Guard Stage 1

This is Stage 1 of the Guard, a very important position for self defense on the ground, if you find yourself on your back. 

Sometimes this is known as "Stage 1 of the Punch-Block Series", and sometimes it is referred to as "Head and Arm Control". Whatever you want to call it, the idea is to have your legs wrapped around them, one hand wrapped around their neck, and the other wrapped around one of their arms.

It's sort of like a trap. It is very difficult (not impossible) for them to maneuver. It is also adaptable, in that, if the arm you wrapped comes loose, just re-wrap it. If the other arm tries to slide in, make sure to control the head/neck, first, then wrap the arm. The temptation is to wrap the arm first, because we see and want to respond to the immediacy of the threat. However, it is important to wrap the neck first, then the arm, because if you don't get the neck first, they can easily posture up and start whaling down punches on you. So, control the head/neck first! Then go after the arm. 

The beauty of having them in this position is that their response is very predictable, and for each of those predictable behaviors, there is a response. We literally train ourselves to react with the response in a very naturalistic, reflexive way. 

This Stage 1 of the Guard is like a spider web for the opponent. Once they are in the web, it will be just a matter of time before the spider reacts.

The goal here is to exhaust the attacker. Let them go crazy. Let them burn all of their energy out. Once you get the sense of them slowing down, then you should execute an attempt to submit them. So, you have to be patient. This approach requires you to be be observant and aware, as well. Be aware of their energy level. Find the right time and moment to execute.

So whether it is other control strategies, sweeps, or submissions, it generally all starts from this Stage 1 position. Make it your reflex, your habit, to bring your opponent here. 

This is where Royce Gracie confused the western world by defeating opponents while he was on his back in the first few UFC's. Ever since then, fighters of many disciplines of martial arts realized the power of the Guard, and how to incorporate it into their training.

Have fun with this, and make sure to communicate with your partner, as you are learning it. 

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https://youtu.be/lM8HTTXdEfg

Clinch, Pulling Guard, Triangle Choke COMBO!

How are you liking this vlog, thus far? So now we're going to string the techniques of Episodes 1, 2, and 3 together! 

If you're going to try this, you must make sure you know the techniques of those episodes well. So please go back and double check your proficiency with each technique.

Alright. So, here we go! This is a self defense situation! Your partner circles you like a shark, and then throws a punch at you. You shield up and drive in and establish the clinch!

Your partner is going to be struggling in your clinch and moving around and walking around - you stay on them, stick to them like glue. Keep a good base, and don't let your legs cross. 

After a few seconds of that, your partner will push off of your shoulders and scoot their butt back to attempt to break out of your clinch. Your arms come up and establishes underhooks, then you step up, squat, shoot back, cross your legs up high on their back, keeping your head up, and just chill.

Your partner will be going crazy, moving around, just stay stuck on them, make sure there is no space or room to punch your face. When they calm down a little, and start to lift up, wrap their neck with your arm FIRST, and then wrap their arm. Now you have head and arm control in the guard, also known as Stage 1 of the Guard.

Then your partner bears their chest down on you, and tries to put all of their body weight on you (they push off the ground with their feet to do this). At that moment is when you do the Heavy Chest version of the Triangle Choke. Pull them back-push on the side of their head/face, shrimp out, insert your right foot, then your left as they keep driving...grab their arm...as they keep driving towards you, hike your right leg over their shoulder, cross your legs, buck your hips up, and extend your arms, getting ready for punches. Then when they stop, swim your arms under their right while bucking your hips up, grab it with both arms, then left hand on their head, then left foot on their hip, wiggle back as your right leg gets glued against the side of their neck, then grab your right ankle with your left hand -pull forward. Then replace your left hand with your left leg, wrapping around your right ankle while right hand joins with the left hand going on the back of their head....and then 3 points of pressure: squeeze thighs, bridge hips up, and pull head down with both hands.

Partners, make sure to TAP! Person doing the technique, make sure to RESPECT THE TAP AND LET GO.

Drill this out a few times until it becomes more and more fluid. I recommend doing it 5 times each time you practice.

Connecting techniques like these gives you a feel of a fight, starting from standing, then doing a takedown, establishing control, neutralizing punches whenever they occur, and once the moment is right, apply the submission.

There you have it! This is great self defense training for beginners! But there is some work involved! It is not a quick fix type of methodology where you'll be able to execute right away. It must be worked at and developed. 

When you start building the proficiency, your training partner can give you higher levels of resistance, as you see us doing at the beginning. When you find your body reflexively moving like this, you start getting the sense that yes, you can effectively defend yourself with these moves.

Have fun with this!

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https://youtu.be/eSKjTTMkCkg

Triangle Choke

TRIANGLE CHOKE - HEAVY CHEST VERSION

The Triangle Choke! This is an amazing technique! You are literally choking someone out with your legs! What could be better?! lol So, this video covers the Triangle Choke from a specific context. It is when the opponent is inside your guard (ie in between your legs), and you have a head and arm control position. They find that, because they are bigger, heavier, and stronger, that they could just drive forward and bear their weight down on you. I call this the Heavy Chest version of the Triangle Choke. Sometimes it is referred to as the Giant Killer Triangle Choke.

