JimConway
Instructor
Although many of the NES members are extremely skilled and knowledgeable on many topics, I felt it would be a good idea to form a basic list of skills and how to get started on the path to an integrated fighting system.
H2H:
1. Get familiar with some of the most basic blows (chin jab, elbow, eye gouge, knee strike, edge-of-boot kick, etc.) and practice them on some type of striking target/pad to develop power. If you can arrange it, practice them with a partner who is wearing appropriate protective gear for the situation.
2. Try out the various types of default position (SouthNarc's, cowcatcher, helmet, cage, etc.) and see how each feels to you as you progress through higher levels of force in your practice drills. Think about how you will transition from that default position into your offense (H2H follow-up, edged weapon, firearm, etc.) and plan how you will access that tool/blow.
3. Try to arrange the opportunity to get some exposure to fighting while in a standing clinch and on the ground "wrestling" with your opponent. The basic blows are often difficult or impossible to use in these situations unless you have specificallly trained for that eventuality. Learning what it takes to access your weapons while tangled up with an opponent is an extremely valuable skill. Grappling practice also allows you to use full strength against resisting opponents without serious injury to either party.
Edged Weapons:
1. Folding Knives: Give some thought to how you carry your knife, and how you will get your hand on it to perform the draw WHEN YOU ARE ENGAGED WITH AN OPPONENT. This is a completely different situation than those where you can merely pull the knife out and "have it ready" as you sense a confrontation. The above-described basic H2H blows and default positions can increase your chances of successfully producing the weapon.
"Waved" knives, which open by having a hook-like protrusion catch on the pocket edge as the knife is pulled, are usually more efficient in combative applications, since less fine-motor involvement is required to get the knife into action.
2. Fixed-Blade knives: Fixed blades are the kings of combat applications. Requiring no special manipulation to prepare for their use, they can be brought into action faster (from well-chosen carry methods) and are typically much stronger than most folding knives. Since they are longer, they require a bit more thought for efficient carry.
3. Back-up blades: There are many types of smaller, secondary blades on the market which can serve as last-ditch weapons. They can usually be much more completely concealed, but are typically not as easy to produce quickly. Consider the trade-offs involved, and decide if carrying a small blade will serve you.
4. Improvised Edged Weapons: Examine your environment as a "homework"-like experiment to determine what objects you could use as an edged weapon. A few examples include broken CDs, BIC pens, pottery shards, window glass, etc. Once you've thought about this a little, it will be rare that you will be in an environment that does not offer you a few options to arm yourself.
5. TRAINING: Learning to efficiently use an edged weapon in the midst of actual face-to-face fight will often mean the difference between living and dying. I would highly recommend SouthNarc's "Reverse Edge Methods, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2" which are available from MD Tactical .
Firearms:
1. Handguns: If you are living in a state that permits Concealed Carry (CCW), and meet the requirements stated in the laws, you may carry a handgun according to the regulations of your individual state. The handgun is the #1 citizen "best method" of self-protection, since it is not cumbersome to have a handgun with you at virtually all times.
For carry on your person, consider (once again) how you will access the weapon if you are engaged at close range by an opponent. The afore-mentioned H2H skills form the foundation of your "system" of arming yourself while under close-range assault. You may also consider how the edged weapon you carry might serve you in "cutting your way" to your gun.
For home protection, you must find the balance between convenience (carrying the gun on your person at all times), comfort (NOT carrying the gun on your person at all times, due to wardrobe changes etc.), and accessibility (is the gun safe hard to get to, to open quickly, and in a place where you can reach it from your usual places of habitation in the home?). Most "home invasion" attacks do not leave you time/space to go to a safe, so planning your home "perimeter" security (locks, dogs, etc.) can play an important part in delaying the criminal and allowing you to get to your gun. Keeping firearms away from curious children is an absolute MUST for armed homeowners, and this has to be the primary consideration when choosing methods of storage/placement.
2. Long Arms: Shotguns and rifles also have their place in a complete armament set-up. There are individuals on NES who are far more qualified to speak about long arms, and I will defer to their expertise on general recommendations, etc.
3. TRAINING: This is the biggest factor. You must become familiar enough with your firearm so that you can use it efficiently. You must be able to trouble-shoot the common mechanical failures that might occur, and fix them in a very expeditious manner. Several top-notch schools and traveling trainers are constantly discussed here on NES. Look in the Training forum at NES. Once again, I'll recommend SouthNarc's "Fighting Handgun, Vol. 1" also available from MD Tactical.
Emergency Medicine: There are several highly-qualified personnel here on TPI who routinely discuss effective medical intervention methods for common self-defense related wounds. Please check out the Medical Forum for information, and don't forget to use the search function for any topics of interest!
This short summary is not all-inclusive by any means. The body of knowledge that experienced SD practitioners absorb is staggering. This list is meant to be a starting point for those who wish to gain more insight and experience in this endeavor. I've attempted to include many of the "bang-for-the-buck" skills/knowledge bases that will get someone started in an efficient manner. Having some sort of game plan for study will help you to avoid the common pitfalls of having too much information available with no means of sorting through it!
I invite other members to add to the topics on the list, as well as elaborate on certain things they feel are extremely important!
