Target Focus Training (part 6)

(Disclaimer: I do not own the philosophies and teaching of TFT. Everything belongs to Mr. Tim Larkin. This post is to inform only. Enjoy reading!)

Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply


Answering Your Questions About Target-Focus(tm) Training

******************************************************
"The more laws and order are made prominent,
The more thieves and robbers there will be."

Lao-tzu, The Way of Lao-tzu
******************************************************

1. From Greg in Key Biscayne, FL: I really enjoy your
newsletters but I am trying to figure out what makes
your Target-Focus Training different from any good
martial art or combat sport?

A: Focus is probably the main difference. I have made
the decision to only teach a fighting SYSTEM
specifically designed for when your life is on the
line. Much of the physical training includes strikes,
leverages, kicks, and throws that other arts or sports
teach.

TFT has specifically been designed around 2 "high
concept" principles that are supported by the 3
methodologies of strikes (punches, kicks etc...),
leverages (throws, joint locks) and physical dynamics
(maximizing the damage of the first 2 methodologies).

Most martial arts or combat sports focus only on the
physical end of training and rarely train for life or
death application. TFT teaches only in the environment
of your life being at risk. Anything less is a game.

2. From Josh in Butte, MT: Whom did you learn from and
how has that shaped your Target-Focus Training?

A: I've had a number of great instructors over the
years from the martial art and combat sport world as
well as the down and dirty approach from some of the
great military hand-to-hand close combat instructors.

My exposure to this wealth of knowledge is unique and
I've attempted to create a system of fighting that
clearly defines all the key principles that are
constant in good fighting systems.

I don't feel I've created anything new with TFT but
I've definitely created a different way to quickly and
effectively learn how to defeat a violent physical
attack that risks your life. How I present the
information is what makes TFT so effective.

You rapidly absorb the physical and mental aspects of
fighting for your life in a way many of my clients
with extensive M/A or C/S training have told me is
very unique and effective. My only goal is to have you
focus on what is really important:

***DESTROYING YOUR ENEMY BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY***

If I sound like a broken record, so be it. In my mind
there is no other purpose when fighting.

To understand what it mean to "destroy your enemy by
any means necessary" check out my TFT Striking DVD series
at: http://www.targetfocustraining.com/striking.html

It'll make you a 'juggernaut of destruction' regardless
of your size, speed, strength or skill.

Until next time,
********************************************

Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply


"Striking With Power And Quickness Versus
Blocking With Force And Speed"

******************************************************

"An attack must be executed with quickness,
not speed. Attack with power, not strength. There
is a great difference between speed and quickness,
power and strength. Think this through carefully.
It is the essence of strategy"

Miyamoto Musashi

******************************************************

Violence as your ultimate survival tool is greatly
enhanced when you employ POWER. Unfortunately many
continue to train using FORCE -- or strength -- as a
means of defending themelves.

It's the same with QUICKNESS, which is an essential
element in creating the necessary POWER in your
attack. Yet everyone focuses on SPEED (coupled with
FORCE) to try and defend or counter an attacker.

Ok... so what's the difference in POWER vs. FORCE, in
QUICKNESS vs. SPEED?

Am I headed off into some lesson in Physics?

Not at all.

You see, attacks using POWER don't rely on physical
strength. What they DO require, however, is an
understanding of the inherent weaknesses of the human
body.

Let me give you an example.

Imagine being backed up against a wall with a car in
front of you... racing its engine. The driver is about
to pop the brake and crush you against the wall.

Applying FORCE and SPEED to this situation you've got
2 choices: 1) You could try to jump up over the hood
(SPEED) or, 2) You could brace yourself against the
wall and push against the car (FORCE).

But now look at that same situation from an emphasis
on POWER and QUICKNESS. Here you: 1) Smoothly pop the
hood of the car (QUICKNESS) and, 2) Rip the
appropriate cables to kill the engine (POWER).

(OK, I hear all the protests from the motor heads but
cut me a little slack, folks... it's an exaggerated
example to help highlight a point.)

The point: if you rely on SPEED and FORCE then you've
ALWAYS got to be stronger and faster then everyone
else.

But by using POWER (being able to identify weak areas)
and QUICKNESS (think, 'timing') you can defeat a much
stronger and faster threat.

That's why I've built Target-Focus Training around
POWER and QUICKNESS because just like me, you WILL
face many threats that are bigger, faster, and
stronger.

The great Japanese warrior Musashi understood this
important strategic concept and lived to a ripe old
age after killing more than 60 men with his sword. Re-
read his quote at the top and really try to understand
it.

Until next time,

*************************************************************

Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply


Violence As A Game - The Illusion Of A Fair Fight

******************************************************

"One of the biggest reasons for failure on the
battlefield is not knowing what to do next... This is
the result of not having been trained thoroughly in
what to expect on the battlefield."

General Orlando Ward

******************************************************

Last week I was hanging out with a friend of mine, a
former NFL Defensive Lineman. Chuck had a reputation
in college as a brawler and never missed an
opportunity to use his fists to answer any
disagreement.

Chuck has definitely mellowed over the years and is
much easier to be around these days - but old habits
die hard. The conversation drifted towards my training
and he was giving me some feedback from a mutual
friend who attended a TFT seminar.

Our friend Tony loved the training and, since he
travels to some of the more dangerous parts of the
world, has unfortunately had to use his training. The
results were that he survived two unavoidable criminal
attacks using principles and methods from the TFT
Seminar.

Tony faced multiple attackers in one incident and a
knife in the other. Chuck was impressed that Tony
survived both incidents unscathed and then commented
on the side that had it been a "fair fight" Tony would
have lost.

I asked Chuck to clarify for me what he meant.

He went on to say that the three attackers were all
larger than Tony, as was the knife wielder, and that
in a "fair fight" Tony would have lost.

He pointed out that if Tony hadn't used all that
"unfair stuff" he got from my seminar he never would
of "won". Chuck said he was glad that Tony knew TFT
but that it really didn't prove he could fight.

Chuck went on to say that if it were just a "thumping
contest" -- "Ya know, Tim, a real fight" then the
bigger, stronger guy would always win. He was
disturbed by the fact that Tony had to kill the knife
wielder and that one of the multiple attackers had his
throat crushed by Tony.

That to Chuck proved it wasn't a "real fight" and the
fact Tony effectively used deception to disarm his
attackers before he attacked really disturbed Chuck.

"That's not fighting, it's just..."

"Violence?" I added.

"Yeah, it proves nothing about how good a fighter you
are," Chuck blurted out.

I know what Chuck was trying to say and it's sad when
I see anyone like him that has never gone beyond using
violence to dominate a social situation.

By choosing to use violence in a social situation,
guys like Chuck always run the risk of bumping into
someone who won't bother fighting a bigger, stronger
guy.

They'll just use violence in the only way it should be
used... as a survival tool.

Until next time,

Tim Larkin

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Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply


When You Finally Decide to Act -- Hurt 'em

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"Just Do It."

Nike Ad
******************************************************

Ed B. recently wrote to say he really enjoyed my E-book
(http://www.tftgroup.com/products/ebooks/index.htm)

He described an event that happened in Miami years
back when he was thrown out of a 'disco' (jeez Ed,
this must have been in the 70's. Were you guys wearing
leisure suits?). Seems the fight that got them kicked
out of the disco was over a girl (big surprise
there, huh?).

He ended up out on the street with his 3 buddies and
about 15 guys wanting to separate their heads from
their shoulders. Doing the only prudent thing, the 4
decided to run for the hills; 2 went left and Ed and
his buddy went right.

Unfortunately about ten of the other guys decided to
run after Ed and his buddy. Not knowing the
neighborhood they ended up running around a corner and
down an alley smack into a high chain link fence with
barbed wire at the top -- DEAD END.

They had a choice: wait for the 10 to come around the
corner and see what would happen -OR- take action. Ed
decided to take action. He spotted a 4' pipe in a
trash heap along with a 2x4. He grabs the pipe and
tosses the 2x4 to his buddy (good choice Ed, I'd have
opted for the pipe also).

His buddy is dumbfounded and asks incredulously, "What
are we going to do?" Ed says, "We're getting out of
here" and runs towards the corner where they had made
the bad choice of streets. The first guy chasing them
is just turning that corner to "get them".

Ed catches him cleanly on the elbow with his pipe as
the guy tries to put on the brakes. Suddenly -- to
everyone's surprise -- the tables are turned! 2 guys
are chasing 10 down the mean streets of Miami, and Ed
survives what could have been a very different
outcome.

Ed asked if I'd agreed this was using "Cause State"
(there's a long interview transcription on Cause State
in the ebook noted above).