The strategy to get their weight off of you is remarkably simple: Simply squeeze your thighs, pull them back, and push with both hands the side of their head!! And VOILA! Their weight it is off of you!

Now that you've solved that, it's time to get them to give up, or get rendered unconscious, or worse. As they come towards you, put your feet on their hip flexors and grab their arm that is reaching for you. Hold them there, and when you feel that they are really driving forward:

-Hike your right leg back
-Bring your right leg over their shoulder
-Cross your ankles -Bridge your hips upward, stay connected like glue
-Bring your arms forward and apart to block punches
-Wait for them to calm down
-Once they calm down, bridge your hips up, and scoop their right arm across your body.
-Grab onto it with both hands, like you're riding a bicycle.
-Keep the right hand on their wrist, and left hand on the back of their head (so they can't posture up) -Detach your left leg, and place your foot on their hip and wiggle back
-As you wiggle back, attach the back of your right knee to the side of their neck, as flush as you can get it.
-Have your left hand grab your right ankle, and pull towards your face
-Take your left leg and bend the back of the knee over your right ankle, replacing your left hand.
-Take both hands and put it on the back of your opponents head.
-Apply 3 points of pressure - squeeze your thighs, bridge your hips up, pull their head down with your hands, all simultaneously.

And that is the Triangle Choke! There are ethical considerations with this move. 7-10 seconds can leave them unconscious, 30 seconds can lead to permanent brain damage, and 60+ seconds could be fatal. Exercise good judgement if you ever have to use it. I disclaim any responsibility from your actions with this technique. You are at your own risk if you try this move.

In the early UFC fights, you can see Royce Gracie defeat wrestler Dan Severn with this technique. But never mind about the world of sport fighting. This is a legitimately strong self defense tool that can serve as an equalizer. No matter how big or tough they are, everybody passes out when choked.

This technique does have quite a few steps to it, so it requires some extra time and effort in order to understand it and develop proficiency with it. Take it slow, step by step. Be the attacker, also, and let your partner do it on you. You'll have a better understanding of all the details when you understand both roles. Then once you have it down, you can connect this to other moves!

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https://youtu.be/8QIWWLKVi1w

Pulling Guard

This is an incredible self defense technique. Pulling Guard is a strategy where you pull someone down, literally in between your legs, and cross your legs over their back, and control their head and arm. It is only effective if you know the value of the guard, of course. So, the guard is a very unique idea in self defense. Generally speaking, if you are on the bottom of a fight, meaning, someone is on top of you, it means you are losing, and the top person has the upper hand. The guard, however, negates this idea. You can be on the bottom of the fight and win, if they are in between your legs! So from the guard, you can:
-Block Punches
-Submit them with locks and chokes
-Sweep them/knock them down
-Take their back

So in this video, we teach you how to pull guard after you have established the clinch, and they are trying to break out of it by pushing off your shoulders, and moving their butt back. Your hands instantly come under their arms and hook over their shoulders. This move is appropriately called "underhooks". After you have the underhooks, you do have to step up with both feet. Then you squat, and shoot your self backwards. Keep holding those underhooks and keep your head up, let them go crazy and exhaust their energy. Eventually, they will slow down and stop, and as they sit up, you get them into head and arm control position by wrapping around their neck first (so they can't posture up), and then wrap their arm. And voila! They are now in your trap! From here, depending on what they do, or don't do - all of which are predictable, we have a response, and I will cover each of those in upcoming vlogs. For now, let's train this pulling guard technique, and get proficient with it.

Oh, and if you've not trained how to do the clinch, you must go back and learn that first, otherwise, this doesn't make much sense.

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https://youtu.be/VAcDPdDu3oM

The Clinch!

So, we started a vlog! This is the first episode!

Ok, so, yeah. I have been doing tutorials, so it's not exactly a new thing I'm doing here. However, I'm specifically creating this as an intentional vlog series, so I can compartmentalize the different styles I cover in tutorials. That means I will have another training vlog on Choy Lay Fut Kung-Fu forms. And a separate one on Choy Lay Fut Kung-Fu basics and pad drills. And who knows, I may even start a Tai Chi one, although, I'm hesitant about that one because there are too many people ready to troll Tai Chi stuff, so I may leave that one alone.

So back to the topic at hand. The clinch. What a great technique! 99% of martial arts styles will tell you to stay standing and try to outstrike your attacker. While that strategy could work, it's not scalable, meaning, that will not work for the majority of folks, if you take into consideration that the opponent is:
-Bigger
-Heavier
-Stronger
-More Athletic
-Crazy Aggressive

I'm not saying that striking is useless. I'm a Kung-Fu guy, and our main bread and butter is strikes. I believe in using strikes, but not as the dominant form of survival. I believe in neutralizing their attacks, first, by getting into a safe position. From there, let them exhaust their energy. Then, I use strikes to improve my position. After that, then I'll go for a submission or escape. That's how I feel strikes can best be used. I'll use the strikes as a way to make them move in a way that's more advantageous for me to control them. I'll talk about this in another vlog episode.

