3 Keys To Effective Women's Self-Defense

By Self-defense expert Jeffrey M. Miller SPS, DTI
(C) Warrior Concepts Int'l, Inc.


When you think about self-defense situations, what are the top three considerations for being effective? Is it having strength, stamina, power, or a ton of way-cool, tricky, martial arts techniques?

While all of those things help to one extent or another, none of them really touches on the priorities that will help you to prevail in a life or death, self-defense, struggle.

Don't get me wrong. It certainly helps to be the bigger, faster, stronger, or more skilled combatant. But these things are only helpful if you're in a situation where they will serve you.

Let me explain it a different way.



Strength only matters if you are in a position or can grab your assailant in a way that allows you the use of your strength. And as for power...

... power is derived from size and motion. If an assailant jumps you and pins you to a wall or the floor, you will find it difficult to generate any sort of power as we normally think of it.

Stamina only matters if you're in a fight that's going to last minutes instead of seconds. Typically, karate and boxing tournaments have two minute rounds or bouts. That's an eternity in a life-and-death, self-defense situation where the goal is to get things over and done with in..

...less than 10 SECONDS!

As for knowing a lot of techniques, what can I say? Information is power, right?

But, what if you're new to this whole idea of self-defense? What if you just started taking classes or learning how to get away from a dangerous attacker? Or...

...what if, no matter how many techniques you know...

...your attacker is a better, more skilled, more experienced fighter?

Then what?

A Simple Formula

I've written extensively about what I call, "The 6 Phases of an Effective Self-Defense Strategy." This is designed to lead my students through just that, the phases that a self-defense situation can go through, and how to make sure that we have sufficient training to be able to operate effectively in each phase, or stage, of an attack.

Admittedly though, the 6 phases are the ideal - the best case we can hope for. They all function as they should when you have warning from your assailant and you can see things coming.

Often though, attacks happen with little or no warning at all. So, how do we trim even more off the top and come up with the minimum elements necessary to be able to come out of a situation with as little wear-and-tear as possible?

The key here is to focus on the situation that we're talking about. In the "6 Phases" formula, we can see the attack, or potential for danger, coming. So, we attempt things like...

Escaping to Safety,

Confusing the attacker, and...

Dissuading, or convincing him find another victim

This is just a quick outline for our discussion here. If you aren't familiar with the "6 Phases For Effective Self-Defense," you can learn about them in "The Karate-Myth." It's a great resource for understanding the "science of self-defense" and how to make protecting yourself as easy as possible. And, of course, it's loaded with some really great and easy-to-learn techniques for stopping an attacker and putting him where he belongs... on the GROUND! Click the link to read more about "The Karate-Myth" and the valuable bonus reports that go with it.

Just the Basics

When the attack comes with little-to-no warning. When it comes at us quickly and ferociously and we don't have the time for escape, let alone trying to distract or talk our assailant down, we need just the basic-basics.

So, the 3 Keys - the unbreakable elements of an effective self-defense strategy are...

• 1) Situational Awareness - Pay attention to what's going on around you. Actively look at people, instead of avoiding contact as is the case in most social situations. 

• 2) Stay Focused - You could also call this step "Controlling Your Fear." If you notice someone or something that could be a threat - perhaps someone who looks angry or suspicious, keep your eye on them. You don't have to stare-and-glare, but you should be aware of them and what they're doing. I talk about this concept quite a bit in my video, "Danger Prevention Tactics: Protecting Yourself Like a Pro!"  

•  This also extends to the actual attack. Stay as calm as possible so that you can watch what's happening. For many people, their reaction is to close their eyes and "hope for the best." I didn't say this was easy, just what you MUST do to be successful.

•  And finally... 
•  
• 3) React Immediately and Decisively - As soon as the attack happens, start your defense. Don't try to figure out who this person is or why they're attacking you. You must immediately do three things if you stand a chance at winning. You must... 
• • A) Neutralize the effects of what they're doing. Cover your targets or ride-off the blows that are landing. 
  •  
  • B) Keep your head. Stay focused on what you can do and as soon as you have an opportunity... 
  •  
  • C) Take whatever targets open up. If he leaves his throat open and your can hit it - hit it! If you can kick his groin, kick his groin. Whatever presents itself, take THAT thing! And keep taking targets until he's down and out or help arrives.

