How To Fight Good

Martial Arts Weapons Training : History of the Escrima in the Martial Arts

By fight good on Sunday, July 25th, 2010 | No Comments

Learn the history and function of the escrima ninjutsu weapon and become a real ninja warrior in this free weapon fighting video from our Marital Arts expert. Expert: Michael Lewis Contact: www.christianma.cmasdirect.com Bio: Instructor Michael Lewis has trained in Yeshua’s Ryu karate, jujitsu and kobudo under Shihan Michael Lowery. He has earned the rank of third degree black belt. Filmmaker: Reel Media LLC

Weapons for Martial Arts Training : Bow Forms & Martial Arts Weapons

By fight good on Saturday, July 24th, 2010 | No Comments

Learn about bow forms and martial arts weapons in this free Japanese martial arts training video. Expert: Calab Labarda Contact: www.tkdarizona.com Bio: Calab Labarda is a 21 year old Tae Kwon Do black belt. Filmmaker: Chuck Tyler

Martial Arts Weapons Training : Bo Staff Techniques for the Martial Arts

By fight good on Friday, June 4th, 2010 | No Comments

Learn bo staff ninjutsu weapons techniques and become a real ninja warrior in this free weapon fighting video from our Marital Arts expert. Expert: Michael Lewis Contact: www.christianma.cmasdirect.com Bio: Instructor Michael Lewis has trained in Yeshua’s Ryu karate, jujitsu and kobudo under Shihan Michael Lowery. He has earned the rank of third degree black belt. Filmmaker: Reel Media LLC

Ninjutsu Martial Arts Training – Don’t Depend on Weapons for Self-Defense

By fight good on Saturday, November 28th, 2009 | No Comments

This is based on something that I wrote in my “KUBOTAN: Self-Defense Keychain” ebook. And, although the discussion was aimed at the weapon that served as the focus of the book, in actuality, any weapon, modern or traditional, can be substituted.

Now, please don’t confuse what I’m about to say with whether or not I use weapons. Weapons should be a part of any sound self-defense and martial arts program, training, and strategy. However, far too many people rely on a quick-fix. The Self-Defense Keychain book, in fact none of my books or videos were created to be a comprehensive training course in the use of any particular weapon. No single resource can be.

This is so for two very important reasons…

1. No weapon can take the place of a sound self-defense training program and plan – no matter how powerful you think it is, and…

2. Most weapons, especially those like the Kubotan, were designed to augment, or provide additional power and effectiveness, to unarmed self-defense techniques and tactics.

Do you have to be a trained martial artist to defend yourself with this or any other weapon?

No. Of course not.

Firearms are a good case-in-point. Knives are another. These two in particular have the potential of creating serious damage with relatively little to no formal training. But, remember…

…there is a huge difference between an effective self-defense strategy based on “knowing” what to do to increase your ability to escape with the least amount of wear-and-tear, and…

…the dependence on luck or the fact that you’re carrying a self-defense weapon.

In the case of firearms, people brag and tout how many rounds the weapon can fire before reloading, but…

…you can’t MISS often enough to win!

You can simply pick up a knife and start slashing and probably do okay. However…

…there are times during the year, at least in the temperate region where I live, that the clothing being worn by an attacker can make it difficult to cut him – even with a large knife. And…

…as we say in the self-defense world – “you can’t bring a knife to a gun fight and expect to win!

The choice is yours…

…luck or strategic application of trained skills.

Both can be effective. However,…

…which one do you want to “bet your life on?”

And, in the long run…

…your weapon, regardless of whether it’s a handgun, knife, or even a simple weapon like the Kubotan…

…is only as good as YOU are!

Jeffrey Miller is the founder and master instructor of Warrior Concepts International. He is the author of “The Karate-Myth” and the Danger Prevention Tactics video, among others. For more info, subscribe to his ezine here.

Martial Arts & Self-Defense Weapons: What IS a “Kubotan”?