There is one thing that is uncomfortable about the clinch strategy - you have to get in there! You have to get comfortable with the closeness. Look, I know you're probably a Kung-Fu or traditional striking based martial arts practitioner, or you've not done any martial arts at all, and this idea does not seem appealing. I get it. It's a personal space issue, and I totally, 100% understand, and don't blame you for not wanting to try or practice this. I was pretty averse to this, as well. Until I saw the undeniable and scientifically proven and scalable value of this strategy. And I realized, if I can avoid having my students do full contact, striking-based sparring for acquiring self defense skills, and have them work on developing these strategic and scalable tactics, I will be giving them way more realistic self defense tools to not get beat up. Yeah - it's uncomfortable, I get it. But, any type of combat training is uncomfortable. It is, after all, combat. So either full contact fighting with strikes - which is very dangerous to those involved, relies on athleticism, not scalable to size/strength differentials, quite demoralizing (people tend to quit once they start hard sparring), and injuries ALWAYS happen... or The training of managing the distance, getting in close, neutralizing attacks, patiently holding position while they exhaust, improving your position (if need be), and ultimately getting them to submit to your control.

This can be done cooperatively, lightly at first, and eventually, randomized with a progressively higher levels of resistance. It's a very safe practice, no injuries should occur, and it is done in a way where we are helping lift each other to prepare for a typical street attacker, always assuming the numbered list I outlined earlier. Both methods cause uncomfortability. Again, this is combat - it will be uncomfortable. But the training method of the latter is, IMHO, way more effective, way more scalable, way way safer, and very uplifting. We are preparing for the worst case scenarios. So, all that to say, please- give this clinch strategy a try. All of the videos in my self defense training vlog will be us staying in close, and understanding the science of leverage mechanics, distance management, and human bio-physics. I would much rather you have this as your reflex, than to think you should go toe-to-toe, trading strikes with a bigger and stronger attacker. I just don't want you to get beat up.

What more can I say? I will tell you this - I'll keep hammering this message, because I know it will take a lot of repetition, demonstration, and just exposure to help cultivate the mindset to consider this option for self defense.

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https://youtu.be/hqaB1wwFGW8

Hybridized Martial Arts Training

What's good, y'all? Santanu Rahman here!

You've heard of MMA, right? It stands for "Mixed Martial Arts". That basically means they take a variety of martial arts styles, and combine them to make a very effective fighter. In the UFC (Ultimate Fight Championship), the mains styles the athletes use is western boxing, kick boxing, Muay Thai kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Wrestling. Sometimes people will have other arts they bring into the fold such as Judo, Sambo, and even Karate (by well known fighters like Georges St. Pierre and Lyoto Machida).

The concept was popularized by Bruce Lee in the late 1960's, with his philosophical concept of a martial art, "Jeet Kune Do", where he says to absorb what is useful and reject what is useless. He was coined as the father of MMA.

So the idea is a fantastic one, and in my opinion, what art is all about. It is about personal expression. 

Usually when we talk about the hybridization of martial arts, we generally talk about it in terms of combat. Well, I'm going to flip the script a little. I'm going to apply it to forms. Forms are pre choreographed solo routines that you can practice to build some basic attributes. 

Now, combining forms in the world of Kung-Fu is nothing new at all. Styles were constantly combined to create new styles. The snake and crane arts of Shaolin were said to make up arts such as Tai Chi Chuan. The style of Kung-Fu we do, Choy Lay Fut Kung-Fu, is a hybrid of Northern Chinese martial arts (footwork), Southern Chinese martial arts (fist techniques), and the Buddha Palm style (open palm striking). 

Well, I recently did a hybridization that was really bizarre, and cool. But before I tell you that, I need to tell you a little back story. I started my martial arts journey with a style called Shito Ryu Karate, from Okinawa. In Karate, we work a lot on "Kime", which is a snapping power. 

Now, Choy Lay Fut Kung-Fu is known for it's relaxed whipping power. I know how to generate this power pretty proficiently. We spend probably 75% of our adults Kung-Fu classes on developing this power on pads with a wide variety of drills.

So, Choy Lay Fut's forms are supposed to be done with that relaxed, whipping power method. But the other day I thought, "What if I tried doing the Karate Kime in my Choy Lay Fut forms?"

I tried it.....and I have to say......I KIND OF LOVE IT!!! To people of my Choy Lay Fut lineage, if they saw how I hybridized that, they would chastise me, and I would no hear the end of it about how wrong I am to do that. So, I won't make any videos of it (YET!). 

But I have to tell you, I absolutely loved it, 100%! It gave me a new way of looking at the moves, I was able to generate a lot of power, without needing a ton of cardio (as the typical way has you). Don't get me wrong, I was sweating and breathing hard, but I was not completely spent! It moved way slower and was staccato, which almost makes the art unrecognizable.

So I am finding that this is very much working for me, as my own form of exercise and working out. I might not teach it this way to my students right away...I want them to have a general understanding of the energy that was intended for the art. Then later on, I'll show them my hybridized method!

First Line of Defense - Jiu Jitsu

Hi Y'all! Santanu Rahman here! 