I have to agree: the decision to act and the effect
caused were the keys to their survival.

Notice the focus wasn't to DEFEND themselves, it was
to HURT the other guys -- pure and simple. I've
covered this before. Anything less and this becomes a
disaster.

Great job Ed!

Until next time,

Tim Larkin

Target Focus Training (part 5)

(Disclaimer: I do not own the philosophies and teaching of TFT. Everything belongs to Mr. Tim Larkin. This post is to inform only. Enjoy reading!)

Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply


"Defining Effectiveness"

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"Readers are plentiful; thinkers are rare."

- Harriet Martineau (1802 - 1876)
******************************************************

Effectiveness seems to be a reoccurring theme in the
questions sent to me by my newsletter readers. Typical
questions run along the lines of:

1. Tim, what are the most effective targets for me to
hit?

2. Tim, how can I make my punches more powerful, and
is a fist or palm more effective?

Again there are over 170 viable targets on the human
body that can cause a predictable response when trauma
is delivered to the target. So what is the most
effective to strike?

... THE ONE YOU CAN
===================

Yeah, it really is just that simple.

Again, you never want to limit yourself to a specific
set of finite targets because you are attempting to
predict what will be available to you in a violent
conflict. That is one factor that will always vary.

If you understand that the principle is to cause a
spinal reflex reaction (an involuntary or autonomic
response) in the other guy then you have a principle
that works regardless of the targets presented.

So the "high concept" here is to not limit your
targeting options... and thereby increasing your
effectiveness.

Next, let's deal with how to make your punches
(strikes) more powerful and effective. Here's a good
first step:

... FOCUS ON HITTING YOUR TARGETS
=================================

Yeah I know, sounds like a broken record, right?

Well I can't believe how many of you spend hours
attempting to get stronger or faster yet breeze over
the targeting aspect.

If you pay attention to the military actions taken in
the last year by the US you keep hearing the same
thing over and over...

TARGETING
=========

Why? Because the military has found that it can be
more deadly, more effective, and take out enemies much
faster... the better they can target and deliver their
munitions.

And here's the kicker -- they are often able to do
this with less overall power (less bombs, firepower)
because they can target the specific threat and focus
all of the weapon's power into that exposed area.

So yes, there are ways to get more effective but I
would have you explore the first 2 options above
before I help you with the physical dynamics of
increasing your strength and power.

Until next time,

***************************************************

Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply


"The Four Horsemen Of Response"

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"No passion so effectually robs the mind of all its
powers of acting and reasoning as fear."

Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797)
******************************************************

People often ask me about the "Fight or Flight"
response when it comes to responding to a violent,
imminent threat of physical attack. When I tell them
that there are actually four responses to this type of
threat I usually get a confused looked.

As a life-long student of violence I constantly
research sources from the academic and literary world
that deal with this very controversial subject. Some
of my research has led me to the fallacy of people
assuming "Fight Or Flight" is the response regardless
of the threat. So lets clarify:

"Fight Or Flight" is a viable response but only when
the threat occurs between 2 different species. If you
are walking through the woods and a Kodiak bear starts
to rush you, you would quickly either fight if you had
a weapon or run (flight) if you did not. Yes, you can
use the other 2 responses but for the most part the
meeting of 2 different species results in "Fight Or
Flight".

That being said lets look at the "Four Horsemen Of
Response" when two members of the same species meet
with one side posing an imminent threat. The other can
respond as follows:

1. Fight - The challenge is assessed and the
response by the target is to fight back.
2. Flight - The challenge is assessed and the
response is to evade the threat and run.
3. Posture - The challenge is assessed and the
response is to feign or posture aggressively with
the ultimate goal being to avoid having to fight
or flight.
4. Capitulate - The challenge is assessed and the
response is to freeze, lie down, and hope that by
submitting to appease the aggressor.

Most are familiar with the first two options but lets
explore the latter two options. How many times have
you seen a person issue a threat and move towards
someone aggressively and that person's response is to
yell back and strike an aggressive, threatening
stance?

This is very common in social violent situations where
there is much posturing for dominance. Often the real
objective is to get one side to back down, with verbal
threats and aggressive postures used to convey
dominance. That is a classic example of the Posture
Response.

This is a dangerous gambit for both participants
because it delays the fight option and often wastes
valuable opportunities to end the situation with the
Fight Response.

The next response to explore is the all too common
Capitulate Response. This is where an aggressive
threat is met with complete and immediate submission
to the threatening party.

This response is very dangerous when used to avoid
getting harmed because it literally puts you at the
mercy of an aggressor. You rely on their moral code to
respect your capitulation and have that be a
sufficient way to satiate their desire to aggressively
dominate you. Very risky.

However, when used properly the Capitulate Response
can be an extremely effective manner to get your
aggressor into a vulnerable position to execute the
Fight Response. Basically, you're getting the
aggressor to expose vulnerable areas of his body to
attack by your feigned capitulation.

Other newsletter issues have dealt with how to take
advantage of these opportunities but it is instructive
to have a complete understanding of the "Four Horsemen
Of Response" to round out your fighting knowledge.

Until next time,

****************************************************8

Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply


"Are You Bored With What Works?"

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"The only reason a warrior is alive is to fight, and
the only reason a warrior fights is to win. Otherwise,
why be a warrior? It is easier to count beads."

-Miyamoto Musashi
******************************************************

I get invited to a lot of different training events
and try out lots of new weapons that are used in the
special operations arena.

Recently I shot a modified weapon that is currently
all the rage in some of the personal protection
circles. It is a large caliber assault rifle that is
making the rounds in some of the current "hotspots" of
the world.

I thanked the guys who let me use the weapon but came
away with a nagging feeling that it was really not
that effective for the mission. The special technology
needed to use the weapon system seemed to me not worth
the expense and hassle.

Sure enough, I called a friend (with extensive combat
experience) who recently retired from a counter-terror
unit and is currently working as a highly sought
'consultant' and asked him if he agreed with my
assessment.

He told me that not only did he agree but that there
was a better option that the US Army had developed in
the late 60's.

He went on to explain the superior aspects of the
already developed, less expensive, readily available
technology that had better ballistics, better power,
and better accuracy.

He ended the conversation by telling me some people
just get bored with what works.

That hit home.

I get tons of questions about weapons technology
(which firearm is best, what knife should I carry, is
it better to punch or kick, etc) but the questions are
always about a tool rather than a principle.

I can't tell you what the 'best' combat folding knife
is on the market, 'best' firearm to carry, what
caliber is optimum for your needs, whether you should
use a punch or a kick in a given circumstance.

What I'm more interested in is what can you do with
those tools? Can you hit your target? Do you
understand the effect of the trauma you can inflict
with those tools? What is your focus when using your
tools?

If your focus is to DESTROY YOUR ENEMY BY ANY MEANS
NECESSARY then the tools will work their way into the
mix.

As for me I don't even carry a knife nor would I know
which knife is 'best'. Me, I have an aluminum pen that
the security people gladly hand me as it goes through
the weapons check at the airport.

Doesn't look very cool; in fact it's kinda yuppy-ish
looking. But it writes well -- and I have a sneaking
suspicion it'll help accelerate the trauma I want
to inflict should I need to fight.

Yeah, it's boring -- but it works.

Until next time,

News! News! News!

Yesterday afternoon was the passing of one of LSAI's prominent practitioner, Master Lito Torrefranca. My teacher, Master Ronald Ramirez, informed me of his passing. He will be sorely missed. To those who know him well I send my condolences. May his soul rest in peace!

Target Focus Training (part 4)

(Disclaimer: I do not own the philosophies and teaching of TFT. Everything belongs to Mr. Tim Larkin. This post is to inform only. Enjoy reading.)



Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply

"Controlled Violence: the Surprising Catalyst to a
More Enjoyable Life"

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"Learning is not compulsory... neither is survival."

-W. Edwards Deming

******************************************************

I was watching an Instructor Class the other night
with one of my great friends from the fighting world
and we discussed how difficult it is to talk about
fighting to most people.

This difficultly lies in the fact that my definition
of fighting is very different from most "fighters".
When someone tells me they know how to fight, that
triggers in my mind numerous examples of specific
methods of inflicting trauma on the human body with
the goal being the destruction of other guys.

In the rare instance when I decide to speak about
fighting in a social situation, I usually regret doing
so. Quickly I see that most people are uncomfortable
with my very calm descriptions of the effective use of
violence.

Most people get caught up in the surreal aspects of
violence that permeate society today... the WWF or
video game fake violence... as opposed to learning how
to methodically deliver systematic strikes to
vulnerable parts of the human body with the goal being
the total destruction of the other guy.