By fight good on Saturday, November 21st, 2009 | No Comments

If you do a search on the internet, there seems to be no end to what has been written about this simple, yet powerful weapon. There seems to be no small supply of writers who have used dramatic titles to add to the impact of an otherwise so-so article on the subject.

“Fistful of Dynamite,” “Rod of Pain,” and many others lead the way as writers share their own knowledge and insight into this inconspicuous, and yet surprisingly powerful little weapon. Unfortunately, far too many of these articles serve little to no real purpose in helping you to actually create results. And, these articles range in scope from the generalized “what it is” variety, to the overly bloated tome that includes what seems to be every single detail and supposition that the author wishes to impress you with.

Believe me, I have read a lot of what’s available, and while there are certainly a number of valuable resources from real experts, they are buried in a cyber-world of practically worthless “chatter.” While you can feel free to recreate my extensive research on the subject, I’ve brought it all together so you don’t have to.

So, what, exactly, is a Kubotan (pronounced “koo-bow-tahn”) anyway?

Good question. And to answer that, this article will give you the short, “what’s it look like and what else might it be called,” version. In addition, we’ll have to take a quick overview of the strengths and weakness of this popular self-defense weapon. But, for now…

The Kubotan, also known as a…

1. Pocket-stick…

2. Self-Defense Keychain…

3. Mini-Stick, and…

4. many others…

…is arguably, the most common self-defense weapon, next to the handgun, in the United States.

While many new tactical weapons continue to find growing acceptance within the law enforcement and security communities, there seems to be little change within the realm of private citizens. It appears that, once people find a good thing, they tend to “stick” with it. (Yes, pun intended!) According to many experts in the field of defense and personal protection…

“…the most popular, and quite possibly the most versatile, personal defense weapon is the Kubotan.

For simplicity’s sake, I will refer to the weapon throughout this book as the Kubotan or, more simply, the self-defense keychain. However, regardless of the name given to it, this powerful little compliance tool, carried by thousands of men and women – martial artists and non-practitioners alike – is an awesome means of deterring and controlling an attack situation.

Besides being, quite probably the cheapest weapon you can buy, in the hands of even a person skilled in only a few basic moves, the Kubotan is a formidable weapon for stopping an assailant in his tracks. And, for those with more training and developed skills, the self-defense keychain is one of the most effective self-defense tools that you can use today.

The weapon is simple in appearance, inexpensive to acquire or make, and fairly easy to conceal. While not as versatile and convenient as a clipknife like the Delica from Spyderco – my preferred weapon/tool of choice, by the way – it is easy to learn and even easier to use.

Depending on the manufacturer, the Kubotan is just a basic rod made of metal, plastic, or wood. It’s about 6 inches long and, as the name suggests, usually has a key ring attached at one end. The “official,” patented, Kubotan weapon “invented” by a man named Tak Kubota, has grooves machined into the weapon to identify it as a unique creation.

There are other variants of the basic model, including what is billed as the “Ninja” version of the weapon. This little piece of imaginative effort, created during the ’80’s when every weapon had it’s own “Ninja” version, has two thinner spikes protruding out from the side of the weapon that fit between your fingers when you grasped the main bar of the tool.

Let me assure you that, regardless of what you ever read or hear, the Kubotan or self-defense keychain is NOT a Ninja weapon – officially or unofficially. It’s ancestors that gave rise to the modern version, at least in Japan, were used by all trained warriors – not just the Ninja.

The more commonly recognized variants of the weapon are generally manufactured from heavy-duty plastic or aluminum. The official Kubotan, and third-party copies, are simply straight rods with blunt ends. However, many self-defense key chains have at least one tapered end with the key ring attacked to the squared, blunt end. Needless to say, some of these “centerpunch-like versions, like those shown in this photo, are extremely dangerous – as they have the capability of actually penetrating the target and doing more severe damage.

And, for those of you who are fashion-conscious and need to make sure that your self-defense weapon doesn’t clash with your Armani, these little gems even come in a variety of colors and high-tech shapes to match just about any ensemble.

