Self Defense Classes: Top 5 Things To Look For In A Self Defense Class

Shopping for a self defense course can be confusing and you probably don't know what you should be looking for in the first place (that's why you are looking for a course in the first place)

So here is a quick list of the most important things to find out before signing up or purchasing any self defense course.

1. Does the instructor have real world self defense or combat experience, not just a black belt?

You don't have to be a self defense or fighting expert to get a black belt. Many dojo masters have little to no real world fighting experience.

Look for a course taught by someone with military, bar bouncing, law enforcement, or body guarding experience. These are the people who deal with self defense all the time.

2. How is the course taught? Will you be sparring full speed with a partner or practicing full speed on a person in a padded suit?

If not keep shopping. How can you possibly hope to do something in a real life high stress environment when you have never even practiced it full speed in a controlled environment?

3. How long is the course? A weekend course is a great start but you will need to find a dedicated partner to practice with after the course is over. I would suggest practicing at least two or three times a month to keep your skills up (this is a bare minimum).

A month long course would be a much better choice because we can only learn so much in a weekend. More classes will allow you to remember more information and make your responses second nature.

4. What is the focus of the course? Is the instructor more concerned about techniques or targets?

Self defense is all about targets never let anyone tell you otherwise. Techniques (punches, kicks, elbows etc.) are simply tools for hitting targets. Any good instructor will tell you that a mediocre kick to the right target can still take an attacker down.

5. Does the course come with a video or manual? Let's face it we forget things we don't use every day. You may attend a class for a month, practice religiously for a month or two then get busy and stop practicing for several months and forget almost everything.

One great advantage of video self defense courses is that you can always refresh yourself everything you learn.

By following this simple guide you will be able to find the best self defense course on the market, and not throw your money away on a bad program.

For some simple easy to learn targets and techniques for self defense check out my blog at Fightfast.com/blog and sign up to receive my Free 15 Brutal Fight Enders.

Stay Smart and Stay Safe,
Bob Pierce
President
Fightfast.com

Bob Pierce is the President of Fightfast.com which specializes in providing its customers the practical knowledge and skills they need to keep themselves and their families safe. TRS the parent company of Fightfast.com has been a self defense industry leader since the early 1990s bringing costumers highly skilled instructors with real world self defense skills.

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Allen Causevic Interview

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I'm very excited to introduce Allen A. Causevic. He is one of the top competitors based out of the Chicago area. Many of you know him, some of you don't, but you'll hear more and more about him as time goes on.

Allen is exceptionally eloquent and thoughtful in his answers. We discuss "fighters," gi vs. nogi, Austrian Economics, being a big guy, his favorite grapplers, and his hair.

BJJinChicago: Allen, thanks for taking the time to do this interview. You currently train with Jay Valko. How long have you been training there and what do you like most about the academy?

Allen Causevic: I've been with Mr. Jay Valko since May of 2005. I had started at Carlson's Academy Downtown and would mainly attend the afternoon class that Jay would teach. After Jay went on his own, I had followed him over to his new school in 2007. Since then, the school has grown dramatically. I attribute the growth to the same reasons why I love the academy. We are very open about sharing knowledge and the exchange of ideas. I've visited many schools across the country and many instructors stick to that pure jiu-jitsu game. Unfortunately, this is a detriment to the sport. MMA is evolving. So is Jiu-Jitsu. With the addition of RJ Cohen and his world-class Judo skills, along with Timothy Foley's Division 1/All-American wrestling skills, we are evolving.

The transition from a top stand-up game to a top ground game is the future. This takes the exchange of ideas and knowledge I mentioned before, and for many, a journey out of their comfort zone. Jay has done a great job of creating this advantageous environment. This "ideas friendly" environment is best seen during the Saturday open mat sessions, which are free for all to attend. As a result, we do see a wide array of people visit with different skill levels. Being exposed to different styles from local, national, and international visitors has made all of us better grapplers. As the sport evolves, I'm excited to see the future and our successes.

BJJiC: What are some of your greatest tournament accomplishments to date?

AC: I don't look at Jiu-Jitsu as a fight. The mentality I follow is that it's a competitive match. Having said that, I always look to perform well during any match. Being able to perform under pressure is what sets champions apart and I work very hard to maintain composure and work the techniques that put the odds to win in my favor. As a result, my best performances have been during the:

2011 NYC International Open Purple belt Super Heavy: Gold

2010 Chicago International Open Purple belt Super Heavy: Gold

2009 NYC International Open Blue Belt Super Heavy: Gold

2009 Abu Dhabi Pro-Gi Qualifiers- Blue Belt-Heavy-Gold

BJJiC: What are a few tips for bigger guys who are just beginning jiu-jitsu?

