If you’re a martial artist and you haven’t seen the movie, “A History of Violence,” you should.

In fact, I’m surprised it didn’t get more recognition at the Academy Awards.

There are lots of movies that have been commended to me to demonstrate various aspects of courage and positive values. Included are “Braveheart,” “The Last Samurai,” “Rob Roy,” and “Gladiator.”

But none of these really delves into the NECESSITY and INTIMACY of violence the way “History” does.

Tom Stall, the main character, owns a small café in an out of the way Indiana town. This is the type of place where you have to say “Hi” or “Hey” to people who pass by. I’ve lived in a very similar Hoosier haunt, and this film captures the ambiance very well.

One evening, two certified bad guys enter the café at closing time, and Stall tries to discourage them, but he relents and pours them coffee. The situation rapidly deteriorates, and Stall is the last man standing, having shown killing moves of which he wasn’t thought capable.

His response puts him on the evening news, seemingly everywhere. More bad guys descend on his café, intimidate his family, and put him in a “flight or fight” situation.

There is a central mystery in the film that I won’t discuss, because that would give away essentials of the plot.

But here are some of the key points I derive from this film that I believe are applicable to all martial artists:

(1) Some fights can’t be avoided. Be prepared for them, always, and do what you must, without hesitation or remorse. It’s “right to fight” more often than you might have been taught.

(2) A famous philosopher said, “Strength is the ultimate virtue.” Is it more important than love? Can love find a home without the strength needed to protect and to shelter it?

(3) Battles are often not between good and evil, but between extreme and lesser evils. They aren’t the same. A trace of virtue is better than none at all, and may be completely defensible.

(4) Personal transformation is possible and desirable, but the dead hand of the past will still reach out for us, so beware. Your past will find you, and no matter how you interpret it, today, others will have a competing vision that they’ll refuse to let go. We’ll always be confronted with who we were, or at least with whom others think we were.

I’ve seen this movie twice, and I’ll probably watch it another dozen times, getting more nuances with each viewing.

I believe it will be worth your time to watch it with some fellow martial artists. The physicality of it will get your attention, but long after, the issues it raises will truly impress you, and possibly change you.

And you’ll probably come away asking, “How much am I like Tom Stall?”

Dr. Gary S. Goodman, President of Customersatisfaction.com, is a popular keynote speaker, management consultant, and seminar leader and the best-selling author of 12 books, including Reach Out & Sell Someone® and Monitoring, Measuring & Managing Customer Service, and the audio program, “The Law of Large Numbers: How To Make Success Inevitable,” published by Nightingale-Conant. A Ph.D. from USC’s Annenberg School, a Loyola lawyer, and an MBA from the Peter F. Drucker School at Claremont Graduate University, Gary offers programs through UCLA Extension and numerous universities, trade associations, and other organizations in the United States and abroad. Headquartered in Glendale, California, he can be reached at (818) 243-7338 or at: gary@customersatisfaction.com.

For more information about coaching, consulting, training, books, videos and audios, please go to: http://www.customersatisfaction.com

In my years as a self-defense instructor, I have tried and tested many training methods to find out the fastest, most effective way to produce the best results in the shortest time possible.

I don’t run a self-defense club or ongoing long-term classes. My "specialty" is short-term courses and seminars. I need to share knowledge and teach physical skills in the shortest time possible. And that training has to "stick."

I don’t "train" people. I teach them how to train themselves. I encourage my clients to take full responsibility for their own learning process and the results that they produce. There are many excellent resources out there, but that’s all they are…

Information is inert until you apply it to accomplish something. Its up to you, study and apply them.

One of the most powerful methods I’ve found to teach proper punching and striking skills in the fastest, most efficient way is FOCUS PAD training.

WHAT ARE FOCUS PADS?

Focus pads (also called focus mitts, coaching pads, punch mitts and target pads) are flat, hand-held pads that are about 12 inches in diameter.

They are made of dense foam covered in leather or vinyl. They have been used in boxing, kickboxing and martial arts training for ages.

HOW ARE THEY USED?

The pads are held by a coach or training partner at different ranges, positions and levels. The puncher and pad holder work together to build offensive and defensive skills, sharpen reflexes and condition the body.

THE BENEFITS OF FOCUS PAD TRAINING

Focus pads are cheap, portable and easy to find. They are an excellent training investment that allow you to conduct a wide variety of drills for the development of several combative qualities.

If you’re still undecided about whether or not focus pad training is right for you, here are some of the benefits.

FOCUS PAD TRAINING IS FUN AND CHALLENGING!

Focus pad training is a blast. Partner training with focus pads allows you to perform a wide variety of drills and "fighting games."

Because there are so many ways to use focus pads, it’s easy to keep your training fun and interesting. And most importantly… if you enjoy doing something, you’ll do it more often.

FOCUS PADS ARE INEXPENSIVE

You can pick up a pair of focus pads at a good sporting goods or martial art supply store. A decent pair will set you back about 50 to 70 bucks.

You’ll also need a good pair of bag gloves or boxing gloves to protect your knuckles. They’ll cost you about the same. $100 bucks for a full-blown training system seems like a pretty decent investment to me!

FOCUS PADS ARE PORTABLE

Unlike equipment such as heavy bags, focus pads are small, light and extremely portable. You can throw them in a sport bag or knapsack and take them pretty much anywhere.

Because they don’t have to be installed or mounted, they are excellent where room is limited or its impractical to install more cumbersome equipment.

FOCUS PADS DEVELOP EXCELLENT HITTING SKILLS FAST

If I had to teach you how to hit properly, in the shortest time possible, I’d use focus pads. If you already knew how to punch but you wanted to improve and refine you hitting skills, again I’d recommend focus pad work.

Because the pads are relatively small, they develop accuracy.

Because they can be moved quickly into different positions and at different angles, they are one of the best methods available for working punches in combination.

Because they can be moved dynamically and even pulled out of the way, they can be used to develop quick thinking and "non-telegraphic" delivery.

FOCUS PADS SUPPLEMENT HEAVY BAG TRAINING

All impact training stresses the body. If you hit too hard or too often you’re going to get injured. The problem is that punching power increases faster than the body can adapt and become resilient enough to withstand that impact energy.

There is a period of "adaptation" required before for tendons and ligaments become stronger and more resilient.

It takes about 6 to 10 weeks of more moderate training before all out, full power hitting efforts can be performed safely. That’s where focus pads come in.

For starters, there is far less resistance to hitting a focus pad than a 60 to 100 lb heavy bag. That allows you to work on your punching power with less strain on your joints and connective tissues. This allows you to work your way up to more demanding heavy bag training which is undeniably harder on the body.

If you already do heavy bag work, you can do your focus pad work on days in between your heavy bag sessions. That will afford you some "active recovery" and the ability to continue working on your hitting skills while giving your body a time to recover.

FOCUS PADS IMPROVE YOUR SPARRING AND FIGHTING SKILLS

If you ever watch a good fighter sparring, you’ll notice that he begins to react to being punched at BEFORE the punch is even thrown.

Its almost as if he is reading their opponent’s mind and anticipating what is about to happen before it does.

What is actually happening is that by being punched (or kicked) at over and over again, the brain begins to interpret the meaning of certain positions, weight distributions and body signals.