I love Kung-Fu! I love Kung-Fu so much, it is such a big part of my life. It is my health, exercise, strength, spiritual strength, mental strength, it is my everything. I have such a profoundly strong connection to Kung-Fu...I think about it all the time. I do it all the time. Kung-Fu is a huge part of my identity.

BUT.

My primary mode for real self defense is in Jiu Jitsu. 

WHAT?!?!?!

I know, I know. Look. Jiu Jitsu has been proven time and time and time and time and time and time again as THE MOST EFFECTIVE self defense system out there....um, if done in a self defense manner. 

It is a completely scalable system that always assumes:
-The attacker is bigger and stronger than you.
-The attacker is heavier and more athletic than you.
-The attacker is more aggressive than you and wants to beat your face and body to pulp.

So Jiu Jitsu uses these principles to overcome this type of attacker:
-Leverage mechanics and timing over strength.
-Distance management, ie, if you manage your distance, you can manage the damage.
-Conservation of energy (don't exhaust yourself by doing random movements out of panic)
-Natural body mechanics - no special coordination, athleticism, coordination, strength, or flexibility required (the movements are not intuitive, but they are 100% based on movements the human body can naturally do without any athleticism required)
-Remaining Calm - It is very easy to panic, Jiu Jitsu teaches to be calm, and let them do all the work.
-Transitioning Smoothly - sometimes, we might make a mistake. Jiu Jitsu's process accounts for that, and trains you to transition into another position, if you somehow lost the one you originally had.
-Position Over Submission - In Jiu Jitsu, we're not trying to armlock or choke the opponent right away. We neutralize their attack, and gain a control position, and let them exhaust their energy. When we feel that, then, if that moment is right, we apply the submission. We don't go looking for the submission. We neutralize the attack, and let them exhaust themselves.

These principles hold true for street fights, physical bullying situations, and sexual assault. 

In Kung-Fu, the main strategy is to overwhelm the attacker with strikes. This is not a scalable strategy at all. If the attacker is bigger, stronger, heavier, more athletic, and more aggressive than you, it might not be the wisest idea to stand there and trade blows with the attacker!

Now, let me give you a very important caveat:
Most Jiu Jitsu schools gear more towards sports Jiu Jitsu, where there are weight classes, and no striking at all. While this can develop some great athletic attributes, my primary interest with Jiu Jitsu is to have a scalable self defense strategy. Jiu Jitsu can handle physical attacks ranging from the drunk uncle at the party, to egregious predatorial street attacks. But the trend has really gone towards sports. 

Even the purported self defense Jiu Jitsu schools are now emphasizing more "Jiu Jitsu vs. Jiu Jitsu" training, because of student retention for their businesses. I'll be very honest, I'm not interested in Jiu Jitsu vs. Jiu Jitsu. I just want to do the scalable self defense stuff, so we can protect ourselves in the most efficient and effective way possible. 

Some Jiu Jitsu schools really try to brand the Jiu Jitsu lifestyle, and that's all well and good. It's just not for me. My "lifestyle" is more the Kung-Fu way of life, which entails understanding hard and soft energies, Yin and Yang, how the elements in nature can create and destroy, and how to incorporate it all into your physical body, externally and internally through movement. I'm all about that stuff!! So when it comes to lifestyle, Kung-Fu is my jam.

But when it comes to self defense, the self defense basics of Jiu Jitsu is empirically the best way to go. I have incorporated it, and it Is my first line of self defense. I would love it to be all of my students' as well. I will rest better knowing that if (heaven forbid) you did get attacked, you'll have the right reflexes to deal with the situation in an efficient and humane manner. 

I keep up my practices in both, for they are both perishable. Thus, I'd love to practice with you! Helping you, helps me. 

 

What My Goals Are For My Kung-Fu Students

Hey y'all, Santanu Rahman here, writing this post! I just wanted to put my thoughts out there what my goals are for my Kung-Fu students. In particular, the adults, but also, the children as well.

Quite simply, I want to be able to walk through all the forms with all of you as a group. That's it!! Now, there are 22 core forms, and 24 full forms. So....yeah. It's a lot of material. LOL! But I believe we can make this happen!

Here's the deal:
Doing forms together as a group is a very uplifting experience. There is a group energy that gets tapped into, like no other. I really feed off of it. You will feed off of it, too. But I bet you I feed off of it more than you do, LOL! Just kidding, I have no way of knowing that! But, it drives me. The thought of that drives me. I want to teach you all I know so that we can all go to a park, say like Northwest Park, or Bull Creek Park, and do all of the forms in unison. That would just be amazing!

Now, in our classes, we teach you how to hit pads, how to block, offense strategies, and defense strategies. I feel that stuff is very important to help strengthen you, and get a sense of combat.
But for me, the big stuff is the forms. The forms are:

-A creative form of exercise
-A form of exercise that forces you to use your cognitive power
-A connection to the martial spirit
-A connection to Chinese culture
-A connection to the spirit of warriors who fought for the values they believed in.
-A meditation where you tune the outside world out and focus on the present and the self
-A builder of mind-body-spirit strength
-A highly individual practice that requires very little of the outside world

When we do it together as group, there is a connect, an energy flow that we feed off of from each other, that gives greater meaning and significance to the practice. At least, to me it does. It feels we are all united, in the journey towards self improvement.