People always comment on how friendly and
approachable I am -- as well as my instructors. They
are confused, I'd guess, because most of the martial
arts and combat sport world is dominated by aloof
personalities who seem more concerned you recognize
their 'rank' rather than answer your questions.

I tell clients all the time that the more trained
you are to deal with real violence, the more
emotionally relaxed life you live... and the more you
get to enjoy life experiences and people.

There's much less need to use false aggression in
your demeanor to give off that 'I'm intimidating'
message. That is an Effect-State(tm) (and fear-based)
protection mechanism that is mildly effective but
takes a huge emotional toll to pull off.

This is yet another reason to seek out competent
training in hand-to-hand combat. By facing the fact
violence exists and learning how to effectively use
violence, you truly free yourself from unnecessary
fear in your day-to-day living.

----------
One note: look for future emails about once every
7 days.
----------

Until next time,

**********************************************

Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply


"Are You Learning To Fight... Or To Dance?"

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"In our peacetime tactical training we should use
difficult, highly imaginative situations and require
clear, concise and simple orders. The more difficult
the situation the more simple the order must be. Above
all *** Let us Kill everything stereotyped; otherwise
it will kill us ***"

- Adolf von Schell, Battle Leadership, 1933

******************************************************

I saw a commercial for one of those dance instruction
programs that guarantees you'd be able to dance as
well as any member of the most popular boy-bands.

The program showed a group of students following the
instructor step-by-step to learn some pretty complex
moves, choreographed to perfection. The result was
that by memorizing the steps and combining the moves
you could mimic the formerly difficult routine.

It reminded me of watching a Wushu team practice their
show. For those of you that aren't familiar, Wushu is
a Chinese martial art that is delivered via a stage
performance. The fights are very elaborate and it
takes a great deal of practice to put on a convincing
show.

As I watched the team practice it was interesting to
note that whenever someone wanted to screw around all
they had to do was execute a move different from the
routine. Literally you would be watching a fight scene
you'd swear was pitting two highly trained fighters in
mortal combat when all of a sudden one of the guys
would move differently... maybe slap the other guy in
the face like the Three Stooges used to do.

Everyone would laugh, then take a break.

But that slap also woke me up out of the dream state I
was in as I watched the performance.

I realized that this was exactly the method in which
most martial arts or combat sports are instructed.
Especially when they train "self defense".

Basically there are set patterns you memorize in
response to various staged attacks. Memorize those
responses and you can look pretty impressive.

But what happens if you vary the attack?

Most students freeze.

Why?

**** BECAUSE THEY WERE NEVER TAUGHT TO FIGHT ****

Nope, they basically were taught to 'dance' and as
long as everything went according to the 'routine' you
could do okay. But we all know things never go exactly
as planned.

Fighting is no different -- whether you are on the mat
at your training center or on the street locked in
mortal combat with the other guy(s). The only
variation is that when you fight with your training
partner you don't actually maim, cripple or kill. You
still target and simulate those exact strikes, just at
a pace your partner can handle.

If, however, you're operating in a 'training' mode
where you are memorizing a 'set' response to an
attack, you are learning nothing but a 'dance' move.
In TFT such training is viewed as "coordination
training" not fighting.

If you don't know the difference, you can easily fall
victim to the "now it's for real syndrome". That's
where you face an imminent attack yet hesitate... as
your brain tries to accept the fact that "this is for
real".

Contrast this to the well-trained fighter who simply
sees all this as merely fighting and proceeds to: 1)
find his targets and 2) strike. The only difference to
the fighter is the fact he can now strike with full
power.

That's because the well-trained fighter never sees
himself as 'training' -- he's always fighting.
Understand this concept and you'll always be
prepared... no matter what the situation.

Until next time,

*******************************************

Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply


"Often When You Try To Teach Someone A Lesson, You're
The One Who Ends Up Getting Schooled"

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"It's all fun and games 'til someone loses an eye"

- Mom
******************************************************

I was meeting with one of my master instructors and
some business associates the other day. We were
hashing out the schedule for the coming year and
elaborating on the requirements for the new TFT
Mastery Program. This program allows clients the
ability to expand their skills, even achieving the
status of Trainer (a level of fighting education
unavailable until now).

One of our associates had difficulty comprehending
our clear-cut definition of when to use violence as
the solution to a dangerous problem. For us it's
simple, the situation needs to be criminal in nature
and "life-or-death serious", meaning... if you don't
take action you are going to be harmed.

This associate kept bringing up various social
situations where someone is verbally (even mildly
physically) aggressive but where the physical threat
is unclear. In other words, at this point you'd be
hard pressed to fight for any reason other than to
"teach him a lesson".

I was just about to handle this issue when my master
instructor jumped in and gave a great example of the
dangers of "teaching someone a lesson".

Seems his older brother (while not at the trainer
level, still an excellent fighter) had a roommate who
caused numerous problems for the other 3 in his house.
Apparently the problem child (we'll call him 'Joe')
was a large person, and both verbally and physically
aggressive. The other roommates had nominated my
instructor's brother (lets call him 'Tom') to give
'Joe' his walking papers.

Although *much* smaller than 'Joe', 'Tom' was
confident that with his extensive fighting training he
could easily handle the situation.

As 'Tom' explained to 'Joe' that he needed to move
out, 'Joe's reaction was to get verbally combative and
use his larger frame as an intimidation factor.

As he moved closer, 'Tom' felt it was time to let
him know he wasn't intimidated and met him with a knee
to the groin and a short punch to the jaw. 'Joe'
doubled over and moved away from the strikes but he
was still standing because 'Tom' hadn't followed up
his strikes since he was only half-heartedly "teaching
him a lesson".

What happened next was a nightmare.

Wondering if 'Joe' was all right 'Tom' moved closer
but 'Joe', now in a violent rage, charged and knocked
him viciously to the floor, then jumped over his body
and began repeatedly kicking him in the temple with
his heavy work boots.

The end result: 'Joe' was arrested and 'Tom'
required numerous MRI's just to insure he had no
lasting brain damage.

Now whenever they instruct class, both my master
trainer and his brother use this as a perfect example
of why, in a violent threat, there can only be one
response... and it's never an attempt to "teach
someone a lesson" or simply an ego boost.

If you are not prepared to leave the other guy in a
non-functioning state, you are not committed to fight.
You're just playing with social violence. But in a
truly violent situation, the other guy IS going to be
committed to *really* hurting you.

In this case 'Tom' used violence to "teach a lesson"
and 'Joe' responded with a lethal attack. You can
never know a person's response to violence. If you use
it to "teach a lesson" (i.e., treat violence as a
game) you may very well find yourself missing an
eye... just like Mom said!

Until next time,

*************************************************

Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply


You Never Know How Many People You're Fighting
Until You're Fighting Them All

******************************************************

"You can have a life plan or a fight plan, but when
the action starts, you're down to your reflexes --
your training. If you've cheated on your training in
the dark of the morning, you'll be found out under the
bright lights."

- Heavyweight Boxing Champion Joe Frazier

******************************************************

I've hammered home the importance of the cold hard
fact: "you do what you train". Anything you do in a
training environment is exactly how you are
conditioning yourself to respond in a life-or-death
situation.

Most of my clients understand this principle in
applying trauma to the body. They are careful to
insure that they strike with a tight fist or make sure
that they complete the rotation of their body to
deploy maximum force upon the given target area of the
other guy.

So where do problems occur?

Most people train for a one-on-one confrontation.

They are excellent at handling the one guy but add in
another guy... and watch the meltdown occur.

I was training a well-known counter-terror unit a few
years back and let them see first-hand the danger in
this oversight.

They had been training heavily in a well-known ju-
jitsu system prior to my course. This was a combat
sport-based system that is very effective in the ring.

But it does no good to tell people that what they
trained may have problems associated with it because
often they have a strong emotional attachment to the
training. Better to let them see a gap and then offer
a solution.

So I asked for the best grappler of the group to don
his field gear and go to the end of the training hall.
I then grabbed 3 other members of the unit and had
them do a simple "sacrificial lamb" attack. This is
where one guy engages the prey and locks him up, then
the other 2 swoop in for the kill.

Well, sure enough, the first guy engages and is
quickly taken to the ground by the fighter and put in
a very painful arm-bar. This guy was amazingly good at
ju-jitsu and would be a terror in the ring -- except
this wasn't a ring, and there was no ref.

In fact, no sooner had the arm-bar been applied than
the other 2 were upon him, had his weapons and could
have "killed" him at any time.

This simple gangbanger attack easily defeated a highly
trained operator because he had handled a multifight
like a sport competition. In fact, the unit later
confessed that they had never trained with their
weapons on the whole time they trained "hand-to-hand".

