I was going to write about the BASICS of "practical unarmed combat". Things like a solid and productive core of strength training, development of real speed and power. Body conditioning and toughening, Stamina. A "never say die" iron will. You know "esoteric" stuff like that.

But here are something’s you SHOULD do before any of THAT.

Get your ass into a REAL Judo Dojo or REAL Sombo academy. Get on that tatami and do randori with some REAL Judoka or Sombo men.

Get your ass into a REAL wrestling club. Get on the mat with some REAL wrestlers (old time catch hookers and rippers especially).

Get your ass into a REAL boxing/kickboxing/muay thai gym. Get in the ring with some REAL hard and fast hitters.

Invest some dough and get any of a number of "real" street-fight videos or even some good boxing/thai boxing/NHB matches. This in lieu of going out and insulting a group of inner-city gang-bangers, some "real" Mafioso, or some Eastern Block gangsters.

At this point you should be fairly black and blue, mauled a bit, and generally "worked" over. Unless you are an absolute numbnuts you should have a fairly good idea of what it takes to EVEN SURVIVE a REAL fight against a resisting and determined opponent.

The foregoing should give you at least an "inkling" of what you’ll need for REAL "practical unarmed combat" training.

If the "light bulb" doesn’t flash in your noggin’…well maybe you deserve to get your ass tromped.

Copyright 2003 http://www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com ©

Carl Cestari began his study of the martial arts with judo at the age of 7 under the direction of Yoshisada Yonezuka. During the past forty plus years Carl has dedicated his life to studying the martial arts, hand to hand combat systems, history and religion. What makes Carl unique is his combination of martial arts, law enforcement, military and real world experience. Carl has been exposed to a multitude of people with a wide variety experience. The following is a list of some of Carl’s ranks and honors.

Shinan (Founder) Tekkenryu jujutsu Ryokudan (6th degree) Koshinkai Karate under John Burrelle Godan (5th degree) Jujutsu under Clarke of the World Jujutsu Fedaration (now defunct) Sandan (3rd degree) Nippon Kempo under Narabu Sada Nidan (2nd degree) Judo under Masafumi Suzuki Shodan (1st degree) Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka Shodan (1st degree) Shukokai Karate under Kimura, Kadachi and Yonezuka Shodan (1st degree) Daitoryu Aikijujutsu Instructors Certificate- Charles Nelson System of Self Defense under Charlie Nelson

http://www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com

Just as an aside. For those who would "box" us in to specific "category"………

We don’t just write articles. There is a place we actually train in these methods every day. This is where people of various backgrounds come together and have one thing in common, TRAINING.

At the "Dojo"(which it is), we train in grappling methods drawn from many different styles. Hard HARD training in throws, takedowns, joint locks, chokes, strangleholds, and varied submissions. We drill and drill and FIGHT.

At the "Dojo"(which it is), we train in striking, punching, and kicking methods drawn from many different styles. Hard HARD training. We drill and drill, we hit heavy bags, banana bags, uppercut bags, speedbags, "makiwara", and "spar pros". We train full contact with Bogu and FIGHT.

At the "Dojo"(which it is), we train in hard combative oriented physical conditioning. Strength training, speed training, endless drills, grappling enhancement drills, striking enhancement drills. This helps us FIGHT. This is what we do.

The DOJO is there. It’s real and tangible. It’s where we TRAIN. Just a note to anyone who might believe we sit around JUST reading books and pontificating. The door is always open and the invitation to train is there. You can call 973.831.0315.

Copyright 2003 http://www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com ©

Carl Cestari began his study of the martial arts with judo at the age of 7 under the direction of Yoshisada Yonezuka. During the past forty plus years Carl has dedicated his life to studying the martial arts, hand to hand combat systems, history and religion. What makes Carl unique is his combination of martial arts, law enforcement, military and real world experience. Carl has been exposed to a multitude of people with a wide variety experience. The following is a list of some of Carl’s ranks and honors.

Shinan (Founder) Tekkenryu jujutsu Ryokudan (6th degree) Koshinkai Karate under John Burrelle Godan (5th degree) Jujutsu under Clarke of the World Jujutsu Fedaration (now defunct) Sandan (3rd degree) Nippon Kempo under Narabu Sada Nidan (2nd degree) Judo under Masafumi Suzuki Shodan (1st degree) Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka Shodan (1st degree) Shukokai Karate under Kimura, Kadachi and Yonezuka Shodan (1st degree) Daitoryu Aikijujutsu Instructors Certificate- Charles Nelson System of Self Defense under Charlie Nelson

http://www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com

“Fronting": The dodge to get in close to you. The frontal assault, as opposed to the ambush.

Fronting can be either a direct confrontation (intimidation) or it can make use of "artifice", i.e. "got a light?", "got the time?", "how do I get to such and such?" Anything "innocent" to throw you off your guard and allow the assailant to "get into your safety zone". That is the area where action is ALWAYS faster than re-action.

The key here is NEVER TRUST anyone’s "intention", NEVER!

Maintaining the "reactionary gap" is the single most important "thing" in this situation. In order for ANY attack to be optimally effective three things must "work" in the attackers favor: Time - Distance - Opportunity.

NEVER "allow" anyone within arms distance. If they are close enough to simply reach out and touch you, you have a BIG PROBLEM.

How did you get there?

I wish I had a dime for every self-defense "expert" that starts with this line - OK, the bad guy throws a punch……………

WHAT? Did he just appear in a cloud of smoke? Simply materialize from nowhere? What preceded this "punch"?

How did he approach you and manage to get into your safety zone? Is it an "ambush"? How did you wind up dealing with the attack? The equation for dealing with this is NOT the "defense", it’s understanding our "triad", TIME - DISTANCE - OPPORTUNITY.

Increase the TIME necessary for the assailant to be effective.

Decrease the TIME necessary for YOUR attack to be effective.

Increase the DISTANCE necessary for the assailant to be effective.

Decrease the DISTANCE necessary for YOUR attack to be effective.

Remove or minimize the OPPORTUNITY necessary for the assailant to be effective.

MAXIMIZE your OPPORTUNITY to make YOUR attack effective.

The assailant has to TARGET YOU, COVER THE DISTANCE TO GET TO YOU, and then have THE OPPORTUNITY to implement his assault, in other words you have to be there when he gets there.

Now! Time - Distance - Opportunity = SPEED - POWER - ACCURACY.

That’s the full "combat" equation. It works for the assailant AND it works for you.

So, I’m more concerned with "how" we disrupt the equation for the attacker and use it to our advantage, than I am about "defending against the punch".

Here are two good ones:

"A miss is as good as a mile" "Almost only works for horseshoes and hand-grenades"

That’s also what I mean when I say look at the "big picture".

Combat shooting:

Speed and "man-killing" accuracy: "nail driving" accuracy is great as long as it doesn’t affect your SPEED!

Distance: measure off the longest "area" in your home. Hallway, bedroom, kitchen, or all the places that an attack may occur. What’s the distance? Don’t waste time at firing ranges over that!

I know people that have weapons strategically placed around their living environment. Never know where you’ll be when you need what you don’t have, right?

How about the one place where you really are naked as a jay-bird? How about the shower? Drawstring or a plastic bag (waterproof) with you, in the shower, containing 230 grains of "soap". No, I’m NOT kidding. Better to have "it" and NOT ever need it, than to need "it" and NOT have it. ALWAYS, ALWAYS…..remember Uncle Murphy! The SOB will always show up when least expected, ALWAYS!

Copyright 2003 www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com ©

Carl Cestari began his study of the martial arts with judo at the age of 7 under the direction of Yoshisada Yonezuka. During the past forty plus years Carl has dedicated his life to studying the martial arts, hand to hand combat systems, history and religion. What makes Carl unique is his combination of martial arts, law enforcement, military and real world experience. Carl has been exposed to a multitude of people with a wide variety experience. The following is a list of some of Carl’s ranks and honors.

Shinan (Founder) Tekkenryu jujutsu Ryokudan (6th degree) Koshinkai Karate under John Burrelle Godan (5th degree) Jujutsu under Clarke of the World Jujutsu Fedaration (now defunct) Sandan (3rd degree) Nippon Kempo under Narabu Sada Nidan (2nd degree) Judo under Masafumi Suzuki Shodan (1st degree) Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka Shodan (1st degree) Shukokai Karate under Kimura, Kadachi and Yonezuka Shodan (1st degree) Daitoryu Aikijujutsu Instructors Certificate- Charles Nelson System of Self Defense under Charlie Nelson

http://www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com

We all have a good foundation in the basic blows and combinations.

Think about adding the following drills to your basic syllabus.

These can be trained as "stand alone" combinations OR worked into existing "Defendu" combinations either "before" or "after".

1. HARD left lead to chin (mental foramen) HARD overhand right to chin (opposite side) then: HARD upward right knee to fork.

Repeat punching combo. Then: Side step with right leg (out and to the right 45 degree) LEFT knee to fork.

2. HARD left to chin. HARD right to solar-plexus.

Then the knee smashes as above.

3. HARD left to SOLAR-PLEXUS. HARD right to chin.

Then the knee smashes as above.

4. HARD left to solar-plexus. HARD right to SOLAR-PLEXUS.

Then the knee smashes as above.

Basically it’s a series of drills to train the TWO most fundamental punches to head and body, followed by a knee smash to the nuts, practicing with either knee.

Give it a try.

NO BITCHING about "hurting" your hands! NO "Nancy" boys (or girls) allowed here!

________________________________________

Now try this:

For the sake of the drill "visualize" an attacker moving in with a straight left lead right to your snot-box.

What realistic possibilities exist:

1. Side step IN to your LEFT and 45 degrees.

2. Side step DIRECTLY to YOUR left.

3. Side step BACK to LEFT at 45 degrees.

4. STEP directly to the REAR.

Any of these FOUR "inside" shifts/footwork maneuvers will allow you to avoid/evade the straight left and COUNTER from the OPEN or INSIDE line (his right/your left).

