In recent years there has been an influx of information in the martial arts media concerning pre-emptive striking and whether you should use it as a part of your self-defence training or not.

This media frenzy generated a lot of interest in the subject (for and against) so this article is going to provide a slightly different approach to the issue and bring into the equation how this affects martial art teachers from the perspective of adults AND children.

========== ADULTS ==========

O.K., first of all, should we teach hitting first at all? I think, yes, we should. However it is obviously not as simple as that, even when only taking into account adults.

Where adults are concerned, if you choose to teach them pre-emption, you need to make it clear that it is a last resort! Also you need to make it clear that they MUST be in fear for their safety for it to be acceptable.

They need to be sure an attack on them is imminent essentially.

Of course, you must have faith in your students to suggest such a direct course of action - you must trust they won’t abuse such knowledge!

If in ANY doubt DO NOT teach it at all!

============ CHILDREN ============

Where children are concerned hitting first, and teaching such strategies, is in my humble opinion a big NO NO! You cannot really compare situations a child and an adult might find themselves in (perhaps many of you will disagree?).

Indeed I actually think to teach hitting first to children as part of a martial arts class is irresponsible and dangerous.

It would be highly likely to create situations at school and home where the child could justify his hitting people first by saying his or her martial arts instructor said it was acceptable!

Obviously there may be the rare occasion where it would be in their best interest to do so, BUT I feel this is outweighed by the potential problems it could cause.

While teaching children I think the best course of action is to focus on building strong character traits through structured physical training and avoid the ‘nastier’ side of the arts until they are older with a little more life experience.

============== CONCLUSION ==============

It is (obviously) hard to make a concrete conclusion about such a subject.

I feel for those (adult) students you trust totally, highlighting pre-emptive strikes as a viable option when they have no other option is acceptable.

For children I think, as stated above, it is not necessary and the time is better spent developing their characters and physical skills.

After all, they grow up fast enough, and showing the grittier aspects of the arts only serves to unnecessarily speed up this process.

(c) Tim Webb 2005

Tim Webb is a fitness instructor, Ju Jutsu instructor, and competitor. His site http://www.JuJutsu-Training.com offers inspiration through articles and product recommendations that can boost your mental focus and physical fitness for martial arts!

Many fights actually begin at or near home; before a disagreement turns into an altercation, try to defuse the situation. In any altercation, use positive reinforcement. “I know / am sure you’re a nice person, but I would rather not (fill in the blank).” Remember, martial arts are not just collections of fighting techniques, but “arts” by which we defend the quality of life for ourselves and others.

“Budo” and “kung fu” have rather holistic meanings for everyday life, and not simply “martial arts”, as they are so commonly translated. In this sense, “martial art” may itself take on a new meaning. “Martial” certainly connotes fighting tactics, yet “art” presents a deeper level of understanding. Do everything you can to “preserve the whole”. Do not fight if possible, or to take the path of least resistance if conflict is inevitable. Fight out of necessity rather than hostility.

Let us further look into how to apply the art of strategy as it relates to self defense. The attacker believes he/she has an advantage. This may include a weapon, surprise, strength, and so forth. He / she is also more likely to attack you if he / she sees you as a potential victim. Therefore, be cautious when you are fatigued or alone, and do not appear timid, even if you are smaller than potential attackers. Always try to stay aware, and prepared to talk your way out of a situation, or defend yourself.

The environment, mindset of the attacker, and effects of panic will further handicap you. Your attackers do not come at you in prearranged patterns. You have to be ready to fight back, and take the initiative, because every second counts!

The best defense is a good offense. Use distance and the environment; be spontaneous. This is all very important against multiple assailants! Your movements must be fluid, economical, and not overly mechanical. The longer the fight, the more dangerous it becomes! When you are in unfamiliar territory, try to scan for escape routes, taking potential obstacles into account. Don’t forget to pack along something like pepper spray, or be ready to pinch and bite if needed to distract adversaries before your knockout blow. Overall, you want to be as prepared as possible for potential violence.