The focus had been more to see who could make the
other "tap out" first. This is a dangerous way to
train for a lethal criminal confrontation.

You must always treat every confrontation as having
multiple guys. You need to be instructed how to be a
"360-degree" fighter and to be aware of your
surroundings at all times.

In TFT, all fighting is against multiple guys even in
a one-on-one training session. This means as I take
out my current victim I'm aware of my surroundings and
SEARCHING for my next victim.

The training methods we use are beyond the scope of
this newsletter. But if you've never really trained
for multiple guys then you've never trained for life-
or-death confrontations. Don't make that mistake.

Until next time,

*****************************************************

Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply


Two Different Types of Violence

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"There is never a convenient place to fight a war when
another man starts it"

- Admiral Arleigh Burke

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It's funny listening to men recount their experiences
with violence.

I've noticed there are 2 distinct experiences -- those
that survived a true life-or-death confrontation and
those who participated in social violence.

The first group usually never speaks about the
subject. When they choose to share the experience, you
notice that they are usually brutally honest by
stating they often they were scared and were forced
into action because there was no acceptable
alternative.

There is no gloating over their surviving the
experience and though many acted heroically they don't
see it that way. They see themselves as being
fortunate to have survived and they hope never to be
in that situation ever again.

Participants in social violence, however, often revel
in retelling the exploit where "they kicked his ass".
Some enjoy telling every part of the "fight" and speak
derisively of the other party.

They also give the impression they are ready to
participate again should they ever be called upon to
defend their honor, wife's honor, a spilled drink, or
receive an unwanted off color remark from a loudmouth.

Why the 2 different responses? The first group came in
contact with that ultimate spectre - unavoidable life-
or-death violence. No choice, no retreat, simply fight
or die. In this situation you only survive it, and get
on with your life.

The second group chose violence. They took a situation
that was not life threatening and chose to respond
with violence. This group enjoyed the domination of
using violence (often the recipient was deserving) and
it produced a base human reaction of control over
another in the pecking order.

This is not to say that the 2nd situation could not
have rapidly escalated to a lethal situation but using
violence, as a response, was a deliberate choice.

People choose to use violence when they let their egos
rule the situation. The unavoidable use of violence
produces a very different outcome -- the desire to not
participate in it again.

When we train people in TFT(TM), we train them for
unavoidable violence. We give them the tools to
survive the situation using lethal, brutally effective
methods. Many times those that stated they wanted this
knowledge are those who have the hardest time dealing
with the raw violence.

I notice a lot more talking during the more direct
lethal techniques. I equate talking with fear -- fear
of this knowledge. Fear of really having to pull the
trigger in a situation where they aren't choosing to
use violence but actually forced to do so or die.

Raw violence is not something I wish on anyone but I
teach its use and methodology because when you need it
you can't have enough knowledge of the subject. And
quite frankly the more competent I make you in that
subject the less likely you'll waste your time
choosing to use social violence.

Seek out the difference in the 2 types of violence and
you'll live a better life.

Until next time,

Martial Principles of Master Ronald Ramirez

(Note: The following words written and posted here are some of the martial wisdom imparted to me by my teacher, Master Michael Ronald Ramirez. Unfortunately, most of these teachings have been used and abused by most members of the LSAI Clan. Furthermore, no one gave my master the credit that was due to him as the maker of these words. I am now here to set the record straight once and for all. My teacher always admonish me to always give credit to where it is due even to your enemies. Since no one is going to do I might as well do it myself. I also included in here some of the wisdom imparted by the late Grand Master Ben Lema himself.)

1. When you execute your strike and make it powerful; an unstoppable blow, you must draw your power from the ground let it flow from your body towards your "baston" (rattan stick). One can accomplish that by pressing your blow down and drop your body down.

2. The baston is the great equalizer.

3. Whenever you execute a strike one must always remember to straighten the arm and lock ones elbows.

4. Whenever you're engage in a fight one must bring the battle to the enemy.

5. Words are like stone. Once you throw it you cannot take it back. Once it hits the calm waters of the pond it will cause a ripple that disturbs the calmness.

6. (GM Ben Lema) Pagnagtapat ang baston natin malalaman ko kung mahina ka o malakas, kung saang direksyon ka pupunta o kung ika'y natatakot o hindi. Dahil dito, madali kitang matatalo.

- (English version) The moment our bastons made contact with each other I will know if you are weak or strong, in which direction you will go or if you're afraid or brave. It is because of this that I will have an easier time to defeat you.

7. When someone ask me how I became good in my art I will always tell them to go back to their basics.

8. (GM Ben Lema) Kapag buo ang iyong isip, buo ang loob at malakas ang iyong kumpyansa sa iyong dunong kahit sino pa ang iyong kalaban; kahit lima, sampu o isandaan sila, kahit kailan ikaw ay laging mananalo.

- (English version) When you're mind and heart is whole and you have unbreakable trust in your knowledge in combat no matter who your enemies are, or whether they are many, who will always come up victorious.

The Offensive Mind Set Direct Action

( Disclaimer: This article was given to me by a friend of mine, with the same interest in the martial arts, via e-mail. I don't know where he acquired it. The ideas written here are not my own but all of it belong solely to the author. I posted this article because the ideas written here coincide with the ideas that I advocate as a teacher of the martial arts.)


Definition:

The Offensive Mind-Set is a learned, proactive thought process, devoid of fear, that leads to demonstrable physical increases in performance. A person possess of the Offensive Mind-Set will act rather than react, lead rather than follow. Attack rather than defend. Such a person thinks positively, offensively, and affirmatively by taking continuous absolute action. This thought process is applicable and useful in all human endeavors from sport to business to warfare.

Fear is the Mind-Killer:

The goal of training in Offensive Mind-Set is the total elimination of fear. Fear is the basis of defensive, reactive thinking. It makes you hesitate, it makes you incapable of committing to an action, it makes you freeze up. Without fear --- with an Offensive Mind-Set --- you are free to act immediately and directly. There is no internal debate, indecision, or worry about possible outcomes. You make things happen when need to happen.

Offense vs. Defense: Cause vs. Effect

The difference between offensive and defensive thinking is as simple to understand as action vs. reaction, cause vs. effect. Defensive thought is concerned with reacting to actions that have already taken place. The defensive thinker will take in external stimuli and turn inward, concerned with the effect on the self (worrying). The offensive thinker is the cause of effects -- creating strategies within the mind and moving them outward into the physical world as action. They will take the same external stimuli and make decisions, which are executed as actions, to effect the source of the stimuli in the manner most appropriate and advantageous to the situation.

Training Methodology.

Offensive Mind-Set is thought through two processes: Neutral Offensive Linguistics and the physical modeling of offensive structure. We take people from fearful to fearless by using proactive linguistics to change thought patterns, and then anchor those thought patterns through physical action.

Neural Offensive Linguistics: The Power of Words

Neural Offensive Linguistics is the use of proactive terminology to replace fearful, defensive terminology. In a way, it's analogous to the glass is half full or empty' test for optimism or pessimism -- words have emotional weight to them, dependent on the situation in which we learned those words, and their associated ideas. The words we use to describe things affect the wayway we feel about those things -- for better or worse. If a word has a connection to a mental picture whose emotional content is fearful, then we must replace it with a fearless word in order to achieve an Offensive Mind-Set.

For example, if a person has been told to block a punch thrown at their face, they are immediately dropped into a fear-state. The very idea of blocking (which is linked in the mind to the word) is inherently defensive and based on fear -- the only reason a person would block the punch is because they are afraid of getting hit. Now, if we take the same person and instead tell them to strike the arm of an attacker throwing a punch, to cripple the arm, no fear-state is induced. In fact, we have done the opposite and induced a positive, take-charge attitude. This person has the source of their fear (the idea of blocking) replaced with a proactive, take-charge word (strike) with radically different connotations -- the fighter will injure the attacker. They will be incontrol of the situations, imposing their own will and strategy on the situation.

The use of Neural Offensive Linguistics is not restricted to combat training -- Offensive Mind-Set can be taught to anyone, for any purpose, to increase performance. The key is in isolating words associated with reactive thinking and replacing them with proactive word:

DEFENSIVE: OFFENSIVE:

Block Strike

Evade Penetrate

Defender Fighter

Self-Defense Hostile Control

Try Do

Offensive Posture: First Strike

The new terminology is then reinforced through the modeling of offensive physical structure. If we take the above example and convert it from a thought problem to the real, physical world, we can anchor in the changes in the thought process. The person who has been told to block tries to block a real punch thrown at their face. Afraid or what might happen if they get hit, they move backward, away from the punch, and give ground to the attacker. The person fliches in indecision and throws up their arm to block, ducking their head and curving their spine to evade. By being driven back and modeling the fearful posture a deeper fear is induced, and failure is assured. Their fear has become a self-realized prophecy.