EACH of these sidestep/back step maneuvers HAS both advantages and disadvantages. Depending on environment-obstacles and/or multiple assailants, etc. EACH can be useful if NOT the only choice possible. FIGURE THIS OUT!

Now add the FOUR basic combinations. You NOW have TWENTY-FOUR drills to use and abuse. TWO HARD PUNCHES - A KNEE or KICK to the NUTS and FOUR footwork maneuvers and YOU have enough material to LAST FOR MONTHS or daily training.

AND THIS is only for YOUR LEFT SIDE!

SOOOOOOOOOO………How do we train this and REALLY LEARN from it:

Face your main striking tool (Bob, Spar Pro, Heavy bag). VISUALIZE the STRAIGHT LEFT LEAD and THE BODY POSITION of your IMAGINARY attacker. The bag now becomes THAT assailant - Left hand snaking out to crush your - LEFT foot forward, BODY turned to a 45 degree.

OK? Get IT?

NOW practice sidestepping as above and then IMMEDIATELY countering. EACH FOOTWORK pattern will allow you (or FORCE you) to make adjustments in order to close in and HIT with POWER, speed, accuracy and BALANCE. WORK THIS!!!!!!!! Your common sense and BODY will TEACH YOU THE BEST WAY to do THIS!

NEXT………………………Place an OBSTACLE like a chair at various points to YOUR left or the bags right. This represents either a REAL obstacle OR a SECOND adversary.

NOW, figure OUT which BODY maneuver will GET YOU OUT of DODGE and still ALLOW for a HARD and FAST while GIVING the "second" opponent the LEAST chance of successfully attacking OR how you would have to move to AVOID a REAL WORLD obstacle.

And this is JUST the beginning! Imagine how GOOD you will become if you TRAIN EACH INDIVIDUAL technique like this!

Make a COMPLETE study of a KNEE smash, edge of hand, chin-jab, tiger-claw, side boot kick, groin kick, elbows, punches, and on and on! Master each INDIVDUAL attack covering ALL OPTIONS both left and right sides and LEFT and RIGHT body shifting!

THEN start with combinations!

Just think of the SKILL, SPEED, POWER and MASTERY you will acquire over EACH attack method, and THEN consider how well you’ll move with your combinations!

This is what we worked on yesterday at Ralph’s.

Like I always say……………YOU are YOUR BEST TEACHER!

Get something REALLY GOOD to HIT. Attach a rope or belt or anything that you can SEIZE HARD and YANK with your left hand. Now take your right fist and PUNCH AS HARD, AS FAST, AS POWERFULLY as YOU CAN REPEATEDLY. FASTER and HARDER. WITH AS MUCH INTENSE EMOTION, ANGER, RAGE, HATE, FURY, VENOM, FEROCITY and KILLING INSTINCT as you CAN!

Copyright 2003 www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com ©

Carl Cestari began his study of the martial arts with judo at the age of 7 under the direction of Yoshisada Yonezuka. During the past forty plus years Carl has dedicated his life to studying the martial arts, hand to hand combat systems, history and religion. He is continually improving himself through his studies. What makes Carl unique is his combination of martial arts, law enforcement, military and real world experience. Carl has been exposed to a multitude of people with a wide variety experience. Below is a list of some of Carl’s ranks and honors.

Shinan (Founder)Tekkenryu jujutsu

Ryokudan (6th degree)

Koshinkai Karate under John Burrelle

Godan (5th degree)Jujutsu under Clarke of the World Jujutsu Fedaration (now defunct)

Sandan (3rd degree)Nippon Kempo under Narabu Sada

Nidan (2nd degree)Judo under Masafumi Suzuki

Shodan (1st degree)Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka

Shodan (1st degree)Shukokai Karate under Kimura, Kadachi and Yonezuka

Shodan (1st degree)Daitoryu Aikijujutsu

Instructors Certificate-Charles Nelson System of Self Defense under Charlie Nelson

How many times do you practice techniques with your training partner and you stay in the same spot? Next time you are training, see how much you and your partner move. You will find you move very little or not at all. You see, when you are training, or doing ANYTHING for that matter, you always try to seek the path of least resistance. This is natural and can be viewed as a good thing (more on that later). Because you concentrate on the repetitions and the minutia of the detail, how hard we are hitting, what we look like, you are forgetting the big picture. And its easier to stand in the same spot. I am constantly reminding my guys- MOVE FORWARD!

If you don’t, you are neglecting a fundamental truth in the world of combat. I don’t care if your boxing, wrestling, playing football or engaging in combat- one thing is ALWAYS TRUE. Those who are winning are ALWAYS TAKING GROUND. Every time I look at a techniques demonstrated it is always two guys standing there with one guy doing the move and the other guy standing there. This is good for demonstrations sake, but when you drill it you do it with movement. One of the mistakes I see Judo Players, Karate Practitioners and Wrestlers make is that they practice technique without any movement. Do you actually fight like that- NO. When you fight, you are constantly moving and adjusting. When you fight for real you are always moving forward. If you are moving backwards- you are loosing. But don’t worry, it will be over soon.