When holding the pads and watching various punches travelling in your direction, you begin to establish "pattern recognition" which will enhance your ability to anticipate and defend yourself from attack.

STRESS INOCULATION (HIT PSYCHOLOGY)

Many people are terrified with the idea of being hit in a fight. Just as many are uncomfortable with the idea of punching another human being. (I’m not sure why because I kinda like it!

In fact, because it is an "unknown" people are far more concerned about being hit than they should be. Speaking from the perspective of someone who has been punched, hit and kicked thousands and thousands of time; its not so bad! You do not want to be terrified by the idea of being hit or overwhelmed if it happens.

I refer to your comfort level with the idea of hitting and being hit as "Hit Psychology." People with weak hit psychology are more prone to panic or "freeze up" in a combative situation. They can become overwhelmed by an exaggerated and unnecessary fear of the encounter and perform poorly.

We have a term for that in the self-defense field… Its called, "NOT GOOD!"

Stress inoculation is a process of de-sensitizing someone to the fear of combat by exposing them to controlled amounts of impact in a low stress, non- threatening environment.

In a short period of time, the student finds that situations that formerly terrified her are far more manageable and even enjoyable!

FIGHT-RELATED CONDITIONING

Did you know that conditioning is "exercise specific?" If you are a runner, your body will become fit and accustom to running but not nearly as much for swimming or cycling.

If you work out on an elliptical machine, your body gets more efficient at working out on an elliptical machine. Your body adapts and improves specific to the activity that you are participating in. So what you ask?

I’ll tell you what… the best way to condition your body for fighting is by mimicking movements and actions that are like fighting. It’s as simple as that.

I have trained with people who would be considered extremely fit athletically but tire very quickly when introduced to combative training drills.

The good news is that there are a wide variety of combative drills that you can do with focus pads that will tone the muscles, build your stamina and endurance and enhance your self-defense performance.

SO… what I’m saying is this. Not only is combative training such as pad work an excellent, whole body form of exercise. The conditioning provides fitness qualities directly relevant to self-defense and fighting.

FOCUS PAD TRAINING BURNS FAT

Many people undertake ongoing martial arts and self-defense training to get into shape… and more specifically to lose weight (excess body fat) and regain a lean and mean physique. Focus pad training is excellent for fat loss. Here’s why…

Not that long ago, the belief was that the best way to lose body fat was through LSD (long slow distance) aerobic exercise. In other words, low intensity exercise that was sustained for at least 20 to 30 minutes. The theory was that during exercise your body uses fat as a fuel source at lower intensity and it burns glucose instead of fat at higher intensity levels.

That might be true, but the assumption was that fat loss is based on the amount of calories you burned during your workout. That’s not the case. The amount of calories you burn during your exercises session is minimal.

What does matter is the extra calories you burn BETWEEN your workouts.

Fat burning is accomplished more effectively by interval training. Interval training involves periods of moderate to high intensity exertion intersperse with low intensity periods to catch your breath and recover your energy in between.

This type of training will increase your metabolism for hours after your workout and you will burn more overall calories and body fat.

Focus pads are excellent for interval training.

FOCUS PAD TRAINING REDUCES STRESS

There have been very few evolutionary changes in the human body in millions of years. One thing that has not changed is our survival mechanism. The body is predisposed to "fighting or fleeing" from a threatening situation.

What HAS changed however is the fact that in modern day life, most of the "threats" we perceive are not actual, physical threats and do not merit kicking butt or running off. So what happens is that we activate this "fight or flight response" but do neither.

A host of chemical and physical changes occur that, if left unchecked become toxic and unhealthy. That is why exercise is so healthy and such a great way to manage stress.

I suggest that cardiovascular exercise satisfies the body’s need for flight. I believe that impact training such as hitting a pair of focus pads or a heavy bag satisfies the bodies evolutionary need to fight.

FOCUS PAD TRAINING MAKES YOU MENTALLY TOUGHER

Mental Toughness is the ability to be effective, healthy and happy regardless of the challenges and stressors in your life. It involves building your ability to cope with stress by repeatedly exposing yourself to stress and then recovering from it.

The more you do this the tougher you get on a physical, mental and emotional level. Focus pad training can be used to improve your mental toughness in two ways.

Physiologically, The interval training that I’ve already mentioned builds mental toughness. Doing "round training." (intervals of exertion interspersed with short periods of recovery) teaches your body to expend energy and then recover. This expend, recover, expend, recover process makes you tougher and more emotionally resilient.

Another opportunity that focus pads provide is the ability to design "never give up drills." I’ve referred to this in my Power Punching Guide as "blitz" training.

Blitz training is an advance training method that involves going "all out" for a predetermined period of time. You push yourself through the pain of lactic acid in your muscles and the discomfort of being winded and push, push push yourself until you reach the end of the drill.

This is not only a terrific conditioner for your body but it is also an excellent mental exercise to teach you on of the most important traits that you can have for self-defense: "NEVER GIVE UP."

FINAL THOUGHTS

Bottom line… if want to develop and refine your punching skills quickly, condition your body with fight-related exercise and design challenging and versatile training sessions then take a serious look at focus pad training.

Randy LaHaie
Randy@ToughenUp.com

Randy LaHaie is the president of Protective Strategies and has been teaching reality-based self-defense for over 30 years. He is the author of several "Toughen Up Combative Training Guides" (http://www.ToughenUp.com)

Subscribe to his Free Self-Defense Newsletter at http://www.ProtectiveStrategies.com

Wushu is a Chinese term which is basically built of two word combinations "wu" which refers to martial and "shu" which stands for arts, so it generally refers to any type of martial arts on the globe . Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Jeet Kune Do, Defendo, Krav Maga, Kombato and more. Unlike kung fu, the term wushu is topically dedicated to what it refers to, while kung fu on the other hand, literally means a skill, just any skill. For example you can say of a doctor or a teacher "he has a good kung fu" which means skill, if he is talented in his field, but you can’t say he has a good wushu. Though nowadays wushu refers to the recent sport, namely "wushu sport " and also called "contemporary wushu " or "modern wushu " which was created by People’s Republic of China after 1949, which is a combination of traditional Chinese martial arts.

Wushu’s earlier development was to enhance the opportunity of living, like killing animals for food, combat against others, live tough situations and more. There are still a lot of wushu styles in china which can be generally divided into few branches in terms of geographical region and in terms of methods. Geographically, wushu is categorised as northern style wushu and southern style wushu which basically refers to Northern Shaolin temple and southern Shaolin temple, although in the modern meaning of wushu, the term encompasses any style that originates either from the south or the north. The basic difference between this two styles is that the southern wushu style emphasizes hand skills, tough arms and a steady, ingrained stance and footwork. However, the northern style focus more on jumps, kicks and rapid movements.

Some examples of the northern Chinese wushu styles include Changquan, Tanglangquan, Chuojiao, Bajiquan, Taijiquan, Baguazhang, Bayingquan, and Yingzhaoquan and some of the southern styles include Hung Gar, Wing Chun, and Choy Lay Fut.