AC: Don't be discouraged when the conventional wisdom you've been following turns out to be false. When I started training, I was 240 lbs., power lifting, and consistently eating a post workout meal consisting of a Whopper from Burger King and the original Muscle Milk. Yes, that is approximately 1700 calories. We're led to believe that there is a correlation between how much weight you throw around in the weight room to your fighting ability. How many times have you heard, "Wow, he's huge! Don't mess with him!"? Well in 2007, I was fed the red pill and my world was turned upside down. I was destroyed by guys half my size. Tapping to a rear-naked choke to someone who weighs 135 lbs. definitely destroys ones ego. You soon realize you've been following the wrong path in life. It's devastating for some. My advice would be to work technique as much as possible and to not get discouraged when losing to smaller opponent. Finally, work your guard as much as possible. Working your weaknesses and removing yourself from your comfort zone will pay off later on in your career.

BJJiC: If you could go back in time...what would you say to yourself as a white belt?

AC: Stop eating Whoppers. Don't start competing No-Gi until after you're promoted to blue belt. There is a long debate on the Gi vs No-Gi advantages. I'm of the school that believes a good Gi game will trickle down to a good No-Gi game. I would try to knock some sense into my old self to start working hard on my Gi base, and then move to working No-Gi afterward.

BJJiC: Royal Rumble - Your hair, Jay's beard, RJ's hair, and Mike's beard. Who wins?

AC: My hair hands down. I could be rolling in a jiu-jitsu class at night, then having a Grey Goose on the rocks in a world-class country club right afterward with my perfect hair part. It doesn't move no matter how much I exert myself. It's the source of my power. Second place goes to Mike Cornille. His beard provides one of the most protective shields known to man.

BJJiC: Who is the best person you have ever rolled with?

AC: This award goes to Mr. Roberto "Cyborg" Abreu. I had visited his school in Miami, FL in December of 2010 and was humbled. I was amazed to feel his skill level in action. The journey of Jiu-Jitsu is a long one, and that experience helped me realize that I was not at the level I would like to be. Seeing where I was has helped me train differently and work harder in many different aspects. It's always good to take a step back and see where you are and decide where you want to go in the future.

BJJiC: Who is the best person you have ever competed against?

AC: This title would go to Mr. Luke Costello of the UK. He is my latest loss that took place at the 2011 World Jiu-Jitsu Championships. After watching video, we have a very similar game but he was better that day. He took me down with a great Uchi Mata, which has not happened in a tournament setting to me in a long time. I lost my composure and was submitted via bow and arrow choke. It's ironic; I was thrown with one of my favorite throws and choked out by my favorite submission. Eating a taste of my own medicine was not tasty. I look forward to a re-match in the future.

BJJiC: How many times a week do you train?

AC: During down times I'm usually there 4 to 5 days a week. If I'm training for a tournament then I'm in the gym 6 days a week. I've added strength and conditioning 3 to 4 days a week to my regiment as well. Hopefully this new combination will lead to new found success in the future.

BJJiC: What kinds of activities do you do outside of jiu-jitsu?

AC: The like to do the following in no particular order:

1. People watching at Wholefoods.

2. Filmmaking and graphic design.

3. Improving my knowledge of the Austrian School of Economics.

4. Eating foods that have not been processed or altered in any way.

5. Volunteering at animal shelters.

6. Sharpening my culinary skills.

BJJiC: Who are some of your favorite grapplers to watch (and why)?

AC: I love to watch Cyborg Abreu and Braga Neto. I'm a bigger guy so of course I like to watch the big dogs. Watching their games has helped me become a better grappler.

BJJiC: What are your plans for competing in the future?

AC: I'm planning on competing in the 2011 Chicago International Summer Open of course. But the big tournament at the end of the year I'm looking at is the Melbourne Open in Australia. I've never been, so I would like to take the opportunity to compete at such a large international event and see the sights afterward.

BJJiC: What else can we expect from you in the future?

AC: I want to improve my Judo game to the highest level possible. I do see myself traveling and competing at the high level tournaments in the USA Judo scene in the future. Training with the best Judoka will take my Jiu-Jitsu game to a new level and I'm excited to learn the new techniques.

BJJiC: Any last comments?

AC: Yes. With the explosion in popularity MMA & Grappling has seen in recent years, the conduct and behavior of the sub-culture that has risen in parallel is appalling. The insane graphic t-shirts to the full sleeve/body tattoos have significantly lowered the esteem of the sport. All too often I see these individuals in social settings bragging to people on how they're ''fighters.'' This disillusioned mentality needs to stop. Athletes should carry themselves to a higher degree and strive to be gentlemen. Poor sentence structure and improper grammar is not cool. This of course is no relation to SubCulture apparel. They have done a great job supporting local athletes and are very active in the BJJ community. SubCulture is the only Gi I wear for competitions and training sessions. I highly recommend them.