The author lives in Lake City, South Carolina, where he also teaches at his Wado ryu Karate school. For more information about Karate and the martial arts, please visit the Johnston Karate Homepage or the Johnston Karate Online Community.

I will here attempt to be non style specific in discussing fight strategy. Simply remember to train your reflexes for the proper use of body mechanics. Prepare your mind for a self defense mindset, rather than hostility. Remember “zanshin” - remaining mind. This is your most powerful weapon. Prevention is better than cure!

When faced with a heavy handed puncher, his or her hand speed and upper body defenses may be hard to match or get past. In this case, timing and creativity are of high priority. In a street situation, you do not have time to memorize his or her habits. Neither do you get the benefit of watching fight tapes beforehand. Watch for openings in the attacks, and draw out your opponent for a timed hit. Don’t forget use of body shifting; especially to the outside of the opponent, which will present you with a strategic advantage. This reduces his / her options by 50%. This will be easier or harder to do depending on the attacker’s training; such is hard to judge immediately, so it is instead better to take the initiative and/or counter-hit as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Untrained punchers, however, tend to have a large amount of telegraphing (movements that signal a certain attack, not unlike “tells” in poker). Against a kicker, remember that people are already on the brink of disaster on two feet, and taking another foot off the ground ruins balance even more. Also, a kick generally takes longer than a punch to reach its destination. Use this in conjunction with “stop hits” when you are at or just outside of the attacker’s kicking range. Essentially, you will want to react to the opponent’s starting movement as quickly as possible with a jamming technique or combination. Be extra careful when the attacker does manage to raise a kick. A well trained kicker can often change a kick’s height or target before putting his or her foot down.

You must maintain a strong cover from which you can counter swiftly, and off-balance your opponent while their kicking foot is still traveling. Make an opportunity to close with the kicker, and reduce his or her options. Elbows and knees are particularly effective for striking away kicks, and use in close-up fighting. Use caution, however, if your attacker appears trained in a heavily body-conditioning oriented flavor of Muay Thai/Thaiboxing, Kyokushin karate, or the like. Counter striking to vital areas that cannot be conditioned (solar plexus and so forth) will be even more important in these cases.

The author lives in Lake City, South Carolina, where he also teaches at his Wado ryu Karate school. For more information about Karate and the martial arts, please visit the Johnston Karate Homepage or the Johnston Karate Online Community.

Many fights end up hitting the ground. If you are not comfortable working from the ground, then maintain a solid fighting distance and avoid in-close fighting as much as possible. Adding to the danger of ground fighting is the possibility of more attackers arriving, glass on the ground, weapons, and your most immediate attacker being much heavier, as well as numerous other factors. A grappler will have methods of closing the fighting distance with you, and taking you out of the range from which many types of strikes can be thrown solidly. In this case, make well-timed use of elbows, knees, standing submissions, reversals, makeshift weapons, and other such anti-grappling maneuvers. Be especially careful not to over-extend your strikes, or leave them extended for long after delivery, against a seasoned grappler.

When faced with an attacker who you suspect has a weapon, you will, of course, have even more reason to seek means of escaping the situation other than hand to hand combat. It is possible that if you comply with your attacker, they will let you alone afterwards. However, do not always be quick to believe that he or she shares your belief system; they could very well harm or even kill you after getting what he/she wanted.

The attacker may also be on drugs such as PCP, which would make him or her very dangerous to deal with. Pain compliance may not work as well against such an assailant; move defensively while doing as much damage as possible. Use the environment even more so, such as getting free to run and throwing things in his/her path. Also be extra careful of weapons the attacker is wielding. If at close range, attempt to stop the weapon from even being drawn. If this is not possible, dodge an attack or jam it as your opponent comes at you. Control the wielding arm, and strike at your opponent with your free limbs, head butts, etc. until you can disarm or subdue. It’s also very important not to get caught off guard with a handgun, which would put you at a severe disadvantage. In this case, use distraction or other methods to diffuse the situation, and disarm if necessary.

Overall, many attackers will concentrate on their “weapon” (striking, grappling, a weapon, sheer strength or numbers, etc). Your attacker may believe that he/she has something that guarantees success. There is no way anyone can plan ahead for all situations, however. You must instead constantly learn, as well as use strategy, adaptability, and heart to your advantage, in a fight or life itself.

The author lives in Lake City, South Carolina, where he also teaches at his Wado ryu Karate school. For more information about Karate and the martial arts, please visit the Johnston Karate Homepage or the Johnston Karate Online Community.

The bo staff is used in several martial arts and is essentially a long piece of well polished wood, resembling a pole.

How long a bo would be best for me?
Originally the bo staff was always approximately 6′ long. Modern martial artists however have generally found that a bo a few inches longer or shorter than they are works best for them. When deciding on a length, consider that a longer bo extends your reach, while a shorter bo is easier to manage.

How wide a bo staff would be best for me?

You should be able to close your fist around the center of the staff. Tapering has advantages but should not have a significant effect on the bo staff width you choose. Remember that wider staffs will always be heavier than the equivalent narrower staff.

Which bo staff is right for me?

That depends on what you are using it for.

• For Demos:
  For demonstrations you want a lighter bo which will allow you greater speed and easier changes of direction and preferably a bo with flash. G-Force makes the lightest bo’s and the Chrome Demonstration Bo Staff and the individually designed Multilens Demonstration Bo Staff are flashy and very slick.
  If your demonstration will include ground strikes a more sturdy bo such as the traditional Carved Rattan Bo may be ideal.

For Combat Training:
Accidental combat during bo training hurts and unintentionally hard strikes can result in broken ribs and other serious injuries. Softer woods such as White Wax and Rattan are preferable to Oak or Hardwood staffs. The only bo designed for full-speed, full-force combat sparring is the ActionFlex Bo Staff.

For Strength and Stamina Training:
A heavier staff will help you increase your strength and speed, giving you an edge during future use. We recommend the Hardwood Bo Staff and the Youth Hardwood Bo Staff for their heavy weights and affordable prices, which is a nice plus since bos do break during training. Other things to watch out for
Many sites charge a shipping surcharge on bo staffs. Be sure to factor the total cost of the bo including the shipping cost when deciding which retailer to purchase from.

Andrew Castillino has been practicing the martial arts for several years and is employed by Karate Depot Martial Arts Supplies as a writer and product specialist. His focus is martial arts weapons including the bo staff.

Copyright 2006 KarateDepot.com

Permission is granted to publish this article on your site providing links are included and clickable.

If you appreciate a strong, healthy self confidence that carries you through overwhelming times and drives you to achieving your most far reaching goals, martial arts is for you.

A person’s self-confidence is like a muscle, it needs to be exercised in order to grow and develop. In the 20 plus years that I’ve been teaching Martial Arts in our community we have developed a 5 step approach to building self-confidence. These 5 steps can be learned by anyone – with the right guidance:

1. Correct Body Posture. The importance of the correct body posture is paramount. We all send hidden, sub-conscious messages with our body language and the way we carry ourselves. Carry yourself with pride, confidence and security. Carry yourself like a successful person and your confidence will show.

2. Proper Eye Contact. Making proper eye contact when speaking to others has a huge effect on the conversation. Have you ever been talking to somebody and instantly felt connected? Like you’ve known this person forever? Chances are, they understand the importance of body language, and proper eye-contact.

3. Goal Setting. Goal setting is talked about by everybody, and most people understand the importance of this process. Then why do most people miss their mark? Because they don’t have the discipline and confidence to see the goal through. Our process teaches you the right way to set goals and actually achieve them!

4. Communication. Inspiring those around you is critical to getting what you want. Whether they are your children, co-workers, employees or boss, good leaders are inspirational. We teach this inspirational formula.

5. Mentors. All of the skills above, a healthy body and mind combined with a good mentor or two will make all the difference in the world for your happiness and success.

Mr. Robert Jones
Master Instructor
The Academy of Kempo Martial Arts

For more information on this article or others go to Articles on Martial Arts.

