Various articles and stories that I found interesting during the month.
When I’m not practicing technique, I am often reading about the martial arts, looking for ways to improve my own self-defense skills, knowledge as an instructor, or just general knowledge. I’m a firm believer that training doesn’t end when you leave the dojo or after you’ve reached your black belt.
Articles
The Beginner’s Guide to Deliberate Practice
A reminder that repetition is not enough. We have to practice with a purpose by studying our current performance and comparing it to our goal.
De-escalation Tactics
Most self-defense situations don’t need to end with a physical confrontation. This is a four part series of articles by John Titchen that review the principles, verbal approaches, a video on body language and a final article on taking the ego out of it.
The Parry-Pass Method – Karate’s Universal Defense
Nice explanation on the use of both hands during blocking drills.
Self-defence against knife attacks: a full review
An analysis of over 150 recorded instances of violent knife attacks identifying attacker behavior and points to consider when defending yourself.
Headlines, knives and kneejerk reactions
Not new, but interesting nonetheless. John Titchen looks at the change in knife offenses in the UK. In 2015, there were 26,370 crimes committed with a knife. 182 of those were homicides. 10,270 were robberies, which indicates that about 2/3 of all knife offenses were violent in nature (attempted murder, intent to harm or sexual assault).
Stand Your Ground Laws in Pennsylvania
This came up in discussion the other day. Pennsylvania has a stand your ground law which authorizes the use of deadly force to protect yourself or others without being required to escape first. This isn’t an unrestricted right. You can’t be engaged in a criminal activity, must be in a place where you have a right to be, must believe it is immediately necessary to use force to protect yourself against death, serious bodily injury, kidnapping or sexual intercourse by force; and the person threatening you displays a firearm or other weapon that is capable of lethal use.
Books
Training for Sudden Violence: 72 Practical Drills Kindle Edition
by Rory Miller
This book contains drills that help you understand yourself, your enemy and the nature of violent confrontation. Many of the drills should only be attempted under the supervision of a qualified instructor, but even those that might go beyond what your comfort or training level permits contain information that will broaden you knowledge of violence.
Seminars
PRACTICAL KARATE SEMINAR with Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy will be in Swarthmore PA on October 6, 7 & 8. I just registered for this today. If you are interested in the practical application of karate for self-defense, then you’ll love his seminars.