Sounds simple, I know. But that's what training and a good teacher is for - to help you to do the tough things like controlling your fear, focusing under pressure, and teaching you the most effective ways to hit certain targets.

Remember, you can have whatever theories you want in life. You can have your favorite style, teacher, techniques, or whatever. But, when the rubber-meets-the-road, so-to-speak, and you're face-to-face with your worst nightmare...

...you must pay attention, stay focused, and do what works!

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This article is copyright (C)by Jeffrey M. Miller and Warrior Concepts International, Inc. It is free to use in it's original form, with no alterations or additions. If it to be used online, all links must be active and without the use of "no-follow" type coding which would prevent the reader from accessing the resources being referenced. 

For additional information about how Jeffrey Miller or Warrior Concepts can help you create the life you've always dreamed of living and how to protect that life from anything that would harm it, go to the Home page or call WCI at 570-988-2228

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Women's Self-Defense: Do You Want to Be Able to Defend Yourself and Survive Your Worst Nightmare?

by Jeffrey M. Miller SPS, DTI

Let me ask you a question: "Are you ready to do what you need to do to survive a real-world attack – especially one that requires the kind of skills, techniques, tactics and strategies designed specifically for women's self-defense?"

I hope so. Because...

...in this post, I'm not going to teach so much as describe a very real possibility, and what WILL happen if the training and information that you have learned... is wrong!

Imagine, if you will...

You're walking across a dark parking lot late at night. The lot, apparently occupied only by the vehicles parked there and the occasional cat hunting for an evening snack.

Then, as if from out of nowhere, you feel the hard, meaty arm slam into your throat from the front. While your mind races to determine exactly what's happening, you become more and more aware that you are not in control - your world has just changed forever.

You feel your muscles contract and, though you try to move, you're sickeningly aware that much of your own body won't respond to your brain's commands. As the adrenaline and other chemicals flood your blood stream in natural response to danger, you are suddenly overcome by a multitude of feelings and sensations that you have, quite literally, never experienced before - certainly not with this much raw, primal intensity.

As the initial shock response and wave of panic begins to ebb, you find yourself becoming aware of the sensation of your assailant's body behind you and the fact that his arm is coming from over your right shoulder. You can now hear his hot, rasping breath in your ear and perhaps the fact that he is saying something to you; though you're not quite sure what it is.

Since you've taken a few women's self-defense classes, you remember learning how to get out of this type of attack and reach up to grab and pull his arm away from your neck. What you find though, is that you cannot even begin to budge it in the least.

"Wait a minute," you think in a moment of clarity, "this isn't right."

"This isn't right!"

"It always worked in class." "This guy's holding me too tight!" "No one ever holds THIS TIGHT!"

You feel the next wave of panic start to grip your body and your senses. Not because you're being attacked but...

...because you realize that your self-defense training doesn't work.

"WHY?" "WHAT'S GOING ON?!"

"IT'S SUPPOSED TO WORK!" "He said it would wo...."

As the light fades and you feel the darkness pull over you like a warm, comfortable blanket, you are remanded to the whims of your attacker... not knowing whether the light will return to your eyes again.

Gruesome story, I know. But... for thousands of women who become the victims of brutal attacks everyday – it's not a story... it's reality! And, if you're going to be prepared to survive a dangerous attack in the real world, from a real-world assailant, and not become another victim...

...then you had better wake up to more than a few myths and illusions that have been pulled over your eyes about self-defense for women.

Some of these myths and 'bad ideas' are being passed around by so-called women's self-defense experts, some by your friends and family members living in denial, and yes... some are even of your own creation. And, in the midst of a violent attack, where one or more brutal assailants are trying to beat you into submission for a few lousy bucks in your pocket, or because they're having a bad day...


...you better make sure that what you “think” you know... is right!