Robert Jones runs three successful martial arts schools located in Bellevue, Lynnwood, and Kent Washington. He has been helping families make positive changes in their lives through martial arts for over 20 years. He has also written A Guide on How to Pick a Martial Arts School.

He can be reached at the Academy of Kempo Martial Arts. 800-508-6141. His schools can be found on the web at Bellevue Martial Arts and Kung Fu.

A common parental concern that, as a martial arts instructor, I continue to encounter is in the difficulty that parents often encounter in getting their youth student to class.

"I have to fight to get them here," or…

"He just wants to play with his friends," are common statements that I hear.

Often, parents consider letting their child quit but then come to find that’s not what the student wants.

"How," they ask me, "can he want to keep training but fight me when it’s time to come to karate class?"

They find it very difficult to understand the contradiction between having to fight to get their child to class and the fact that they have so much fun when they get here.

To solve the ‘mystery’ and eliminate the misunderstanding we must understands the way a child thinks and the way their brain has developed to this point in their young lives. It’s very important for parents and teachers alike to remember that…

…kids are not adults in little bodies.

And, many of the things that we, or more correctly, our fully-developed brains, take for granted aren’t even possible in the still-developing processes of a child’s mind.

So, what makes them resist coming to class but enjoy it once they are there?

The answer is: timing.

Quite frankly, children (and some adults) have not developed an understanding of the concept of scheduling and timing. That is to say that, once they have become involved in something, that’s what they want to do. Anything else, regardless of how pleasurable or necessary, at that moment, is seen as a hinderance to ‘this moment’s fun.’ Whether it’s watching TV, playing with their friends, or whatever, once a child becomes involved in something, anything, that "thing" gets ALL of their attention - period.

So, what’s a parent to do elleviate the frustration, both themselves as-well-as the child?

How do they avoid making the mistake of pulling their child out of martial arts training - the one thing they need to teach their son of daughter the life lessons that won’t be taught in any other school they ever go to?

Of all of the possibile answers that I share with the parents who bring their children to me, my best advice is…

"Don’t let your child get involved with anything that you know will grab their attention in a way that will make it difficult for both of you, within at least one hour of leaving the house to go to martial arts class."

But, what can they do if they can’t get involved in anything?

Simple. Have them get ready for class. Have them make sure that their uniform, including martial arts belt, is in order and folded neatly. Have them review their moves, any vocabulary that is required, or even tell you something "cool" or "awesome" that hope to work on when they get to class.

The point is, to really help your child to develop the discipline necessary to succeed in the martial arts and to achieve their goal of becoming a Black Belt, you will have to use your brain to help them make up for those areas of their own that have not yet developed.

By understanding your child’s needs, from THEIR perspective and not simply your own, you will rise above the masses of clueless parents who act out of frustration born of a lack of understanding of what it means to be…

…a parent.

Too bad they don’t hand out Black Belts to parents who achieve this level of understanding, don’t you think?!

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 child development and other subjects related to the martial arts, self-defense, personal development & self-improvement, visit his website at http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com To subscribe to his online newsletter, go to http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/newsletter-subscribe-self-defense.html.

Real-world self-defense is a very serious matter. And while you can have a lot of fun during practice sessions, you must remember that you are not training for a sport or tournament match, where the only thing on the line is a shiny trophy or a new martial art belt.

The following set of principles should be considered and taken to heart. They should be burned into your memory and made a part of your practice and study. And, they should be used as a guide to make sure that the program you’re studying and the person you’ve chosen to teach you how to not die in a real-world situation, is right for the job.

Consider each of these principles very carefully. Because missing even one of them could spell disaster.

