.com

You may reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided the author name and URL remain intact.

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Alberta_self_defence@yahoo.ca

The director of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain says the structure looks like it came from outer space, that it landed here thousands of years ago.

He’s speaking about architect Frank Gehry’s remarkable design, which resembles only one other thing in the universe, another Frank Gehry building, like Disney Hall, in downtown Los Angeles.

Gehry is one of the most original architects of the last few hundred years.

The documentary about him, “Sketches of Frank Gehry,” directed by his good friend, Sidney Pollack, is more than a showcase of this genius’ structural art.

It is a very moving profile of a martial artist.

You might think I am stretching that term a bit, if you compare Gehry, who resembles the Pillsbury Doughboy, to a Bruce Lee or Chuck Norris.

But he is an ARTIST, like many of his peers, WHO FIGHTS to bring his visions into existence. Over the years he has faced down numerous detractors while subduing his internal demons of self-doubt and fear of failure.

Lately, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the term, “martial artist,” experimenting with it, bending it this way and that, as you’ll see Gehry do with construction paper to mold a model for one of his buildings.

“Martial” means military. It is the physical part of the endeavor, the visible and often exciting looking manifestation of a person’s intent and practice.

The “cool moves” are what attract many to study this discipline.

But if you invert the words to read: “artist martial,” I believe it illuminates how most modern people USE what they learn in dojos around the world.

Most contemporary folks who study martial arts will never have a physical fight with another person in their adult years. But they will have to struggle, to fight in numerous ways to pursue their own visions for their lives, to fully become responsible INDIVIDUALS.

The forces of conformity, represented at every turn in modern culture, will try to manipulate them to “fit in.” But all of us need to take responsibility to become the architects of our own lives, to eschew the illusory benefits of merging into an undistinguished mass that is touted as being greater than ourselves.

The true martial artist is an artist who is strong enough to stand on his own two feet and to proclaim: “Here’s how I see things, and my vision matters!”

“Sketches of Frank Gehry” is now available on DVD.

Best-selling author of 12 books and more than 800 articles, Dr. Gary S. Goodman is considered a foremost expert in telephone effectiveness, customer service, and sales development. A top-rated speaker, seminar leader, and consultant, his clients extend across the organizational spectrum, from the Fortune 1000 to small businesses. He can be reached at: gary@customersatisfaction.com.

I would never disrespect one fighting art over another. I would recommend that you look into the various types available to you and ensure the one that you choose satisfies your criteria, whether you want to be more involved in a traditional art, a competitive sport, keep fit, a family recreation or purely for self defense. Go and watch a few classes and see what you think for yourself, talk to the instructor and if it’s Self defense that you are interested in and then ensure that they dedicate a large portion of their instruction specifically to self defense training.

The Martial Arts of the Far East have become systems of Sport or have become an art consisting of pre – arranged moves and one step sparring techniques. This is far removed from their Martial beginnings. Traditional martial arts often dedicate a great deal of time to Kata, which are sequences of moves and techniques, simulating a person taking on one or more opponents. Often they involve speed, power, great poise and flexibility. These can be a good training aid but offer little assistance when it comes to practical modern self defense. Many arts do not prepare you for when an attacker comes in close contact or takes you to the ground as these may not be techniques that are allowed under the rules of a particular style. Remember in a street fight or attack, anything goes.

For a moment, picture two athletes in a tournament facing each other. They have prepared for weeks or even months, physically they are in great shape. Keep looking and first let’s take away the referee together with the rules that he was there to enforce, now anything goes, they’re not restricted to the same variety of moves that they are both accustomed to. Take away the gloves, the foot pads, padded head gear, groin protector and mouth guard. Take away the matting and replace it with concrete, let’s add some brick walls and remove the lighting. Take away the crowd and anyone else there who may have been ready to jump in and break them apart as one guy is beat beyond unconscious. In fact let’s change the environment to a back alley, a back lane, maybe a kitchen, a bedroom or even a lounge and let’s make available all the weapons in each of these environments: glass, steel bars, screw drivers, knives and other items that you may not even recognize as a weapon. There is a different type of mind set required for a street encounter that is not necessarily covered by the average Martial Arts class.

In most cases it may not even be such an organized stand off but most likely be initiated with a blind sided attack, a mugging or even an attempted rape. Change the odds and replace one of the fighters with another who is fifty pounds lighter so it’s no longer a match fight, change the attacker to two men or more. Now many of these competitive athletes may well be in great physical shape but are they prepared mentally for such an encounter? In most cases, the answer is no. Many experienced martial artists have gone to pieces in a street fight mainly because of the mind set required and also, what works in the training hall may not be practical on the street, especially if space is restricted.

Would you choose to hang around to see how you faired in a situation where the odds are stacked against you? I’d suggest right now that if there’s a front door take it, if there’s not then take the back door and if there are no doors then make one. If you prefer you can always be the guy remembered for taking on 4 guys and never made it. Avoid, Escape and Attack should be your options, in that order. The point here is that just because someone is considered an expert in the Dojo, in a particular style, it does not necessarily mean that they are an expert in Self Defense. In some cases they may well be but the two do not go hand in hand.

Violent situations are often glamorized by Hollywood with a hero using an array of fancy techniques against numerous attackers with an assortment of weapons but the reality is anything but, it’s bloody, gruesome, and dirty and often ends in death. Those lucky enough to survive may end up with broken bones, smashed in faces, or any number of serious injuries, in many cases causing physical and mental scars that may never heal. On the street the attacker has never read the rules and attack with surprise and cunning showing no mercy on victims who look least aware.