In the Old School Series Carl explains and demonstrates how to take ground in this simple explanation- Always be where your enemy is standing. Meaning you are constantly moving forward and taking ground once you have started your assault. Think about any boxing match. Not when people are stalking and feeling each other out. I’m talking about when a guy gets a good shot and the blood is in the water and he just starts throwing bombs and running the guy over. If the ropes weren’t there, his opponent would be in the cheap seats!

Take the Greek Phalanx for example. The majority of the casualties didn’t happen when both sides were pressing against each other. It was only when one side broke and retreated that most of the deaths occurred. Even in modern combat- during the first contact, it is uncommon to incur a lot of casualties. Once the enemy tries to break contact and retreat, most of the casualties occur.

When you train you must program yourself to take ground. When you are practicing make sure your foot work is stomping and deliberate. This accomplishes 2 things.

1. It will allow you to compensate for a wide variety of terrain and

2. You will be delivering stomps and scrapes to your enemy’s shins and feet.

Simply start at one end of your training space and work across the floor- always take ground. If your partner doesn’t move… MOVE HIM! Deliver a smash with your shoulder (OS 2 Advanced Strikes and Blows) and just keep driving. Like Carl talks about through out the series- you take bits and pieces until you start taking off larger chunks. This happens rapidly and violently. You keep taking ground overwhelm and overrun your enemy. Remember- Keep moving forward. Like my college football coach said,”If you’re gonna go, go. If you’re not gonna go, don’t go!

Copyright 2003 www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com ©

Damian Ross is the owner of Zenshin and instructor of Tekkenryu jujutsu and Kodokan Judo. He started competing in the combative sport of wrestling in 1975 at the age of 7 and began his study of Asian martial arts with Moo Duk Kwan Tae Kwon Do at the age of 16 in 1984. In 1989, Shinan Cestari gave a seminar at Sensei Ross’s dojo. Sensei Ross has trained under Shinan Cestari’s direction ever since. In addition to Tekkenryu Jujutsu, Judo and Tae Kwon Do, Sensei Ross has also studied Bando. Sensei Ross continues his study of Judo under the direction of 8th degree black belt Yoshisada Yonezuka and Tekkenryu Jujutsu under it’s founder, Carl Cestari. Below are is a list of some of his title ranks Yodan (fourth degree black belt) Tekkenryu Jujutsu under Carl Cestari Shodan (First degree black belt) Kodokan Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka Varsity Wrestling Lehigh University under Thad Turner 2nd Degree Black Belt Tae Kwon Do

I received a returned video from a well meaning, but severely misguided, former customer. This is a rarity since over the past 2 plus years and hundreds upon hundreds of videos shipped; I can only count 3 returns. One was unopened, one included a note that the recipient thought the videos would be something else, but he intended to buy the rest of the videos we offered, hmmm smells a little fishy (incidentally, this person has been banned from buying anything from us again). And lastly, this well-meaning person. The note inside prompted me to write this article. He identified himself that he was an orange belt in Krav Maga and that he has been instructed to “relax” and be loose during a life or death struggle. Now, I have not trained in Krav Maga nor do I know anything about the modern version of it. My focus is on the “relaxing” strategy; which I have heard from a variety of different “experts” during my 30 plus on the mat.

For efficiency of movement and economy of energy, there is NO DOUBT, that being relaxed is better. In combative sport it is essential that you conserve your energy and use it when an opportunity presents its self. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works when your neck is on the line. There are two instances that “relaxing” in a real fight can happen. The first is you have had hundreds of life and death confrontations. This allows you to be inoculated against the stress (some times). In that case, I want to meet you. Now it is IMPOSSIBLE to replicate fighting for your life in training. You can get intense, but it’s not even close. Because deep down, you know you’re not going to die, no matter how intense you train.

The second is you’re a sociopath. In that case you should be arrested. Let’s look at a non-fighting example:

Most of us drive, some better than others. When you’re driving and you get cut off, what happens? A shot of adrenalin and your moving before you can even think about it. Your hear rate increases, you start to breathe rapidly and you spit out the nearest obscenity. Are you “Relaxed?” Most of us drive EVERYDAY. If it’s something as mundane as driving (unless you’re driving with Clint, in that case it IS a life or death situation) why aren’t you able to RELAX when you are about to crash? Simple, because you realize that your life is at risk and your body prepares for the worst. And there’s NOTHING you can do about it. Now don’t start telling me about some Grand Dragon Wizard Master. I’m talking about you.

Here’s another example:

First responders, people who deal with life and death regularly, Fire Fighters, EMT’s, Police and Soldiers all get that gut-churning feeling when they know SOMEONE’S life is at stake. No matter how many times they go to a call, they get the same feeling. That’s why training is simple, routine and repeated thousands of times. You need to perform common tasks during uncommon circumstances. And this is the ONLY way to do it. It’s only your training that prepares you. And it’s the repetition of high percentage techniques that will save you at that critical moment. It has to be instinct. During these times, your body is only going to allow you to perform certain functions. Relaxing is not one of them, pissing your self is. On the site I talk about the effects of your body’s mobilization for battle (www.how2fight.com). These are biological functions you can not over ride. IT IS AUTOMATIC.