In terms of methods, wushu can be divided into internal soft styles like Taijiquan which focus on the balance of body energies, control of movements and the concept of QI and External or hard styles which are topical fighting styles focusing on speed, strength, deep explosive power and vigor. External styles include all other types of Wushu, except for, Liu He Ba Fa, Baguazhang ,Xingyiquan, and Taijiquan.

Most of these styles and other Chinese martial arts have practical applications which are known as forms, or "taolu" in Chinese. Forms are series of techniques and movements which are to be performed alone or with one or more partners. This form is divided into two parts; forms that are performed by one parson and "sparring" forms which are performed by two or a group of people.

The other side of the training are "basics" which include exercises for strong and flexible muscles. such as various exercises for strengthening the body, and regular stretching for flexible muscles. Most of Chinese martial arts also uses weapon training normally chines traditional weapons like Changsuijian (Long-Tasseled Sword) Shuangshoujian (Two-Handed Sword) Jiujiebian (Nine Section Whip) Sanjiegun (Three Section Staff) Shengbiao (Rope Dart) Dadao (Great Sword) Pudao (Pu Sword) Emeici (Emei Daggers) Shuangdao (Double Broadsword) Shuangjian (Double Sword) Shuangbian (Double Nine Section Whips) Shuanggou (Double Hooksword).

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Martial Arts

The thought of being punched is unsettling to most people. Unless you have a history of participating in contact sports, the fear of being hit can be intimidating and can compromise your ability to defend yourself. In a confrontation the chance of being hit is significant.

What if you were struck, kicked or knocked down in a violent encounter? Would you be able to shrug it off and stay focused on defending yourself? If you want to enhance your ability to defend yourself, you need to come to terms with the reality of being hit.

Boxing and kickboxing training have become very popular with both men and woman as a means of developing all around fitness, skill, coordination, timing and reflexes. Just as importantly, training with boxing gloves improves your emotional resilience y "de-sensitizing" you to impact and reducing your fear of being hit. What’s more, this training can be safe and enjoyable.

This article contains:

=> the benefits of boxing glove training drills => advice to improve training and reduce the

potential for injury => recommendations about the equipment you need

BENEFITS OF BOXING GLOVE DRILLS

Far too often, people walk away from a self- defense class with a false perception of their own effectiveness. There is a good chance that defensive skills were not included in the training and if they were, they were probably in response to a static, predictable and unrealistic "attack."

Incorporating light to medium contact boxing glove drills provides you with experience in responding to actual blows. Contact work, if properly done, can make you more resilient and relaxed in a confrontation.

Psychologists call this "de-sensitization." You deliberately and repeatedly expose yourself to something you fear (being hit) and that fear will dissipate.

Before long, you can be "hit" several times during a training session and think nothing of it.

=================================================
NOTE: When I say, "hit" I am not talking about a full force, solid punch to the head. I am referring to light to moderate impact, with protective equipment, during training drills consistent with your physical condition and skill level.
=================================================

TRAINING ADVICE

If you are considering incorporating some light boxing glove drills I congratulate you. However, I must also caution you that if done improperly, this training can be counterproductive and result in injury.

Keep these issues in mind when participating training with boxing gloves:

DRILLS ARE NOT SPARRING

Unless you are already skilled at self-defense or martial arts, I do not advocate "sparring" on your own. For "self training" purposes I recommend simple, controlled training drills. If you are interested in sparring, I encourage you to seek out a qualified instructor and participate under supervision.

TRAIN WITH A NON-COMPETITIVE MINDSET

Nothing sabotages the quality of impact training like a competitive attitude. In order to train safely and gain maximum benefit, avoid "keeping score" or trying to out do your partner. The best way to de-sensitize yourself to impact is keep it light, non-threatening, and view being hit with disinterest. Learn to relax and have fun.

TRAIN AT THE THRESHOLD OF ERROR

How intense should this training be? In impact training, intensity refers to the speed andforce of the strikes being thrown.

In an unsupervised, self-training session punch lightly and train on the "threshold" of occasional errors.

If you are making no mistakes and successful defending yourself against each and every blow, chances are the training is too easy. If you are being hit repeatedly, it is unlikely you are developing anything useful.

Adjust the speed and complexity of your drills based on an occasional strike landing.

DESIGN YOUR OWN DRILLS

I wrote this article in response to requests from students of my self-defense and defensive tactics seminars. I assume that the reader has knowledge of basic defensive skills.

Start slow and simple by having your partner throw a single attack. Gradually change the timing, the order and the number of strikes. Use your own "threshold of error" to determine the speed and complexity. Focus on relaxing and enjoying yourself.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO THIS TRAINING?

In order to conduct this training safely, you need the right equipment. It’s easy to justify the cost of training equipment when you realize that this training not only de-sensitizes you to impact but also is also excellent for conditioning and skill development.

You will need the following:

A TRAINING PARTNER

Duh!!! Obviously you’ll need a training partner. Notice I said training "partner; not training "opponent."

If your partner is not mature and trustworthy don’t bother!

The idea is to conduct this training in a safe and cooperative manner. Competing or proving how tough you are will get someone hurt.

BOXING GLOVES

I recommend a decent pair of 14-16 ounce boxing gloves. These are firm enough to provide some impact energy but padded enough to reduce the potential for injury. Look for good quality gloves with Velcro around the wrists instead of laces.

A MOUTH GUARD

A good "boil and bite" plastic mouth guard can be picked up at just about any sporting goods store for a few dollars. These guards are soaked in hot water until they are soft and then they can be molded to your teeth with your fingers. (read the instructions!)

Mouth guards prevent you from biting your tongue or chipping your teeth. The can also reduce the potential for a concusion if you were to take a hard blow to the head. (which shouldn’t happen if you’re training properly)

GROIN(AND/OR BREAST) PROTECTION

Wear groin protection. Boxers use equipment that protects not only the groin but the kidneys as well. If you can afford the boxing gear fine, but if you are doing only light, controlled impact work, a regular athletic groin protector will do. I encourage women to invest in athletic breast protectors.

HEADGEAR

Boxing headgear is an optional piece of equipment you might want to invest in. If you are going to get into sparring and more intense training, I highly recommend it. However, for lighter, more controlled "de-sensitization" training, it is not necessary.

CONCLUSION

If you are interested in developing realistic self defense skills you must come to terms with the reality that you might get hit. Self-doubt or being overwhelmed with fear compromises successful defense.

Properly conducted impact training is an excellent fear management strategy that will enhance your resilience and effectiveness.

Randy LaHaie
www.ProtectiveStrategies.com

Randy LaHaie is the president of Protective Strategies and has been teaching reality-based self-defense for over 30 years. He is the author of several "Toughen Up Combative Training Guides" (http://www.ToughenUp.com)

Subscribe to his Free Self-Defense Newsletter at http://www.ProtectiveStrategies.com.

Mom, can I take karate lessons?
It’s a question that’s bound to come up if you’re raising boys – and increasingly girls. Martial arts training has become as popular with girls as dance and gymnastics used to be. The media attention to such martial sports and fighting arts as kickboxing, muay thai, karate, jiu-jitsu, tae kwon do and other forms of martial arts have fueled their popularity among youth and adults.