It is important to train and practice in a way that you would like to react if you ever did face a real situation. If you are always pulling your punches two inches away from hitting the target in training then the chances are that your natural reaction under pressure may well be the same. In training get your attacker padded up so you can react with some real full on blows. You don’t want your training partners to always be compliant either, ask them to resist and make it difficult and you do the necessary to make the techniques work.

Malcolm Bale 2nd Degree Blackbelt in Jiu-Jitsu http://www.fightwize.com

Download our FREE Self Defence Book - http://www.fightwize.com/self-defense-book.htm

© 2005, fightwize.com

You may reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided the author name and URL remain intact.

If you are a martial arts expert, then you may be interested in starting your own business with demonstrations for those interested in getting an introduction into the technique. When starting a martial arts business, you will want to charge a reasonable fee to entice your guests into attending your class. If you want them to return, you will need to introduce new techniques and martial arts demonstrations at each meeting.

A martial arts class will involve students practicing and perfecting various techniques, which means you will need to have a building with ample floor space. The mat area should be padded to help students avoid injuries when they fall. Due to the nature of the martial arts industry, you may be required to pay a higher fee when it comes to liability insurance. For additional information and requirements, a local insurance agent will be able to answer all questions pertaining to insurance relating to hosting a martial arts class.

When it comes to getting the word out about any new business, the task can often be daunting. One of the best ways to begin is through self-promotion, which includes the use of press releases, local radio stations and a website. Paid advertisements are good if you have the budget, but most new business owners are struggling just to stay afloat. Regardless of whether you are working with a budget or simply don’t want to pay the high prices for a print ad, consider free promotion as the best money you will never spend.

A press release, which consists of up to one page, is a marketing expert’s best friend. If you are opening a new business, running a membership special or have recently added a new program to your martial arts class, consider writing a brief press release and submitting it to local newspapers, magazines and/or television stations. The beginning of the press release should mention your news and conclude with a brief paragraph about your business and/or your training as an instructor. If you have a photo to accompany your news, the chances of having your news published is even greater as editors always appreciate a quality photo to go along with a story.

The next step on your way to a popular martial arts business will be found with local radio stations. Every DJ runs on-air contests and may be willing to work with you in your quest for free publicity. In exchange for your granting the radio station permission to give away free martial arts instruction to selected radio callers, you will be getting free publicity as the station announces the giveaway and provides details about your new business location. This is one of the most excellent, and overlooked, forms of publicity.

Other ways to promote a new martial arts business would include creating a website and promoting it through the use of article marketing, link exchanges and press release submission websites. When word begins to spread about your new company, you may begin to notice a gradual increase in potential martial arts students. If needed, continue to repeat the promotional steps to include new press releases, membership specials and radio promotions until your company is off the ground and running.

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In a very stressful situation, the pressure, confusion or adrenalin has affected you to a point so you cannot remember even simple techniques but if there is one point to work on here is to practice striking straight back at your attacker, targeting weak or sensitive areas. No attack on you should go unanswered! Practice targeting and striking Techniques often enough and you can make these simple reactions as part of your muscle memory, this way you can react automatically without having to think about what your next move will be.

React quickly and aim to startle your attacker. Some strikes will feel rather awkward to you if you have never used them before. It is important that you actually practice striking so that they do feel more natural to you. Do not just go through the motions but practice on a punch bag or striking shield, if you can’t get these then use some form of padding that you have at home, even use a rolled up sleeping bag if you have nothing else. The more you practice the more natural the striking techniques will feel for you. The other advantage to practicing is that you can make the strikes an instinctive reaction if you have practiced enough.

Think of yourself as a small grenade, nice to look at but when your pin is pulled you explode with everything you have. Ensure you strike in combinations of no less than three. The reason is because one strike from you will be blocked, two strikes might well be but three strikes and beyond become almost impossible for the average person to stop, especially if they are well aimed strikes delivered with ferocity.

Switch your strikes between various Targets. Always aim for those weak and sensitive areas where you will get maximum results. The eyes, nose, throat, solar plexus, groin, femoral nerves, shin, instep and so on. Stick to the rule of striking hard to soft or soft to hard such as palm to head, palm to nose, and elbows to mid section. Strike with speed and rotate your body into strikes to maximize power. Shout as you strike startling the attacker, attracting attention and creating witnesses to the assault.

If it’s a predator type of attack then this may well be all that’s required for them to abort as they were not looking for a fight but just an easy meal. Whatever type of attacker it is, react quickly and get the confrontation finished with as quickly as possible, get yourself to safety and always report an incident to the Police.

When you practice, experiment with different combinations; see which ones you feel most comfortable with and which ones you think are most effective. Practice shouting out loud phrases like “Let go” or “Leave me alone”. Anything that is going to attract attention, letting other people know that you are the one being attacked. This may be vital evidence if you end up causing serious harm to the attacker.

If you practice striking regular enough, your methods of striking can become instinctive. You do not have to wait to be attacked in order to defend yourself, provocation is enough. If you really feel threatened enough by someone then you have the right to defend yourself. If you wait to be attacked, it could well be too late!

You ultimate goal is still to get away to safety but reacting quickly with ferocity may actually be a life saving strategy even if it’s just to create a time window for you to get away.

TRAIN HARD - FIGHTWIZE

By Malcolm Bale - 2nd Degree Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu http://www.fightwize.com/Self-Defence.htm

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