This is where combat sport and real combat part ways. No matter what is “allowed” in competition, you know the other guy is not going to kill you. It doesn’t matter if it’s the UFC or the Olympics, you may get beat up, but you won’t get dead. You will be nervous, tense, and even scared. But deep down you know that if you get into trouble, the fight will be stopped. This is ALL the difference. Men like Carl Cestari, Charlie Nelson, W.E. Fairbairn, EA Sykes, Biddle, Applegate and others all experienced this first hand. Even Bruce Lee talked about using the “straight blast” when really pressed. Why not use the straight blast EVERY time?

This is the value of the videos @ www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com are why they are so successful with military, police and seasoned martial artists. They know the difference.

When you fight for your life your body operates in a way that is beyond your control. You need to train in such a way that allows you to operate in this “zone”. Did you know that a typical adrenaline blast lasts only 30 seconds? Then you need about 3 minute to “reboot”. That is a lifetime when you are fighting the unknown. Weapons, multiple assailants, broken bottles on the ground, snow, sleet- all must be factored in. Standing toe to toe and practicing your contrived techniques….where does this happen. Even trying to practice your breathing is ludicrous (not the rapper, that’s ludakris). How many first hand accounts start with “He came out of no where” or “he suddenly appeared”. If you see him or “mark” him, chances are he will pick another victim. He will come out of no where! The other element that should be mentioned is your assailant. Personally, I train for the meanest, toughest SOB I can imagine. I picture him appearing at my door. I think about him coming into the door of my dojo and only one of us is going home. And I guarantee you, if some one is standing between me and my family- there’s no question of the outcome. Incidentally, you should feel the same way too. It’s easy to practice to beat your training partner; it’s easy to do something on your friends or even the local blow-hard down at the pub. That’s 70% of the world. You should worry about that psycho 1% and let the other 99% take care of its self. If you think that you ARE trained you will be surprised what happens when you are in this situation. You never think you are going to act the way you think you are.

True story: Famous Okinawan Karate man, was serving as a Marine in Viet Nam. This person had trained in Okinawa under Choki Mobotu for several years prior to his deployment in Vietnam. During his training with Mobotu he endured endless hours of makiwara training and bogu fighting. During a firefight in Viet Nam the conflict degraded in to hand to hand. As I am hearing the story, I was waiting to hear how he decimated a V.C. Platoon with a reverse punch, I mean real “One shot- one kill”. Since grenades was all he had left and they were too close to throw them, he proceeded to bash people in the head with the grenades. After that, did he start knocking dead with a front kick, no he proceeded to use his helmet as a club and smash guys the enemy in the face. Was his training a waste of time? Definitely not, in fact, it was probably his training that gave him the stones to do what he did. Did he ever imagine his reaction, no. But it worked. The point is even if you think you’re “trained, you won’t know what will happen when your life is on the line. When your gross motor skills kick in and you CAN’T EVEN SPEAK, do you think you will be able to “RELAX”.

©2005 www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com

Damian Ross is the owner of Zenshin and instructor of Tekkenryu jujutsu and Kodokan Judo. He started competing in the combative sport of wrestling in 1975 at the age of 7 and began his study of Asian martial arts with Moo Duk Kwan Tae Kwon Do at the age of 16 in 1984. In 1989, Shinan Cestari gave a seminar at Sensei Ross’s dojo. Sensei Ross has trained under Shinan Cestari’s direction ever since. In addition to Tekkenryu Jujutsu, Judo and Tae Kwon Do, Sensei Ross has also studied Bando. Sensei Ross continues his study of Judo under the direction of 8th degree black belt Yoshisada Yonezuka and Tekkenryu Jujutsu under it’s founder, Carl Cestari. Below are is a list of some of his title ranks

Yodan (fourth degree black belt) Tekkenryu Jujutsu under Carl Cestari Shodan (First degree black belt) Kodokan Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka Varsity Wrestling Lehigh University under Thad Turner 2nd Degree Black Belt Tae Kwon Do http://www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com

“HONE O ORERU” is a Japanese term that translates literally as “BREAK THE BONES”. It is an essential concept of true SHUGYO and a central theme of a true Budo Dojo. What this term means at it’s essence has EVERYTHING to do with the forging of an iron will and a determined resolute SPIRIT. Hone O Oreru epitomizes the nature and purpose of true Budo as expressed in physical “keiko” or training.

Hone O Oreru is an admonishment to constantly strive to TRAIN HARDER. To train until “ONE’S BONES ARE BROKEN”! What does this truly mean? And what does this “teach us”? On the foundational level it forces us to endeavor fully with all our physical powers to “go the extra mile”. To squeeze every last drop of blood, sweat and tears from our training, to fulfill a mandate of absolute accomplishment! To train with such dedication and single minded purpose that we are assured of having given our all. To train HARDER and then HARDER again and again until OUR BONES HAVE BROKEN! This is of course a metaphor, but its central message is clear, do NOT accept anything less than a fully honest, totally dedicated striving for accomplishment. More often than not, excuses are simply lies that we tell to ourselves to abate the sharp sting of acknowledging our OWN shortcomings.

