I received this question recently and here is the reply I gave:
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Thank you for the great question about blocking.
When I went through the martial arts as I grew up, each style had some type of blocking that they used.
I didn't question it at the time, but as time and experience passed I started to realize that blocking a punch wasn't realistic.
When someone punches, you have no idea when it's coming, how fast or where they will hit you. It could be in your stomach or your face or your head and if they were faster than you it would be impossible to block it. For most people, action is faster than reaction.
Also, the whole concept of blocking implies that you must wait for the other guy to punch, instead of proactively moving to get out of there or punching your way out. Stopping to block is a waste of time. Why not punch your way out? Just explosively punch every attacker near you as you keep moving to get out of the situation.
If you hesitate even a fraction of a second on the street, a second and third attacker could tackle you from behind. Then both would try to beat you into the ground.
Forget blocking. Just focus on how fast you can punch them in the face and then get to safety. (Try to avoid their eyes and mouth if you can. You don't want their blood on you. Diseases, etc.)
I hope this helps.
Best regards,
Al Abidin
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Parking lot safer: You and your car
Whenever you place valuables in your car, put them all in your trunk and if possible do this as you depart your current location.
If you wait until you arrive at your next destination, criminals may see and break into your trunk while you're away.
By the way, pull that GPS or other electronic unit off your dash and put it out of sight. This will help you avoid being a victim of a smash and grab burglary, where the thief smashes your window and grabs your stuff.
In addition to avoiding burglaries of your car it's important to preserve your life, by carefully choosing where to park in a parking lot.
Select a parking space that can easily be seen from the entrance of the building you are going to.
If there's a chance you'll remain past sundown, select a space that is not only visible from the entrance but also close to a light.
If you will be returning to your car during a desolate time, try to walk with someone else or ask the security guard for an escort.
Develop a survivor's attitude that as you walk, you stand tall, keeping your head up, making eye contact with everyone, and a determination that you will beat any threat to your safety, no matter what.
Develop a habit of walking with your car key tightly in your hand the way you would use it to open your car door.
Keep the key down at your side (for stealth) and if someone attacks you, stomp your foot as you step toward him to poke his face with lightening speed, 2 or 3 times if necessary. Stomp your forward foot each time you poke to make it powerful. (This should only be used if your personal safety is at risk.)
This will buy you time to get away.
As usual, I hope you never need to use that, however personal security isn't developed by accident.
Al Abidin
Director of Training
Cutting Edge Combat
http://www.cutting-edge-combat.com
866-276-3350
If you wait until you arrive at your next destination, criminals may see and break into your trunk while you're away.
By the way, pull that GPS or other electronic unit off your dash and put it out of sight. This will help you avoid being a victim of a smash and grab burglary, where the thief smashes your window and grabs your stuff.
In addition to avoiding burglaries of your car it's important to preserve your life, by carefully choosing where to park in a parking lot.
Select a parking space that can easily be seen from the entrance of the building you are going to.
If there's a chance you'll remain past sundown, select a space that is not only visible from the entrance but also close to a light.
If you will be returning to your car during a desolate time, try to walk with someone else or ask the security guard for an escort.
Develop a survivor's attitude that as you walk, you stand tall, keeping your head up, making eye contact with everyone, and a determination that you will beat any threat to your safety, no matter what.
Develop a habit of walking with your car key tightly in your hand the way you would use it to open your car door.
Keep the key down at your side (for stealth) and if someone attacks you, stomp your foot as you step toward him to poke his face with lightening speed, 2 or 3 times if necessary. Stomp your forward foot each time you poke to make it powerful. (This should only be used if your personal safety is at risk.)
This will buy you time to get away.
As usual, I hope you never need to use that, however personal security isn't developed by accident.
Al Abidin
Director of Training
Cutting Edge Combat
http://www.cutting-edge-combat.com
866-276-3350
Friday, May 28, 2010
Self-control and breathing
How important is breathing for your personal safety?
Well during an argument, you tend to have shallow breathing and an elevated heart rate which can cause you to lose self-control.
If the other person also loses self-control you could end up in a fist fight.
A simple way to maintain self-control and preserve your safety is through Combat Breathing which lowers your heart rate, enables you to think clearer and exercise self-control.
Combat Breathing is an exercise done in a set of fours.
-Inhale for 4 seconds.
-Hold your breath for 4 seconds.
-Exhale for 4 seconds.
-Then wait 4 seconds before the next inhale.
Do 4 repetitions of this drill to relax yourself and lower your heart rate.
As you relax you will be able to determine if the other person might turn violent and then choose the best response.
You might decide to stop talking, change the subject, defend yourself or even walk away.
Practice Combat Breathing in front of a mirror so you can learn how to do this discreetly. Then others won't realize what you're doing.
Make use of this drill to give yourself an advantage.
Be strong,
Kubler Al Abidin
P.S. Go beyond self-control and add an extra measure of personal safety to your life. Go to http://www.hikuta.com/order.html right now to get any of my self-defense DVD's for 20% off. This Memorial Day special ends on Saturday, June 5th and this will be your only reminder.
Al Abidin
Director of Training
Cutting Edge Combat
http://www.cutting-edge-combat.com/
866-276-3350
Well during an argument, you tend to have shallow breathing and an elevated heart rate which can cause you to lose self-control.
If the other person also loses self-control you could end up in a fist fight.
A simple way to maintain self-control and preserve your safety is through Combat Breathing which lowers your heart rate, enables you to think clearer and exercise self-control.
Combat Breathing is an exercise done in a set of fours.
-Inhale for 4 seconds.
-Hold your breath for 4 seconds.
-Exhale for 4 seconds.
-Then wait 4 seconds before the next inhale.
Do 4 repetitions of this drill to relax yourself and lower your heart rate.
As you relax you will be able to determine if the other person might turn violent and then choose the best response.
You might decide to stop talking, change the subject, defend yourself or even walk away.
Practice Combat Breathing in front of a mirror so you can learn how to do this discreetly. Then others won't realize what you're doing.
Make use of this drill to give yourself an advantage.
Be strong,
Kubler Al Abidin
P.S. Go beyond self-control and add an extra measure of personal safety to your life. Go to http://www.hikuta.com/order.html right now to get any of my self-defense DVD's for 20% off. This Memorial Day special ends on Saturday, June 5th and this will be your only reminder.
Al Abidin
Director of Training
Cutting Edge Combat
http://www.cutting-edge-combat.com/
866-276-3350
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