By the way, if you liked this topic, then you will probably like my online newsletter focused exclusively on effective self-defense for women. When you subscribe, I will send you regular, ongoing thoughts and lessons designed to help you get the kind of knowledge, skills and abilities that you'll need to defend yourself in Today's often violent world. And, if you subscribe right now through this blog entry, I'll also give you a free copy of my new ebook, “For Women Only!”

Sign-up here: http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/womens-self-defense-book.html

Or are you ready to learn more about the kind of effective self-defense training, techniques, and strategies that you'll need to be survivor rather than a victim?

If so, I suggest that you check this out: http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/science_of_self-defense.html

Don't Know Which Martial Arts Or Women's Self Defense Training Program is Best? This Will Help You Decide!

Women's self defense training - especially in Today's often violent world - has to be less about your own personal preferences, and more about what you'll need to survive.

While they say that they're looking for effective self defense training, far too many women take up the study of martial arts or enroll in a women's self defense program for one of three basic reasons:

1. Convenience. The school or class is being held close to their home or job. Heaven forbid, we wouldn't want them to have to go out of their way to learn how to not die!

2. Preference. Often a women's self defense training program is chosen, not because it's effective, but because the student likes the "style" or approach. People who like wrestling will naturally gravitate towards martial arts like Judo, Jujitsu, etc. Others, who prefer the stand-up - knock-'em down approach will look for karate, boxing, and Tae kwon do, to name a few. I just hope that they will end up with an assailant who "plays fair" and comes at them with something they "like!"

3. The "Girlfriend-vote." Instead of going against popular consensus, often we might make a choice to do something, not because we like it, agree with it, or believe in it - but because all of our friends are doing it. Funny how we're still doing things mom yelled at us for when we were kids, huh?!

Unfortunately, getting the right self defense training for women is not the same as choosing a movie or deciding where to go dancing on Saturday night. It will be way too late to blame your friend, the program, or the teacher after you find out during an attack that you made a bad choice!

The following 3 self defense tips are the minimum requirements for an authentic self defense training program that can teach you what you must know to survive a brutal attack - or worse!

These requirements cover the three situational factors present in any self defense attack. Each factor contains what I call "option sets" - variables that simultaneously cause each situation to be unique, and...

...allow you to choose from all of your skills, strategies, and tactics, the best ones to get the job done!

The Situational Factors/Control Sets are:

• 1. Environmental. This includes not only location but also range and surroundings. Are you indoors or out? Are you in the middle of a parking lot, between cars, or being pinned up against a wall or piece of furniture?

• 2. Emotional. Contrary to the way most martial arts and women's self defense programs are taught, we human beings respond to stress in exactly the opposite way from the way we learn. Your self defense training program must present the information in a do - think - feel manner that matches the way you learn - while simultaneously teaching you how to respond to a threat in a feel - think - do manner that matches how your body naturally responds to danger. Each emotional response "mode" will effect us physically, mentally, and at our core.
  

• 3. Attacker-Control. This involves having different options, tactics, and strategies for different types of attackers. It involves understanding everything from attacker-logic to knowing which targets to hit with your different body weapons.

Knowing which program is best requires that you first know what you're dealing with and what you'll need to be effective and ultimately successful. A good program will cover both physical and non-physical methods. And, above all, it will advocate avoidance, escape, and de-escalation tactics over physically having to fight your attacker off.

If it doesn't, I recommend that you look for another program!

If you're serious and want to learn how to do this effectively then I want to help you.

You can learn more about real-world self defense training that has been time-tested and proven to work in this powerful self defense video course called, "The Science of Self-Defense."

Get the Self Defense Training you need!

And get your free self defense dvd: "Danger Prevention Tactics: Protecting Yourself Like A Pro". Get your free video self defense training course and self defense dvd and start really protecting yourself! http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com

Defend Yourself - If You're Not Doing These 3 Things to Defend Yourself, You're Taking a Huge Risk!

When it comes to really being able to defend yourself, many people really don't know where to begin.

Even those with training are often confused by all the techniques, tactics, and skills that they've learned - not knowing if they'll actually be able to use any of it in a real situation, or if they'll freeze up just like everyone else with no training whatsoever. I hear stories and have conversations all the time with students who have this frustration.

Here are the 3 critical keys that I give my students to make sure that they can remember what's important in the heat of a bad situation. If you're serious about really being able to defend yourself - not in the comfort of a martial arts dojo or self-defense class but - on the streets, against a real-world attacker, then I highly recommend that you understand and control these critical, life-saving tactics as well.

The secret to effectively defending yourself is...

Strategic Positioning

Here are the 3 elements of effective strategic positioning:

1. Cover your targets. Use natural positioning of the arms and legs to cover or shield your most sensitive targets. This makes it more difficult for your assailant to hurt you.

2. Use effective distancing. Control the relative distance between you and your attacker. I suggest that, if this is a new concept, you use the default strategy of being too far away. This makes it much easier for you to defend yourself because he will have to close the distance before he can hit you.

3. Remove your targets. By blading or profiling your body to your assailant's, you can effectively remove most of your critical targets from him.

Combining these three important tactics into one single strategic move significantly tips the scales in your favor. As the saying goes...

"If he can't hit you, he can't hurt you. And, if he can't hurt you, he can't beat you!

Can you defend yourself against larger, stronger attackers? If you want to learn how to do this effectively then I want to help you. Do you want to know how I do it? You can learn more about defending yourself with this strategy and others in this powerful course called, "Foundations of Self-Defense Mastery."

Defend Yourself

This powerful course outlines 6 phases of an effective self defense strategy and training outline that I recommend if you really want to be able to defend yourself against real-world, brutal attackers who want to beat, break or kill you. And the best part is that it's free when you subscribe to my online self defense newsletter.

Self Defense Training - 3 Critical Differences Between Martial Arts Training and a Real Attack!

Have you trained in the martial arts? Have you enrolled in a women's self defense training program or two, but know that there's a difference between what you've learned and a real fight? Are you afraid that, if you're ever attacked, you'll freeze up and forget everything you've learned?

I understand completely. Because, before I got this area of my life figured out, I was in the exact same place. And I hear this same concern from those looking for women's self defense training all the time.

When I was a police officer, I and my fellow officers would joke that, when it came to our self-defense training, we were "graduates of Thursday's class at 3 o'clock!" And, police officer or not, you and I need to know that what we're getting from our self defense training will give us the necessary tools, and maybe more importantly - the confidence - for actually succeeding in a real-life violent attack!

Here's a self defense tip that I used to get what I needed from a solid self defense training program: I looked at what I was learning and compared that with what I actually experienced in a self defense situation against real attackers.

Then, and here's what you have to do as well...

I sought out, and learned from, teachers who could give me the tools I had to have in order to survive!

But, that leads to the questions of: "how do you know if the self defense training you're getting can be trusted?"

Here are some important differences between common martial arts training and most so-called self defense programs and a real-world attack on the street. If the self defense training that you're learning places too much emphasis on these elements... run!

1. Pre-staged training. Technique training is important, but if everything you're doing involves step-by-step, memorized strings of moves with no allowance for variations or drills for creative response and decision-making under pressure, then you are not developing the critical skills you'll need to survive! If you aren't learning to apply the skills your getting in a chaotic, free-response, and stressful way, then what you're doing is really not self defense training!

2. Coddling. While your self defense training should be relatively safe, your instructor should not be coddling you and telling you how great you are. He should also not have to deal with whining, complaining, or other nonsense about you're not wanting to do certain skills for whatever reason. You either want to be able to defend yourself against a brutal attacker who doesn't care about you, or you want to look good and show off!

3. Emotionally-sterile. One of the most important missing elements from most martial arts and self defense training courses is emotion. The reality is that, a self defense situation is a highly-charged - highly emotional experience. It is one of the most emotional situations you could ever find yourself in.

Still, the greatest percentage of training time in most classes is spent on step-by-step technique training and theory - not on learning how to stay focused and operate when you're under certain types of psycho-emotional stress - each stress-type working cause your body to work (or not!) in very specific ways!

If you're serious about wanting to learn the skills necessary for surviving a real-life attack, then you owe it to yourself to find a self defense training program that will provide you with the lessons you'll need! In fact...

You must learn things you never wanted to know

You must do things most people don't want to have to do, and...

You must experience things that will scare you, unnerve you, and make you feel uncomfortable!

If not, well - you know what your other choice is, right? And he's waiting out there for you!


Is your self defense training giving you the sense of security, proven skills, and confidence you need to survive? If you're serious about getting the techniques, tactics and strategies that work in a women's self defense situation, then I want to help you.

Do you want to know how I teach my female students to do it? You can learn more about defending yourself with this strategy and others in this powerful course called, "Foundations of Self-Defense Mastery."

Get this Self Defense Training Course!

This powerful course outlines 6 phases of an effective self defense strategy and training outline that I recommend if you really want to be able to defend yourself against real-world, brutal attackers who want to beat, break or kill you. And the best part is that it's free when you subscribe to my online self defense training newsletter.

And don't forget to get your free self defense DVD: "Danger Prevention Tactics: Protecting Yourself Like A Pro". Click here to get your free self defense training course and self defense DVD and learn how to really protect yourself! http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com

Know How to Defend Yourself Against a Bigger Attacker? 1 Secret Makes it Easier to Defend Yourself!

Do you want to able to defend yourself against a bigger, stronger attacker?

I know how you feel. I have always been short and, even though I have been involved in the martial arts and self defense since my teen years, when I became a police officer I found it nearly impossible to use what I learned in conventional martial arts against bigger attackers - let alone guys my own size!

I'm sure you can imagine just how confused and frustrated I was. All that time, effort, and training - for what? So I fully understand your own uncertainty at being able to defend yourself in a real self-defense street fight.

But, I have a secret for you... and here it is:

I learned what it takes to protect myself against a violent attacker who was bigger and stronger than me, and you can learn to defend yourself too!

Get this, almost 90% of attacks can be handled with basic skills because most attackers are opportunists. That means that if you make it difficult for them, they will go look for an easier target!

So, this is excellent news for you and I - especially since we want to know how to defend yourself quickly, easily and, more importantly, effectively! And, we can use this fact to our advantage.

I want you to think about a time when someone startled you or you were nervous or scared of something. Your body didn't charge in or stand still like an emotionless robot did it?

Typically, martial arts and self defense training classes that you could take to learn how to defend yourself take up this static positioning from which to defend. And I understand why. It's easy to learn the moves this way. But your body just doesn't work this way in a real-world, violent attack - especially when you're trying to defend yourself against someone bigger than you.

So instead, let's use this secret strategy from the martial art of ninjutsu - Japan's ancient Ninja - to defend yourself!

What is this secret? It's this:

Strategic Distancing

And, all strategic distancing is, is using proper distancing to control the attacker's ability to get at you while you're defending yourself. You can do this is by...

• 1. Being too far away so the assailant has to make up the distance before his attacks will land, or...
• 2. Getting in too close so that he doesn't have the room he needs to do what he's good at.

Warning: Do not neglect the above strategies! Be sure to take this critical, life-saving skill seriously and add it to your self defense training if you're serious about being able to defend yourself against a violent attacker who's larger than you.

Can you defend yourself against larger, stronger attackers? If you want to learn how to do this effectively then I want to help you. Do you want to know how I do it? You can learn more about defending yourself with this strategy and others in this powerful course called, "Foundations of Self-Defense Mastery."

Defend Yourself

This powerful course outlines 6 phases of an effective self defense strategy and training outline that I recommend if you really want to be able to defend yourself against real-world, brutal attackers who want to beat, break or kill you. And the best part is that it's free when you subscribe to my online newsletter.

And don't forget to get your free self defense dvd: "Danger Prevention Tactics: Protecting Yourself Like A Pro". Click here to get your free course and self defense dvd and learn how to really protect yourself! http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com

Reality-Based Women's Self-Defense: A Two-Fold Approach For Successful Self-Defense

by Jeffrey M. Miller
Director
Warrior Concepts Int'l, Inc

Many women, including karate and so-called self-defense experts really don't know where to begin when it comes to mastering the ability for protecting yourself against a real-world street attacker. This article takes a look at the two-fold approach that I share with clients who are serious about winning a brutal attack.