I do practice the forms on my own, but, the thought of practicing with you, my students, drives me even more! I really love doing forms with you. So, learn as much as you can, and let's do this!!
 

The Art of Making Mistakes & Escape A Single Handed Shirt Grab Against the Wall!

Self Defense Technique - How To Escape from a Single Hand Choke Against the Wall. Also, Martial Arts Philosophy Topic - The Art of Making Mistakes.

A single handed choke against the wall is definitely an intimidating move. The fact that someone is using only one hand to choke you is signaling a message from them that they only need one hand to cause you harm. So it is best to know how to escape this situation. It's basically 2 steps:
1. Break the grip
2. Escape

Other variations of this technique have you elbowing them after you break the grip. Another variation is if they are really leaning in, you can guillotine choke them after you break their grip. My preference is to try to escape after you've broken the grip. I'd rather not escalate the situation further by trying to land hard strikes or submissions.

Also, I talk about the art of making mistakes. Mistakes are our friend. They are our teachers. However, they can be the thing that prevents us from taking action. How do you deal with mistakes and imperfections?

If you're ever wondering, "Where are some self defense classes near me?" You should definitely check to see what is offered in your community. Our videos serve as a reference and an intro, to hopefully prompt you to seek out face-to-face instruction.
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https://youtu.be/bNnJO7lwl5g

My Basic Philosophy

I teach Choy Lay Fut Kung-Fu and Self Defense Jiu Jitsu Basics.

Our Choy Lay Fut Kung-Fu style is a great way to get stronger. We get stronger with body, with mind, and with spirit. Our physical structure is developed progressively, with attention to details. Our mental strength is developed by having to work our brain with our body as one - there are steps to remember, and discipline and motivation and perseverance to be developed for practicing. The spirit gets strengthened as well, by practicing putting our whole being into our techniques. It's one thing to mechanically do the moves. It's a whole other universe when you tap into your emotions, and put character and expression into your techniques. The combined strength of body, mind, and spirit elevates our sense of self, and improves our confidence and belief in ourselves. 

Our Self Defense Jiu Jitsu Basics is our self defense methodology. We generally get involved with the martial arts because of the idea of self defense. While our Kung-Fu is wonderful as strengthening our body, mind, and spirit, our Self Defense Jiu Jitsu basics gives us the best strategy for staying safe in a violent confrontation. We want your first level response to threatening situations to default to the Self Defense Jiu Jitsu basics. NOTE: WE DO NOT DO SPORTS JIU JITSU. This is purely the basics of self defense, be it a street fighting situation, a bullying situation, or a sexual assault. We use the principles of leverage, timing, distance management, energy efficiency, and natural body mechanics. 

Someone might ask, "Why not train Kung-Fu combat for self defense?" The issue here is that Kung-Fu is a striking based art, mostly. If someone is bigger, stronger, heavier, more aggressive, more athletic  than you, striking might not be the best option. Kung-Fu self defense strategies relies a lot on athleticism, and has an unscalable strategy, which is to land strikes. The problem is when you are in the range to land strikes, you are also in the range to RECEIVE strikes, does this make sense?

Striking can work, but there are far fewer guarantees in trading punches and kicks as a means to keep you safe, as opposed to Self Defense Jiu Jitsu Basics, where the emphasis is to control the opponent, exhaust them, then submit them. This is a much more effective and scalable strategy. For example, someone who attacks you who you might know, you might not want to destroy them with strikes. You might be better off escaping from their grip through leverage mechanics, and control their motions through positioning, and submissions. That being said, we do strike in Self Defense Jiu Jitsu Basics, but it is strategic striking to improve our control and our position.

I would love for all of my students to get holistically stronger through Choy Lay Fut Kung-Fu, and have Self Defense Jiu Jitsu basics as their combat default in violent situations. I've found that the two arts can very successfully co-exist in one person.

We are quite a unique martial arts school in Austin, TX with this kind of focus! I hope you' join us in this journey. 

Time To Learn a Kung-Fu Broad Sword Combo!

Learn to do cool Kung-Fu Broad Sword moves!

The Broad Sword in Chinese Kung-Fu is a very common weapon. It is sharp on one side, and dull on the other. It has a curved shape to facilitate big swinging motions. Sometimes, the swords have tassels or tails. Those were for wrapping your hand and gripping the handle, so that when the blood drizzles down the sword, it can get absorbed into the cloth, and reduce the chances of you losing your grip on the sword during battle. 
This little section that I show is from a routine called "Tiger's Tail Broad Sword." In Cantonese, it is, "Fu Mei Don Do". This particular form is taught by Tat Mau Wong, who learned from Lee Koon Hung. 
While the sword routine has some flair to it, there are some very practical concepts you are working on with blocking and striking, that you could translate to a stick, to use for self defense.

Try out these moves and let me know what you think. If you need help, send me a message, I'll try to help as best as I can. 

One of the things I love best about doing forms like these is that I can work on it by myself on my own time. And that is truly how it becomes a way of life for me. 