One of the least discussed aspects of martial arts training among non-initiates is the equipment and gear that you’ll need. If you or your child(ren) are considering signing up for martial arts classes, here’s a brief overview of the types of equipment that you may need to purchase for training.

Uniforms
Martial arts uniforms may all look alike to the uninitiated, but each style of the martial arts has specific styles of uniforms that have evolved or been designed specifically to fit that style of fighting and competition. Many schools sell the uniform that they expect you to wear for class and competition, but if they don’t check with the instructor to find out exactly what you should be wearing. Some special considerations for the various forms are the following:

Tae kwon do
The tae kwon do uniform generally has a v-neck pullover top and more close-fitting pants than a standard karate uniform. Students are generally required to wear white uniform pants and shirts, while masters and instructors may wear black uniform tops. The belt is long and designed to double-wrap and tie in the front, and its color designates the training level of the wearer.

Judo
Judo focuses more on grappling and throwing techniques than on kicks and jabs. The uniform has evolved to reflect this, featuring a tighter fit and more reinforcing and padding than the uniforms worn for most other martial arts. Look for a uniform that has reinforced stitching at stress points, and quilted padding to enhance gripping ability and protection. The judo gi consists of two parts – the top or joi, and the shitibaki, loose drawstring waist pants. Student uniforms are typically white or black – though black is not officially endorsed – and competition uniforms are white or blue. In addition to practice uniforms, there may be team uniforms and competition uniforms, so be sure to check with the school or instructor to find out what kind of uniform you’ll need for various events.

Martial arts equipment – shoes and footwear
As with most other aspects of martial arts training, footwear is often decided by the individual dojo or instructor. For many, bare feet is the only acceptable footwear in class. Others require students to wear shoes with flexible, soft, gripping soles. Major sports shoe manufacturers like Adidas make shoes designed especially for wearing in martial arts training and competition.

Protective Martial arts equipment
In addition to the uniforms, you may also be required to purchase protective gear for training and sparring. At the very least, most schools and instructors require that students wear mouth guards when sparring, and may require that students wear head protectors, chest guards, shin guards, athletic protectors and wrist/hand guards. The uniforms in some forms of martial arts are designed to offer protection, but it’s not a standard rule. As with uniforms, check with the school or instructor to find out what sort of protective martial arts equipment you’ll need.

Training Equipment for Martial Arts
More advanced students may be looking for training equipment to continue their training at home. Among the most popular and useful pieces of martial arts equipment for training are stretch bands and stretchers. These training aids offer resistance training and conditioning that are necessary to prevent injury in martial arts training and competition. Other martial arts equipment that students will encounter at the dojo include training dummies, wave trainers, body bags, breaking boards, kick shields and targets.

Martial arts weapons
For many students, the use of exotic Eastern weapons is one of the most fascinating parts of martial arts. In most martial arts forms, training with weapons is an advanced subject, not attempted until students have mastered using their own bodies and have been trained to focus their strength and power. There are, however, some forms of martial arts where empty hand and weapons training take place concurrently. The most popular martial arts weapons are the following:

Nunchaku are lengths of wood connected by a cord. In trained hands, they make an extremely effective and very flashy weapon. Possession of nunchaku is illegal in many countries. In the U.S., legality is regulated at the state level.

Escrima are staffs or sticks used for fighting and blocking.

Shuriken are also known as throwing stars. They are small bladed stars used for throwing.

This article was prepared for this Martial Arts Equipment Toronto site, please visit them for more information.

I use a generic term, "Self-Defense Keychain," to describe this device but you may have heard of it by more popular, commercial names such as "Kubaton" or "Persuader Keychain." Because, "Kubaton" is the most popular, I’ll use that term interchangeably with the one I use.

The Kubaton is a light-weight metal, plastic or wooden dowel. It’s about five inches long and one half inch in diameter. The shaft of this weapon is usually knurled or grooved so that it doesn’t slip in your hand. On one end of the Kubaton is a ring or two holding a cluster of ten to fifteen keys.

Recently, manufacturers have attempted to enhance the Kubaton with sharpened ends, telescoping tubes, spikes, enclosed canisters of pepper spray and even hidden knife blades. I won’t get into these additional "bells and whistles" and will limit my recommendation to the basic model consisting of a shaft, key rings and keys.

=====================================================

The self-defense keychain is discrete, unassuming, and convenient to carry. If used properly, it can dramatically increase the odds of surviving and escaping from a serious, life-threatening assault. I discuss the keychain during my self-defense seminars because it stands up nicely to the seven evaluation questions.

I prefer to discuss and provide information about the keychain but hesitate to make blatant recommendations about it, or any other device or weapon. I believe that the decision about whether to carry a personal safety device, and which one you carry, is YOUR decision. I prefer that you evaluate and analyze the "pros and cons" for yourself. This article is to assist you in that process process.

=====================================================

SEVEN EVALUATION QUESTIONS

If you missed the last issue of the Protective Strategies Self-Defense Newsletter (December 2000) I’ll review the seven Personal Safety Device Evaluation Questions:

1. Is it legal?
2. Will I carry it all the time?
3. Will it be immediately available when I need it?
4. Do I have legitimate confidence in my ability to use it?
5. Is it as effective as it has been held out to be?
6. Could it be taken away and used on me?
7. Am I physically, mentally and emotionally prepared to use it?

====================================== ===============

1. IS IT LEGAL?

In most jurisdictions that I am aware of, the Kubaton is legal. It can be purchased over the counter in security, martial arts and sporting goods stores. I found several online merchants selling them for $5 to $25 dollars. Because they have a utility function (to hold your keys) they can be legally carried.

— Sidebar — In Canada, the Kubaton is neither a restricted nor a prohibited weapon. It is therefore legal to carry providing it is not used for illegal purposes. They are also available across the U.S. However, if you are considering carrying a Kubaton, you might want to make your own enquiries to confirm if they are legal in your jurisdiction. — Sidebar —

2. WILL I CARRY IT ALL THE TIME?

This is the beauty of the self-defense keychain. What is the most common thing that you carry in your hand when coming or going from your vehicle, home or workplace? Your keys! Because you carry your day-to-day keys on the self-defense keychain, it is likely that you will have it in your hand more than any other object. This increases the odds that, if you are attacked, it will be in your hand and ready to go. This is a huge benefit when considering a personal safety device or weapon.

3. WILL IT BE IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE WHEN I NEED IT?

Again, the self-defense keychain is likely to be ready to go when you need it most. It’s not enough to have a Personal Safety Device in your possession. It won’t do you much good in your purse, pocket or vehicle. If you keep your keys on the keychain, it is a simple matter of establishing a habit of carrying it in your hand whenever you leave your home.

4.DO I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY ABILITY TO USE IT?

There are a number of "SILLY" techniques associated with the Kubaton. They include fancy wristlocks, takedowns, releases from holds and other elaborate techniques that just won’t stand up in the stress and chaos of a real-world confrontation. Even if they did work (which they don’t) they would require extensive practice and training to become competent.

Secondly, in a stressful encounter, only simple, large-muscle actions can be performed effectively. For that reason, a practical self-defense system must be simple and have as few techniques as possible. The system that I teach, for example, consists of three basic striking methods that are natural and consistent with what one would conceivably do during a combative situation.

