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.

The Crescent Step

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

Historical background from a personal perspective. I was not taught the crescent step and it didn't appear in my circles until I saw it performed in a video series created by one of the Isshinryu luminaries. Before I continue with this thread you may find my past thoughts of interest so: 


Yes, now, the crescent step is merely a tool like any other in the martial disciplines because no one thing in the drills and kata and such are directly applicable to any self-protection or competitive endeavor. Look at them as the beginnings of a bridge that must span the chasm between the training and practice to that which resides so far across the gap in the application of skills to defend and protect in a violent situation. If you allow the understanding that something must happen once you learn a drill or skill or technique or methodology from the foundation that makes up a martial discipline like karate then you can begin to build that bridge to span the gap from one side to the other otherwise you will simply fall in the canyon and die. 

The crescent step is explained as a technique and in my view those are actually creative renderings of what is possible not what is necessary to achieve a certain goal or objective in self-protection for self-defense. One such explanation is about moving one leg/foot or the other over slightly and into the center-line of an oncoming force or adversary but that one for me doesn’t really fit. 

Remember, another very professional violence person talked recently about the ‘block’ in empty handed systems. Literally using the block to block is pretty much dangerous and injurious but if you change if from a block to a defection while you move off the adversaries center line of movement you achieve two goals.
  • One, you move off his line of attack.
  • Two, you are stepping at an angle to that off-center position while moving forward using your hand and arm to defect his arms/hands/feet allowing his mass and momentum to drive them through your previously held position thus providing you targets of opportunities and this is one of many ways that the crescent step as a teaching tool provides you one of many methods and methodologies to get-r-done. 
Of note is to observe that if you tried to use the crescent step as it is often defined as a technique rather than a tool you will find that you are broadcasting to your adversary what it is you are planning to do and that gives him or her lots of time to do grave harm to you when you trigger your move. 


Think about this, the crescent step is not a technique. Think about this, the crescent step is a tool by which a creative adept person can find a method or methodology that will work - which is more conducive to you achieve self-protection for self-defense? 

For reference and sources and professionals go here: Bibliography (Click the link)

p.s. if you tie yourself to what seems logical and technique-based you lock your options up. 

No comments: