Here three coconuts are smashed with a light rattan stick from different angles.

This is one way of dealing with a knife stab. The Attack is blocked and the attack is redirected at the attacker. Then a takedown is executed followed by a stomp kick to the elbow to disarm the assailant. This can be followed by more kicks if necessary.

This sequence was filmed with a Highspeed Casio EX-FH20 at 210 fps.

The defender is slammed into a wall and threatened with a knife.

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First you must empty your cup. What martial artist hasn’t heard this piece of Eastern philosophy at one point in his lifetime?

Here’s how the official story goes. A professor of philosophy visits a well-known Zen master. The professor is full of his own opinions. The master, being a good host, serves the professor a cup of tea. As he fills his cup, he just keeps pouring until the cup starts to overflow. The professor could no longer stand it. “Stop!” he said. “The cup is over full. No more will go in!” The master’s response went like this: “You are like this cup. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?”

The moral of the story is that you can’t learn something new if you are full of your own ideas and pre-conceived notions.

This philosophy is fine if the person is walking into a martial arts school for the first time and is clueless about training. I don’t agree with it however, for those who’ve had previous martial arts experience.

Realistically, a martial arts school often encounters new students who’ve studied different martial arts. A Japanese karate school for example, may have within it, students who have trained in aikido, boxing, judo, jujitsu, kickboxing, kung-fu, tae kwon do, tai chi, and even the occasional high school wrestler or street fighter!

What do you do with these students? Tell them to “empty the cup” by asking them to forget everything they’ve ever learned? Instead of “emptying the cup”, ask them to “leave your ego and shoes at the door.”

If you are a martial artist training in a new style, be respectful of your new style and instructor. Don’t be arrogant by constantly saying “this is how we used to do it in my old school.” Don’t go in there trying to prove something. Keep your comments and questions to a minimum. This is rude and obnoxious. Be respectful and professional. Remember that you are there to learn and keep in mind that this school may do things differently.

When looking into a new style, a prospective student should look for an instructor who welcomes people from other systems. If they trash other styles, try another school. You don’t want to end up in a martial arts school that is like a cult. Avoid places that say our way is the only way; our style is the only style.

A good instructor accepts his students as a wonderful package of human experience. He will help the student integrate his previous knowledge with his new found skills.

For example, let’s say the student had studied tae kwon do for five years before switching to an Okinawan style of karate like Goju-ryu. Tae kwon do is known for its kicks which come at you from a variety of directions given the talent of the student. A good instructor will encourage the student to add the Goju-ryu kicks to expand his kicking repertoire and not to discard his tae kwon do techniques.

So don’t empty your cup! But check your ego at the door, conduct yourself with professionalism and appreciate the new learning experience.

Article Source: cut-and-paste-articles.com

About the Author: Martial arts videos, fitness videos, and more at: http://www.interdojo.com

Attacker and defender face each other.

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The aggressor prepares to hit the defender with a stick. (more…)

The defender is pressed against a wall. The left hand prevents the attacker from hitting, the right hand is guarding the groin. (more…)

The training is held on

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The diagonal forehand slash is blocked… (more…)

Something as subtle and diminutive as a Kubotan, or mini-baton, can transform a mild-mannered and law abiding citizen into an effective fighter against a daunting criminal. Kubotans come in different designs and materials, thereby concealing their function. One type is fashioned as a keychain of about 5.5 inches in length and made of metal in different colors; the tip might be pointed or flat, depending on your preference. I prefer the black one with a pointed tip since it is less visible to the public eye and exerts more pressure with the same amount of force applied than the one with a flat tip. Others are made to appear like a fat Sharpie from Cold Steel; however, its thick polymer skin can withstand hard impacts; it is appropriately called, “Sharkie.”

I find the keychain Kubotan practical since I can always carry it attached with a set of keys. More so, it is readily available for use at anytime anywhere since it is legal to carry in most, if not, all states. Firmly held with your weapon hand, which is the dominant hand, the Kubotan’s strike areas are:
1. The bony parts of the body, which induce sharp pain.
2. The nerve centers, which render limbs such as arms and legs useless in gripping, punching, striking, or kicking.
3. And vital areas such as the temples, eyeballs, and lymph nodes, which induce permanent injuries and even death.

Certain martial arts, particularly a style of Filipino stickfighting called Serrada Escrima, greatly enhances the efficiency of the Kubotan. This art was founded by the late Grandmaster Angel Cabales. With Serrada Escrima’s flowing techniques as close to trapping range (a term coined by Bruce Lee for his Jeet Kune Do style of martial arts) between combatants sometimes, a Kubotan in the hands of an escrimador can unleash devastating strikes to an unsuspecting perpetrator. The frequency, speed, quality, and location of blows can render anyone combat ineffective in a matter of seconds.

In the liberal and politically correct state of California, it is considered a felony under the penal code to carry a stick or any length rod in public that might be construed as a weapon. On the other hand, carrying a cane or walking stick is perfectly legal. Ironic isn’t it since the latter devices can generate more impact at their tips due to their longer lengths? Therefore, an innocent looking keychain Kubotan might be the perfect companion as well as an equalizer against a bigger and stronger opponent.

Article Source: cut-and-paste-articles.com

About the Author: A conservative American with a background in law enforcement and martial arts. Kubotans are available at http://www.striker701.com .

Peace, love, and harmony…through readiness!

Striker