To look at the conventional world of martial arts and self-defense instruction, the typical approach seems to be to just learn a bunch of preset, receive some rank or maybe a certificate of some sort, and you're all set to go. Right?

If that's the correct course, then why are so many trained individuals losing on the streets? Why, if this stuff works in the dojo or self-defense class, are these infallible skills failing horribly on the street, when dealing with real-world attacks thrown by brutal, real-world attackers?

There are a lot of possibilities but I think the primary one is that, for the most part, these classes are simply a matter of the blind leading the blind. What that means is that individuals, who lack the experience with dealing with violence, are attempting learn something from self-defense instructors who, themselves, lack the necessary background and experience for dealing with and winning actual street attack situations.

So, what is needed to survive a street self-defense situation?

My unique take on the whole self-defense learning curve, and what I teach my students, is double sided.

Register Now for my special invititation-only EDR Self-Defense Training Intensive Weekend, November 14th & 15th, 2009. Here's the link for more info...

http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/edr-self-defense-intensive.html

To begin with, learn as many options as possible so that you can act in different situations and against different aggressors.

Next, in the moment, when an attack is happening, target must be able to react to and handle the violence itself - no matter where it comes from or what's behind it.

Like a double-edged sword, each side is needed if the practitioner is to be truly successful. The first side, your physical training should arm you with not just physical techniques, but an understanding of the critical principles and concepts that are being passed-on by the technique models. That way, you won't have to depend on the standardized techniques themselves, but instead be able to operate in the moment, not against a classroom attack but, against whatever your attacker is throwing at you. A few of these basic ideas include:

1) Cover

2) Defensive angling and positioning

3) Rhythm and responsiveness

4) Right use of space

5) and others

The second is connected to attitude, or "heart." No matter how tough you are, or feel in class with your friends, peers, and junior students, what matters in a real self-defense situation is how you act and deal with the raw, animalistic aggression being thrown at you by a serious, angry, and violent human being who isn't pulling his attacks and couldn't care less about your well-being at all. Will you do what you must or fold? The only thing that matters right then is what you do when the moment is upon you.

This reminds me of the airplane ride I found myself on to the tiny island of Grenada when I was in the Army all those years ago. While I sat there, staring at the other side of the plane and thinking about what I would do when I found myself in a deadly combat zone (assuming we didn't get blown out of the sky first), I heard other guys farther back in the aircraft actually crying. Ironically, these were the same "heroes" who, during training exercises where we "played" war, ran around as-if they were Arnold Schwartzenagger, acting tough and telling everyone that they were ready to "kill a commie for mommie" right now. Well, here we were - here was their chance - and they were the least-prepared to deal with the pure reality of the situation.

Your training must make sure that you can deal with both the assailant's physical attacks, whatever they may be, and you must have the ability commit yourself to winning by dealing with the rage and raw brutality that is a natural part of protecting yourself. Opposite sides of the same coin. Both necessary for success.

So, review what you've picked up up till now, and insure that you do so with the eyes of a critic, not a blind follower. Check out the news. Ask some police officers, bouncers, or even military personnel who have seen combat what you'll experience inside a real fight situation with someone who wants to beat, break, or kill you. Then, all preferences aside, begin to learn what you'll need to fill in the knowledge and skills sets to make sure that you'll come out on top, and not end up flat on your back!

Do you want to learn the critical lessons needed to survive? Then I recommend the brand new online e-course to self-defense mastery, "Foundations of Self-Defense Mastery"

Download it free here: Self Defense Course

Get your free copy of my powerful, Danger Prevention Tactics dvd and learn tactics and strategies that will allow you to deter and escape from danger BEFORE it touches you!

Want to learn in hours, instead of months or years, more than most martial arts or self-defense student without all of the unnecessary lessons, robotic kata, or military-like atmosphere? How? By mastering this simple, proven formula for self defense success: www.warrior-concepts-online.com

Jeffrey Miller empowers individuals, organizations, and martial arts instructors how to not die or become a victim in a brutal attack situation. Jeff says "If you have a serious desire to learn the critical lessons to be a master of self protection, I can teach you how to perfect the skills necessary to successfully protect yourself against any attacker, guaranteed"