1. In a self-defense situation, you WILL get hurt

2. You are your own first-line of self-defense

3. The Police can’t protect you - they won’t even show up until the attack is over

4. You WILL be the underdog - attackers don’t pick targets they think will win

5. It will happen when you LEAST expect it

6. You must stay in the moment - FOCUS!

7. Contrary to what mom and dad taught you, you must be WILLING to hurt another human being

8. If you want to survive, you must be ABLE to hurt another human being

9. The law may NOT be on your side

10. You must be able to control the distance and your assailant’s ability to get at you

11. You must be able to control your attacker’s perceptions of what is happening

12. Don’t focus too much on your technique - he’ll know what you’re doing

13. Your job is not to "win" or "lose" - It’s to go home intact

14. If he can’t hit you, he can’t hurt you, and…

15. If he can’t hurt you, he can’t beat you

16. You can’t bring a knife to a gunfight and expect to win

17. The assault’s not over until your attacker says it is

18. Be willing to do whatever it takes

19. It’s not cheating - think of it as "rearranging the odds in your favor!"

Your ultimate survival in a street attack will depend on three very important things. It will depend on what you have done to properly prepare beforehand. It will depend on what you do correctly during the attack. And, it will depend on how well you can deal with the consequences arising out of your decision and chosen actions to protect yourself from danger.

Remember: "You are either what you choose to be or what you have allowed yourself to become."

"Victim" or "Survivor."

The choice is yours.

Jeffrey M. Miller is the founder of Warrior Concepts International, a Pennsylvania-based company specializing in helping private, law enforcement, and corporate clients to develop time-tested and proven self-protection and personal development skills that work in the real-world. He is the author of the highly acclaimed, educational video, Danger Prevention Tactics. His latest book, The Karate-Myth shows the reader why most martial arts and self-defense programs don’t work and how to insure your safety in today’s violent world. For additonal information about having this internationally-recognized expert as a guest or keynote speaker for your organization’s next meeting, or to sponsor a seminar with Mr. Miller, you may contact him through his web site or by calling WCI in the U.S. and Canada, at (570) 988-2228. Subscribe to his free newsletter at http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com

When most people think about martial arts and self-esteem, they probably think about the benefits for children. It is true that children do show increased self esteem when they train martial arts, but it is also true that adults can experience the same effects. Training martial arts can increase self-esteem in many ways for many people.

HERE’S HOW:

MENTAL OBSTACLES

Training martial arts can help you overcome mental obstacles – including self-doubt and a lack of confidence. As you progress through the different levels, you will soon be able to conquer self-doubt and other overwhelming feelings as you start to build mental awareness of your mind/body connection. Becoming physically able to reach a goal is connected with your mental ability to take your body where you want it to go.

SELF-CONTROL

Martial arts help you build your self-esteem because you get to move at your own pace and succeed individually. Earning belts will give you a sense of accomplishment. They also teach you how to set goals and give you the confidence to reach these goals. Martial arts also teach self-respect and respect for others and give you the sense of relief that you will be able to defend yourself if you need to. Having these skills will give you an all-around confidence in yourself and your abilities.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES

Your physical abilities are also tied to your self-esteem. You will also feel fit and notice an increase in your strength. Feeling good about yourself physically will also carry over into other parts of your life – you will start feeling good about yourself as a whole. In addition to that, your increased coordination will help you do well in other areas as well, whether you choose to take part in another sport or even if you want to coach your child’s sports team.

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT:

FOR CHILDREN:

The benefits of increased self-esteem for children are almost endless. Children with high self-esteem do well in school, are less likely to take drugs and are more likely to stay out of trouble. Training martial arts will also teach children how to maximize their potential by setting and reaching goals and by giving them the confidence to be persistent and to be positive role models for their peers.

FOR ADULTS:

Many adults could also use a boost of self-esteem. This boost can help them do well in their jobs, to be more relaxed at home and to be able to take more healthy risks. Adults with high self esteem are able to maximize their potential by setting and meeting goals and by being persistent. They are also more likely to take on leadership roles whether on the job or in volunteer opportunities.

Of course, one of the key components to being able to build your self-esteem (or your child’s) is to find a great instructor at a great school. Instructors need to be ready to give guidance and positive reinforcement while they nurture their students and guide them through their programs. Why not give it a try? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Sincerely,

Robert Jones Master Instructor 6th Degree Black Belt Owner, the Academy of Kempo Martial Arts

Mr. Robert Jones runs three successful martial arts schools located in Bellevue, Lynnwood, and Kent Washington. He has been helping families make positive changes in their lives through martial arts for over 20 years. He has also written two guides on how to pick a martial arts school. One for adults and one for parents wanting to pick the right school for their children. He can be reached at martialadvice@hotmail.com or at the Academy of Kempo Martial Arts. 800-508-6141.