On a different level we can apply HONE O ORERU to virtually any aspect of human endeavor. From pursuing an education, to raising and fully providing for our family and loved ones, from being a true, honest and abiding friend through both good times and bad, to comforting, caring for and loving an aged and dying parent, from writing the “great American” novel to seeking a cure for cancer, ALL these require a dedication and single-mindedness of PURPOSE that exemplify HONE O ORERU.

To give ones ALL, and NOT to half-step, backslide, regret or give in to fear, failure or excuse is the ONE lesson that lies as the cornerstone of ALL great accomplishment and human achievement. To do a “thing”, anything, with all of one’s heart and soul is to touch, even briefly, the essence of our creation, the core of our humanity.

ANY undertaking only becomes worthwhile and POSSIBLE when we are willing to accept “Hone O Oreru” as our chosen path for achieving our goals and ideals.

Another important thing to consider when understanding Hone O Oreru is the inherent aspect of “RISK”. To strive for a goal, either in life or in training, with such ferocity of determination that we are willing to “break our bones” in the process is to FULLY accept and FACE the RISK of truly fighting to attain our goal. In this ever increasing climate of politically correct namby-pamby “feel good” mediocrity (aka “steaming pile of bullsh#$”) the central message of Hone O Oreru is that GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS entail by their very NATURE, GREAT RISK!

We all have a limited amount of time as we pass from cradle to grave. We can easily harbor or rut ourselves in that which is safe, content, familiar, and mediocre OR we can live FULLY and ROBUSTLY! Actively embracing and even openly welcoming HONE O ORERU as OUR STANDARD in the pursuit of GREAT ACHIEVEMENT.

NONE of us have any choice in the FACT that one day we will ALL be, as Willy the Shakes so eloquently put it, ….. FOOD FOR THE WORMS. BUT we DO have a choice as to how we walk our walk until that fateful day when Mr. Reaper does knock soundly at our door. And THAT does, dear ones, make ALL THE DIFFERENCE!

HONE – O – ORERU may very well be the key!

©2005 www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com

Carl Cestari began his study of the martial arts with judo at the age of 7 under the direction of Yoshisada Yonezuka. During the past forty plus years Carl has dedicated his life to studying the martial arts, hand to hand combat systems, history and religion. What makes Carl unique is his combination of martial arts, law enforcement and military and real world experience. Carl has been exposed to a multitude of people with a wide variety experience. The following is a list of some of Carl’s ranks and honors:

Shinan (Founder) Tekkenryu jujutsu
Ryokudan (6th degree) Koshinkai Karate under John Burrelle
Godan (5th degree) Jujutsu under Clarke of the World Jujutsu Fedaration (now defunct)
Sandan (3rd degree) Nippon Kempo under Narabu Sada
Nidan (2nd degree) Judo under Masafumi Suzuki
Shodan (1st degree) Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka
Shodan (1st degree) Shukokai Karate under Kimura, Kadachi and Yonezuka
Shodan (1st degree) Daitoryu Aikijujutsu
Instructors Certificate- Charles Nelson System of Self Defense under Charlie Nelson

http://www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com

I’m sure a lot of you remember the scene in the movie "The Presidio" were Sean Connery’s character decimates the jackass in the bar with nothing more than his thumb!

Some of you may remember Andy Adam’s book on Ninjutsu highlighting Hatsumi. Several photos showed the intense conditioning of natural weapons including the ‘boshiken" or thumb fist. One photo in particular impressed me. That showed a small flat stone being broken by a "thumb" jab.

Sykes, it has been reported, had a tremendous amount of grip and hand strength. He was apparently quite fond of the "thumb" jab. Though NOT a basic method, since conditioning over a period of time is mandatory, it still was a favored "personal" weapon of his.

Allowing the thumb to jut out along the side of the fist was a "street" tactic shown to me when I was a kid by my father and uncles. Aimed at the eyes it made that left jab a really potent weapon.

The thumb as a weapon can be used to strike, gouge and/or apply tremendous concentrated force. It is also used in many Judo/Jujutsu "shimewaza" of the "combat" variety.

Many methods employ this type of strike. The problem is CONFIDENCE in its use! Here’s a method of toughening and strengthening the "thumb" that is specific to its use in hand to hand combat:

Grab your palm sized "crushing" rock. Keep the flattest side UP. If the rock you use is TOO round, find a flatter one.

Get a THICK DENSE piece of foam as used in upholstery.

Place the rock in the middle form your "thumb jab" fist, place the pad of the thumb on the rock and PUSH. Try to push/press the rock right THRU the foam. DON’T STRIKE IT YET! Just numerous repetitions of the FORCEFUL push! Repeat it over and over. Over time you will be able to strike the rock and ram it right down fully to the bottom of the thick foam pad.

Other good exercises such as the "thumb" hook push up on bricks or cinderblocks can also be added as well as any other personal favorites, BUT the exercise as described above is about as specific to USING the "thumb" jab as you can get.