But, to anwer the question, “what IS a Kubotan?”

It is a simple, easy to learn and use, self-defense weapon that can be used by the smallest defender, to bring the largest assailant to his knees in seconds. Quite simply, it is the best weapon for the person with little to no formal training and who wants to be able to learn to defend him or herself with the least amount of time, effort, and money.

Jeffrey M. Miller is the founder of Warrior Concepts Int’l. He is the author of, KUBOTAN: Self-Defense Keychain and the best selling DVD, Danger Prevention Tactics You can subscribe to his ezine, at http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/newsletter.html

Weapons For Training In The Martial Arts : Martial Arts Fight Demonstration

By fight good on Friday, November 6th, 2009 | 4 Comments

See a martial arts fight demonstration in this free Japanese martial arts training video.

Expert: Calab Labarda
Contact: www.tkdarizona.com
Bio: Calab Labarda is a 21 year old Tae Kwon Do black be…

All About Martial Arts Weapons

By fight good on Thursday, October 15th, 2009 | No Comments

Most popular thought considers the Asian forms of martial arts to be a combination of well performed punches, kicks, blocks, flips, and other combative gestures. A skilled martial artist performs his art like a graceful dance that is achieved through the careful honing of the bodies muscles, flexibility, and reflexes. At their core most Asian forms of martial arts are primarily focused on teaching these skills in combat, but for the more advanced student of martial arts there is a whole other side of training to be learned that involves the skillful use of deadly martial arts weapons.

On the poster of his movie Enter the Dragon martial arts icon Bruce Lee is shown holding a pair of Nunchakus above his head. In his 1973 film The Way of the Dragon Bruce Lee defends himself against a group of Italian thugs that are trying to run a Chinese Restaurant out of business utilizing a pair of Nunchakus. At one point he skillfully thrashes each opponent to the ground until there is one man standing, but when this one man decides to grab a pair of nunchakus himself he smacks himself in the face on his first attempt to use them and is knocked out. The term, Martial Arts is literally translated the art of war, and martial arts weapons have been an important part of fighting styles for centuries, but they can also be very dangerous part. Those centers that do choose to train with martial arts weapons usually choose to do so at the more advanced levels.

Bo Staff, Sword, Nunchakus, Sai, Tonfas, Kamas, and Escrima Stick are just some of the many weapons a student of the martial arts might use. Students and Centers that are looking to purchase these weapons will want to find a vendor that is knowledgeable and sales top name brands offering a 100% quality and satisfaction guarantee. The weapons themselves can come in many sizes and forms: metal, wood, plastic, rubber, and foam. Purchasing these weapons also mean purchasing important care products, display stands, and carrying cases. Wood or foam weaponry is the popular, safe and inexpensive choice for practicing. Foam usually stands up to multiple blows without breaking easily, and is safer to hit with.

Many centers will provide their own weapons to students so as not to encourage the use of these weapons outside of the training facilities, and for parents this is a desirable option. Students who wish to eventually collect their own set of weapons can find these at excellent prices at most martial arts vendors, but it can be illegal in some places to even own certain types of weapons so buyer beware. Skilled abilities in the ways of using martial arts weaponry is a desirable talent, and to be fully versed in the forms of martial arts one must eventually learn the right method of using these ancient tools. There are safe methods and environments for training with martial arts weapons, and a responsible student will insure that he never steps outside of these bounds.

For great service and low prices, the author recommends martial arts weapons

Learning About Martial Arts Weapons From Martial Arts Academies

By fight good on Monday, October 5th, 2009 | No Comments

There are many ways that people can learn to defend themselves. The most popular version is that of martial arts. In the different martial arts forms you will sometimes find that there are various weapons which can be used. You will learn about these martial arts weapons from martial arts academies.

You will however need to make sure that the martial arts academy that you are choosing has qualified instructors. With the help of these individuals you will be able to master your choice of martial arts weapons.