Now, the person is told to strike the arm -- to cripple the attacker. The attacker throws the punch at the fighter's face. In order to strike the arm, the fighter must step in, aggressively, with their spine straight and vertical to really hammer it. The attacker cries out in pain as he is jerked off balance and falls to the floor. The fighter sees success and will always remember how it felt (kinesthetically) to drop the attacker before them. The proactive thought has been realized as direct, potent action. We now have a demonstrable increase in performance.

Fear: The Shattered Foundation of Defense

The most basic, underlying concept of defense is fear. Whether it is defensive tactics, defensive techniques, for defensive thinking -- they are all based on fear. The very idea of 'self-defense' is fearful; you are more concerned with defending yourself than with taking out the attacker. You are worried about what the attacker will do to you, rather than what you will do to the attacker.

If you have been trained to block, you have been trained to fear the attacker. The idea of 'block' implies that you wait and see what the attacker throws at you, and then attempt to defend yourself by nullifying his attack. What does a block accomplish? It keeps you from getting hit -- maybe. But a block does nothing to change the situation in your favor; you have done nothing to take out the attacker. He is free to keep coming at you.

Even if you have been trained to 'block and strike' simultaneously, you are still operating fearfully. The defensive block and offensive strike work at cross-purposes -- they intefere with one another. The fear you feel at seeing the attacker move for you will cause you to hesitate, resulting in a strike that does not have 100 percent offensive commitment. Everyone has seen streetfights in which the participants hold their hands up in a defensive stance and feint toward each other, then jump back away from each other. They perform this strange dance repeatedly. Sometimes they lash out at each other, but always out of fear -- half-heartedly. This is because both of them are operating in a fear-state. They would really like to get the other guy, but they're just too afraid to commit to anything. They are preoccupied with defending themselves.

The Conceptual Martial Artist

(Disclaimer: This article was taken from "Rapid Journal Vol. 7 No. 4" written by Perry Gil S. Mallari. One of the few articles of this magazine that I found enlightening. The written ideas are not my own but belongs to the author. I want to post this article and share to everyone its content. Enjoy reading!)



The great japanese swordsman Miyamoto Musashi was said to have fought undefeated for seventeen years (he killed his first opponent at the age of thirteen) without really knowing exactly the secret of his success. One of his recorded contemplations say: "I reflected on my experiences, I realized that I had not been victorious because of consummate attainment of the martial arts. Perhaps it was because I had an inherent skill for the science and had not deviated from natural principles. It may also have been due to the shortcomings in the martial arts of other schools. In any case, I subsequently practiced day and night in order to attain an even deeper principle, and spontaneously came upon the science of martial arts". Musashi's investigation of the truth in combat was recorded in his treatise entitled Go Rin No Sho or The Book Of Five Rings. Go Rin No Sho is not a technical manual but rather a concept book. So universal is its conceptual content that until today men and women outside the realm of the martial arts are using it in their quest for success.

It's always easier to absorb and actualize the technical rather than conceptual aspects of the martial arts. In the former, more often than not, all you have to do is follow the instructor's commands to the letter and you'll get there (keep your hands on the centerline... distribute your weight eually on both feet... etc.) . The latter calls for a deeper degree of internalization and creativity. To make my point clear, let's use the concept of timing as an example. Even if an instructor has a perfect grasp of the concept, it doesn't necessarily mean that his student can meet him at that level and digest what's been taught. The abstract nature of the conceptual approach to training and teaching is perhaps the method's greatest strength and at the same time its greatest weakness. This is the reason why despite of its power and potency, Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do was still an enigma to the majority.

The proper way of doing things is absolutely important; hence there were techniques. But to transcend technique and go beyod technical proficiency, the martial artist must traverse the realm of conceptual training. Bruce had become a phenomenal martial artist because he realized this truth. According to Danny Inosanto, Bruce felt that the highest art was body feel and body mechanics not technique. I clearly saw this concept through the teaching method of one of my teachers, an 86 year old Visayan escrimador whose incredible strength and vitality despite his old age astounded me. I'm not quite sure whether because he knew of my my previous martial arts training, language barrier or lack of verbal communication skill, but he didn't teach me wih the usual "this is angle one... this is angle two..." but rather by demonstrating combative concepte. This single thing that really sank in me during my training sessions with him is the use of explosive forward pressure through multiple hits. Each contact of the weapon on the surfaces serves as a springboard to launch an attack on another plane. This is a universal concept and is the same principle behind Wing Chun's straight blast or Jik Chung Choie.

In the last two decades there is a sudden upsurge of the popularity of knife fighting not only as an art by itself but also as a training tool to develop key attribute. Practitioners, from kickboxer to devotees of esoteric fighting systems are reading benefits from poicking up the blade. Why is that so? Because knife training teaches key combative concepts like reflex, sensitivity, killer instinct, and more by combining the elements of weaponry and empty hands in a singular training environment.

Entering the conceptual path will also prod you to search combative truths beyond the ring and the mat. Not all martial arts wisdom can be attained with your bare knuckles, sticks, and blades. The Samurai warriors can explain the finer points of their martial arts through calligraphy. "Become acquainted with every art," admonishes Miyamoto Musashi. Coming from the great Japanese swordsman himself, it is comforting to know that pusuing other avenues of learning will not make a martial artist a lesser warrior but instead refine his martial growth more. Musashi Miyamoto later in his life pursued the life of a painter and writer. His works display a subtle sense of sensitivity and humility. You can hardly trace the shadow of a warrior who once a thirteen year old in his first duel, beat his opponent repeatedly with a bo until he vomited blood and die.

Martial Artist: Movement As Art (Ninpo Taijutsu)

(Disclaimer: This excerpt was taken from the Stephen K. Hayes' book entitled "Lore of the Shinobi Warrior Vol. 5". All the ideas in here are not my own. They all belong to Mr. Hayes. I posted this excerpt and share the ideas written in here to anyone who are willing to listen. These are one of the martial arts literature that I have read, enjoyed and learned in my path in the martial arts. Enjoy reading!)

The term "martial artist" is an interesting example of a commonly accepted usage of words that somehow does not accurately live up to the truth of the concept that it attempts to express. Contrary to the common usage of the term "martial artist," as used to describe a person training in the Oriental combat disciplines, true martial artists do not become artists until they have perfected the usage of their tools and have gone on to the level of pure spontaneous creativity. Therefore, the use of the word "artist" is in the vast majority of cases applied far too prematurely.

People accumulate skills that lead to the ability to generate works of art; artistic abilities are not merely acquired as a product of taking a course of instruction. A musician first learns how to make sounds mechanically and how to read music so that he can explore all possibilities. Eventually, pure creativity in an improvisation session earns him the reputation of being a musical artist. A painter first learns to pencil in perspective and shade colors mechanically so that he can eventually create works of art. Once he has transcended the mechanics, he can then enter the realm of pure self-expression through the medium of the graphic image.

Martial arts are no different. We accumulate experiences in technique and split-second decision-making that eventually lead to a level of ability that can be described by others as artistic. We cannot simply acquire martial artistry by enrolling in a course of study at the local martial arts school.

In its ultimate form as a guide to a way of living, the warrior path to enlightenment is a process of cultivating capabilities based on personally experienced insights, while at the same time letting go of negative limiting factors that hinder the openness and freedom that are required for advancement. Our martial arts is our method of approaching this process of transformation. We work and study and progress in the direction of becoming artists; we do not presuppose ourselves to be already worthy of the title by the mere fact that we are in a martial training suit.

Martial Wisdom (part 2)

I have include in here the many martial wisdom (quotes and saying) that I have collected throughout the years in my martial art training. I wish to impart these very same wisdom to those who are willling to open one's mind. Read to your hearts content.


- An instructor's first task is to help the beginner to dream. By believing in the dreamer, he helps him to realize his dream. Then the dream can be made real. (Mon Rivera)


- A positive mental attitude is about what you want, rather than on what you don't want. (Jose Silva)


- Give credit to where it is due. Even the enemy.


- If we realize the spirit, then our movements will naturally be light and nimble. The postures are no more than full and empty, opening and closing. What we mean by opening is not limited to just the hands or feet, but we must have the idea of opening in the mind as well. What we mean by closing, too, is not limited to just the hands or feet, but we must also have the idea of closing in the mind.