PS: Link for MD Tactical: http://www.mdtactical.com/
H2H:
1. Get familiar with some of the most basic blows (chin jab, elbow, eye gouge, knee strike, edge-of-boot kick, etc.) and practice them on some type of striking target/pad to develop power. If you can arrange it, practice them with a partner who is wearing appropriate protective gear for the situation.
2. Try out the various types of default position (SouthNarc's, cowcatcher, helmet, cage, etc.) and see how each feels to you as you progress through higher levels of force in your practice drills. Think about how you will transition from that default position into your offense (H2H follow-up, edged weapon, firearm, etc.) and plan how you will access that tool/blow.
3. Try to arrange the opportunity to get some exposure to fighting while in a standing clinch and on the ground "wrestling" with your opponent. The basic blows are often difficult or impossible to use in these situations unless you have specificallly trained for that eventuality. Learning what it takes to access your weapons while tangled up with an opponent is an extremely valuable skill. Grappling practice also allows you to use full strength against resisting opponents without serious injury to either party.
Edged Weapons:
1. Folding Knives: Give some thought to how you carry your knife, and how you will get your hand on it to perform the draw WHEN YOU ARE ENGAGED WITH AN OPPONENT. This is a completely different situation than those where you can merely pull the knife out and "have it ready" as you sense a confrontation. The above-described basic H2H blows and default positions can increase your chances of successfully producing the weapon.
"Waved" knives, which open by having a hook-like protrusion catch on the pocket edge as the knife is pulled, are usually more efficient in combative applications, since less fine-motor involvement is required to get the knife into action.
2. Fixed-Blade knives: Fixed blades are the kings of combat applications. Requiring no special manipulation to prepare for their use, they can be brought into action faster (from well-chosen carry methods) and are typically much stronger than most folding knives. Since they are longer, they require a bit more thought for efficient carry.
3. Back-up blades: There are many types of smaller, secondary blades on the market which can serve as last-ditch weapons. They can usually be much more completely concealed, but are typically not as easy to produce quickly. Consider the trade-offs involved, and decide if carrying a small blade will serve you.
4. Improvised Edged Weapons: Examine your environment as a "homework"-like experiment to determine what objects you could use as an edged weapon. A few examples include broken CDs, BIC pens, pottery shards, window glass, etc. Once you've thought about this a little, it will be rare that you will be in an environment that does not offer you a few options to arm yourself.
5. TRAINING: Learning to efficiently use an edged weapon in the midst of actual face-to-face fight will often mean the difference between living and dying. I would highly recommend SouthNarc's "Reverse Edge Methods, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2" which are available from MD Tactical .
Firearms:
1. Handguns: If you are living in a state that permits Concealed Carry (CCW), and meet the requirements stated in the laws, you may carry a handgun according to the regulations of your individual state. The handgun is the #1 citizen "best method" of self-protection, since it is not cumbersome to have a handgun with you at virtually all times.
For carry on your person, consider (once again) how you will access the weapon if you are engaged at close range by an opponent. The afore-mentioned H2H skills form the foundation of your "system" of arming yourself while under close-range assault. You may also consider how the edged weapon you carry might serve you in "cutting your way" to your gun.
For home protection, you must find the balance between convenience (carrying the gun on your person at all times), comfort (NOT carrying the gun on your person at all times, due to wardrobe changes etc.), and accessibility (is the gun safe hard to get to, to open quickly, and in a place where you can reach it from your usual places of habitation in the home?). Most "home invasion" attacks do not leave you time/space to go to a safe, so planning your home "perimeter" security (locks, dogs, etc.) can play an important part in delaying the criminal and allowing you to get to your gun. Keeping firearms away from curious children is an absolute MUST for armed homeowners, and this has to be the primary consideration when choosing methods of storage/placement.
2. Long Arms: Shotguns and rifles also have their place in a complete armament set-up. There are individuals on NES who are far more qualified to speak about long arms, and I will defer to their expertise on general recommendations, etc.
3. TRAINING: This is the biggest factor. You must become familiar enough with your firearm so that you can use it efficiently. You must be able to trouble-shoot the common mechanical failures that might occur, and fix them in a very expeditious manner. Several top-notch schools and traveling trainers are constantly discussed here on NES. Look in the Training forum at NES. Once again, I'll recommend SouthNarc's "Fighting Handgun, Vol. 1" also available from MD Tactical.
Emergency Medicine: There are several highly-qualified personnel here on TPI who routinely discuss effective medical intervention methods for common self-defense related wounds. Please check out the Medical Forum for information, and don't forget to use the search function for any topics of interest!
This short summary is not all-inclusive by any means. The body of knowledge that experienced SD practitioners absorb is staggering. This list is meant to be a starting point for those who wish to gain more insight and experience in this endeavor. I've attempted to include many of the "bang-for-the-buck" skills/knowledge bases that will get someone started in an efficient manner. Having some sort of game plan for study will help you to avoid the common pitfalls of having too much information available with no means of sorting through it!
I invite other members to add to the topics on the list, as well as elaborate on certain things they feel are extremely important!
PS: Link for MD Tactical: http://www.mdtactical.com/
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