Because the Kubaton is a hard object, it concentrates and intensifies the striking energy that is transferred into the assailant. Even with minimal training, a keychain strike is far more likely to incapacitate a violent assailant than an empty-handed response.

5. IS IT AS EFFECTIVE AS IT HAS BEEN HELD OUT TO BE?

When used properly, the self-defense keychain is a devastating weapon with potential to seriously injure and incapacitate a violent attacker. For that reason, it should only be used in situations where you reasonably believe the attack is serious and life threatening. You must also believe that you don’t have less forceful alternatives available to protect yourself.

— Sidebar — WAIVER - Because of the potential consequences of using a personal safety weapon, I need to be clear that I provide this information for educational purposes only. How you use the information is up to you. Refer to my disclaimer statement at: http://www.protectivestrategies.com/disclaimer.html — Sidebar —

6.COULD IT BE TAKEN AWAY AND USED ON ME?

The honest answer to this question is, "yes." ANY personal safety weapon: a knife, pepper spray or a shoe for that matter, can potentially be taken away and used on you in the same fashion you intended to use it on your assailant.

However, the general consensus amongst my seminar candidates is that the benefits of having one outweigh the possibility of losing it. A benefit of the self-defense keychain is that the assailant may not recognize it as a weapon and, if he did gain access to it, wouldn’t think to use it as one.

It is important to consider the potential of being disarmed when carrying a personal safety weapon. Acknowledge the possibility of dropping or losing it and do everything you can to prevent it from falling into the hands of your attacker.

7. AM I PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY PREPARED TO USE IT?

This is a question only you can answer. Don’t just buy a self-defense keychain, attach it to your keys and carry it around expecting that you will magically resort to it if you are ever attacked. A basic, self-defense response system should be learned and practiced when adopting this device.

Developing competence does not require thousands of repetitions and hours of training. However, you should spend some time learning how to prepare and grip the weapon as well as how and where to strike an assailant for maximum effectiveness.

Ideally, you should seek out instruction from a competent self-defense keychain instructor. However, if the system is simple enough (as mine is) I believe you can teach yourself the basic skills you need from a manual.

The keychain basics are simple and not hard to learn. Using the keychain will intensify the destructiveness of your response to a violent attack and increase the potential of escaping death or serious injury. Learn the basic concepts (mental preparation). Practice the basic strikes (physical preparation). The only thing left is to develop the emotional resolve to do whatever it takes to protect yourself and survive!

==================================================

CONCLUSION

Whether you decide to explore the issue of the self-defense keychain further; whether you decide to buy and carry one, is entirely up to you. I can provide you only with information to assist you with that decision making process but ultimately you must take full responsibility for your personal safety and draw your own conclusions about what is and isn’t right for you. If you’ve read this far, I’m sure you’ll make a wise choice.

Take care, train smart and stay safe,

Randy LaHaie

====================== So What? ==========================

Now that you have this information, what good is it to you? Before we get into that, let me be clear on a VERY IMPORTANT POINT. I am NOT an advocate of carrying a weapon or device as a "PRIMARY" self-defense strategy. A PSD is a piece of the overall puzzle but not nearly as effective as developing a comprehensive and balanced personal safety strategy.

Your "BRAIN" is your primary tool for staying safe. Your mental, physical and emotional development determines your ability to avoid and detect danger and to deal with it effectively if it does arise.

Fighting back… especially with a weapon, should be considered a last resort, not a first, and especially not the only one you have! If you must fight back, the keychain will help, but don’t lose sight of the need to explore and develop the other components of self-defense that will have a greater affect on your ability to stay safe.

The keychain is just one more tool in your "self-defense tool box." Keep Looking for and developing other skills, knowledge and response options. That’s why we say one "STUDIES" self-defense. It’s an on going process. We can’t buy it, borrow it or carry it in our pocket. Don’t forget that.

================== Self-Defense Quote ====================

"Remember: it’s not the weapon that counts so much as how you use it. Even the most commonplace or seemingly harmless item becomes an efficient weapon when directed toward the vulnerable parts of the human body. Household weapons are often at your fingertips, so use them!"

Al Marrewa
The Feminine Warrior
A Woman’s Guide to Verbal, Psychological and Physical Empowerment

============================================================

Randy LaHaie is the president of Protective Strategies and has been teaching reality-based self-defense for over 30 years. He is the author of several "Toughen Up Combative Training Guides" (http://www.ToughenUp.com)

Subscribe to his FREE SELF-DEFENSE NEWSLETTER at http://www.ProtectiveStrategies.com

Swords of Honor will now carry the quality made swords called Generation 2. These swords will include Roman Gladius swords, Scottish swords, Celtic swords, Crusader swords, Viking swords, Movie and Fantasy swords, and more. Also, a very special limited edition "Iron Mistress" is now available in limited quantities.

The manufacturer is now producing the new swords (unlike any they have ever produced) with all new specifications, and a new tempering process that will truly make the Generation2* swords ready to win the Steel-to-SteelSM challenge. Each piece of the sword or knife and each scabbard it made and fit for just that piece, not mass produced and mass assembled. Each one is meticulously done, but yes at different specialized stations.

All tangs are a continuation of the blade that runs completely through the handle and connects to the pommel (not the thin rod used in most all swords). Although they are historically correct in appearance, specifications were set to produce a sword that could withstand the riggers of steel to steel and not produce a failure.

The first test was on several 2"x 4"s standing up and split them with no marring on the blade. The second test was on a 2"x 4" cross ways resting on a solid rest and striking straight down. It did not cut all the way through, but it did cut deep and again did not mar the blade or edge. Then the ultimate test was Steel-to-Steel *, with 9 good blows. These tests resulted in NO breakage or looseness developing in the blade, tang, or handle of the swords.

* Steel to Steel Swords is the Service mark of Generation2 / Imperial Co., Inc. Copyright© 2001 -2004 all rights reserved.

Check out these fine swords and many more at http://www.swordsofhonor.com.

Swords of Honor was established in 1999 and has been serving Sword and Medieval enthusiasts for the past 7 years.

"There Are No Superior Martial Arts, Only Superior Martial Artists"

I’ve read, heard, repeated and written that phrase so often I can’t even remember where it came from. The reason I like it so much is because it’s true!

This article is not another effort to debate the merits of one self-defense system over another. Nor is it to argue about which style will or won’t work "on the street." All martial arts have components within them that are powerful fighting techniques. It’s important to know which ones they are!

Self-Defense Systems Differ, But Self-Defense Principles Don’t

On the surface, martial arts and self-defense systems seem different. However, if they are legitimate and effective, the principles underlying them are the same.

Principles are the rules about the way things are. They are inarguable, non-negotiable and unchanging. They have nothing to do with the way we think things are or the way we want them to be. Like the laws of physics, they just are.

As "Martial Scientists," our goal is to explore, discover, test and confirm the operative principles that define and influence the reality of combat. Your ability to produce a desired result, in this case to effectively defend yourself, is a direct result of how well you understand and apply the principles of combat and human performance.

What Do You Know About Performance Under Pressure?