- If the weight of the whole body rests on the right leg, then the right leg is full and the left leg is empty. If the weight of the whole body rests on the left leg, then the left leg is full and the right leg is empty. Only after distinguishing full and empty will our turning movements be light, nimble and effortless. If we are not able to make this distinction, then our steps will be heavy and stiff. Our stance will be unsteady and will be easily pulled off balance.


- A tactician fighter will have a lot more tools at his disposal because he sees the overall given condition. He can therefore be proactive rather than simply reactive, which is the true mark of mastery of both military and martial arts. (Abyz D. Carreon)


- Restriction retards thought, restriction of thought is void of self, without self there is no "I". (Dennis M. Blue)


- Survival by whatever means is necessary to assure that you live and they do not. If you do not have the heart for that then you must at least be able to neutralize the situation. (Dennis M. Blue)


- Totality always works better than partiality. (Perry Gil S. Mallari)


- Animals use their front paws to control their gait. The pattern in the forelimbs generates patterns in the hind limbs. It's the same with people. When their strong enough, something goes awry in their legs. (E. C. Frederick, Physiologist)


- Out of suffering emerge the strongest souls.


- What you resist, persist.


- A close second is not a desirable place to finish in a battle to the death.


- The surest trap is the one you set in the path of a man running to avoid a trip.


- Wisdom is always useful. If he paid attention to the coming and going of the sun, the worm wouldn't be eaten by the bird.


- To destroy suggests a certain degree of brutality on the part of the practitioner, it is actually describing a state of determined effort in combat.... Once the situation is determined to be potentially dangerous to others or to oneself then the principle of destroy must be applied.


- Take advantage of any "weakness", that is the lax side or unfocused attention of his opponent's defense, then initiate a strike from an unexpected direction to an unexpected target. This principle takes full advantage of an opponent's sloppy defense in order to launch an attack that not only confuses the aggressor but overcomes him as well.


- There are two methods of intercept, one is soft the other is hard. Hard interception involves a strike that breaks the adversary's defenses just before he launches an attack. A soft interception applies pressure in the same direction of the attack. Thus when an opponent rushes forward, blocks and grabs can be utilized, but when he retreats the stylist follows through putting pressure on the opponent again and again.

- Common people breathe at the throat; a true person breathes from the heels.

- Evil is all men's lot, but yet we must keep courage. (Homer, Achilles, Troy)

- A wise man treats all strangers with respect for he could be facing the face of an enemy.

- I belong to the warrior,
who have joined
the old ways with the new. (Haiku)

- The lay of the land may tilt the battle but heaven decides who will win.

Target Focus Training (part 3)

(Disclaimer: The following tips on combat survival are not my own ideas. These are the combat tips Mr. Tim Larkin, founder of the system called 'Target Focus Training'. These are e-mail letters that I have received daily in my e-mail box. I hope the lessons that are imparted in here will help you be safe in the streets. Enjoy reading!)


Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying Alive
When 'Rules' Don't Apply


"Is It Necessary To Know How To Kill?"

******************************************************
"Violence is not always the answer, but when it is the
answer, it's the ONLY answer"
- Author Unknown
******************************************************

*********************

NOTE: I realize the subject of this issue is highly
controversial but urge you to read through this entire
issue before forming an opinion. I will revisit this
subject more in the future.

*********************

Lets start with a couple of questions:

1.) In this day and age, what could possibly be the
reason to teach someone how to kill another
human with his or her bare hands?

2.) Do I actually advocate instructing clients in
this very specific, lethal material?

The answer to the first question is that there are
MANY reasons why it is essential one get this lethal
knowledge. The answer to the second question is: not
only do I advocate teaching it, I ABSOLUTELY teach it
to all my clients.

So, what are my reasons for taking this very
controversial position?

First off, I've carefully laid out the principles
behind the training I advocate for life-or-death
situations. You have read in previous newsletters
about the disastrous effects of training with rules
against THE OTHER GUYS who don't observe those same rules.

It is very clear that using violence is appropriate in
very few situations. To use violence for any reason
other than hurting an other guy who would otherwise
harm you is extremely risky.

You see, with proper knowledge of the nervous system
of the human body one can effectively attack any
assailant, regardless of size, strength or athletic
ability.

So it is inconceivable that one could train a client
for self-protection yet ignore the subject of killing.
If faced with a life-or-death struggle you need
clear, concise information on how to systematically
shut down the other guy's central nervous system
(CNS).

This is especially true for male-on-female violence,
which females MUST treat as a lethal situation. Also
any fighter facing a potentially lethal attack by a
larger, stronger or faster other guy must be able to
immediately shut down that other guy's CNS.

Still, very few instructors directly teach this
knowledge. Why? It has been my experience few actually
have the skill and expertise to do so. To hide this
deficiency they state legal issues and spiritual
reasons for not teaching such principles.

Yet many of the techniques they show will directly
result in potentially lethal outcomes -- SOMETHING
THAT IS NEVER POINTED OUT TO THE CLIENT!

In fact, most clients go through training with no
clear knowledge of which strikes and techniques ARE
lethal and what the impact is on the human body from
these blows and manipulations.

I find it far more dangerous not to know how to kill
when you consider the flip side of that knowledge is
the fact that any time you put your hands on another
human being to inflict violence you have no idea
whatsoever how that person will respond to the blow.

A person built like Arnold Schwarzenegger may have a
bad heart and your punch to the solar plexus to 'teach
him a lesson' may, in fact, kill him. That is why I
stress the difference between EGO THREAT situations
and LIFE-OR-DEATH THREAT situations.

You probably heard about the 'Hockey Dad' trial in
Massachusetts. A man ended up going to jail
for manslaughter over an argument with his son's
hockey coach. By all accounts the smaller coach was a
real jerk and made the kids do some useless and
dangerous training on the ice.

This 'Hockey Dad' voiced his concern and the verbal
exchange led to a fight. 'Hockey Dad' ended up killing
the smaller coach by repeated blows to the head.

It was not intentional, both were wrong. But the one
common factor here was this: neither had any idea of
the effects of those strikes upon the other! Both
families lost their dads that day -- one was killed,
the other is in jail.

It is my goal with a client to give you ALL the lethal
knowledge necessary so you can make the decision on
whether or not it is worth the potential legal hassles
to fight over an EGO THREAT or to instantly be able to
destroy the other guy's CNS in a LIFE-OR-DEATH THREAT.

I can't tell you how many testimonials I get from
clients who have easily avoided the 'Hockey Dad'
scenarios by having the clear knowledge of the
appropriate use of violence. I value those
testimonials as highly as the ones received from those
who used the very same knowledge to save their lives
in a life-or-death scenario.

Truly knowing how to kill another human places total
responsibility on the trained individual, makes you a
far better citizen and, in my experience, far less
likely to use violence as an answer to any situation
that is not life threatening.

Until next time,
****************************************************

Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying Alive
When 'Rules' Don't Apply


"What Is The Ultimate Motivation In A Life-Or-Death Fight?"

******************************************************

"We must be eager to kill, to inflict on the enemy --
the hated enemy -- wounds, death, and destruction. If
we die killing, well and good, but if we fight hard
enough, viciously enough, we will kill and live. Live
to return home to our family and our girl as
conquering heroes -- men of Mars"

-- General George Patton

******************************************************

By this time you probably detect a theme in my
newsletters about the focus you need when faced by a
real life-or-death confrontation.

It's simply this: when faced with a life-or-death
violent confrontation where using violence is your
only option:

1. Don't hesitate.
2. Find your target and strike your target.
3. Keep striking targets until you have destroyed
the other guy.

Many clients come to me from other 'self-defense'
training where they are forced to deal with simulated
attacks. I'll pass on the quality of that training
approach and instead focus on the 'motivation' these
systems use to keep the client from freezing under
attack.

These 'motivators' revolve around fighting for your
life, fighting to go home to loved ones, fighting to
protect loved ones, or some variation of those themes.

But if you take a good look at those reasons they all
fall short for one critical reason: They are NOT what
truly gets the job done to focus yourself like a laser
in order to destroy the other guy. At best, they are
byproducts of the "ultimate motivation".

So what IS the ultimate motivation in a life-and-
death struggle?

-----------------------------------------------

AN ABSOLUTE FOCUS ON INFLICTIING AS MUCH DAMAGE
AS POSSIBLE TO THE OTHER GUY!

-----------------------------------------------

Pretty simple.

What allows you to go home to your loved ones, to
protect them or yourself during a violent attack is --
hurting the other guy.

Imagine this scenario: A mugger puts a knife to your
throat.

Now, two totally different responses...

The person motivated to 'protect' himself/herself
grabs the wrist and tries to wrest control of the
knife.

The person motivated to hurt his/her other guy shifts
their torso, penetrates forward and delivers a closed
fist punch to the other guy's Adam's apple.