At these times using the martial arts weapons of your discipline will help you. This weapon can also teach you how to move in time with your karate moves. Depending on the form of martial arts you will have access to a variety of weapons.

You will need to learn how to use these weapons safely so that you don’t harm yourself. The instructors at your martial arts class will be the best people to help you out in this situation. With the help of these individuals you will be able to progress not only in your martial arts moves but also in getting the proficiency in the weapon of your choice.

This training will also help you to handle the martial arts weapons with care so that you don’t get into trouble. You will be shown the right movements for the martial arts weapons so that you don’t cause yourself any serious injurious.

When you look at the different types of weapons that you can find you will see that each type of martial arts has its own specialty. These will include ones like nun chucks, throwing stars, swords and others. While these are just of a few of the martial arts weapons that you will find it is to your advantage if you become more proficient in the particular martial arts that you have chosen.

You will need to learn all about the advantages and disadvantages which will arise from using martial arts weapons. Now even though these weapons can be of great help it is martial arts it is also a good idea to have a well honed knowledge about fighting without any weapons. Being able to overcome this disability will help you out of any potential difficulties.

While the different martial arts weapons are perfect for getting your skills honed, there is also another need for training in the art of these martial arts weapons. This reason is quite simply that for certain martial arts weapons are very much apart of the martial art.

Muna wa Wanjiru is a Web Administrator and Has Been Researching and Reporting on Karate for Years. For More Information on Martial Arts Weapons, Visit His Site at MARTIAL ARTS WEAPONS

An Overview of Martial Arts Weapons

By fight good on Monday, October 5th, 2009 | No Comments

You shouldn’t be surprised that there are so many martial arts weapons that have been developed through the centuries. Since many martial arts have been around since ancient times, martial arts weapons are bound to have evolved too over time.

Take the knife for example – practically all martial arts will teach their students how to use knives as martial arts weapons because almost all cultures have developed and used some version of the knife. The Philippines has the balisong, also called a Butterfly knife, which folds into its handle when not being used. The tanto is a Japanese stabbing knife that was usually carried by Japanese women within their obi as their self-defense weapon. There is also the kris that was used in Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia during more violent times.

Since many times commoners were forbidden to carry bladed martial arts weapons, proficiency in use of wooden sticks as martial arts weapons also grew. The Japanese have the long wooden staff called Jo, whose use is taught in the martial arts of aikido and which is still used in modern times by Japanese police. The term escrima has been applied to stick-fighting as done in the Philippines – it is said by some that an escrima (or arnis) master can use even a simple ballpen as a martial arts weapon in stick-fighting and come out the winner. Use of sticks (both long and short) as martial arts weapons allowed ordinary folk to protect their villages when invaders came to plunder their community even in the absence of bladed martial arts weapons.

Less commonly-known among martial arts weapons is the guang dao, which is a pole that has a blade with a spiked end. A tassel or red sash might be tied to where the blade meets the pole. Nowadays, the guang dao is one of the martial arts weapons used in the sport of wushu. But unlike other martial arts weapons that you can use to attack your opponent, the guang dao is used more to disarm an attacker and render him helpless. The benefit of such long martial arts weapons is that you can enter combat and keep your opponent at a safe distance from you.

It is not often you find martial arts weapons designed chiefly for women, but there is actually one and it is found in Japan. It is called the Naginata and it is a Japanese pole weapon whose use was reserved for samurai women. Some say the Naginata looks a lot like the Chinese guang dao. Modern female Naginata users may have been inspired to take up martial arts weapons like this one because of the famed Naginata user Itagaki who led an entire garrison in the 12th century. Samurai women were expected in the past to use their Naginata to defend their families if invaders came while their husbands were away.

There are so many martial arts weapons being used nowadays that it is hard to condense their uses to just one article. However, it is advisable for fans of martial arts weapons to take up just one weapon at a time to become proficient before trying to use others. This gives you focus and a sense of accomplishment when you master at least one of the many martial arts weapons available today.

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