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https://youtu.be/xz6Xt6VfeUU

How To Escape the Mount

Self Defense Technique - How To Escape the Mount// Join our email list, where we give out a lot techniques and their breakdowns here:
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 The Mount is one of the most dangerous positions to be in during a fight. When someone is sitting on top of you, pinning you down, they can do a lot of damage to you. So it is extremely important that you have a safe and reliable way to escape. 

Many self defense techniques are done standing up. This is a situation where you didn't intend it to happen, but the attacker took you to the ground and got on top of you. It happens. In fact, 90% of fights end up on the ground. 

When you don't know what to do, you start flailing, and you try to push them off, and you end up exerting and wasting a LOT of energy. This technique that I'm showing you is very energy efficient and based completely on leverage mechanics. 

It does require some practice, and through the practice, you will start acquiring a feel for the technique. It is very common for people to make mistakes, such as dropping their bridge before rolling over, or letting the arm go before rolling over, or stop halfway into the roll. Other mistakes could be forgetting to trap the foot, or trapping both feet, or not grabbing the arm with sufficient conviction. So be sure to be aware of all the details involved. 
Once you start getting a feel for this self defense technique, it is important to continue to practice it, to become smoother and faster with it. It is a basic self defense technique, that is opening the door to a broader principle. There are other situations from the Mount, where you will have to trap the arm in leg in different ways, but the end result is the same - you roll them over!

So this Basic Self Defense escape technique has 3 Steps:
1. Trap the Arm and Foot
2. Bridge and Roll
3. Escape

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If you're ever wondering, "Where are some self defense classes near me?" You should definitely check to see what is offered in your community. Our videos serve as a reference and an intro, to hopefully prompt you to seek out face-to-face instruction. 

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https://youtu.be/VlLnPjmO3pE

How to Escape a Shirt Grab Against a Wall

Self Defense - How To Escape A Shirt Grab Against a Wall // Get my free Checklist of Steps for Escaping a 2 Handed Shirt Grab Against a Wall here: http://bit.ly/2lCNF5Q

A 2 handed shirt grab while being pinned up against a wall is almost like being attacked by two people! There is the person grabbing your shirt, and the wall is almost like another person holding you so you can’t move! This is a very intimidating position. It’s one bullies use on kids, you may have seen images of a bigger kid grabbing a smaller kid by the shirt and have him pinned against the lockers.

This is a self defense situation that is relatively simple to get out of, however, it might be so emotionally jarring that you might not think of what the best strategy is. So practice this move a lot. When you get more and more comfortable with the steps, increase the intensity. After awhile, you’ll be so used to the mechanics at high intensity, that the situation will no longer be that intimidating to you.

There are a variety of ways an attacker can pin you up against the wall. The 2 handed shirt grab variation is a common one, and a good one to start with. It’s also known as a collar grab or a lapel grab. We are, once again, using leverage mechanics in this self defense move. While we are throwing a strike, we are doing it precisely to get them to let go, so we can make our escape.
So this Basic Self Defense technique has 5 Steps:

1. Drop Into Base

2. Set up Step

3. Shuffle Steps

4. Knee to Release

5. Back Away

If you're ever wondering, "Where are some self defense classes near me?" You should definitely check to see what is offered in your community. Our videos serve as a reference and an intro, to hopefully prompt you to seek out face-to-face instruction.

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To see another demonstration of this technique, make sure to check out:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJQHfoGQlxI

https://youtu.be/knjQmJovf58

How To Escape From A Wrist Grab

Wrist grab escapes are commonly taught in a variety of martial arts. But many times, when you are learning how to get out of a wrist grab or a wrist hold, it is done statically. That is fine, especially when you are learning the particular technical concept being taught. However, it is important to understand the intent and purpose of why someone would grab your wrist in the first place. To that end, in this video, we take a very self defense oriented approach of addressing that. In the situation we are addressing is one of isolating the target. That is, the attacker who grabs your wrist with both of their hands is trying to take you someplace else. So when it comes to self protection and learning martiThe leverage based principle from Jiu Jitsu is just that. This self defeal arts, it is critical that we understand the context. That is why I focus on the base, as your first self defense move - make yourself heavy and find your root first! Once you have that, then you can do the escape maneuver. This maneuver is a leverage based principle from Jiu Jitsu that is scalable; it is a self defense technique that works for children, women, and men.
The steps are:
1. Get Into Base
2. Grab Your Fist
3. Break the Grip
4. De-Escalate

Practice it slowly at first. Just get the steps down. Then, when you feel more and more comfortable with the steps of the 2 on 1 wrist grab escape, you can have your partner raise the level of intensity of the pull. Don't forget to get into base! To be clear, the main objective is to show how to break the grip. What you do afterwards is your choice. I chose to show de-escalation, simply because I would like to have more of that image associated with martial arts training. However, if the situation calls for it, and the fight is on, keep fighting. We'll have more videos on what to do as a follow up.
GET IT: Free Wrist Escape Comic Book here: http://bit.ly/2yUtJQA