Quick Hits

Favorite Takedown: Uchi Mata

Favorite Submission: Bow and Arrow Choke

Favorite Position: Knee on Belly

Interested in learning more about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) in Chicago?

Visit http://www.bjjinchicago.com/ for interviews, gym reviews, free mailing list giveaways, tournament and seminar information for Chicago and the Midwest, as well as a gym map and complete academy listing!

BJJ in Chicago is your source for submission grappling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) in Chicago!

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Chi Kung Heals Chronic Diseases - 2 Keys To Understanding Mind and Body

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A Few Ways Taekwondo Equipment Can Benefit TKD Training

While not all taekwondo equipment is an absolute necessity for martial arts training, it can make your training sessions much more beneficial and productive. Martial arts equipment can greatly enhance training sessions by offering personal protection, increased performance, and in many cases an advantage over the competition.

The first and most obvious benefit of quality taekwondo equipment is the safety it offers to the practitioner as well as any other training partners. While martial arts are generally considered safe when supervised properly, there is always a chance of getting hurt while training. Many of these mishaps can be avoided through the smart use of taekwondo equipment. Another thought to consider is that "light contact" in many schools ends up escalating to full contact. In these cases the odds of an injury are even greater, and protective martial arts equipment is a must.

Another benefit of taekwondo equipment is the ability to improve performance. One physical attribute that is very important in training is flexibility. Martial arts equipment such as leg stretchers help to make this goal much easier to reach. Focus is an additional martial arts quality that is essential for delivering precise kicks and punches. Focus mitts and re-breakable boards are a few examples of how taekwondo equipment can improve this area. The key to martial arts improvement is to be as productive as possible in the shortest amount of time. One should strive to work smarter, not harder. Training should be maximized to achieve the greatest benefit with ample time to rest and recuperate.

How can taekwondo equipment give an advantage at a competition? Like it or not, appearance and first impressions can make or break a competitor at tournaments. Standing out from the rest of the competition has never been more important. The way to stand out from everyone else is to come prepared with the right selection of taekwondo equipment such as uniforms, patches, and proper sparring gear. The goal is to leave an impression in the judges' minds. The judges will remember the competitor that looks sharp and prestigious over the guy that shows up in a plain white uniform.

Taekwondo equipment can offer many great benefits to those who train tkd or any other martial art. Some of these benefits include personal protection, enhanced performance, and competitive advantages. This does not mean that hard work and perseverance can be bypassed, but it does mean that taekwondo equipment can help make the journey just a little easier.

Written by Brandon Compton, a martial artist with a passion for the fighting arts. Visit our website to see our selection of quality taekwondo supplies and take your training to the next level. Go to http://www.taekwondoequipmentshop.com/

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Bruce Lee Push Ups!

Bruce Lee weighed approximately 126-132 lbs at his prime. Using this data, the normal man exerts at least one half of his body weight to his arms while doing push ups. I am saying at least because while doing push ups, you tend to accelerate more when pushing yourself up, that creates temporarily a force or pressure on your arms greater than one half your body weight, we can approximate this to an average of sixty percent of the body weight. That means that seventy eight pounds of pressure is applied to the arms when a 130 lbs man is doing a normal push up.

                                                   

So if he can do a one finger, one arm push up, he applies a minimum seventy pounds of pressure on the tip of his finger. The area of the tip of a regular finger is approximately 0.3 square inches. That's an equivalent of 260 pounds per square inch of pressure. We get that by dividing 78 pounds by 0.3. That means that Bruce Lee's fingers can exert a force greater than 260 pounds per square inch. We just do not know how much can he apply when fighting.

The average human skin will start to rupture when it is applied with 460 pounds per square in of pressure. So, if you will only take the data gathered from the one finger push ups, it is clear that the pressure is not enough to rupture the human skin. But two hundred sixty pounds per square inch can definitely cause serious injury, muscles can rupture, internal organs can get damaged even if the skin is not ruptured. So, the conclusion to the question is, yes, Bruce Lee can definitely kill using a single finger!

But wait, we didn't consider the finger nails of Bruce Lee! If Bruce Lee forgets to trim his nails even for two days, the pressure applied will be focused more on his fingernail tips, that will greatly focus the pressure and the 460 PSI will easily be reached.

So now we know that Bruce Lee can kill using a finger with or without rupturing our skin!

Now go out and share our little "Mythbuster" calculations with your friends, I bet they would like to know that Bruce Lee is truly a legend up to this day.