The symptoms of ADHD can be devastating for school-aged children, but they can be even more debilitating for adults who feel like they don’t have a place to turn for help. Adult ADHD has the same symptoms as those present in children (including inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity). The fast-paced lifestyle that many adults lead also adds stress that can aggravate the symptoms. However, training martial arts is a great way to alleviate these symptoms and overcome the stress they cause.

THE SYMPTOMS

1. Inattention.

The first symptom of adult ADHD is the inability to focus and lack of attention. This includes not being able to follow through on tasks, not being able to focus on what other people are saying and not being able to organize thoughts, tasks and activities.

2. Hyperactivity.

The second symptom of adult ADHD is hyperactivity. People who suffer from this symptom feel the need to fidget with hand and feet. They also tend to get up out of their seat often (even when it’s not an appropriate time) or simply feel an urge to move around. They also tend to talk excessively and are always “on the go”.

3. Impulsivity.

The third symptom of adult ADHD is impulsivity. People who have difficulty waiting their turns, who often interrupt and who answer questions before they’ve been completed may suffer from this symptom.

THE “TREATMENT”

Training martial arts solves for these symptoms of adult ADHD. To be successful in whatever martial art you choose, you need a high level of physical control. The only way to reach this is through lots of practice and self-discipline. This ability to control your body also helps you to discipline your mind. These two skills feed off of one another and carry over to other parts of your life. The more you learn to control your body, the more you control your mind. The more you can control your mind, the more you’ll be able to control your body. This control carries over to other parts of your life as well: Once you can control your body while training, you’ll be able to start controlling your urges to move and fidget. The same goes for your mind. As you discipline your mind, you’ll be able to concentrate and focus on your daily activities, your job and your relationships.

In addition to practice and self-discipline, martial arts teach breathing techniques. Many of them use the slow breathing techniques that have been used by martial artists for centuries. Similar to how specialists help people deal with panic attacks and stress, martial arts use breathing techniques for both physical and mental health and to create the body and mind connection. This connection allows you to run at a peaceful and happy level because you have achieved mastery over your mind and body.

If you’re still not convinced, take the word of someone who’s experienced the effects personally: Jody Walsh spent most of his life not finishing projects and dealing with hyperactivity. He wanted a way to treat his ADHD symptoms without relying on medication for his entire life. That’s when he decided to start training martial arts at Temple Kung-Fu Studios. “The first thing I noticed was that the breathing techniques helped me to calm down, be patient and focus on one thing at a time,” he says. “The physical applications showed me to be more aware of what my body is doing at all times.”

Even if you haven’t been officially diagnosed with adult ADHD, you may suffer from some or even many of the symptoms. If so, you owe it to yourself to start alleviating the stress in your life. The self-discipline and self-awareness needed to train martial arts helps you stay in control of your environment and life. The best place to find these skills is at a fine martial arts school. Why not give it a try? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

To make it even easier, I’ll help you get started. Just contact me and I’ll send you my free report on how to pick a martial arts school.

If you are interested in learning more about how martial arts can help change your life, please contact one of my three locations in Bellevue, Lynnwood or Kent, Washington at 800-508-6141 or martialadvice@hotmail.com to set up a free 2 week trail orientation.

Sincerely,

Robert Jones
Master Instructor
The Academy of Kempo Martial Arts
Masterjones@kungfutemple.com
1-800-508-6141

For more information on this article or others go to Articles on Martial Arts.

Robert Jones runs three successful martial arts schools located in Bellevue, Lynnwood, and Kent Washington. He has been helping families make positive changes in their lives through martial arts for over 20 years. He has also written A Guide on How to Pick a Martial Arts School.

He can be reached at the Academy of Kempo Martial Arts. 800-508-6141. His schools can be found on the web at Bellevue Martial Arts and Kung Fu.