What a True Martial Artist Is By:Joshua Peacock

What is a true martial artist? Here are a few of many things that defines one.

A true martial artist is, in essence, a warrior. Not necessarily an actual soldier, or person who wears armor and carries weapons, fighting wars as a profession. He/she may not be these things. What the are, however, are disciplined, sharp individuals that will persevere through rough spots in life. They are willing and able to adapt.

He/she is a person who respects both tradition and revolution. He/she will strive for more knowledge in all areas, constantly pushing towards another level of skill and understanding. He/she not only practices the physical aspect, but also respects and benefits from the mental aspects of the martial arts. They constantly strive to better themselves, upholding a moral code, both mentally and physically. They understand the wisdom is just as powerful as physical strength.

A true martial artist is confident but very humble. He/she restrains himself from drawing attention to his/herself through the showing of their skills. True martial skill is dangerous, and therefore it should not be displayed, nor should the fact that you have any martial knowledge. A martial artist values anonymity.

He/she is also open minded. He or she will always listen to someone else's opinion, and give a new concept a chance. He/she is courteous, polite, and respectful.

He/she has a high level of integrity and self discipline: a true martial artist does not need to word or eyes of another to do something, and to do it with a high level of quality. He/she is honest and trustworthy.

He or she accepts a high amount of responsibility when teaching in the martial word. He/she must always be honest about teaching legitimately, as well as if what they are teaching is authentic and effective. He/she also has the responsibility to always research and learn new methods, as well as continue to perfect the old.

He or she is dedicated to any cause they take up, and loyal to any person they become friends with. If someone is in need, a martial artist is obligated to help. If a fake martial artist is using his skills to hurt someone wrongfully, then it is the true martial artist's responsibility to stop it.

A true martial artist will never abuse his or her knowledge, and will only use it for the good of others (Teaching people to defend themselves, as well as defending people who are defenseless; or even using it to serve your country).

That's a lot, but its true. Meditate on it.

The Pros and Cons of Carrying the Best Self Defense Weapons By:Steve Gib

So what kind of implications are involved in carrying my list of the best self defense weapons? I will try to cover the pros and cons of carrying a concealed weapon for self defense purposes. I'm not a lawyer so if you want legal advice on weapons, talk to a pro.

Best self defense weapons pros #1 - When you use a weapon against someone physically attacking you, you will have the upper hand. Especially if you use the weapon with the element of surprise and maximum hostility. If you threaten an assailant with a weapon, chances are he will disarm you, then use it on you.

Best self defense weapons pros #2 - If your attacker pulls a weapon on you, you have the legal right in most places to use a weapon against him as well. However, it can also be ruled that both of you were in the wrong, so be aware of the implications of using a weapon. But if your attacker is threatening you with a weapon, take him down with yours first!

Best self defense weapons cons #1 - A problem with carrying a concealed weapon is that it is a crime in some areas. I have found that if you get a carrying holster or case that is visible you won't have the problem explaining to a police officer why you have a concealed knife in your back pocket.

Best self defense weapons cons #2 - Like I stated before, another problem concerning weapons is that a bigger or faster, or simply drugged up criminal could disarm you if you don't use force and power with your weapon. Carrying a weapon is only effective if you can deploy and use it.

When carrying self defense weapons always remember that acting first generally means a victory.

Street Fighting Techniques Every Martial Artist Should Know By:Steve Gib

A lot of mainstream dojos and training halls of the martial arts don't teach valid street fighting techniques or incorporate them into their style. Let's face it, if you are learning an outdated form of combat how will it apply to the streets? I'll share some ideas below:

Street fighting techniques #1 - Attacking the groin. You can never ever go wrong with attacking a male attackers groin. Use any way of attacking it you can. Punching, grabbing, twisting, smashing, kicking, you name it, it will work. Simply because it is a vital area to attack that causes intensive pain to any male.

Street fighting techniques #2 - Attacking the eyes. If you don't have the power for a one punch knockout, being able to just stab your fingers into a bad guys eye sockets can cause serious damage and pain to the bad guy. You can permanently injure and disable him by ripping out his eyes. Best of all you don't need to be big or powerful to make this martial arts move work.

Street fighting techniques #3 - Attacking the throat. You can actually kill someone if you punch them in the throat. It is much more deadly and effective then a punch to the jaw or eye or head in general. If you are being attacked and want to escape quickly, try this move!

Street fighting techniques #4 - Attacking the temples. The temples are on either side of the head about one inch infront of the ears, on either side of the head. Being able to attack them with an open palm slap, or even well placed punches, can destroy the bad guys equilibrium.

Try using those 4 street martial arts techniques and incorporate them into your arsenal of martial arts moves!