I train the thumb in several uses:

Boshiken - Thumb tip jab
Boshiken - Thumb knuckle Uechi style
Oyayubiken - Thumb knuckle fist
Tohote - Sword tip hand (thumb hook)
Dim Jeang - Palm strike with thumb jab. From Fushan Wing Chun as taught by Sifu Chong.
Ying Jow - Eagle claw with thumb crush/gouge

In Dr. Ernst Jokl’s excellent treatise on the scientific and medical aspects of boxing blows, he describes the "old" street fighter’s trick of jabbing the extended thumb into the carotid and causing a knockout. He also details some "jiu-jitsu" blows with the edge of hand.

All of the foregoing weapons can be trained on the makiwara. Just start EASY. And………………keep a bottle of "New Skin" handy.

Here’s another "good" one: Get a cinder block. Place it long ways in front of you. Open hands, and "hook" thumbs in openings on each end of block. Apply OUTWARD pressure with THUMBS ALONE and lift AND HOLD. Repeat several dozen times.

Also any king of "pinch" grip work is also great!

Copyright 2003 http://www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com

Carl Cestari began his study of the martial arts with judo at the age of 7 under the direction of Yoshisada Yonezuka. During the past forty plus years Carl has dedicated his life to studying the martial arts, hand to hand combat systems, history and religion. What makes Carl unique is his combination of martial arts, law enforcement and military and real world experience. Carl has been exposed to a multitude of people with a wide variety experience. The following is a list of some of Carl’s ranks and honors:

Shinan (Founder) Tekkenryu jujutsu Ryokudan (6th degree) Koshinkai Karate under John Burrelle Godan (5th degree) Jujutsu under Clarke of the World Jujutsu Fedaration (now defunct) Sandan (3rd degree) Nippon Kempo under Narabu Sada Nidan (2nd degree) Judo under Masafumi Suzuki Shodan (1st degree) Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka Shodan (1st degree) Shukokai Karate under Kimura, Kadachi and Yonezuka Shodan (1st degree) Daitoryu Aikijujutsu Instructors Certificate- Charles Nelson System of Self Defense under Charlie Nelson

http://www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com

When discussing self-defense training, we really need to be discussing more than just learning some tricks and techniques for dodging punches or escaping locks and holds. Why then, are most instructors content with stopping at, and most students satisfied with learning, self-defense in a vaccuum?

Well, I have my own beliefs, mostly involving the fact that most have never been in a real-world self-preservation situation with an assailant out to do maximum damage with any technique or weapon they choose. Basically…

… they don’t know any better.

In this issue, I want to look at a foundational idea that the rest of our training philosophies should take into account if we are to prepare ourselves in the most efficient and effective way possible.

First, we need to consider the learning curve of the average human being. When we think about how we learn best, aside from the methods that we might have been exposed to along the way, it becomes obvious that the "natural" way to learn can be seen in the following pattern:

That is, the most effecient and effective learning model for most of us is to:

• Do the ‘thing’ in a hands-on fashion.

So, what’s the problem you might ask. That’s the way martial artists train in just about every dojo or training center around.

The problem is that…

… the above formula is only half the equation!

The problem is that, we may learn best this way but, we operate very differently when under stress. I don’t mean just danger, but any time stress factors play on us. Whether we’re talking about fear, sadness, happiness, or whatever, we simply operate in a different way than we learn. And, this must be accounted for in the learning curve or we will simply be unprepared for a real-life encounter with an attacker.

The difference that I’m speaking of is really an exact opposite of the learning formula. When under stress, human beings operate by the formula:

This means that in a life-threatening situation we will:

• Have an emotional reaction - to the type of attack, the assailant, the environment, rules and regulations that we are bound by, and a hundred other factors.

To say that the formulas are different, is more than an understatement.

What are we to do with this information? How can it help us to better train to be prepared for a life-saving situation?

Quite simply - we can make sure that we are producing and working under a particular emotional mode when training for self defense. This will require a training atmosphere akin to that used by actors-in-training than what we are typically used to seeing in a martial arts academy.

The Four Base Emotions

The human being enters the world with four base emotional triggers that, based on future stimuli and the addition of the higher mental functions, combine to produce the many emotions themselves. But, from a primative, self-preservation perspective, it is these 4 base impulses that we will concern ourself.

The four base emotional responses to stress are:

• Confident, stability - we’re basically unmoved by the threat, because there is no perceived threat.

While there have been countless martial arts and self-defense systems that have been designed around a particular emotional response mode, no one mode is right or wrong in and of itself. Each one is an option to be channelled and used as a tool, if only we knew how.

In part 2 of this article, we’ll take a look at how each of these emotional responses can be used appropriately in the right situation. Until then…

Jeffrey M. Miller is the founder and director of Warrior Concepts International in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. He is the author of the "Foundations of Self-Defense Mastery" eCourse, which is available free of charge to subscribers of his self defense newsletter. You can subscribe to the newsletter at: http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/newsletter-subscribe-self-defense.html He is also the creator of the EDR: Non-Martial Arts Defensive Training Program, author of the book, "The Karate-Myth" as-well-as the powerful, "Danger Prevention Tactics" video. Additional information is available by visiting http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com

Fundamental "Nuts & Bolts" training for close combat should be directed at dealing with the extremes. That is a life and death struggle for survival, i.e. worst case scenario. Restraint, control, and use of force scenarios and methods are peripheral to this core training. In other words train to deal with these beliefs at the forefront: The enemy is quite willing and capable of killing you - there are multiple threats - they are armed - the assailant(s) are bigger, stronger, faster than you and they CAN FIGHT! Can it get any worse that that? Now add this to the mix: You are physically/mentally exhausted - ill or injured - caught by absolute surprise - may have to protect others as well - no viable avenue of E&E.

