Please take a look at Articles on self-defense/conflict/violence for introductions to the references found in the bibliography page.

Please take a look at my bibliography if you do not see a proper reference to a post.

Please take a look at my Notable Quotes

Hey, Attention on Deck!

Hey, NOTHING here is PERSONAL, get over it - Teach Me and I will Learn!


When you begin to feel like you are a tough guy, a warrior, a master of the martial arts or that you have lived a tough life, just take a moment and get some perspective with the following:


I've stopped knives that were coming to disembowel me

I've clawed for my gun while bullets ripped past me

I've dodged as someone tried to put an ax in my skull

I've fought screaming steel and left rubber on the road to avoid death

I've clawed broken glass out of my body after their opening attack failed

I've spit blood and body parts and broke strangle holds before gouging eyes

I've charged into fires, fought through blizzards and run from tornados

I've survived being hunted by gangs, killers and contract killers

The streets were my home, I hunted in the night and was hunted in turn


Please don't brag to me that you're a survivor because someone hit you. And don't tell me how 'tough' you are because of your training. As much as I've been through I know people who have survived much, much worse. - Marc MacYoung

WARNING, CAVEAT AND NOTE

The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books. Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.


Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.



“What you are reading right now is a blog. It’s written and posted by me, because I want to. I get no financial remuneration for writing it. I don’t have to meet anyone’s criteria in order to post it. Not only I don’t have an employer or publisher, but I’m not even constrained by having to please an audience. If people won’t like it, they won’t read it, but I won’t lose anything by it. Provided I don’t break any laws (libel, incitement to violence, etc.), I can post whatever I want. This means that I can write openly and honestly, however controversial my opinions may be. It also means that I could write total bullshit; there is no quality control. I could be biased. I could be insane. I could be trolling. … not all sources are equivalent, and all sources have their pros and cons. These needs to be taken into account when evaluating information, and all information should be evaluated.” - God’s Bastard, Sourcing Sources (this applies to this and other blogs by me as well; if you follow the idea's, advice or information you are on your own, don't come crying to me, it is all on you do do the work to make sure it works for you!)



“You should prepare yourself to dedicate at least five or six years to your training and practice to understand the philosophy and physiokinetics of martial arts and karate so that you can understand the true spirit of everything and dedicate your mind, body and spirit to the discipline of the art.” - cejames (note: you are on your own, make sure you get expert hands-on guidance in all things martial and self-defense)



“All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.” - Montaigne


I am not a leading authority on any one discipline that I write about and teach, it is my hope and wish that with all the subjects I have studied it provides me an advantage point that I offer in as clear and cohesive writings as possible in introducing the matters in my materials. I hope to serve as one who inspires direction in the practitioner so they can go on to discover greater teachers and professionals that will build on this fundamental foundation. Find the authorities and synthesize a wholehearted and holistic concept, perception and belief that will not drive your practices but rather inspire them to evolve, grow and prosper. My efforts are born of those who are more experienced and knowledgable than I. I hope you find that path! See the bibliography I provide for an initial list of experts, professionals and masters of the subjects.

What makes a system good for self-defense?


This is such a difficult question and I believe there are not pat answers. Regardless, I will try my best to answer it from a very narrow perspective, i.e. my perceptions as to what it is that makes a system good for self-defense?

This answer does not contain specifics such as when this happens you do this technique or combination, etc. This is a very small part of SD training and practice but it does not cover all the bases. 

First, what is the systems syllabus? It is important to make sure a system for SD encompasses all the aspects involved in self-defense. It should address the before, during and after of any violent conflict. It must span from before you encounter it, while you are in it and then what happens after it occurs. 

Second, if must begin with what you need to know in order to recognize all violence. It must encompass those mind-set training that prepare the mind long before you go out and expect it to work. It must provide a solid knowledge of what violence is and how it works in all varieties. It all must be realistic.

Third, it must also allow for a reality based training and practice regimen that begins with the practice and training of what, when, how and why things lead you into conflicts. It must allow for the reality based training and practice that gives you the tools to handle things before you encounter conflict. It must allow for a reality based training and practice of what you need to accomplish when in a conflict zone and it must cover all the variables for that moment of conflict, i.e. each moment is unique and training and practice must address this. It must allow for a reality based training and practice for what you need to know, understand and do when you leave the conflict, i.e. the repercussions and after affects. 

Fourth, look to the instructor to see their history and experience. If they don't have a lot of experience or if their experience is within the system itself or if there is no experience in violent conflicts then look to their sources, look to their training and practice history, look to the same in their sources as well. 

If it fails to address the before, during and after; if it fails to address the mental/psychological, the spiritual, and the physical; if it fails to address the mental/psychological, legal and civil repercussions then your system needs further self-analysis to encompass all aspects of self-defense. 

It is too easy to drop into the particulars of SD including falling prey to the influences of advertisements and claims of any system. It is easy to succumb to the thrills found in all martial systems or any SD system. It is easy to fall prey to a perceived expert in a SD system.

Remember that SD is serious business. It has far reaching repercussions that will affect your entire life after, your families entire life after and your economic stability for your entire life after. 

In closing I want to say that this short terse post on what makes a good self-defense system is not all encompassing but rather a means to make you think long before you rely heavily on your local self-defense school. Buyer beware. The after of all SD is something you will deal with for a long, long time. Your ability to handle it before, during and after depend on your foundation of knowledge and experience. Failure to go the distance in your own behalf is your sole responsibility. If you fail to choose wisely you will have to look to yourself simply because you are the one choosing and deciding on your SD system.

p.s. as to SD systems, all systems have the potential to be good. All of them have the potential to be horrible. You can find a solid SD system if you do the footwork first and choose wisely. It could be anything and don't allow anyone to tell you one is either good or not good for SD, make that decision yourself.

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