Self-Defense Basics

Here, we will discuss my martial arts beginnings and the styles that I have studied. As well we will go into discussing the basic techniques that are a part of the styles of martial arts that I have studied. My martial arts background began at the age of twelve when my father started to teach me karate and jujitsu.

My father got his training over in Japan when he was stationed there when he was in the military. From the ages of twelve to sixteen karate and jujitsu are what I learned.A the age of sixteen I started training in a style called capoeira. At the age of seventeen until the age of twenty-three I studied Jeet kune do and Filipino martial arts and Muay Thai. I have also studied some unconventional Hand-to-Hand combat tactics as well.

As far as offensive tactics goes we will be using tactics from Karate, Jujitsu, Muay Thaiand a couple of unconventional tactics.

As far as defensive tactics goes we will be using Jeet KuneDo methods. The offensive tactics that we will discuss are as follows:

• Reverse punch
• Palm strike
• Elbow
• Side kick
• Front kick
• Hip Throw
• Outer Reaping Throw

As far as defensive techniques goes here they are as follows:

• Stance
• Parrying
• Covering
• Footwork

Now to start off with we will be discussing the stance. Here is a proper stance. To start off with stand on which side is most comfortable with you ( me I use my left side.)Your body should be at a forty-five degree angle for better protection. The feet should be a comfortable distance apart so that you can move easily and more agility. Your front hand should be about chin level and a comfortable distance from your body. Your rear hand should be slightly lower than your front hand and closer to your body. The front heel should be raised slightly off of the floor.

Offensive Tactics

Now on to our first offensive tactic. The first offensive tactic we will be discussing is the Reverse Punch.

1. Start off in your stance.
2. Bring the front hand back (If you are doing this off of a defensive tactic do not bring your front hand back so as to have a way to keep your self-protected.), then twist your hip and bring your rear hand forward with your fist held vertically striking with the bottom three knuckles of your fist.(I incorporated that last part from my JKD training.) Then bring your hand back, and return to your stance.

The second offensive tactic we will be discussing is the Palm Strike. This is how you do the Palm Strike. The Palm Strike can be done with both the front hand and the back hand.

1. Start off in your stance.
2. Bring your rear foot forward, while at the same time bringing the rear hand forward bent at the wrist as so you can strike with the fleshy part of the palm.
3. Bring your rear foot back so that you are in the stance that you started in.

Now on to the third offensive tactic that we will be discussing which is the elbow. The elbow strike can be done vertically, horizontally, and downward. We will be discussing the vertical elbow.

1. Start off in your stance.
2. Lower your rear arm slightly.
3. Bring your rear foot forward
   while you bring your rear arm up to perform the elbow strike with.
4. Bring your foot back so that you are in your original stance. (Note: Use the corner of the elbow to strike with.)

For the fourth offensive tactic we will be discussing the side kick. Here is how you do the Side Kick:

1. Start off in your stance.
2. Bring your rear foot close to your front foot( This is so that you can gain distance.)
3. Raise your front foot slightly.
4. Bring your front foot down using a stomping motion, as well using the heel of the foot to strike with.
5. Return to your original stance.

This is the fifth offensive tactic that we will be discussing. It is the Front kick. Here
is how you do the Front Kick:

1. Start off in your stance.
2. Turn your hips forward while raising your rear foot.
3. Bring your rear foot forward striking with the ball of the foot.
4. Bring your foot back and return to your original stance.
   

Moving on to the sixth offensive tactic which is the Hip Throw. Here is how you do the hip throw:

1. Start off in your stance.
2. Place your left hand on the attackers right arm at the elbow while placing your right arm around the attackers left waist.
3. Move so that you are in front of him slightly bending your knees and pulling the attacker onto your hips.
4. Bend forward and straighten your hips to throw your attacker.