This article is about how fear and stress affect fighting performance. Whether you consider yourself a seasoned martial artist, a self-defense enthusiast, or a self-taught "ham & egger" who just wants to stay in shape and boost your confidence, this information is important to know. If you are training for self-defense, you need to select and develop skills that will be effective in the chaos of a violent conflict. This article will help you in that process.

FEAR, STRESS AND SELF-DEFENSE

Stress Is Good, But Only If It Works For And Not Against You

Stress is our response to a real or perceived threat that we inherited from our ancestors. It was, and is, essential for our survival as a species. That survival mechanism, often called the "Fight or Flight Response," is a good thing. If properly managed, it can be a powerful force in fighting off (fight) or escaping from (flight) a violent assailant. However, if ignored or misunderstood, stress can impair our mental and physical performance and compromise our effectiveness in a fight.

What Is "Self-Defense Stress?"

Stress, as it relates to violence, is the response to a perceived discrepancy between a threat and your ability to control it under conditions where the outcome has the potential for death, injury or physical degradation.

The Symptoms Of Stress

Stress causes a variety of psychological and physiological changes. Without getting into the specifics of those changes, the affects of intense stress on performance fall into three categories:

1. Perceptual Distortion - loss of peripheral vision and depth perception, hearing may be impaired, changes in pain sensitivity, etc.

2. Cognitive Impairment - the emotional centers in the brain become predominant and creative or logical thinking is impaired.

3. Motor Skill Deterioration - the ability to perform certain physical actions is impaired by stress. However, other actions can actually be enhanced by stress.

Each of these categories could form an article (or book) of their own. However, for the purposes of this article, I’ll confine myself to information pertaining to the selection and performance of physical skills.

THE KYSS! PRINCIPLE (Keep Your System Simple!)

Why Do Black Belts Get Beat Up?

Why is it that so many martial artists get beat up? I’m sorry to burst your bubble if you thought otherwise but the fact is that many people, even after years of training, have been thumped by "unskilled," intoxicated adversaries. How can that be?

Often people train with a distorted mental map of what it’s like to be in a real, knockdown, drag-out, anything-goes street-fight. They confuse sparring with fighting and find themselves hesitant, overwhelmed by fear or attempting techniques that just don’t work.

The more clearly you understand the realities of a "fight" and the affects of being in one, the better you can prepare yourself for the chaos of personal combat.

Motor Skills Classification

Motor Skills is a fancy name for physical actions or techniques. They can be divided into three categories:

1. Fine Motor Skills - are actions involving small muscles, dexterity and eye-hand coordination. The ability to perform fine motor skills deteriorates at low to moderate levels of stress.

2. Complex Motor Skills - are actions that link three or more components in a sequence that requires timing and coordination. At moderate to high levels of stress, the ability to perform these skills is also impaired. Many martial arts techniques are complex motor skills. This explains why techniques that may work fine in low-stress training fail in a high-stress street-fight.

3. Gross motor skills - are simple, large-muscle group actions like a squats, pushups and push/pull-type movements. This includes basic fighting skills like a straight punch, a hook punch or a Thai boxer’s knee strike for example. Unlike fine and complex motor skills, gross motor skills DO NOT deteriorate under stress. In fact, they are enhanced by the affects of fear and stress.

Obviously we want to rely predominantly on gross motor skills when designing a self-defense response system.

The "Less-Is-Best" Theory

Some self-defense and martial arts instructors believe in the "More-Is-Better" philosophy. They think that learning a high number of techniques will increase the ability to respond effectively to a wider variety of situations; that the more elaborate the fighting system the more adaptable it becomes.

If you hold this philosophy yourself, please forgive my bluntness but…YOU’RE WRONG!!! The More-Is-Better approach does not withstand scientific scrutiny. Complex or elaborate techniques don’t work in a real fight. It’s as simple as that.

In contrast, the "Less-Is-Best" approach is more practical, realistic and consistent with what science tells us about the way we perform under stress. Here are a few of the benefits of keeping the number of techniques to a minimum.

Faster Reaction Time

As far back as the 1800’s, researchers knew that the more responses you have to a stimulus, the longer it takes react. In 1952, a researcher named Hicks confirmed that for every response choice added, the amount of time required to react doubles! This is widely known as "Hicks Law," and has been repeatedly confirmed by subsequent research. In a self-defense situation, the longer you take to respond to a threatening action, the more likely you will be injured and defeated.

Fast Results With Minimal Training

Another issue that supports the idea of keeping your inventory of techniques to a minimum is the amount of time you have to practice and the time it takes to build technique competence. (remember: competence builds confidence which reduces stress!)

Imagine you work on 20 techniques and you train for an hour per session. That means you have 3 minutes to invest on each technique. If however, you reduce the number of self-defense techniques to three (just an arbitrary number), you invest 20 minutes on each technique, conceivably investing 600% more time and repetition on each one. What technique wouldn’t be improved by six times more training?

The Brass Knuckle Effect (Cognitive Clarity)

Imagine you knew you were about to be attacked by a large, strong, psychopathic assailant. There is no way of avoiding the fight. Let’s say your self-defense system consists of 20 different techniques. In the stressful moments preceding the encounter your mind is reeling; trying to figure out the most appropriate course of action.

Keep in mind that your cognitive abilities are impaired by stress. Stress-related "brain damage" prevents you from forming a logical or creative solution to your predicament. What will you do?

Seeing your dilemma, a good friend (if he wasn’t before he is now!) discretely passes you a set of brass knuckles. What do you suppose has just happened to your thought process?

I’ll hazard a guess that the mental fog begins to lift, your stress decreases and your objective becomes clear. It’s now a simple matter of taking those brass knuckles and slamming them repeatedly into vulnerable parts of your opponent’s anatomy. Seems simple now doesn’t it?

The potential of you winning the encounter has been significantly enhanced. That same affect can be achieved without the brass knuckles by sticking to a limited, yet adaptable, inventory of dependable fighting skills.

THE SCIENCE OF STRESS POINTS TO THE NEED TO SPECIALIZE

Virtually all accomplished fighters are known for specific techniques that they excel at. However, if you ignore their "bread & butter" techniques, most of them would be considered "average." Those fighters excel because of their ability to simplify their system and build on their superior techniques.

Knowing what you now know about technique selection and stress performance, what do you think about the merits of "specializing" in a core set of fighting skills? Here’s how to get started.

Explore Your Strengths

Don’t just latch onto a fighting tactic arbitrarily. Evaluate your existing skills and select a strike, a kick, or a finishing hold that seems like a "good fit" for you. What technique to you consistently land or apply when sparring? What is your best or favorite technique? What technique do you feel you would resort to under pressure? Answering these questions will get you started with the specialization process.

Adaptability

Having as few techniques as possible doesn’t mean that you limit your ability to respond to a wide variety of situations. The idea is to take that specialty strike, kick, joint lock or choke and train it in as many different ways as possible. Learn to apply those basic skills at different ranges (striking, clinching or on the ground), against different partners, against different apparatus and in as many drills as you can think of. Learn how to set them up and follow them up. Strive to learn a lot about a little, not vice versa.

Train to Momentary Exhaustion

A good way to see how well a technique holds up under stress is to train it to extreme fatigue. You can bring on the physiology of intense stress by exerting yourself. I call this "blitz training" in the heavy bag article: "There’s nothing like a swift kick to the bag." on my site at:

http://www.protectivestrategies.com/heavybag.html

Blast out a technique or combination repeatedly for a specified duration or until you can’t do it any more. I can guarantee that gross motor skills will be the only ones conducive to this type of training.

Keep in mind that you wouldn’t do this training all of the time. You need time to recover between intense workouts like this.

Obviously you must be healthy and in good physical shape to do in this training. Refer to my disclaimer page for precautions before following this advice.

http://www.protectivestrategies.com/disclaimer.html

Simplicity Is Not Inflexibility

A final note in keeping things simple is that the process of specialization doesn’t mean that you stop learning, experimenting or that you abandon your existing training program in lieu of a "bare-bones" self-defense program.

If you are proud of your traditional martial arts system stick with it. If you love to jump up, spin around and kick things, then by all means, go for it! Just don’t confuse techniques that will work in a street fight with those that won’t. Apply the science of stress performance by adding specialty training to the degree that you want to develop practical self-defense skills.

SO WHAT? HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION

Using The "KYSS! Principle" To Evaluate A Potential Specialty Technique

Now its time to put this stuff into practice: Based on the priority you place on "fighting skill." (there are several other benefits and reasons to train) Take a good, hard look at the skills you have in your inventory and the amount of time you plan to invest in training.

Decide on what proportion of your training you want to dedicate to self-defense. Design your system based on the following "KYSS Criteria."

=> is the technique a "gross motor skill?"

=> do you have confidence in your ability to perform the skill under pressure?

=> What technique is most successful for you in training sparring or competition? (however don’t confuse those activities with fighting)

=> Is the technique applicable in a wide variety of situations, at different ranges, in different environments, ring clothing that you were during your day-to-day activities?

=> Are you able to construct a wide variety of training drills to build adaptability and flexibility in your chosen techniques?

=> Are there techniques that you’ve selected that are redundant?

=> Do you understand the underlying principles and biomechanics of performing and applying the skill with optimal efficiency?

CONCLUSION

Stress in a combative situation is a given. Expect it. It’s going to be there. Your performance is the result of how confident and well prepared you are in addition to how well designed your self-defense response system is. Attack the problem of stress performance this way:

=> Simplify your system through specializing in a handful of effective and adaptable techniques.

=> Artificially create stress in your training sessions to inoculate yourself to it to some degree (more on this in future articles) and…

=> Select gross motor skills that will be efficient under stress.

Knowing what you now know about stress performance isn’t it obvious that the "KYSS! (Keep Your System Simple!) Principle" is worth incorporating into your training? Scrutinize and evaluate your inventory of fighting skills and select those that meet the KYSS criteria and you will improve your performance in a combative situation dramatically. The bottom line of what I want you to take away from this article is that if you are training for self-defense Keep Your System Simple!

Take care, train smart and stay safe,

Randy LaHaie Protective Strategies

============== Self-Defense Quote =================

"There are no superior or inferior martial arts, there are only warriors and non-warriors"

"Each martial art is based on doctrine, a set of broad and general beliefs. People who study a single doctrine tend to shut out ideas from other sources and convince themselves that their’s is the one true way of fighting. They become slaves to the very doctrines they profess."

Forrest E. Morgan, Maj. USAF
Living The Martial Way
A Manual For The Way A Modern Warrior Should Think
================================================================

Randy LaHaie is the president of Protective Strategies and has been teaching reality-based self-defense for over 30 years. He is the author of several "Toughen Up Combative Training Guides" (http://www.ToughenUp.com)

Subscribe to his FREE SELF-DEFENSE NEWSLETTER at http://www.ProtectiveStrategies.com

“Fight Club” is the kind of film that can make you squirm, belly laugh, and think, “That’s profound!” in the space of a few minutes.

Starring Edward Norton and Brad Pitt, this is, on a superficial level, a flick about underground boxing, or if you prefer, brawling clubs.

No money changes hands, no betting occurs, and the pugilists’ only compensation is the thrill they get from kicking butts.

A cult develops that externalizes violence to the surrounding society, targeting various “establishment” symbols, such as TV and electronics stores, public officials, and office buildings.

Just when you think, “Now, they’ve gone too far,” the plot twists to make you question nearly everything you’ve seen to that point. The real and unreal start to unravel, and you wonder if you’ve been played for a chump.

Here are a few of the points that I draw from this movie that are of special interest to the martial artist:

(1) You can prevail if you decide to take a battle, a disagreement, or a cause to the extreme. Even certified tough guys, including the mobsters you see in the film, can be intimidated and will back down if they believe their adversaries are crazy enough to do anything.

(2) Men are seeking gender clarity and reaffirmation of their core instincts. The forced feminization of males during the past several decades has created role confusion and dissatisfaction among males as well as females. “Fighting,” however you construe this term, provides a forum for men to be tested and to learn who they are on a deep, primitive level.

(3) Men were not minted for the purpose of wearing neckties and performing nerdy roles inside of sterile office buildings. Our most natural inclination is to be hunters, not custodians.

(4) Women will tolerate a great deal from men who are in touch with their basic instincts, and they’ll relentlessly toy with or destroy those who aren’t.

(5) To borrow a phase from General Stonewall Jackson: “One courageous man makes a majority.”

You might like this movie simply because of its unpredictability.

I like it because its characters are onto something.

Take the exchange between Pitt and Norton on the plane, where Norton hands Pitt an obscure compliment that Pitt decodes on the spot, and then Pitt incisively asks:

“How’s that working out for you?”

“What?” Norton responds, puzzled.

“Cleverness. Is that working for you?”

With this brief exchange, Pitt implies, “You’re a wimp.”

Cleverness, indirection, and cute word play don’t make you a man, so cut the crap and don’t fool yourself.

Men, whether they realize it or not, are attracted to the martial arts partly because modern society provides few opportunities to be completely nonverbal, to escape the endless symbolism and etiquette that informs professional and personal lives.

With a fist headed toward your teeth, there’s no time to talk; only to act.

Dr. Gary S. Goodman, President of Customersatisfaction.com, is a popular keynote speaker, management consultant, and seminar leader and the best-selling author of 12 books, including Reach Out & Sell Someone® and Monitoring, Measuring & Managing Customer Service, and the audio program, “The Law of Large Numbers: How To Make Success Inevitable,” published by Nightingale-Conant. He is a frequent guest on radio and television, worldwide. A Ph.D. from USC’s Annenberg School, a Loyola lawyer, and an MBA from the Peter F. Drucker School at Claremont Graduate University, Gary offers programs through UCLA Extension and numerous universities, trade associations, and other organizations from Santa Monica to South Africa. He holds the rank of Shodan, 1st Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate. He is headquartered in Glendale, California, and he can be reached at (818) 243-7338 or at: gary@customersatisfaction.com.

For information about coaching, consulting, training, books, videos and audios, please go to: http://www.customersatisfaction.com

It’s sad to think that we have to consider arming or equipping ourselves to feel safe. The truth of the matter is however, that violence can happen to anyone. A Personal Safety Device can help you avoid or escape a sudden attack. Should you carry one and, if so, what should you carry? Only you can decide.

The market is flooded with all kinds of gizmo’s and gadgets; guaranteed to ensure your safety and promising to instantly neutralize a violent assailant. Some are legit. The majority, unfortunately, are junk! Even good ones, if you don’t understand their proper use and limitations, can be a liability. How do you tell the difference?

If there is one thing I want to emphasize in this article, it’s this: if you are developing a realistic personal safety strategy, focus primarily on YOURSELF… not on a tool, toy or gadget. Your brain and your body are your most powerful personal safety "devices." Your development in each of the "Seven Components of Self-Defense," will have the greatest impact on your legitimate safety and sense of security.

If you are considering a Personal Safety Device, do your homework. Research what’s available and evaluate your options rigorously. Find one that you are comfortable with and suits your ability and personality. Easier said than done right? When evaluating the merits of a PSD, ask and answer the following questions…

================== PSD Evaluation Questions ==============
1. Is it legal?
2. Will I carry it all the time?
3. Will it be immediately available when I need it?
4. Do I have legitimate confidence in my ability to use it?
5. Is it as effective as it has been held out to be?
6. Could it be taken away and used on me?
7. Am I physically, mentally and emotionally prepared to use it?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let’s take a look at each question in greater detail:

1. IS IT LEGAL?

Are you willing to run the risk of being arrested and criminally charged for being in possession of an illegal weapon on the off chance that someday you may need it to protect yourself? Before investing in a PSD, find out if it’s legal to possess and carry where you live. A phone call to the community services branch of your local police department should be able to provide you with this information.

2. WILL I CARRY IT ALL THE TIME?

My guess is that people seldom leave their homes thinking, "Gee, I think I’ll go out and fend off a robber, rapist or mugger today!" What happens to most PSD’s is that they are quickly forgotten about and find their way to the bottom of a purse, the glove box of your car, or the back of a kitchen drawer. They won’t do you much good there! Is the device you are considering something practical enough to carry with you all of the time, discretely, without looking or feeling paranoid? If not, don’t waste your money.

3. WILL IT BE IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE WHEN I NEED IT?

Even if you do carry it all of the time, will you be able to draw and ready it in time to use in the event of a sudden attack? Again, if it’s in your pocket or purse when you need it, it won’t do you much good. Is the PSD something that you will have ready, preferably in hand, if and when you need it?

4. DO I HAVE LEGITIMATE CONFIDENCE IN MY ABILITY TO USE IT?

Military and law enforcement research confirms that people who lack confidence in a technique or device will not resort to it in a stressful situation. Many people have been seriously hurt in violent encounters with a potential PSD in their hand. In the stress of the moment, they didn’t think to use it or doubted its’ ability to impact the situation. Perhaps they were afraid that it would only make matters worse. If you are thinking of carrying a PSD, are you prepared to learn how to use it and practice to become proficient with it?

5. IS IT AS EFFECTIVE AS IT HAS BEEN HELD OUT TO BE?

Over-inflated claims and quick-fix promises are the "cancer" of the self-defense business. Often, unscrupulous self-defense instructors and gadget salespeople exaggerate the benefits and capabilities of their systems and products.

Whenever you hear words like "guaranteed, quick, and easy" or claims that the product will subdue any and all assailants regardless of their size, strength or sobriety, it’s time to call, "bullshit!" Walk away, someone’s trying to rip you off!

Understand the psychological and physiological control principles associated with the PSD. In other words, how is it supposed to impact the assailant’s intent or behavior? What is the science behind the claims being made?

NOTHING works all of the time. Always acknowledge the limitations and potential failure of a PSD and have a back-up plan.

6. COULD IT BE TAKEN AWAY AND USED ON ME?

This is probably the most common concern about personal safety weapons; and it’s a valid one. Are you prepared to use the device aggressively on a predator to protect yourself? Are you knowledgeable and skillful enough to retain the device if he attempts to take it away from you? Never carry a Personal Safety Weapon with the intent to "bluff" your assailant. If you are not prepared to use it decisively, don’t carry it!

7. AM I PHYISCALLY, MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY PREPARED TO USE IT?

Carrying a personal safety device without investing the time to become knowledgeable and proficient in its use is a big mistake. It’s as useful as a pair of boxing gloves to someone who can’t punch or a tennis racquet to someone who doesn’t have a clue how to play the game.

You must prepare physically by practicing the necessary skills and techniques associated with the device (if it requires such skills). You must prepare mentally by knowing when and how to use it and the situations that would make it’s use legal and appropriate. You must prepare emotionally by deepening your emotional and moral resolve to protect yourself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Can you come up with any other questions yourself? Have I left you hanging by not taking you by the hand and recommending MY favorite personal safety devices? If you haven’t noticed by now, my predominant teaching angle is to promote responsibility and independent thinking in my students and readers. Don’t believe me, or anyone else, about what’s best for your safety until you test it out or think critically about it. You must become your own expert, make your own decisions and draw your own conclusions.

==================== So What? ==========================

You should be asking yourself by now, "So what? How can I use this information?" Let me reiterate that I’m against the idea of carrying a PSD as a replacement for the phyiscal, mental and emotional development that self-defense training has to offer. I am not, however, against carrying a PSD as a supplement to a comprehensive personal safety strategy. There are some valid ones out there. In fact, I demonstrate and even sell them at my self-defense seminars.

I also believe in the merits of training yourself to recognize and use "weapons of opportunity" in the event of a violent encounter. A weapon of opportunity is a common, every-day object that can be converted into a weapon during an encounter.

If you are looking for, considering or evaluating a personal safety device, don’t do it blindly or impulsively. Do your homework and some soul searching. Will it serve your needs? Will it improve your ability to respond and your sense of security? Does it "fit" your lifestyle and personality? Only you can answer those questions.

If you are interested in specific reviews or recommendations about PSD’s in future newsletters, let me know and we can explore the issue in greater detail.

Take care, train smart and stay safe…

Randy LaHaie Protective Strategies

Final Note:

I may have created a limited perception what a PSD is. Keep in mind that PSD’s are not necessarily exotic or concealable weapons with the potential to inflict injury. In fact, many of the best one’s are no such thing.

If I had to select just one PSD to carry myself (which I do) or recommend to a loved one, guess what it would be… a CELL PHONE! I could go on for an entire newsletter trumpeting the powerful personal safety benefits of a cell phone and the ability to summon help that they provide.

If you can afford a cell phone, it’s one of the best personal safety investments you can make.

============== Self-Defense Quotable Quote ===============

"Self-defense gadgets don’t cut it. Not even guns work for most people because they can’t use them safely and effectively. The advantage of a survival mind-set over everything else is that it’s always with you and ready for immediate use. That’s crucial and lifesaving because when violence explodes the security of your world, there are no second chances and no time-outs to think it over and decide what to do."

Strong On Defense
Sanford Strong

============================================================

Randy LaHaie is the president of Protective Strategies and has been teaching reality-based self-defense for over 30 years. He is the author of several "Toughen Up Combative Training Guides" (http://www.ToughenUp.com)

Subscribe to his FREE SELF-DEFENSE NEWSLETTER at http://www.ProtectiveStrategies.com