If you're ever wondering, "Where are some self defense classes near me, where I can learn this 2 on 1 wrist escape in person?" You should definitely check to see what is offered in your community. Our videos serve as a reference and an intro, to hopefully prompt you to seek out face-to-face instruction. In person instruction is the best. Make sure the martial arts school you choose is a good fit for you.
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https://youtu.be/9cJQoPQ0JJ8

How to Defend Against the 2-Handed Front Choke

A 2-handed front choke is a common street attack move. Not only can it be a controlling move, but it can do some serious harm. Because the choke can constrict the carotid arteries (which are responsible for blood flowing to the brain), any number of things can happen. If the choke lasts for around 10 seconds, it could leave the victim unconscious. If the choke lasts for around 30 seconds, it could lead to brain damage. If the choke lasts for 60 or more seconds, it could lead to death. So to that end, It is a good idea to have the defense to this attack prepared. Many martial arts systems advocate a striking strategy to get out of this situation. While that might work, there is no guarantee. The attacker could be much bigger and stronger than you, where your striking strategy might get them even angrier and choke harder. They could be on chemical substances and not be receptive to pain. So the best thing we can advocate is a scalable strategy that works on everybody, that just gets you out of the situation. The leverage based principle from Jiu Jitsu is just that. This self defense technique works for children, women, and men.

The steps are:
1. Tighten the Neck
2. Get in Base
3. Get Out
4. De-Escalate

Practice it slowly at first. Just get the steps down. Then, when you feel more and more comfortable with the steps of the front choke defense, you can have your partner raise the level of intensity of the choke. Don't forget to make the crazy face!

GET IT: Free Choke Defense Comic Book here: http://bit.ly/2BcIrav If you're ever wondering, "Where are some self defense classes near me, where I can learn this 2-handed choke defense in person?" You should definitely check to see what is offered in your community. Our videos serve as a reference and an intro, to hopefully prompt you to seek out face-to-face instruction. In person instruction is the best. Make sure the martial arts school you choose is a good fit for you. Follow Us for more Self Defense Techniques Instruction on social media:
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Facebook.com/AustinKungFuAcademy  

How To Escape a Headlock with Punches

A headlock is a common street attack move. Generally, a headlock is control position. You'll want to turn your face towards the attacker, so your trachea doesn't get compressed. Once you've done that, the headlock isn't too damaging, although, it is uncomfortable, and annoying. Once the attacker starts throwing punches with the other hand, that is when this becomes a very dangerous situation. They could beat your face to a pulp, causing you serious injury. So, it is in our best interest to know how to defend and escape a headlock with punches. The bonus here is that I give you a strategy to try to de-escalate the situation, and at least make an attempt to stop the fight. Of course, in other tutorials, I will show you what to do if the fight persists, but a big theme of my self defense strategies is to escape and de-escalate. Many martial arts tutorials don't emphasize the de-escalation part of the techniques. So this martial arts technique has a few steps that you want to make sure you get down:
1. Manage the Punches
2. Pin the Arm
3.Create the Opening
4. Get Out
5. De-escalate

Take it slow. Each step of this self defense move has several layers of details to pay attention to. The headlock with punches is a very dangerous position to be in, so it requires some extra attention, to make it work. Practice slowly, get all the steps down, then eventually bring up the intensity, little by little.

GET IT: Free Self Defense Comic Strip here: http://bit.ly/2zJ2p94

If you're ever wondering, "Where are some self defense classes near me, where I can learn this headlock with punches defense in person?" You should definitely check to see what is offered in your community. Our videos serve as a reference and an intro, to hopefully prompt you to seek out face-to-face instruction. In person instruction is the best. Make sure the martial arts school you choose is a good fit for you.

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https://youtu.be/sa5sTiBtryo

Self Defense Technique Against a 2 Handed Shirt Grab

We have another tutorial on a classic Gracie Jiu Jitsu technique! It's a defense against a 2 handed shirt grab. There are more violent approaches, but we wanted to show you a more peaceful one that is about escaping through leverage mechanics, and trying to de-escalate the situation. Here is the YouTube link: https://youtu.be/gWPUSbwElYo

A 2 handed shirt grab is control and intimidation tactic that can lead to a potentially very violent situation. It is in your best interest to know this self defense move to escape the situation and possibly even de-escalate it. In one variation of this basic martial arts move in Jiu Jitsu, there is a follow up elbow strike. I opt not to do that, because if I can escape and have a chance to de-escalate the situation, I will. This is my philosophy on personal defense - to be able to get home safely. If I can do it by avoiding violence, I will always choose that path, first. Make no mistake, in home defense tactics, if your life is on the line, then yes, by all means, strike, kick, lock, choke, whatever you need to do. But if it doesn't need to go there, then I would strongly advise not to take it there.

So this Basic Self Defense technique has 4 + 1 Bonus parts:
1. Make Yourself Heavy
2. Arms Set Up
3. Legs Set Up
4. Break the Grip
5. (Bonus) Back Away
Get It: The free Self Defense Comic Book! http://www.austinkungfuacademy.com/book1

If you're ever wondering, "Where are some self defense classes near me?" You should definitely check to see what is offered in your community. If you're in the Austin, TX area, be sure to check us out, and contact us! Our videos serve as a reference and an intro, to hopefully prompt you to seek out face-to-face instruction.
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How To Escape A Shirt Grab

We have a video explaining this self defense move, of how to get out of a single handed, standard shirt grab:

With a single handed shirt grab, the intent is to display dominance. It can also be to control and restrict the movements of the victim. It is imperative to know how to escape this situation with the correct martial arts movements.