So what do we HAVE to do? I think we would all agree that immediate and absolute "threat" elimination by the most extreme (hence most reliable) measures possible is really the only pragmatic answer. So now what?

Let’s look to real world models for some possible answers. Three potential goals seem obvious:

1 - Immediate cessation of life. Yes, killing the SOB’s outright!

2 - Unconsciousness. Knocking the SOB’s out cold!

3 - Acute traumatic shock (least viable). Making it physically impossible for the SOB’s to do ANYTHING.

I would heartily suggest following up with 1 or 2. John Minnery had a good line, "If you killed him once and you’re sure he’s dead, kill him again and be dead sure". If anyone regards this as melodramatic or overly harsh; well consider what you would do if some animal were about to harm your wife, children, etc.

Look at it this way. Most of us have dogs. You wouldn’t think of hurting or harming that animal. Now you’re walking through the woods and you come across a rabid dog, foaming at the mouth, and it closing in on you and your family. Ask your self, would you think twice about killing that dog where it stands? Of course not! What’s the difference between that dog and the one at home? Your dog at home behaves in a way that deserves your love and respect. The rabid dog behaves in a way that doesn’t. Enough said.

Considering the worst case, it seems only logical that we attack the most viable targets with ruthless, abject brutality. Priority #1 - the throat/neck region and the face/skull (brain box). Everything else is secondary. Why? These two areas assure the "biggest bang for the buck" so to speak. Reality sucks, so you may very well have only ONE CHANCE, you had better make it the best chance possible! This applies to unarmed as well as armed combat.

Attack the throat with the INTENTION of crushing it! No brainer.

Attack the anterior/lateral carotid triangle. One of TWO primary KO points.

Kyusho/Dim Mak this AIN’T! Just "hammer" the bastard. Fast, hard and often is the key phrase!

Attack the cervical spine/C-1 - dens bone attachment.

Attack the head/brain case. Now here we get interesting. The goal in attacking the head should be, in my opinion, to cause ACUTE TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY. Other possible injuries are secondary. Attack with the intention of causing massive "coup contra coup" brain trauma, either through translational or rotational impact. Cause severe "kinking" of the brain stem, either by hyper flexion or extension. Forget the "death touch" stuff. THIS IS HOW people in the real world get F***ed up.

Just research contact sports injuries, i.e. football, hockey, soccer, boxing and judo. Shocking the medulla and the raephi ganglia are proven "shut downs" in the real world. Second proven KO is located at the jawline lateral to the chin at about the spot where the mental foramen is located(draw a vertical line down from corner of mouth). This is the classic boxing KO and is due in large part to rotational acceleration causing "brain bounce" or concussive referal shock and acute twisting of the cervical vertabrae.

No one is saying that this is "easy", BUT it is what you are going to HAVE to do. Sometimes you CAN attack directly, sometimes you can’t. Uncle Murphy rules the roost here. So you DO whatever you have to DO, but get there! Spit in his eyes, slam a kick(with real intent and hopefully solid boots) into his shins, crush his nuts with a knee, grab the bastard and bite his nose off…….whatever! Shock him, rock him, and knock him out! Or just smile simpering and waste the skel with total abject ruthlessness. Then go home and get a good night’s sleep.

It ain’t pretty, it ain’t easy, it ain’t fun, this is SERIOUS "guano" and your very life and well-being will be hanging in the balance. Either stand up, accept it and deal with it, or fold your hand, the choice is yours. The morgue is filled with compromise. Survival is its OWN REWARD!

Copyright 2003 www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com ©

Carl Cestari began his study of the martial arts with judo at the age of 7 under the direction of Yoshisada Yonezuka. During the past forty plus years Carl has dedicated his life to studying the martial arts, hand to hand combat systems, history and religion. What makes Carl unique is his combination of martial arts, law enforcement and military and real world experience. Carl has been exposed to a multitude of people with a wide variety experience. The following is a list of some of Carl’s ranks and honors.

Shinan (Founder) Tekkenryu jujutsu
Ryokudan (6th degree) Koshinkai Karate under John Burrelle
Godan (5th degree) Jujutsu under Clarke of the World Jujutsu Fedaration (now defunct)
Sandan (3rd degree) Nippon Kempo under Narabu Sada
Nidan (2nd degree) Judo under Masafumi Suzuki
Shodan (1st degree) Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka
Shodan (1st degree) Shukokai Karate under Kimura, Kadachi and Yonezuka
Shodan (1st degree) Daitoryu Aikijujutsu
Instructors Certificate- Charles Nelson System of Self Defense under Charlie Nelson

http://www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com