Two totally different responses, with totally
different results...

The former runs the risk of losing control of the
knife and getting seriously injured or killed.

The latter, by focusing on hurting the other guy,
neutralizes the knife by punching the Adam's apple and
starts to shut down the other guy's Central Nervous
System.

The byproduct of the latter action is he/she gets to
go home, protect the vulnerable loved one with them,
or whatever other motivation they thought was the
reason they hurt the other guy in the first place.

The General Patton quote is pretty rough, but the
context was motivating his troops for war... literally
the same as what you're facing in a true life-or-
death struggle. He wanted each and every one of them
to come home, and he knew the best chance they had was
if they focused on inflicting as much damage as
possible to their enemy.

You'll notice... he didn't urge them to think of
their loved ones as a motivation to fight.

He told them that if they fought to inflict as much
damage as possible on the enemy, they'd return home to
them.

Take a second to re-read that quote. I think you'll
probably see it in a much different content.

Until next time,

*********************************************

Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply



"The Difference Between A Weapons Fighter And Fighting
With Weapons"

******************************************************

"Men have become the tool of their tools"

- Henry David Thoreau

******************************************************

Fighting with weapons is a subject that has generated
volumes of writing in the combat arts world. What is
interesting to note is that for the most part weapons
training is treated as requiring a completely
different set of training principles as opposed to
'empty hand' fighting.

In fact, there are whole martial arts devoted to just
training with a weapon. All this leads to tremendous
confusion from the client's point of view.

Basically, you end up with 2 totally different sets
of principles in response to violent attacks:

1) One response for a hand-to-hand assault, and
2) A completely different response to a weapons attack

Now, on the surface you may think this is a very
logical way to view two, seemingly different, attacks.

But let's go back to my earlier point in Newsletter
#2. Remember what we talked about?

Your brain is your primary weapon;
your body is your secondary weapon.

If that works for you, as the fighter, then it is
equally true for the other guy... he just may not know
it!

Given this, what is your weapon-wielding other guy
most likely focusing on?

You got it... HIS OWN PHYSICAL WEAPON!

That's right. He's likely banking on the fact that
the intimidation factor of his weapon alone is
enabling him to do whatever he wants because you are
going to fear his weapon.

And if you are trained to believe there are different
rules when fighting against weapons versus hand-to-
hand... then he is probably correct.

That other guy is a good example of a 'Weapons
Fighter'.

The definition of a 'weapons fighter' is a person who
is solely empowered by his weapon in a confrontation.
His whole plan of attack revolves around the use of
the weapon. If the weapon is lost to him during the
conflict then he needs to change his fighting
principles to handle his prey.

In fact, without the use of the weapon, he may quit
the assault altogether and retreat.

This is not the way I train my clients.

Your fighting principles MUST be the same with or
without a weapon.

Fighting is fighting regardless of whether you have a
weapon, are facing a weapon, are on the ground, or are
assaulted by more than the other guy.

When you truly understand that your brain is your
primary weapon, your body your secondary weapon, and
EVERYTHING else (read knife, club, or weapon of
choice) is ancillary, you then become a person that
knows how to FIGHT WITH A WEAPON... rather than being
a 'weapons fighter'.

The former gives you unlimited options; the latter
limits you to the weapon in hand.

My clients achieve the former because they are taught
consistent principles that don't change whether they
fight with a weapon or against a weapon.

They understand how to properly use all weapons yet
remain focused on the fact whatever they hold in their
hands is just one of many weapons they command.

By understanding how to fight with weapons they also
understand how to defeat the 'weapons fighter'. This
significantly improves their odds when attacked
without the use of an ancillary weapon.

So what will you train to be --- a 'Weapons Fighter'
or a person who knows how to FIGHT WITH WEAPONS?

Until next time,

********************************************

Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying Alive
When 'Rules' Don't Apply


"Questions From You"

******************************************************

"You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers.
You can tell whether a man is wise by his questions."

-Mahfouz Naguib

******************************************************

The response to this newsletter has been overwhelming
and I can't tell you how much I appreciate your
feedback. I thought this issue would be a good place
to stop and take time to answer some of the many
questions I've received from subscribers.

Please understand that I can't possibly answer each
question that is submitted to our site. Just handling
questions from my inner-circle training clients is
more than a full time job. So what I've done is tried
to pick some of the reoccurring questions. So lets
begin...

# # #

David from San Diego writes: "I am looking for a real
deal hand-to-hand combat school. I am not interested
in the sport fighting. How can I tell the frauds from
the real in terms of h2h combat?"

* * *

Tough one, frankly there are very few quality
instructors in hand-to-hand combat. There is so much
back-biting in the business that you can't go by what
others say but rather what they do for you. Do they
answer your questions? Do their methods work for you?
It'll take some work on your part to seek out good
instruction. Part of the reason I write this
newsletter is to give you some insights as to what to
look for when choosing an instructor.

Obviously I consider my live training the finest
available. Please check our website at
www.tftgroup.com/livetraining.htm for the next class.

# # #

Joe from Montreal writes" "I have really enjoyed your
newsletters and feel that you are "right on the money"
in your philosophy; can you recommend some specific
techniques that an individual can practice alone or
with a partner that you have found successful? I have
trained in martial arts for many years and have
narrowed my list of "effective techniques" down to the
following: palm heel to the chin, elbow strike to
chin, chop to the neck, single or double slap to the
ears, finger stab to the eyes, low kicks to the knee,
and knee kick to the groin or stomach; do you feel
these are effective or do you have any additional
suggestions?"

* * *

A lot of you have sent me this question along with
your favorite targets or techniques. Now don't get me
wrong, Joe listed some very effective targets and
techniques but the thought process is way off.

Don't limit yourself to 'favorites'; there are
approximately 70 anotomical areas of the body that
provide over 200 specific targets on the human body
that can maim, cripple, or kill.

Which one is the 'best'? The one I can easily strike
with my body weapon of choice. Then I continue to hit
targets until I have destroyed the other guy. Simple as
that. Any other way of thinking limits you.
# # #

Bill from New York writes: "I enjoy receiving the
newsletters. I would like to see you archive them on
your website so that I may share them with others who
have not subscribed from the beginning. I would also
like to see you write on some of the target areas to
shut down the CNS in a non-lethal way. I would not
want to kill someone when not intending to do so.
Thank you for your valuable advice. I hope to one day
take your course. Do you teach in New York?"

* * *

Good suggestion on the archiving. I'll forward that
to our Webmaster. Non-lethal attacks on the CNS? I
think you'd have to check your reason for getting into
the altercation. I write about life-or-death
application when using violence as a response. That is
very clear-cut. You take action or you die.

'Teaching someone a lesson' by attacking the CNS is
risky at best. I do instruct my clients on non-lethal
targeting but point out immediately that any time you
strike someone you never know their true physical
health. Any trauma visited on the human body can
trigger an unwanted response. What if the loudmouth
you just hit to the solar plexus had a genetic heart
condition that your strike triggers? Was it worth the
ego satisfaction to cause the legal problems and have
to live with that? I try to instruct my clients to
think beyond the immediate.

And New York? Yes, I am regulary train in New York City.
Watch the website for dates as these courses fill very
quickly.
# # #

Well, just 3 questions and I'm way over my limit
trying to keep these issues brief. Periodically I'll
do these, so keep sending in your questions and again,
thanks for your time.

Until next time,

*********************************************

Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply


"The Importance Of Mind Games"

******************************************************
"Everything I ever really need to know I learned in
Kindergarten."
- Robert Fulghum
******************************************************

One of the most revealing training exercises I ever
conducted occurred while working with a law
enforcement unit assigned to protect a high profile
politician from another country.

In this particular country assassination was a very
real threat for this politician. The law enforcement
unit was comprised of some very sharp ex-military spec
ops members that had outstanding training and real-
world credentials as part of an aggressive counter-
terrorist unit.

The problem we had with this unit was their inability
to properly anticipate ambushes or potential
assassination attempts in the exercises we designed.
We knew it wasn't a lack of intelligence, training, or
ability.

So what was the problem???

What we finally determined was...

* * * * * * * * * *

They had adopted a defensive state of mind!

* * * * * * * * * *

Yeah I know, by this issue you probably already
guessed that was the case.

But I mention it because my staff and I had gone into
the training assuming mindset wouldn't be an issue. In
fact some of my guys had worked with members of this
group when they were in the military and were shocked
by this change.

How did we fix it?

We basically got them to do a role reversal. We
actively encouraged them to think like assassins. The
actual methods were more detailed and elaborate but
the concept was essentially just a change in how they
looked at the problem.