I've broken this down into 3 steps:
1. Create the Opening
2. Back Foot Thru, Turn Around, Butt Out, Head Out
3. The Crank

After you understand the basic steps, try connecting them in a fluid manner, but slowly. Once you become more comfortable with that, take it a little faster.

This movement has more of its philosophy roots in Jiu Jitsu, where the purpose and objective is to blend with the attacker's energy, and utilizing leverage and timing as a way to neutralize and counter the attack. 

But it is the forward intent of Kung-Fu that you need to commit fully to the move, and make it flow seamlessly, literally turning 3 steps into 1. 

See the video here: https://youtu.be/ZN2vbZfz5rc

Can Senior Citizens Start Jiu Jitsu?

Absolutely, if the instructor has the right mindset! Here's the problem, though - most instructors cater their Jiu Jitsu training to younger folks. 

When I was searching this topic, I saw the most asinine response to a similar question. The question was, "Can old people do Jiu Jitsu?", and the responses were typically along the lines of yes, just look at Helio Gracie or Rickson Gracie. These gentlemen have been doing Jiu Jitsu since they were children. Their entire life and livelihood is Jiu Jitsu! Hardly a fair comparison to, say, my Dad, who is 80 and has not done martial arts ever in his life.

Could my 80 year old Dad start Jiu Jitsu? Well, it depends on the teacher. Sport school? Not on your life. How about a Gracie school, like Humaita? NOPE, I would like to see my Dad live some more years! 

The training regimen and methodology tends to favor the younger. However, Rener Gracie says, "Jiu Jitsu can be adapted to anyone." 

And I fully agree! Methodology is important. Today, there is so much emphasis on Randori, that it is weeding out the people who need Jiu Jitsu the most - the weaker of society. 

The Japanese created a brilliant concept of Kata, or prechoreographed routines, as a way to develop the fundamental ideas of the techniques, in a safe and predictable manner. Once someone showed proficiency in the Kata, then they moved onto Randori. 

So If the Jiu Jitsu school made their beginner class very focused on Kata, that is, prechoreographed drills, it definitely would make their programs a lot more accessible. 

Kata and forms have gotten a really bad rap, not because of the fact that it is not directly organic combat, but for people making their combat ability more than what it actually is by doing very good Kata. So I think the concept of Kata is not necessarily refuted, as much as the notion that someone deems themselves a high level master having focused more on Kata than Randori.

For a senior citizen starting out in Jiu Jitsu, I would say start with focusing on Kata first, to get your mind and body connected with the structure and geometries of the motions. Then work on timing and energy of the Kata.

Hopefully, after that, you will have developed some sound foundational attributes, and begin a very light and limited Randori. Over time, you can increase the scope of the Randori very progressively.

When people talk about particular Jiu Jitsu moves, I always think, yeah, that's cool, but could your mother or grandmother do that move to protect herself? If not, then what would you do or tell your mother or grandmother if she wanted to learn to protect herself? 

The beauty is, there is a curriculum in place that is meant to be the most scalable Jiu Jitsu program out there, and it can be adapted to anyone. Will it make you a Jiu Jitsu master? No. Will it give you a foundation of Self Defense oriented Jiu Jitsu that you could potentially build off of? Yes.

 

The Hardest Part About Doing an Armbar!

The Armbar or Straight Arm Lock from on top of your opponent (which is called the "Mount"), can be tricky to do.

The trick is to:
-put your weight on your hand on a part of their body (sometimes chest, or, if they are turned sideways, on their head.

-lean to the side of rear leg. Really open up your hip of your rear leg, like a butterfly stretch, and lean.

This way, when you swing your other leg around, your hips won't come upwards, off of your opponent. You want to avoid that, because if you create space, you lose a bit of control. In that moment of lost control, they could get up, or slip their arm out. 

So, stay in close. Keeping that closeness is probably the most challenging part, so you'll have to drill it for awhile. Try doing it with your opponent turned on their side, first. That way is actually easier, because their position already has you elevated, so you mainly just need to lean to the side to bring your leg over. Get comfortable with this version, first.

Then, try it when they are flat on their back. This is a bit harder, because you have to elevate yourself a little, and that part comes from putting your weight on your hands, on their chest. 

This technique is kind of like a yo-yo, in it's process for learning. You can have the theoretical concepts in your head, and visualize it, but you won't actually own the skill until you actually do it, drill it, and readjust your execution each time. 

And, of course, once you have mastered it on one side, get it on the other. Sometimes people might be a little too eager to try it on both sides without mastery of one. That is not the most efficient way to learn. It is much better to master it on one side, to the point where you no longer have to think about it, and it becomes a reflex. After that, generally speaking, you''ll be able to make the transference to the other side much easier.