Street Fighting Moves Tips Revealed By:Steve Gib

I want offer you another handful of useful street fighting moves and tips that can take your martial arts training to a whole new level. You need to be able to tell the difference between training for tournaments and the dojo, and applicable street fighting techniques.

Street fighting tips #1 - Always be the first person to attack. When you use the advantage of surprise you can throw your attacker off his game plan. If he gets in your face and asks for your wallet, why not put your hands up, say, "Please dont hurt me" and smash him with a punch to the throat followed by other strikes? Striking first is a valid move!

Street fighting tips #2 - Attack the three regions of the body. This includes the head (Eyes, throat, nose, temples, chin, ears.) The mid section, (collar bone, ribs, kidneys, stomach, groin.) Last but not least the lower body (legs, shins, knee caps, feet, toes.) You want to have a wide range of areas to strike that cause instant damage and pain.

Street fighting tips #3 - Carry a self defense weapon. If you are naturally smaller, weaker, or uncapable of defending yourself due to a physical disability or age, try carrying a weapon. A weapon as simple and effective as pepper spray can really discourage a bad guy from furthering his attack when he can't breathe or see.

Improve your chances of survival by following these street fighting tips that you can apply to your knowledge of martial arts. Having different styles of combat memorized will make you a that much better fighter!

MMA Training Gear That You Should Have By:Naomi West

Mixed martial arts is a favorite new sport that numerous people are noticing paying attention to. This different way of fighting is enjoyable to observe and for many it is something that they can do on their own. Though they may not be able to do it for their career, people have discovered martial art schools that have the power to train them in this way of fighting.

This is a great work out for anybody who is trying to shed a few pounds and get into great shape. It is a mixture of cardio work outs with fighting techniques that will make sure you are sore and sweating after only ten minutes of it. In order to make sure that you are training safely and simply it is critical to have the needed equipment and gear.

Fighting Clothes
You will not see somebody training in sweat pants or a loose-fitting t-shirt that is almost falling off them. You likewise won't see them fighting in clothes that are skin tight. It is easiest to wear fighter shorts that fit perfectly - but are not falling off. Also don a t-shirt that fits well and maybe even one that has the ability to soak up all of the sweat. Wearing these clothes will serve to give you breathing room and give you the ability to move easily when kicking or punching.

Fight Gear
The kind of fight gear you have is important and will assist to protect you while training or fighting with other fighters. Many times you will be hitting pads or sparring with other adversaries during practice sessions. Because of this you will require to shield both your hands and feet. You will be able to purchase particular foot pads that you wear like slippers and that cover the tops of your feet.

For your hands you can purchase hand wraps and gloves. You will first have to wind the fabric around both hands before putting on your MMA gloves. This will give you extra protection and keep your hands and fingers safe from injury.

Learn Street Fighting That Will Save Your Butt in a Fight By:Steve Gib

You will need to learn street fighting at one point or another and incorporate it into your martial arts training you have already done for years, or maybe only a few months. Many of the main stream martial arts are outdated compared to today's violent encounters.

Learn street fighting #1 - The worst place you never want a fight to go is on the ground. If you are on the ground sure you could try an armbar and break his arm, but chances are he will have friends arriving to beat you senseless, landing on the concrete can break bones or knock you out, and grappling is deadly on the ground. Your attacker could pull out a blade and stab you while you have him in the guard.

Learn street fighting #2 - When you are committed into fighting, be the first to attack. Don't expect your first strike to be a knock out either. You will want to go full steam ahead with anger and rage while you rip apart your opponent. Use every nasty street fighting technique you know to cause the bad guy serious pain and to prevent the attack from getting worse.

Learn street fighting #3 - Many blackbelt martial artists have been beat down in nightclub and bar fights. Why is that? Because the techniques they learn in the dojo, don't apply the pressures and stress of real combat. You need to be mentally focused enough to react fast, conquer your fear of being hit or injured, and using as much violence necessary to win the battle.

If it's your goal to learn street fighting follow those 3 tips above to become a better fighter!

Filipino Martial Arts By:Damian Ross

The three major branches of Filipino martial arts are Arnis typically from the northern Luzon regions, Eskrima from the central Visayas regions, and Kali from the southern Mindanao regions. Within these branches dwell a long line of masters, families, systems and history. Most Filipino systems will associate with one of these terms and their respective regions of the Philippines.

As a guerilla combat art it has proved to be extremely effective. The local warriors would make use of whatever they had around them to use against many invading cultures. Today is it widely practiced as a exploration into the history of the Filipino culture.

The use of the stick and the dagger is most common in all of the Filipino martial arts, but like all traditional martial arts it has gotten away from simple and effective to complicated and useless.

At its core, the indigenous martial arts of the Philippines are based on the bolo, a machete like weapon used for everything from farm work to fighting. Born from guerilla combat, Filipino martial arts are not a systemized form of combat.