This resulted in an amazing increase in the unit's
ability to anticipate and counter assassination
attempts long before the politician was ever in
danger.

In debriefing this unit we learned they felt that
since they were now in a unit designed to "protect
someone" that somehow they now needed to be defensive.

In fact even the name of the unit affected this
change.

Using English language for illustration purposes,
their old military unit was a 'counter-terror' unit
whereas the law enforcement unit was an 'anti-
terrorist' unit.

In simple terms a counter-terrorist unit mission is to
'hunt' down terrorists while an anti-terrorist unit is
designed to 'defend' against a terror assault.

It was very enlightening for me to once again see the
power 'words' can have on performance. Even very
seasoned operators fall prey to that trap.

So how does this relate to your day-to-day mindset?

I talk about the Cause-State but still I find many
of my clients go through a day in Effect-State.

Why?

Because you get caught in the trap that to be a law
abiding citizen you have to wait for something to
happen before you can take action. This results in a
very poor use of your 'primary' weapon. You'll always
be one step behind the aggressor.

It's easy for me to get my clients that hunt to
understand this. That's because when they're out in
the woods hunting their prey, they have NO fear. In
fact, there is eager anticipation as they try to find
where the prey may be hiding. Using this thinking,
it's easy for me to get them to adopt the Cause State.

For those of you that don't hunt, think about when you
were a child, playing hide and seek. When you were
looking for the 'hiders', there was NO fear in you.

You were actively engaged in your environment to seek
out and capture these 'hiders'. In fact, if you were
good at the game, you found yourself role playing,
asking yourself where you'd be hiding if it were your
turn.

Well, that same 'state' you learned in Kindergarten is
now a key tactic in controlling your fear and
hesitation in life. You can actively engage your
surroundings during the day without affecting your
daily business.

Role reverse and play the criminal in your mind.
Rather than wonder, "Who's around that corner?" just
ask yourself how you'd attack. Try this and see the
difference in the way you feel.

Until next time,

**********************************************

Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply


"Generating Maximum Power"

******************************************************

"Excellence is an art won by training and habituation.
We do not act rightly because we have virtue or
excellence, but we rather have those because we have
acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do.
Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit."

- Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC)

******************************************************

I was watching the Bruce Lee classic, "Enter The
Dragon", with my young son the other night. He loves
the choreography of the fight scenes and the rapid
rate that the fighters deliver the strikes.

I have to admit those movies are fun to watch. We
also enjoy watching "The Three Stooges" for the same
reason ??- the speed of the strikes, although the
"Stooges" do it for comic effect.

I remember for much of my youth my martial arts
training revolved around speed. I was always trying to
punch and kick faster. Often you were judged on how
many strikes you could deliver in a given amount of
time.

In this newsletter, we've already discussed the
importance of striking a specific target on the
other guy's body, so lets talk about speed. Where does
it factor in when you fight?

First a little physics is in order -- Force x
Velocity = Power. Most instructors in the combat
sport and martial arts world focus on just one aspect
of the equation... Speed. (Speed is how fast an object
moves, velocity is how fast an object moves from point
a to b.)

Why?

Because most of those disciplines are taught in what
TFT(tm) terms the Effect-State(tm). The Effect-State
revolves around you reacting to an event that already has
occurred. In fact, it can be argued that most of
society operates in this defensive state of mind.
That subject would require a separate newsletter
altogether.

In a fight it is natural that if you operate in a
Effect-State you will try to compensate for your
waiting to see what the other guy is doing -- with
speed.

Problem is... speed without force is only a portion
of the equation, and even if your targeting is accurate,
you strike with static force. In fighting, a static-force
strike would be a punch using only your arm speed to
strike rather than putting your entire bodyweight
behind the punch.

Essentially, in the context of fighting, a speed-
only response equals FEAR. I'm not saying it can't be
effective sometimes, just that you are counting on
ALWAYS being able to be faster than the other guy. I
don't like those odds.

TFT was developed with the idea that you may not be
faster or stronger than the other guys but you
compensate for those realities by operating in the
Cause-State(tm), striking with dynamic rather than static
force.

I've touched on operating in the Cause-State in
earlier newsletters so lets explore using dynamic
force.

Dynamic force allows you to strike with the full
power equation, putting your bodyweight behind each
strike to maximize damage and minimize the length of
the conflict.

The key to generating dynamic force is understanding
how to properly lock your body and transfer your body
weight into each strike. This can be accomplished
quickly with some basic exercises and on-the-mat
training at a TFT seminar.

Although it is beyond the scope of this newsletter
to try to instruct this method, I will say that one
way to start the process is to SLOW DOWN your free-
fight sessions, hit your targets, and leave your body
weapon on the target until your opponent MOVES AWAY
from your body weapon.

Most people strike and quickly take their body
weapon off the target. This does not allow for the
force of the blow to penetrate the other guy's body. It
is the other guy that should move from the force if you
want to generate maximum power. This also gives you
feedback as to whether you are in balance when you
strike.

You may do this at slow speeds and get the feedback
without injuring your training partner. Quickly, you
and your training partner can increase your speed AND
deliver maximum power.

So let Hollywood entertain you with SPEED but make
sure you TRAIN for POWER.

Until next time,

*****************************************************

Free Combat Training Principles -- Secrets For Staying
Alive When 'Rules' Don't Apply



"More Of Your Questions"

******************************************************

"The real object of education is to have a
man in the condition of continually asking
questions."

-Bishop Creighton

******************************************************
Thanks to every one of you who stepped up and made the
effort to attend my last TFT training seminar. This
newsletter was designed to reach those people who I'd
probably never be able to instruct. Yet some of you
decide to ignore that fact.

I'm constantly amazed by the persistence some
individuals demonstrate when they decide to seek out
my services. It was a pleasure to train you.

As for the rest of you I have another set of questions
my staff has assembled for me to answer generated by
this e-zine of mine, so here it goes:

David from Auckland, NZ writes: I've read all your
issues to date and want to know when you're actually
going to give some instruction? Your subjects are
great but you don't specifically instruct on how to
use your methods? Is this leading up to a sale?
Videos? Training? If so get on with it?-

*** Well David speaks for that small percentage of you
out there that think there is no free lunch. So hear
you go:

Do I sell videos?
Yes.

Do I conduct live training?
Yes.

Would I like you to buy from me?
Absolutely, I like making money.

Is this newsletter designed to instruct you in hand-
to-hand combat?
NO!

It's designed to make you THINK... to get you to ask
questions and demand from any instructor that you
receive the absolute best from him if you choose to
invest your valuable time and train.

I'd love to train each and every one of you but it's
not possible. So the next best option for me is to
pass on some principles and methods you need to be
familiar with in order to get what you need from such
training.

Dakota from Encino writes: How can you get such
incredible results in such a short amount of time when
most people need years of training to become
proficient?

*** That can be answered by this analogy. Learning to
ride and train a horse for competition takes years and
you need an instructor to teach you the method. If you
stick with it you can get very good at riding a horse.
That is how most martial arts approach self-protection
training.

Whereas if your main goal is transportation --
learning to drive a car is far more efficient. TFT is
like learning to drive a car.

It takes much less time to learn and will beat even
the most accomplished racehorse. Most people don't
have to be able to build a car in order to drive and
operate it.

My instructors are all master mechanics that can
design and build the car for you. They've put in the
years so you can get the critical principles in mere
hours.

Will in Detroit writes: I saw you said in an interview
that working out on a heavy bag is counter-productive.
Why?

*** Going back to the first issue you find that I
stated you do what you train. Bags have very limited
use in TFT training. Any training aid I use needs to
replicate the human body.

The cylindrical shapes of heavy bags are not shaped
like humans therefore you code incorrect information
in your brain regarding targeting.

Also most people kick or punch a bag repeatedly
standing in the same place whereas if you inflicted
that type of trauma on a human the human would react
and move and you'd have to dynamically move with the
other guy to strike them again effectively. A bag does
not provide for dynamic movement. Those are just 2
reasons but you get the idea.

Kevin from NYC writes -- I live in a really bad
neighborhood and am constantly getting attacked. I was
wondering if you could give me a few tips on how to
beat these guys up?

*** This is a question I get a lot from people and I
have to go back to the reason I write this newsletter:
to discuss the principles that make up a great combat
fighting system. It would be irresponsible of me to
try and give you some tips on how to beat someone up.

I do sell videos and give live training seminars. That
is a far better format for you to get specific
information on how to learn my system. I'll leave it
to other less responsible 'instructors' to dole out a
couple of 'tips' and send you back to the street.

Again, great questions everyone -- see you next issue
and keep them coming.

Until next time,