Reality Check

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 ...

It is not often that we take our RMCAT training on the road, but some time ago, Mr. Ernie Reyes asked us to bring our armored assailant, adrenal-stress-driven, scenario-based program to his school in California. Naturally, we were both pleased and proud to do so. To many of us Ernie Reyes is known for his ...

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 start ...

The instructor holds the air shield high, at face level. He is prepared to withdraw the air shield when the student strikes to avoid too much impact on the student’s hand. Again, the student must feel the impact, so that he can gauge the power of his strike. Retract the shield just a micro-instant after ...

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 ...