Traditions and teachings are transferred from father to son, master to student. Teaching methods vary and documentation of these methods only occurred over the last 2 decades.

Most traditional martial arts fall victim to this same problem. Instructors begin to make things complicated in order to fill up time and keep students occupied. Take a look at the Japanese during the Edo period. With no one to fight, the samurai warriors began to over analyze, write poetry and arrange flowers. The same is true with the Filipino martial arts, from the basic techniques of what actually worked, today we have a complicated and confusing symbolic representation of what happened in the jungle.

For effective fighting technique and real self defense it does not need to be complicated, just simple and adaptable to the today's modern world.

Brazilian Jujitsu Has Judo Become the RedHeaded Stepchild of the Martial Arts By:Matthew McKernan

There I was watching UFC 1, waiting in anticipation for Royce Gracie to take his place in the Octagon, wondering what secret method of martial art I was going to witness. Perched on the edge of my seat, I watched Royce's every move as he entered the cage.

The match began, he jockeyed for position, making sure to stay out of punching and kicking range. I examined his stance, his hand position and in an instant he shot in on a double leg, wound up getting his opponent in dojime and submitting him with juji gatame! Wait a second; I know that stuff, it's Judo! And every Judoka around the world thought the same thing, "Brazilian WHAT?!? I learned that stuff on my first day." At this point I was completely confused. Was Brazilian Jujutsu actually Judo? What the heck is going on in Brazil?

At the time, the whole world discovered what millions already knew. Martial Arts in America was vastly overrated, watered down and a complete joke. McDojo's based on unsubstantiated methods (even in a sporting event like the UFC) were finally exposed for what they were- glorified cardio kickboxing. I take my hat off to the Gracie's for seizing the opportunity and taking advantage of it. They literally changed martial arts in America, but Brazilian Jujutsu? What happened to Judo?

At he risk of really pissing some people off- It's still Judo. After World War II, Japan desperately need be seen by the world in a different light. And Sport Judo was the answer. In an effort to promote the spirit of Japan and the positive aspects of her culture, Judo was chosen as the main export. And the focus was taken off of the combat aspects of the art and placed on the character building and it's social impact. In the United States it was even more the case as GI's came home to promote this new martial art, only barely understanding the sport version they were taught. And despite the thousands of books published over the last century most people, including most Judoka don't even know that Brazilian Jujutsu comes from Judo. And that most of the techniques that they attribute to BJJ are Judo techniques. Remember, way before the Gracies did their thing in the United States, over in Japan, the PRIDE organization had been doing it since the 50's and 60's. Greats Like Masahiko Kimura, Gene Lebel, Yoshisada Yonezuka- all fought challenge matches and mixed-martial arts bouts decades earlier.

When you combine the emphasis on sport with the down right laziness of Judo instructors, the martial art known as Judo, didn't stand a chance. It's still rare to see a Judo instructor actually teach a structured class. It's typical class is warm up with a few fit ins and randori (live practice). But it takes some work to teach techniques and create a class structure like the Europeans and Russians do (a strategy adapted by the Japanese). It's a shame that even today, many American Judo Black Belts barely know the name of their favorite technique let alone the hundreds of others that exist in their art.

By emphasizing competition and sport, Judo has become youth and competition oriented. If you focus on only one aspect on your art, you get only one type of practitioner. The result has created a void in American Martial Arts the Gracies gladly filled.

At one time Judo had it all, but with the emphasis on sport Judo and the lack of a lot of instructors to actually teach the art instead of the sport, has caused Judo to become the "red-headed step child" of the martial arts world, when it should be the proud parent.

Basic But Devastating Techniques The Hammer Fist By:Joshua Peacock

The hammer fist can be an extremely powerful technique, or a quick stopper, depending on how you use it. There are generally two popular styles of executing this technique. Practiced, your arm could become a power lever, devastating your opponent in both weak and strong parts of their body. Or it could become quick, but effective stop-hit. Either way, every martial artist should consider adding this technique to their arsenal.

Correct Technique and Execution

The first version of the hammer fist is executed much to the effect of a falling hammer. Raise your elbow to just under your shoulder, the rest of the arm beyond the elbow stand straight upwards. The fist should be bawled in the same formation as a straight punch (that is, vertical, not horizontal). Let the arm above the elbow fall like a hammer, focusing the impact in the same area on the knife of the hand.

The second version is more like a lever, and travels across the user's body and not directly forward in front of it. Hold your amr up similarly to the version above. But instead of letting it fall forwards, draw a parabola (make a small semi-circle), rotating the arm around until the palm of the fist is facing up. NOTE: if you are striking with the right hand, you rotate it around to the right, then strike to the left, and the opposite for the other side. Now snap it across your body, using your hips to propel it, into the enemy, which your opposite shoulder should be pointing at.

