Reality Check

This month, we are going to examine the “prison bully” story told in last month’s article such that we can profit from its lessons in self-defense. We first need to realize that while those events occurred in the crucible of prison life, the lessons they teach aply to human conflict in any environment. All of ...

I want to relate some of the very powerful effects that adrenal stress has on the human mind and body. As an instructor, you must understand how the adrenal reaction can affect a student’s ability to defend himself during an actual encounter. We ask applicants to our RMCAT self-defense course if they have ever been ...

Some years ago, I was at a major “contact” Karate tournament that had attracted fighters from across the country for many years. More than a few of the matches are decided by knockouts, and the action is always hard and fast. The rules allow for full-contact kicking to the head and body, but hand strikes ...

People study martial arts for many worthwhile reasons, which is entirely separate from the desire to acquire self-defense skills. There’s a big difference between martial arts study and self-defense training. That difference is based on an individual’s motivation to pursue either of these goals. There is some overlap, but they are most certainly not the ...

Last month, I noted that our academic school systems operate on the premise that “nothing is worth fighting for.” This month, I want to bring this point directly home by reporting on a manifestation of this passive philosophy that shouldn’t be ignored-and that is rape.If you have a daughter in middle or high school or ...

For most martial artists, the most challenging aspect of self-defense in the real world is to know when to use violence. I must tell you that the hesitation that comes from fear, confusion and the denial of truly aggressive behavior can often preempt the use of any self-defense skills or training. As instructors, we have ...

Someone recently asked me to cite the 12 points that I thought were most important to understand the correct mental attitude during a self-defense situation. Here’s my answer.1. “Trust your gut.” If you have any doubt, then there is no doubt-something ain’t right. 2. Perfect intention is more powerful than perfect technique. If you have ...

You may have heard “speed is everything in a real fight.” The importance of speed in executing a given technique or defensive move seems quite obvious, really. But, we need to look at the important concept of speed more deeply as it applies to real world self-defense. Speed is not just how fast we can ...

Most of us know Joe Corley as the man who started the famous “Battle of Atlanta” martial arts tournament. He also runs several very successful martial arts schools, and shares his knowledge with other NAPMA members about how to “get there” and how to “do it.” When I talked with Mr. Corley recently, we didn’t ...

Let’s examine some of the key elements to Parts 1 and 2 of the original “prison bully” story:             Recall the prison bully’s remark “Hey, man, how come you keep taking my seat?” And recall that the other prisoner did not try to ignore or deny the bully’s true intent. He knew from the very ...