Tips and Usage

The first version of the hammer fist strike should be used more a an effort to stop an advance or distract an attacker. The best place to target with this strike is the nose, since it is soft and easily broken.

The second version of the hammer fist should be used as a power strike. On of the best places to target is the solar plexus. If you train this technique to devastating power and accuracy, you could break the sternum, cause the enemy to black out, or even stop their heart, killing them. Be careful with this version and practice is on a dummy or bag, not a person.

You won't be sorry with this technique!

Joshua started his martial journey in the art of Taekwondo, and holds a rank of second degree black belt. He has since developed a love for Chinese martial arts and currently studies Wing Chun Kung fu. He has dabbled in many styles, including: Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu Karate, Five Animal Kung fu, Capoeira, Taiji quan, Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Jeet Kune Do, American Kenpo and Eskrima/Arnis. Joshua also loves to write, and is inspired by his strong Christian Faith. He has been studying martial arts for ten years.

5 Self Defense Tips to Increase Your Safety By:Steve Gib

Today I will show you some self defense tips that apply to increasing your personal safety. These tips work for men and women, seniors, children, basically everyone! I always recommend training in a martial arts
school, but I also recommend these tips:

Self defense tips #1 - If you can run away from a situation by all means do it. If you can cordinate an escape route if someone starts trying to have problems with you, just run away and call the police when you get space from your attacker. If you have a girlfriend or wife and kids with you follow this idea below..

Self defense tips #2 - Increase your range of awareness. Be aware of the people, places, environments and overall 'feel' of where you are. Did you know you can see behind your back tilting your head forward and a little to the right or left and you can see behind you. Also using reflections of mirrors, windows, and other things can aid to your vision.

Self defense tips #3 - Home invasions are becoming more frequent these days. So have weapons planetd around your house or area where you live. Personally I have a steel baton in my home, and I carry pepper spray on me at all times. Being well prepared in your home, and especially your vehicle can insure you survive an attack.

Self defense tips #4 - Staying in physical shape by doing exercises at the gym, or walking, bike riding, doing anything will help you in the event of an attack. You want to be physically active and able to fight off someone bigger then you. If you are a couch potato you will be in trouble if you get attacked or victimized by a criminal.

Self defense tips #5 - Absorb as much self defense information and training as you can. Also share it with family members, friends and children. You never know when a simple tip on fighting might make the life or death decision in an assault in the future.

3 Killer MMA Workout Tips By:Eric Wong

Strength and conditioning for MMA is an evolving science, getting more detailed as the popularity of the UFC and mixed-martial arts grows. Like all sports, MMA athletes must dedicate themselves to workouts that will take them to the highest level of physical fitness possible.

To make sure you're achieving your full potential as a fighter, make sure you utilize these 3 MMA workout tips in your strength and conditioning program.

Tip #1 - Follow a Program

If you're not following a program, you could simply be spinning your wheels. The worst thing you can do is go to the gym and say to yourself, "OK, now that I'm here, what am I going to do?"

If you're serious about being an MMA fighter, then you must have a strength and conditioning program that's laid out for at least the 8 weeks leading up to your fight. If you don't have a fight lined up, then you must think about what you need to improve and focus on those aspects of your game.

Tip #2 - Maximize your Efficiency in the Weight Room

As a mixed-martial artist, you've got to train jiu-jitsu, boxing, kickboxing, muay thai, wrestling, and put them all together into MMA at the very LEAST. This doesn't leave you a ton of time to work on strength.

So you've got to get the most bang for your buck in the little time that you do have.

In your strength program, you can do so by training full body workouts focused on movement patterns. Think squat, lunge, deadlift, push, pull, and twist instead of chest, biceps, quads, hams, back, etc.

Hitting the full body with different movement patterns two days a week will allow you to make progress in your routine without over training. Here's an example of a 2 day split:

Day 1: Reverse lunge - Bench press - Woodchop - Arnold press - Reverse Curl
Day 2: Squat - Chinup - Romanian deadlift - 1-arm row - Skull crusher

You could do these workouts on Monday and Thursday to develop your strength and power.

The repetition range you use will depend on your goals, if it's muscular endurance, then choose 10-12 reps, if you're going for pure strength, you can get down to 3-5 reps. A good balance is between 7-8 reps per set. The lower the reps and heavier the weight, the more rest you generally want to take.

TIp #3 - Use a Medicine Ball for Conditioning Circuits

By far the best tool for developing MMA specific power is the medicine ball, since you can throw the ball as hard and fast as you can in rotational movements that heavily involve the core. Integrating the medicine ball will allow you to develop knockout power with your strikes, as well as explosive take down ability.

Exercises like the side toss and chop toss will have you (and your opponents and sparring partners) feeling a difference after only a few weeks.

Unfortunately, many people do these exercises completely wrong, in terms of reps, weight, and form.